Water Tricks

Presented by Galen Wittrock, Assistant Manager with SPNRD

This activity explains water cohesion, and how soil soaks up water.

Supply list:

• A bowl or tray that holds water

• Water in the Bowl or tray

• A 2 inch square of foil (doesn’t have to be exact)

• Blue water dye (optional)

• Paper towel

Water Aquifer Model

Presented by Travis Glanz, Water Resources Coordinator with SPNRD

This activity displays how recharge events such as rain and snow melt affect the health of the aquifer. Towards the end of the activity, it shows the damage of nitrates using red coloring dye.

Demonstration only: no supplies needed

Nitrates in your water

Presented by Ryan Reisdorff, Water Resources Specialist (left) and Tyler Sanders, Water Resources Technician (right) with the SPNRD

Part 1

This activity uses different aquifer materials. The Brule Formation material and the Ogallala Formation material. In this demonstration, each pop bottle with the different material types will display the difference of how quickly water passes through into the aquifer. Using red food dye to show the danger of high nitrates in the water.

Part 1 Demonstration only

Part 2

Part two of this activity displays how nitrates in your water can’t necessarily be seen but can have a negative affect on our health. Using salt, (though nitrates cannot be tasted) the salt in the water dissolves and cannot be seen.

Part 2 (hands-on activity) Supply List:

The salt water is not meant to be drank, only used for demonstration purposes.

• Salt

• clear plastic cups

• water