Water Web quest
In this web quest, you will explore water in Texas. You will first begin by comparing elevation maps with
Texas rivers and lakes. You will analyze basins (watersheds and surface water) and aquifers
(groundwater.) Answer the questions in green in your science journal
1. Click on the following link: http://geology.com/state-map/texas.shtml#elevation
A. Compare the Texas Elevation Map and the Texas Rivers Map - Texas Lake Map
B. What do you notice about the elevation as begins in the west and move east across
Texas?
C. What is the elevation of southeast Denton County?
D. What is the major river that the smaller tributaries (rivers) empty into?
E. Where does the Trinity River end?

Notice that all of the rivers flow from northwest to southeast. The rivers and lakes are
considered surface water.
2. Click on the following link: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assets/public/gis/docs/basins.pdf
A. What is the name of the basin where Denton County is located?
B. Where does the Trinity River Basin end?
C. How many counties are in the Trinity River Basin?
D. What river does the Trinity River Basin empty in to?

Notice that the watershed covers many counties. All of the water from these areas
empties into one major river.
3. Click on the following link: http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/mapping/maps/jpg
A. How many major aquifers are in Texas?
B. What aquifer (groundwater ) is located under Denton County?
C. How many counties are on top of this aquifer?

Notice how much groundwater is actually in Texas.
4. Answer the following questions:
A. Why do the rivers all flow in the same direction?
B. What would be the impact on the ecosystems in the Trinity River Basin if pollution
were to get into the watershed?
C. How far would the pollution spread?
D. If there were pollution to the groundwater in Denton County, what aquifer would be
affected?
E. Why would it be difficult to clean up pollution in the watershed?
F. Why would it be difficult to clean up pollution in the aquifer?
G. What have you learned about the human impact on surface water, groundwater, and
the watershed?
5. When you are finished with the web quest, go to Google Earth and find the Mississippi River.
A. Where does the Mississippi River begin?