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Computation Lab

Goals/Outcomes

  1. Use information at the identified website to explore possible causes of the low water levels on the upper Missouri River.
  2. Write a lab report that identifies the pertinent questions and contains data and conclusions found at the website that answer the questions.

Teacher Preparation

Check the website to be sure it is accessible.

Activities

  1. Preliminary discussion.
    • What are some possible causes of the low water levels in the upper Missouri?
    • Is the problem upstream or local?
    • Is the problem driven by lack of winter or summer precipitation or both?
  2. Go to

    http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/divisional.html

  3. Use data at this web site to investigate if the cause of the low water is located upstream, local or a combination? Is the drought driven by lack of winter, summer or all year around precipitation.
  4. Write and submit at the next class meeting a short (up to 2 pages) lab report that answers the two questions above. Your report should contain the following four sections:
    • Introduction – a paragraph or two reviewing the background on the drought; where, when, cause as stated in the article
    • Statement of Issue – the two questions
    • Data Source – describe the data you used to answer the questions
    • Results and Conclusions – include your answers with data (plots) supporting your answers.

Assessment

  1. Written lab report containing the elements in #4.
  2. Revisit the problem sheets for additions, corrections, deletions.

Things To Look For In The Report

  • Precipitation record for Southwestern Montana (1985-2006+)

    Note: Running mean begins to fall below long-term average mid to late 1998, thus, 12-month average precipitation is below normal, sustained below average monthly precipitation

  • Precipitation record for Southwestern Montana (1999-2006+)

    Note: Running mean begins to fall below long-term average mid to late 1998, thus, 12-month average precipitation is below normal, sustained below average monthly precipitation

  • Precipitation record for North Central North Dakota (1985-2006+)

    Note: Running mean falls below long-term average mid 2001, thus, 12-month average precipitation is below normal, sustained below average monthly precipitation

    Drought began earlier in Montana than North Dakota

    Graphs that support these conclusions can be found in the drought case study PowerPoint at

    http://space.hsv.usra.edu/TRESTE/06workshop_ess.html