We conducted the River study we did a number of things to make sure it was accurate. For example when we tested the velocity of the river we would measure the start and the finish distance, and ensure that all factors were kept the same

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Robert Hart        Geography        Mr Foden

Introduction

We visited the Highland Water River on the 13th of September. The River Highland Water site is located in the new forest, that last year became a national park. The location of the river is shown on map 1, where Ocknell Enclosure is the source. The New Forest is located in the South of England. It flows close to Lyndhurt and Brockenhurst, and is a short river with a total length of just 12 miles. Its mouth is in Lymington, and there it flows into Southampton Water, where it flows out into the English Channel.

Site 1 is the Source of the River called Ocknell Plain. It is located in a marshy area, and is the furthest away from the nearest town (7 km). Its grid reference is  .  It was also the furthest to walk to, it was far away from built up areas, and we had to walk for half a mile to reach the area. Site 2 is closer to the main road, and (unlike source 1) it is within a few minutes walking distance. This site is within 4 km of Lyndhurst; it is more built up and developed here. Millyford Bridge’s grid reference is . The Balmer Lawn (site 3) is located within 1 km of Brockenhurst. Here human influence is highest, and it is a far busier area, as it is situated next to a hotel so there are more people in the area.

Equipment

  • Stop clock
  • Tape measure to measure the width of the river
  • Rulers to draw the tables, and measure the depth of the river
  • Dog biscuits to test the velocity of the river
  • Pencils and Pens to record the results, and take sketches at each site
  • Clipboards to record the results more accurately
  • A digital camera, to take photographs at each site, to ensure that if we forget our sketches we could use them afterwards to help with the sketch.

Method

To record the width at each site we will take the tape measure, and position people at either side of the bank. We will then take a reading, and the result will be recorded neatly in a table for accuracy. The depth will be found by having two people holding the tape measure at either side of the river. Another member of the group will then climb into the river with a ruler, and measure the depths at 20 cm intervals. You should find that you should find that you would have to do more measurements as it flows further downstream, so the intervals can become larger if it is particularly wide.

To measure the velocity of the river at each site we will measure the distance by measuring out a suitable distance for the biscuit to travel. Then we will have one member of the group standing at the start with a stopclock, and the biscuit. We will then have one member standing at the finish. The biscuit will then be placed in the water, and the clock will be started at the same time. When the biscuit reaches the finish the person at the end will signal to the person with the stopclock and the clock will be stopped and the times will be recorded. The test will then be repeated again for accuracy, with all factors the same, including the biscuit.

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Hypothesis

  1. I expect the width of the river to increase as the river flows further downstream. As tributaries join up with the main river, meaning that there is a greater volume of water flowing down the river, and as a result there is more erosion and the banks are wider. I think that the width will increase because as you go downstream more tributaries will join up the river and there will be a larger volume of water flowing through the river channel, meaning that it needs to be widened to support the volume of water. There ...

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