ENVS 140 Western Water Problems (5 credits)
Distribution Area Fulfilled Natural Sciences; General Transfer Elective
Formerly ENVIR 140
Course Description
Historical and contemporary exploration of the water resource and issues in the Western United States.
Course Content
A. Introduction to the properties of water and water resources.
B. Surface water (streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands)
C. Groundwater
D. Historical review of Western U.S. water issues
E. Contemporary Western U.S. water issues including water allocation and pollution
F. Major Western U.S. water basins (e.g. Columbia, Colorado, Missouri, Rio Grande, Great Basin)
G. Related water issues and natural hazard risk (e.g. droughts, floods, fires)
H. Local water issues in Western Washington (e.g. salmon, dams, deforestation, and land use)
Student Outcomes
1. Describe the physical and chemical properties of water.
2. Diagram the hydrologic cycle and the movement of water and energy with it.
3. Explain biogeochemical cycles as interactive systems.
4. Describe the relationship between the weather and climate of the Western U.S. and the location and distribution of water resources and natural hazards.
5. Describe the relationship between the major geographic regions of the Western U.S. and the location and distribution of water resources.
6. Diagram the major components of a watershed.
7. Diagram and explain the major components of groundwater resources.
8. Summarize the historical development of water resources in the Western U.S. for agriculture, industry, and urban growth.
9. Analyze federal water policy, water rights, and water law as they apply to the Western U.S.
10. Use the scientific method to describe the major components of studying and solving water resource problems.
11. Analyze the major contemporary issues in water allocation, use, and misuse in the Western U.S.
12. Distinguish between water needs of the different water basins.
13. Examine different water basins in order to compare their ecological diversity.
14. Design a set of criteria for a regional water use plan.
15. Interpret topographic maps, aerial photographs, and satellite imagery for water resource studies.
16. Evaluate water resources using hydrographs, climographs, snowpack and streamflow charts, and other statistical graphics.
17. Discuss and summarize the major local water issues in Western Washington.
18. Locate and analyze water resource data and information using the library and Internet as research tools.
19. Responsibility: Recognize Interconnectedness. See self as part of more extended humankind and global community. Describe self and others in relation to environment, animal kingdom (biotic and abiotic), society, etc.
20. Critical, Creative, and Reflective Thinking: Conclusions and Judgments. Combine some aspects of experience, reason, and information to make conclusions and judgments with some success. (e.g. predict the effect that extremely high tides and extremely low tides have upon organisms of the intertidal community)
21. Information Competency: Evaluates Sources and Uses Tools. Evaluate and selectively use most appropriate tools and sources to access and manipulate geologic information, including library research, the Internet, and field research.
Degree Outcomes
NATURAL SCIENCES: Graduates use the scientific method to analyze natural phenomena and acquire skills to evaluate authenticity of data and information relative to the natural world.
Responsibility: Graduates will be able to respond by examining the relationship between self, community, and environments, evaluating potential impacts and consequences of actions, and making choices and contributions based on that examination and evaluation.
Information Competency: Graduates will be able to seek, find, evaluate and use information and employ information technology to engage in lifelong learning.
Lecture Contact Hours 50
Lab Contact Hours 0
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 50
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