“You Can Die Here – Death Valley, California” 

Precipitation in California and the Southwestern United States

Student Organizer 

After viewing a map of southern California:

1. View Google Map: Orange Cove, California
Describe the type of human activity going on here: _______________________________________
Describe the surrounding landscape: ___________________________________________________
Do you think that water for agriculture in Orange Cove comes from rainfall, or from local rivers?  What evidence can you cite to support your idea? ________________________________________
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2. View Google Map: Badger, California
Describe the vegetation covering these mountains: ________________________________________
What does the landscape suggest about the amount of rain that falls here? _____________________
3. View Google Map: Badger, California
How does the vegetation here compare to the vegetation to the Foothills of the Sierras?  __________
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What does the landscape here suggest about the amount of rain that falls here? _________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. View California Precipitation Image & Relief Map: ________________________________________
     _________________________________________________________________________________
5.  Refer to the Planetary Winds diagram and determine which way the prevailing winds move at the latitude of the United States (between 30 and 45 degrees north latitude):  _________________________
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6. View Video Clip 2, “Clouds & Currents.”
Over what topographical features do the clouds form and where do they seem to dissipate?
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7. View Video Clip 3, “Runnin’ with the Devil.”
What are the two biggest problems the competitors face and how are they solved?
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