The Shimna River

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The Shimna River As part of our A level Geography course I have decided to study the

Shimna River as my case study. I picked this case study because I

thought it would be both interesting and challenging as well as the

fact it was on our doorstep. Before we could do anything we had to

plan our investigation.

Through my fieldwork I must obtain a table of results. For such data I

must display it in a clear and straightforward manner so I can analyse

and interpret the results using statistical analysis such as averages,

spearman's rank, nearest neighbour, chi square and location quotient.

Planning

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Firstly we had to organise ourselves into four groups of four, by

dividing the class a wider range of results can be obtained allowing a

more accurate conclusion to be drawn up. Once in our groups we began

discussing how we would draft up and collect our data. Then we

familiarised ourselves with the equipment that we would be using on

the fieldtrip by performing a practice run on the grounds of our

school.

In planning, it was decided that the width, depth, velocity,

temperature, wetted perimeter and the smoothness of the stones would

all be measured. From these results obtained, the cross-sectional area

and discharge can be worked out by use of equations. In order to get a

wide range of results, measurements from approximately 16 different

points will be taken. In deciding which locations the readings are to

be taken from, stratified sampling can be used, this means selecting a

point from each of the main parts of the course...

... middle of paper ...

...ver the water levels were quite high. We

had to carefully step into the river with fishermen's waders to

measure river depth at recorded intervals and measure the river width.

Measuring the cross section of the valley was important. The angle of

the slope was determined by using a clinometer. Two siting poles were

used to mark the region of the valley to the end of each slope. We

used a trundle wheel to measure the distance between the two siting

poles; this was quite difficult because some of the slopes near the

river source where almost vertical.

To find river discharge and river temperature we submerged a metal

probe connected to a small computer device which recorded river

velocity and temperature at the touch of a button.

When we got back to school we tabulated the data and drew up our final

conclusions.

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