Lesson 1: What is the Relationship Between Season and Water Temperature?

Many locations experience four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Air temperature changes during the various seasons can cause bodies of water to also change temperature. Do differences in water temperature occur in a regular pattern, or are the changes less ordered?

Doing the science

1. Start the Water Quality Simulation by clicking on the "Sim" tab.
2. Click on the "Zoom" icon.
3. Click on the "Oliphant" location.
4. Next, click on the "Temperature" icon.
5. Move the cursor to a position on Bailey’s Brook in Oliphant and click on the water.
6. Note and record in Table 1 below the month and water temperature displayed in the popup box.
7. Click the forward arrow next to the month "September" at the top, middle of the screen.
8. Click on the "x" (close icon) at the top right-hand corner of the "Temperature" pop-up box in the middle of the screen.
9. Repeat steps 5 – 8 until you have collected temperature data until the month of June.