Investigating Rivers: Topic Detectives

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Tip: If the bed is rough and bumpy, you will need more measurements at closer intervals to get an accurate result.

It introduces many key river concepts and a wide range of related vocabulary. First the presentation recaps the main processes of the water cycle. It then introduces some of the well known features of river systems (e.g. waterfalls and lakes). There are two activities: The Bradshaw Model suggests that certain changes occur along the long profile of a typical river. For example, discharge increases as you move downstream of a river or bedload (material on the river bed) particle size decreases along the river channel. Coastal Environments CPD – Erosional Erosion, Coastal Management, Deposition and Fieldwork on the Holderness CoastTo calculate the cross-sectional area you will need to know the mean depth. According to the Bradshaw Model depth increases from the source to the mouth of a river. Measuring river width Which river channel characteristics you chose to measure will depend on the question you investigate.

Questions that focus on changes along the long profile or downstream changes support in developing a hypothesis. A hypothesis is astatement, usually an educated guess, that you will either prove or disprove through the data you collect as part of your investigation. Primary Field Work Techniques Coastal Environments CPD – Erosional Landforms, Coastal Management and Fieldwork on the Holderness Coast It is not possible to measure river discharge directly in the field. Instead, you need to take measurements that allow you to calculate discharge. In situations where access is more limited you may have to take a more opportunistic approach to sampling – however in this case it is sensible to get as close as possible to a systematic sample as possible. According to the Bradshaw Model, the wetted perimeter of a river should increase along its course. Measuring the cross profile of ariver

The discharge of a river is the volume of water flowing through a river channel. It is usually measured in cubic metres per second. Measuring the width of the river channel enables you to calculate the cross-sectional area. Also, according to the Bradshaw Model, channel width increases downstream. Measuring the wetter perimeter of a river