Disappearing Winter Snowpack

• This article explains how climate change has caused a decrease in snowpack in the western United States. 
• Students will learn about the importance of snowpack to surrounding ecosystems, municipal water supplies, agriculture, and hydropower generation.

Positives:

• This article analyzes the impacts of the reduced snowpack.
• The data and images provided in the article are great visuals to have students interpret and discuss.

Additional Prerequisites:

• Students should understand how hydropower works.

Differentiation:

• Science classes could use this article during a unit on the water cycle. Students could identify the different sources of water for drinking, power generation, and recreation.
• Teachers could ask students to think about the energy sources that are likely to replace hydropower if the snowpack continues to disappear. Students could discuss which of the alternative energy sources are sustainable.
• Math or science classes could use the map showing trends in snowpack in the Western US to discuss percent change. Teachers should reinforce the fact that positive percent change is in blue and that negative percent change is in red and explain what this means for snowpack trends.
• As an extension, have students use this interactive mapping tool to investigate changes in precipitation around the world and then come up with an action plan for adapting to this side effect of climate change.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.