The Destruction of the Klamath River

Including themes of ecology, physics, and environmental impact; this engineering lesson introduces students to the idea of energy conservation. While using the phenomena of the Klamath River Dam Removal Project, "The Destruction of the Klamath River" allows students to either add to or reinforce their knowledge of energy, the concept of conservation of energy, and how energy must be conserved in complex fluid systems. To finish out the lesson, students will engage in a small-group hands-on activity where they will generate maps of the Klamath River project area and analyze the energy entering and leaving the river, all to help generate a mathematical model for the amount of energy removed via dams. Lastly, students will sketch and analyze energy relationships between the Salmon that call the Klamath River home, and the environment that supports them.