River Investigation

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Introduction

Aims

. To find out how channel characteristics such as width, depth, area, efficiency, gradient and bedload change downstream?

2. To find out how flow characteristics, such as velocity and discharge change downstream?

Having studied rivers to a great extent at GCSE and A level I have decided to carry out a study on river processes and characteristics. I have chosen the River Brett as the location for my study due to its large drainage basin and varying stream orders, enabling me to carry out a wide ranging investigation. The River Brett is a tributary off the river Stour in Suffolk. The river Brett's total length is 100 km.

Hypotheses

In this investigation I am going to prove the following Hypotheses:

) All of the river dimensions will increase downstream e.g. width, depth, area and radius.

2) All of the flow characteristics will increase downstream such as velocity and discharge due to a wider and deeper river.

3) Bedload size and shape will decrease downstream.

Background and Theory of river processes

. Hydrological Cycle

2. River Processes - Erosion

Deposition

Transportation

3. Other Factors affecting a river

Erosional Processes
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Erosion is a process whereby material carried by the river wears away the bed and banks. It causes the river dimensions to become wider and deeper, or in the case of river material, smaller and rounder

Erosion occurs through four processes:

* Abrasion- A sand paper effect, where materials rub along the bed and banks of the river causing them to erode. This process is more effective during times of flood and is the major method by which the river erodes both vertically and horizontally.

* Corrosion/ solution- A chemical reaction that happens ...

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