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LEGO Hydrologic Cycle Model / Building the Model

The LEGO Hydrologic Cycle Model is intended to be built with 100% LEGO bricks, although some specialty pieces are not LEGO bricks. Water infrastructure and features found in Colorado are used as the original source for the model. The following sections highlight major building steps, generally in order of the hydrologic cycle.

Water

The model is designed to represent water as plastic balls, roughly the size of LEGO basketball/soccer balls, which are used in LEGO Great Ball Contraptions (GBCs). The balls will move through the model representing how water flows through the hydrologic cycle. However, because the price for LEGO balls is prohibitive, an alternative is used. Based on information on GBC websites, Quercetti marbles ordered from Amazon Italy are used because of their physical properties. These are also not cheap but other alternatives could not be found. It may be possible to 3D print the marbles. The color of the balls may represent varying grades of water quality and with more time sensors and devices might be added to sort the balls, to represent physical processes.

LEGO water

LEGO Representation of Flowing Water (see also the full-size image)

Landscape Base

The model base is comprised of 25 48x48 baseplates oriented 5 baseplates on a side, roughly 7 feet x 7 feet. The baseplates are laid on top of plywood on two folding tables. Currently the baseplates are not adhered to the plywood but may be fastened in the future to ensure that the model components stay in place.

Mountain Base

The model is designed to rely on gravity as much as possible, with water starting in mountains as snowpack and rainfall. Rather than building the mountains as a solid block of LEGO bricks, which would be expensive and heavy, a structural frame is created using LEGO "liftarm" pieces and peg connectors. The frame is cross-braced for stability to support somewhat heavy landscape models. The following images illustrate the model shown from back and front view (yes, those are skiers on the mountain!).

LEGO mountain back

LEGO Mountain Illustrating Cross-Braced Base (see also the full-size image)

LEGO mountain front

LEGO Mountain Base Illustrating Elevation Change (see also the full-size image)

Transbasin Diversion

A transbasin diversion is comprised of storage in the source basin, a tunnel under the mountain, and a receiving reservoir in the destination basin. The following image illustrates a transbasin diversion from a snowpack-heavy mountain to a mountain that includes a burn area. A tunnel is used to connect the reservoirs. The outflow point of the diversion will link to a hydropower feature.

LEGO transbasin diversion

LEGO Transbasin Diversion to Divert Snow Runoff Through Tunnel (see also the full-size image)

Hydropower

Stay tuned.

Recreational Features

Recreational features have been added to the model near municipal and agricultural areas. Note the following:

  • Park with many visitors and uses.
  • Open pit fire (can pose wildfire risk).
  • Road near river and recreation (have to get the people there somehow).
  • Biking and other off-road uses (can lead to erosion and sedimentation in the river).
  • River and lake fishing.
  • Boating.

LEGO recreation

LEGO Recreation Area and Activities (see also the full-size image.)

Also the following is a prototype channel feature that is being embedded in the landscape.

LEGO channel prototype

LEGO River Channel Prototype (see also the full-size image.)

Municipal Features

Municipal water features will be added as the water flows out of the mountains and before reaching large agricultural features. This reflects cities wanting to use clean water supplies. The following is a water tower model.

LEGO water tower

LEGO Municipal Water Supply Tower (see also the full-size image.)

Agricultural Features

Agricultural features will be added downstream of municipal features, Some commingling of municipal and agricultural features will occur, as space allows. The following image illustrates models of corn, wheat, and pumpkins.

LEGO crops

LEGO Irrigated Agriculture (see also the full-size image.)

The following image illustrates models of livestock.

LEGO livestock

LEGO Livestock (see also the full-size image.)