Georgia’s Natural Resources Water Resources North Georgia does not have major underground sources...

Georgia’s Georgia’s Natural Natural ResourcesResources

Water ResourcesWater Resources

• North Georgia does not have major underground sources of water. – Underground sources

found south of the Fall Line

ReservoirsReservoirs

• To meet the growing demand for water in north Georgia, reservoirs (large artificial lakes) and smaller lakes have been built.– Problems where to build, how to protect & who

will pay» Reservoirs in Dalton, Ga. Pictured above

Water CycleWater Cycle

• Groundwater stored in porous ground (limestone, and sedimentary ground)

• Aquifers are water-saturated layers of earth.– From rainfall– 2 Types

• Surface – from water table• Artesian – deeper

• Most of north Ga. Depends on surface water – In rivers, streams, lakes and ponds

Water CycleWater Cycle

Georgia’s Rivers & Georgia’s Rivers & StreamsStreams

• Georgia has 20,000 miles of rivers and streams• Georgia’s rivers generally flow from north to south

due to drop in elevation from north to south• Georgia slopes to the southeast

– Rivers & streams are pulled towards the sea

Characteristics of Characteristics of Georgia RiversGeorgia Rivers

• North of Fall Line– More shallow & narrow– Numerous rapids &

waterfalls

• Water power along fall line important fact in settlement

Georgia LakesGeorgia Lakes

• 4 out of 5 Georgians live within 40 miles of a major freshwater lake.– Most have been built

as reservoirs

Rocks & MineralsRocks & Minerals

• Native Indians used quartz and other stones for weapons

• Gold • Kaolin

– Used in many products

• Marble– Tate House in Jasper,

Ga.

Georgia’s Weather & Climate

• Weather – Conditions in the

atmosphere• Air• Clouds• Gasses around earth

• Affects whether we go to the beach today or tomorrow

• Climate– Average weather

conditions over time• At least 25 to 30 years

• Determines what kind of crops a farmer will plant

Weather & Climate continued

• Climate important to creation of Georgia– Same latitude as China,

India, Persia (Iran) and Palestine

• English thought that Georgia could grow or produce the same things as these countries

– Wine, silk, rice, tea, olives, oranges, cotton & indigo

• Geographic Location = climate– Near Atlantic Ocean &

Gulf of Mexico– On eastern edge of

continent– Closeness to Equator

• Hot summers, mild winters, and (usually) abundant rainfall

The Importance of Precipitation In Georgia

• How does rain and snow impact Georgia’s economy?

• Precipitation is critical for farmers, industries, & homeowners. Explain!

• In Georgia, the central & southern regions receive 40 – 52 inches of rain per year.

• In the mountain region receives 65 – 70 inches.• July is the wettest month of the year; October is

the driest month of the year. • Droughts – lack of precipitation. How does this

affect Georgia????

Weather Phenomena • Hurricanes

– August – November

• Tornadoes– Georgia averages 19

per year

• Air Currents– “Trade Winds” helped

explorers & merchants– “Prevailing Westerlies”

• Helped carry ships from America to Europe

– Jet Stream• Brings cold air into Ga.

• Ocean Currents– Movements of water

masses in the ocean• Gulf Stream warm;

helps with mild winters

THE ENDTHE END