© Boardworks Ltd 20091 of 15

Teacher’s notes included in the Notes Page.Flash activity. These activities are not editable.

Icons key: For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.

Accompanying worksheet. Printable activity. Useful web links.

River FieldworkFieldwork and Analysis

© Boardworks Ltd 20092 of 15

How does a river change?

The photos show sites in the upper and lower course of a river.

How would the river change along its length from the

upper course to the lower?

lower

upper

What hypotheses would you choose to investigate change along a river’s course?

© Boardworks Ltd 20093 of 15

The main aim and hypotheses

Main question: How does the study river change downstream?

The width of the study river increases downstream.

The depth of the study river increases downstream.

The discharge of the study river increases downstream.

The gradient of the study river decreases downstream.

Hypotheses like these could be used to investigate the main question:

© Boardworks Ltd 20094 of 15

Equipment

© Boardworks Ltd 20095 of 15

Showing the location of fieldwork sites

© Boardworks Ltd 20096 of 15

Safety and risk assessment

© Boardworks Ltd 20097 of 15

How will you collect the data?

It is a good idea to make a table to fill in with your data before you get to the fieldwork site.

Making boxes for all the data you want to collect should help you remember to gather all the information you will need whilst you are at the site.

© Boardworks Ltd 20098 of 15

Data collection: field sketching

© Boardworks Ltd 20099 of 15

Data collection: river width and depth

© Boardworks Ltd 200910 of 15

Using data: making river cross sections

© Boardworks Ltd 200911 of 15

Data collection: river speed

© Boardworks Ltd 200912 of 15

To calculate discharge you need to know the cross sectional area of the river and the velocity of the water. Use this formula:

Calculating river discharge

The discharge of a river is the volume of water that flows through it in a given time. It is measured in cubic metres per second (cumecs).

discharge = area of river cross section × water velocity

Don't forget to use the correct units for the area and time. Use metres and seconds.

(cumecs) (m2) (m/s)

© Boardworks Ltd 200913 of 15

Gathering data: measuring gradient

© Boardworks Ltd 200914 of 15

Using data: showing gradient

© Boardworks Ltd 200915 of 15

Analyse and interpret charts and graphs