River Fieldwork

Question 1

Which river tributary of the River Wear did we investigate?

Answer 1

Bedburn Beck

Question 2

How did we collect our primary data in all 4 sites?

Answer 2

Width(quantitative)- used 2 ranging poles on either side of the river and measured the width with a tape measure
Depth(quantitative)- across 10 sections, use a metre stick to measure from the ground to where the water meets the stick
Velocity(quantitative)- using a 2m width measured with a tape measure, use 2 ranging poles at either sides. Time how long a ping pong ball takes to get from one ranging pole to the other. Repeat 3 times and calculate an average
Stone shape(qualitative)- compare rocks in 10 sections of the width of the river to the stone shape board
Gradient(quantitative)- put ranging poles 5m apart and line the clinometer up with the ranging pole

Question 3

Why did we collect our primary data in all 4 sites?

Answer 3

Width- to study how the river channel width changes over its course which can be used to find out the discharge and how it changes in the river
Depth- to see how the depth and then discharge changes over the rivers course
Velocity- to work out the velocity and then the discharge of the river and how it changes over its course
Gradient- to see how the gradient and then its discharge changes over the rivers course
Stone shape- to see how the sediment changes over the rivers courses

Question 4

What was our secondary data and how did we collect it?

Answer 4

Flood risk map
Search Environment Agency
Found the map on the website
Search Hamsterley Forest
Evaluated flood risk

Geology map
From the British Geological Survey

Question 5

Why did we collect our secondary data?

Answer 5

Flood risk map- to see how high the flood risk is- Hamsterley Forest had significant flooding but it is in a rural area so not many people or properties were affected
Geology map- to assess the rock type of the land to evaluate if there will be significant flood risk- has permeable geology, such as aluvium like gravel meaning there is more infiltration so a decreased flood risk

Question 6

How do drainage basin characteristics influence flood risk of the River Wear?

Answer 6

Use field sketches of all 4 sites
Impermeable surfaces in site 1 (a road on one side made from tarmac) increasing flood risk
Trees in all sites- interception reducing flood risk
Gradient (hill in site 1, flatter land in site 4)