Cape Fear Flow Script

Warm-Up: Where Does Water Go? (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Let's start with a quick thought experiment. Imagine it's raining outside right now. Where does all that rainwater eventually go? Think about our local area, right here in the Cape Fear region! Turn and talk with a partner for about 30 seconds, then we'll share."

(Allow students to discuss. Listen for keywords like 'drain,' 'river,' 'ocean,' 'ground'.)

Teacher: "Alright, who has some ideas? Where does the water go?"

(Call on a few students. Guide the discussion toward local bodies of water and the concept of runoff.)

Teacher: "Excellent ideas! Today, we're going to become detectives of our local water, tracing its incredible journey from our very own backyard all the way to the Atlantic Ocean."

Introduction to the Hydrosphere & Water Distribution (10 minutes)

(Display Cape Fear Flow Slide Deck - Slide 2: "What is the Hydrosphere?")

Teacher: "First, let's talk about something called the hydrosphere. Has anyone heard that word before? Any guesses what it might mean?"

(Wait for responses, guide them to 'water' and 'sphere'.)

Teacher: "That's right! 'Hydro' means water, and 'sphere' refers to Earth. So, the hydrosphere is all the water on Earth! That includes the massive oceans, the rivers and lakes we see, the water stored deep underground, and even the tiny bits of water vapor floating in the air. It's all connected and constantly moving in what we call the water cycle."

(Display Cape Fear Flow Slide Deck - Slide 3: "Water, Water Everywhere?")

Teacher: "Now, let's think about where all this water is. Take a look at this slide. What do you notice about the distribution of water on Earth?"

(Point out the percentages.)

Teacher: "Wow, 97% is saltwater! Where do we find most of that saltwater?"

Student: "In the oceans!"

Teacher: "Exactly. And only 3% is freshwater. Even within that small 3%, most of it is locked away in glaciers and ice caps, or deep underground in what we call groundwater. Only a tiny fraction is readily available in rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere."

Teacher: "Given these numbers, why do you think freshwater is such an incredibly important resource for us?"

(Encourage responses about drinking, agriculture, daily life.)

Exploring Local River Basins: Cape Fear (15 minutes)

(Display Cape Fear Flow Slide Deck - Slide 4: "What's a River Basin?")

Teacher: "Today, we're going to zoom in from the global view to our local area. We're going to talk about something called a river basin. Think of a river basin like a giant bowl. Any rain that falls within that bowl will eventually drain towards the lowest point – usually a river, and then out to the ocean."

Teacher: "The shape of the land, what we call topography, is super important here. If you're on a hill, water flows down, right? River basins are defined by these natural slopes and elevations. Every drop of rain that falls within a basin follows these slopes, moving from higher ground to lower ground."

Teacher: "And guess what? We live in one! We are part of the Cape Fear River Basin!"

(Display Cape Fear Flow Slide Deck - Slide 5: "Our Home: The Cape Fear River Basin")

Teacher: "That's right! The Cape Fear River Basin is actually the largest river basin entirely within North Carolina. It stretches from the central part of our state all the way to the coast. Every creek, every stream, every puddle here eventually connects to the Cape Fear River."

Teacher: "I'm going to hand out the Cape Fear River Basin Worksheet now. As we go through the next slides, you'll be using the worksheet to trace the journey of water."

*(Distribute Cape Fear River Basin Worksheet.)

(Display Cape Fear Flow Slide Deck - Slide 6: "From Our Backyard to the Ocean")

Teacher: "So, how does the water actually get there? Let's look at some of the ways. On your worksheet, you'll see questions about these different water sources."

Teacher: "Water starts its journey from many places: from small creeks and rivers that you might see near your homes, from springs where groundwater naturally comes to the surface, and from aquifers, which are these amazing underground sponges of rock that hold water. We often pump water from aquifers for drinking."

Teacher: "The key thing to remember is that gravity and the topography of our land work together. All these sources are connected, and the water is always flowing downhill, following the path of least resistance, towards the main stem of the Cape Fear River."

Teacher: "On your worksheet, you'll find some links to help you research more about the Cape Fear River Basin. Take a few minutes to explore those links and answer the questions on your worksheet about how topography influences the flow of water."

(Allow students time to work on their worksheets, providing support and encouraging them to use the provided links if they have access to devices or can share. Walk around the room and check for understanding.)

Estuaries and the Atlantic Ocean (10 minutes)

(Display Cape Fear Flow Slide Deck - Slide 7: "The Grand Finale: Estuaries & The Atlantic")

Teacher: "As our water travels further downstream, getting closer and closer to the coast, something really interesting happens. The freshwater from the Cape Fear River starts to mix with the saltwater from the ocean. This special place is called an estuary. Estuaries are incredibly important ecosystems—they are like nurseries for many different kinds of fish and shellfish. They are rich in life!"

Teacher: "Finally, after traveling through creeks, rivers, possibly from springs or aquifers, and through the estuary, all the water from our Cape Fear River Basin empties into its ultimate destination: the vast Atlantic Ocean!"

Teacher: "This journey is happening all the time. Think about how important it is for us to keep our local environment clean. Everything that enters our river basin, from litter to pollutants, can eventually make its way to the ocean, impacting these important ecosystems and even our drinking water sources."

Cool-Down: The Journey Continues (5 minutes)

Teacher: "To wrap up, turn to the last question on your Cape Fear River Basin Worksheet. I want you to imagine a single raindrop falling on our school's roof right now. Describe its complete journey, in your own words, from our school building all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Be sure to mention at least three different parts of the hydrosphere it would pass through."

(Allow students time to write their responses.)

Teacher: "As you finish up, please pass your worksheets to the front. Great work today, everyone! You've successfully traced the incredible journey of water in our very own Cape Fear River Basin."

(Collect worksheets.)

Cape Fear River Basin Journey

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Part 1: The Hydrosphere & You

1. What is the hydrosphere? List three different places on Earth where you can find water.
   
   
   
   

2. Roughly how much of Earth's water is saltwater, and how much is freshwater? Why is freshwater so important, even though there's less of it?
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Our Home, Our Water

We live in the Cape Fear River Basin! Use the links below to help you answer the questions.

• NC River Basins Map (PDF - You may need to download to view)
• Cape Fear River Basin Overview
• What is an Aquifer?

3. What is a river basin? In your own words, describe how the topography (shape of the land) helps water flow within a river basin.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Name three different local water sources (like creeks, rivers, springs, or aquifers) that eventually drain into the Cape Fear River.
   
   
   
   

5. How does water typically move from these smaller sources into the larger Cape Fear River? Think about gravity and the land.
   
   
   
   

Part 3: The Ocean Connection

6. What is an estuary? Why are estuaries, like where the Cape Fear River meets the ocean, so important for nature?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

7. What is the final destination for all the water that flows through the Cape Fear River Basin?
   
   
   
   

Part 4: Your Water Story (Cool-Down Reflection)

8. Imagine a single raindrop falls right on our school building. Describe the journey that raindrop would take from our school all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Be sure to mention at least three different parts of the hydrosphere it would pass through on its way!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Cape Fear River Basin Answer Key

Part 1: The Hydrosphere & You

1. What is the hydrosphere? List three different places on Earth where you can find water.
   The hydrosphere is all the water on Earth. Three places include: oceans, rivers, groundwater, glaciers/ice caps, or water vapor in the atmosphere.

2. Roughly how much of Earth's water is saltwater, and how much is freshwater? Why is freshwater so important, even though there's less of it?
   Approximately 97% of Earth's water is saltwater, and about 3% is freshwater. Freshwater is crucial because it is the water we need to drink, grow food, and for most industrial and domestic uses. Most living things on land depend on freshwater to survive.

Part 2: Our Home, Our Water

3. What is a river basin? In your own words, describe how the topography (shape of the land) helps water flow within a river basin.
   A river basin is an area of land where all the water (from rain, snowmelt, etc.) drains into a single main river and its tributaries, eventually flowing to the ocean. Topography, which is the physical shape and features of the land (like hills, valleys, and slopes), dictates the direction water flows. Water always flows downhill due to gravity, so the higher elevations and slopes of the land guide the water towards lower elevations and into the main river channel.

4. Name three different local water sources (like creeks, rivers, springs, or aquifers) that eventually drain into the Cape Fear River.

   • Creeks (e.g., local creeks near school)
   • Rivers (e.g., smaller rivers that feed into the Cape Fear)
   • Springs (natural outflows of groundwater)
   • Aquifers (underground water sources)
   • Rainfall runoff

5. How does water typically move from these smaller sources into the larger Cape Fear River? Think about gravity and the land.
   Water moves from smaller sources into the Cape Fear River primarily due to gravity. The topography of the land creates slopes, and water flows downhill along these slopes, collecting in smaller creeks and streams, which then merge into larger rivers until they reach the main stem of the Cape Fear River.

Part 3: The Ocean Connection

6. What is an estuary? Why are estuaries, like where the Cape Fear River meets the ocean, so important for nature?
   An estuary is a coastal body of water where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with saltwater from the ocean. They are very important because they provide unique habitats and serve as nurseries for many different species of fish, shellfish, and birds. They are rich in nutrients and biodiversity.

7. What is the final destination for all the water that flows through the Cape Fear River Basin?
   The final destination for all water that flows through the Cape Fear River Basin is the Atlantic Ocean.

Part 4: Your Water Story (Cool-Down Reflection)

8. Imagine a single raindrop falls right on our school building. Describe the journey that raindrop would take from our school all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Be sure to mention at least three different parts of the hydrosphere it would pass through on its way!
   (Student answers will vary but should include a logical progression and mention at least three components from the hydrosphere.)
   Example thought process:
   1. The raindrop falls on the school roof and flows into a gutter.
   2. It then runs off the roof into a nearby creek (part of the hydrosphere).
   3. This creek flows into a larger river (like a tributary of the Cape Fear River, another part of the hydrosphere).
   4. The river continues to flow downhill, guided by the topography of the land, eventually merging into the main Cape Fear River (another part of the hydrosphere).
   5. As the Cape Fear River gets closer to the coast, it enters an estuary where it mixes with saltwater.
   6. Finally, the raindrop completes its journey as the Cape Fear River empties into the Atlantic Ocean (the ultimate destination and a major part of the hydrosphere).