Background Information for Teachers

Water Use

USGS Water Data Discovery

Go here to find historical and real-time water data for classroom use. For data from a specific river or stream, the interactive National Water Information System Mapper is a good starting point.

Water Use in the United States

How much water do we use in the United States? How do those numbers change over a 5 year period?

Floods

The 100-Year Flood

What is a 100-year flood and why don't these floods happen every 100 years? This simple fact sheet describes the statistics behind the designation and explains why regular measurements are essential for understanding them.

USGS Flood Information

The best starting point for information about current and past floods. Includes links to alerts, maps, photographs, and videos.

The 100-Year Flood- It's All About Chance

The term "100-year flood" is part of the national lexicon, but is often a source of confusion. Download and/or print this free poster that attempts to explain the concept, probabilistic nature, and inherent uncertainties of the "100-year flood" to the layman. Print full-size at 44" x 38" or on 11" x 17" paper.

Additional Resources