30: Local River Study

What is the relationship between sediment type and the speed at which a river travels?

Do these two experiments at both Site 1 and Site 2.

Experiment 1: How fast does a river travel?

First find the right bank, left bank and midstream. Stand in the middle of the stream and face the direction the stream is travelling. The right bank will be on the same side as your right arm.

Set up the poles 2 metres apart using the metre sticks.

Using a stopwatch, time how long it takes a cork to travel 2 metres at the right bank, left bank and midstream.

Fill your results in the table below.

Experiment 2 : Sediment type

Look at the sediment at the right bank, left bank and midstream. Decide what the type is, and record your results in the table below.

Draw site diagrams for sites 1 and 2 on some plain paper. Label any evidence of erosion and deposition, as well as any other things found in the river, such as large stones or clumps of grass.