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Waterfalls in Iowa

These photos provide examples of where waterfalls are in Iowa. The state has a wide variety of waterfalls all around. The pictures found attached are of Dunnings Springs Park in Decorah, IA. The video shows water running down Dunnings Springs.

Location
Dunning's Springs State Park, Decorah, Iowa

Possible Guiding, Compelling and/or Anchoring Questions

  • Where are waterfalls found in Iowa? 
  • What land formations make a waterfall? 
  • Where else in the United States can you find waterfalls? 
  • In what type of conditions can a waterfall be found? 
  • How are waterfalls formed? 
  • What would Dunning’s Spring look like in winter? 
  • Where is the water coming from? 
  • Where is the water going?

Classroom Suggestions

  • This phenomenon can be used as the introduction for a waterfalls unit or during the middle of a general water unit. 
  • The water in lakes, streams, and ponds in Iowa are fresh water, so it can tie in closely to the different types of water. 
  • Check your student’s previous knowledge about water and waterfalls. If teaching in northeast Iowa, students may have seen the waterfalls in Decorah. 
  • To end the lesson, students can create a model of a waterfall to show their understanding of waterfalls through the phenomena.

Related Resources

Iowa Core Alignment

MS-ESS2-4:
Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity

Credit Info

Submitted by Emma Huisman and Chandler Njus

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