Geometry of Flooding

To this day, the March 2010 floods in Massachusetts were described as “once-in-a-generation” river levels, experiencing the highest levels in 23 years and setting new records. 

This two-page investigation asks students to calculate the volume of water generated by inches of rain spread across Massachusetts's surface area. Specific river catchment areas are then considered to understand the actual volume rise of the Sudbury River. Once the volume of water is calculated, students are asked to find the approximate river depth change.  This activity could be used in any science or math class, especially if flooding is in the news in your area or nationally.