Floods!

This week we are studying the causes and effects of floods, as well as if a flood is catastrophic or non-catastrophic (i.e. a seasonal flood). We discussed how heavy rain, a break in a dam or levee, the formation of a dam or levee, rapid snow melt, storm surges, and tsunamis are just a few causes of floods. One flood cause that briefly stumped us was drought but through discussion and brainstorming we saw how a very dry area of land would not absorb the water from rains and a flash flood would result.

After discussing the causes, we worked in groups to create models of floods in stream tables. Each group was given a different flood cause and had to design an experiment that would demonstrate the flood. Later this week we are going to discuss the effects of floods. I think we'll notice we saw some flood effects on our field trip last week!

Groups creating their floods with stream tables.