Activity Books Understanding Water Activity Book | Page 24

Snow falls in winter. Snow is frozen
water. In states with mountains – like
Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and
California – snow piles up in the
mountains in winter. This buildup
of snow is called snowpack. The
amount of snow and the water
content in the snowpack determines
how much water we will have in the summer and fall.
The snowpack begins to melt in spring when it gets warmer.
The water from the melted snow flows into streams. The
streams flow into rivers. Some of the water is caught and stored
in reservoirs. The stored water can be used throughout the year.
Water stored in reservoirs and lakes is released
when it is needed. The places needing water may
include cities, businesses, homes or farms. Water
can also flow to another state. Water is moved by letting it flow
down rivers, through man-made canals
or ditches, or through huge pipes that
may sit above or below ground.
A DAM IS A STRUCTURE BUILT TO STOP
THE FLOW OF WATER DOWN A STREAM.
THE DAM CREATES A RESERVOIR.
THE RESERVOIR IS BOTH THE CONTAINER
THAT HOLDS THE WATER AND THE WATER
THAT FILLS THE CONTAINER.
22