Great Water Challenge #2

This Friday, 28 October, and Week #2 of the Great Water Challenge project for Grade 4/5 was challenging.  We studied historical information from 1965 to 2000 about local water systems.  This included Haslam Lake, Lang Creek, Myrtle Pond, and Sliammon Lake.  Students know now that :

Sliammon uses more than 100 000 gallons of water daily from Sliammon Lake.  

They needed a water license to use the water.

Powell Riverites use about 738  litres of water a day each from Haslam Lake.

They also needed a water license.

Haslam Lake cannot have float homes on it and recreational boating is very limited to boats that don't use fuel.

Tla'amin First Nation is the only user of Sliammon Lake water but they can get more from Powell River.

The water sources including the Pacific Ocean and Sliammon Lake are very important culturally and historically to Tla'amin people for fish, clams, prawns, salmon, and their community water needs.

They also get water from Sliammon Creek and Kwolann Spring.

Lang Creek is important for fisheries and local residents.  

Myrtle Pond is used by residents and fire department.

Myrtle Pond Water System is over 40 years old.

 Haslam Lake is chlorinated.

These are some of the facts the students discovered in their study of local historical documents.

Great Water Challenge #1

Our first day of no water bottles or access to the fountain in the hall was tough.   It was also gym class today.  We waited until the time set for our water break every two hours and we were all uncomfortably thirsty by then since we are used to having clean, unlimited water in our water bottles.  We talked this afternoon about how frustrated the moms and dads must feel that their families do not have safe clean water available all the time.  Our students wondered what illnesses could be caused by drinking this dangerous water.
 We saw the video of the interview with Prime Minister Trudeau at Shoal Lake 40 Reserve in Manitoba.  How much money is needed to improve all poor water systems on Canadian First Nations communities across Canada?  He promised to fix the problem and said that he keeps his promises.   Does he have a 5 or 6 year plan to fix this problem?

Rocks and minerals

We are leaning about rocks and minerals they are so cool.  What do you like best about minerals and geology?
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