International River

Introduction:

This is a follow-up activity to the Colorado River project.  In that activity we focused on the complex issues created when a significant river flows through seven states eventually reaching Mexico.  In this activity our class will examine several rivers found outside North America that flow between two or more countries.  You will be working in a group examining one of these rivers.

Your homework assignment:  Each member of the group must come in with two articles about your river to share with your group.  The next day in class we will work in our river groups and share/discuss the articles.

Information to be collected:

Length of river, where it originates, countries it flows through, significant tributaries, uses (commercial, agriculture, hydroelectric, etc.).

Emphasize the following:

Are there issues (disputes) between countries that share the river?  Are any of these disputes about water usage?

Are there laws that govern water usage between the countries?

Describe the cultural and historical importance of the river.

What are the Parallels and differences between your river and the Colorado River?

End product:  Our class will examine the critical and complex issues related to water usage along rivers that flow between countries.

Your group will lead a short discussion about the information you discovered about your international river.  A map of your river will be projected on the smart board while you lead an informal discussion about your river.