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Tracking Water Levels

Activity

Understanding Houston's Floods

Head over to the Eastern Glades. Observe the flood gauge by the waterfall at North Pavillion. Can you tell how high the water has been? What might cause the water level to rise or fall here in Houston? How does heavy rain or a hurricane affect water levels? What happens if the rain is slow and steady instead?

Science Seed

Flood gauges are tools used to measure water levels in rivers, lakes, and ponds. Houston’s climate is very wet, and receives an average of 50 inches of rain each year. Because the city is flat and originally had many huge areas of sponge-like wetlands, it is prone to flooding when it rains hard and water levels rise quickly. The bayous are an important part of the city because they carry the rain from Houston out into the ocean at the Gulf of Mexico. Flood gauges are essential for tracking the water levels in the city, especially during heavy storms or hurricanes, to help keep people safe from sudden floods.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore the Memorial Park Conservancy

The mission of Memorial Park Conservancy is to preserve, restore, and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

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