Lake Norman State Park an Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for Grades 4-8 “Earth Is Home to Us All
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TESTING THE WATERS Lake Norman State Park An Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for Grades 4-8 “Earth is home to us all. Water is life to us all. Share it responsibly.” – North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission i Funding for the original printing of this Environmental Education Learning Experience was contributed by ii This Environmental Education Learning Experience was developed by William C. Rhinehart, Jr., Lead Interpretation and Education Ranger, Lake Norman State Park, & Lea J. Beazley, West District Interpretation and Education Specialist N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation Department of Environment and Natural Resources Michael F. Easley William G. Ross, Jr. Governor Secretary iii Other Contributors . Park volunteers; Ken Manuel, Division of Environmental Management, Duke Power Company; The N.C. Department of Public Instruction; The N.C. Division of Water Resources; The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and the many individuals and agencies who assisted in the review of this publication. November 2002 - Revised for Publication on Website 500 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $3,210 or $6.42 per copy. Printed on recycled paper. 6-96 iv Table of Contents 1. Introduction • Introduction to the North Carolina State Parks System............................................ 1.1 • Introduction to Lake Norman ................................................................................... 1.2 • Introduction to Lake Norman State Park .................................................................. 1.3 • Introduction to the Activity Packet for Lake Norman State Park ............................. 1.5 2. Activity Summary...................................................................................................... 2.1 • Correlation Chart ...................................................................................................... 2.2 3. Pre-Visit Activities • #1 Key It Out............................................................................................................. 3.1 • #2 Picture This .......................................................................................................... 3.2 • #3 River Roots .......................................................................................................... 3.3 4. On-Site Activities • #1 Life at the Bottom ................................................................................................ 4.1 • #2 Water Lab ............................................................................................................. 4.2 • #3 Lake Watchers ...................................................................................................... 4.3 5. Post-Visit Activities • #1 Park Lake ............................................................................................................. 5.1 • #2 Guilty or Innocent? .............................................................................................. 5.2 • #3 Pollution Dilution ................................................................................................. 5.3 6. Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 6.1 7. References .................................................................................................................. 7.1 8. Forms ......................................................................................................................... 8.1 9. Notes ........................................................................................................................... 9.1 v Introduction to the North Carolina State Parks System reserving and protecting The North Carolina state As one of North Carolina’s North Carolina’s natural parks system has now been principal conservation agen- resourcesP is actually a rela- established for more than cies, the Division of Parks tively new idea. The seeds three quarters of a century. and Recreation is responsible of the conservation move- What started out as one for more than 168,000 acres ment were planted early in small plot of public land has that make up our state parks the 20th century when citi- grown into 61 properties system. The division man- zens were alerted to the dev- across the state, including ages these resources for the astation of Mount Mitchell. parks, recreation areas, trails, safe enjoyment of the public Logging was destroying a and protects and preserves well-known landmark – the them as a part of the heritage highest peak east of the Mis- we will pass on to genera- sissippi. As the magnificent tions to come. forests of this mile-high An important component peak fell to the lumbermen’s of our stewardship of these axe, alarmed citizens lands is education. Through began to voice their our interpretation and envi- opinions. Governor ronmental education ser- Locke Craig joined vices, the Division of Parks these citizens in their ef- and Recreation strives to of- forts to save Mount fer enlightening programs Mitchell. Together they that lead to an understanding convinced the legislature rivers, lakes and natural ar- and appreciation of our natu- to pass a bill establishing eas. This vast network of ral resources. The goal of Mount Mitchell as the first land boasts some of the most our environmental education state park. That was in beautiful scenery in the program is to generate an 1915. world and offers endless rec- awareness in all individuals reational opportunities. But that cultivates responsible our state parks system offers stewardship of the Earth. much more than scenery and recreation. Our lands and waters contain unique and valuable archaeological, geological and biological resources that are important parts of our natural heritage. For more information contact: N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation 1615 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1615 (919) 733-4181 www.ncsparks.net Lake Norman State Park, N.C.1.1 November 2002 Introduction to Lake Norman ake Norman is one of ten struction of this enormous that drives the turbines of L manmade lakes along resource began. Four years Marshall Steam Station and the Catawba River, but it dif- later, Cowan’s Ford Dam, lo- McGuire Nuclear Station. fers significantly in one as- cated near Huntersville, NC, The lake also serves as a wa- pect – size. In fact, Lake was closed and the Catawba ter supply for several cities Norman is nearly as large as River began to back up and and protects downstream ar- the other nine lakes com- form Lake Norman. It took eas from flooding. A variety bined! The larger lakes in- approximately three years to and abundance of wildlife clude Lake James, Lake fill the huge basin created by also benefit from the lake, in- Hickory, Lake Wateree and the dam and another year to cluding osprey, ducks and Lake Wylie. When Lake complete the entire Lake many species of freshwater Norman is completely full, it Norman project. fish, such as largemouth and covers 32,510 acres and has Today, Lake Norman pro- striped bass and catfish. Not 520 miles of shoreline. It’s vides electricity to the pied- only do wild animals call no wonder the lake is nick- mont of North Carolina in Lake Norman home; more named “the inland sea.” two ways. First, it powers than 60,000 people reside In 1959, 43 years after the hydroelectric generators along its shores and enjoy Duke Energy announced at Cowan’s Ford Dam, and boating, fishing, skiing and plans to build the lake, con- second, it cools the steam other water sports. McCafferty: Aquatic Entomology. © 1983: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, Mass. www.jbpub.com. Reprinted with permission. Lake Norman State Park, N.C.1.2 November 2002 Introduction to Lake Norman State Park “Water, water, everywhere...” cluding mountain laurel and Scheduling a Trip and there’s plenty for everyone white pine. And don’t forget To make a reservation, con- at Lake Norman State Park, to look up into the sky above tact the park at least two weeks which is located on the north- the park, where you might see in advance. Complete the eastern shore of Lake Norman. owls, woodpeckers, hawks and scheduling worksheet on page As if there isn’t enough water more than 150 species of mi- 9.1 and provide the following in Lake Norman, the park has grating birds. information: its own 33-acre lake, which is Of course, wildlife is not all • Name of group (school). separated from Lake Norman you’ll find at Lake Norman by an earthen dam. But water State Park. There are also vari- • Name, address, work and is not all you’ll find at the park; ous recreational facilities avail- home telephone numbers of there are also about 1,500 acres able. These include a commu- the group contact person. of rich piedmont forest here, nity building, two picnic areas, • Date, time of arrival and most of which was donated by a picnic shelter, more than six meeting place at the park. Duke Energy. Together, the miles of hiking trails, a moun- • Departure time from the lake and forest provide homes tain bike trail, a swimming park. for a multitude of wildlife. area, pedal boat and canoe • Number of participants and Waterfowl, including ducks, rentals, and family and group adult leaders. A maximum geese, great blue herons and campgrounds. kingfishers, are common sights of 30 participants is rec- around the water. Below the ommended. Please have surface, you’ll find a variety of Guidelines for a Reward- one adult leader per 10 students. Adult leaders freshwater fish, including