river systems...activities

© 2002 American Geological Institute http://www.agiweb.org

Contents: All Activities and Investigations

River Systems Activities
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
Activity 5
Students are challenged to use their understanding of river systems to plan a riverside park in or near their community.

Students will:

Understand how and why rivers are part of Earth systems.
Participate in scientific inquiry and construct logical conclusions based on evidence.
Recognize the hazards and benefits of developing land near high or low gradient streams.
Appreciate the value of Earth science information in saving lives and preventing or reducing damage to communities.

Activity 1 -- High-Gradient Streams

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:
1. Characteristics of High-Gradient Streams:

Streams and Drainage Systems, Tulane University

Read an overview of many of the topics covered in this chapter, including high gradient streams.
(http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/geol111/streams.htm)
Stream Gradient Tutorial, Cerritos College

Try this exercise and then link to another page to see if you get the correct answer.
(http://www3.cerritos.edu/colbath/Geol101/stream1.htm)
Nehalem River Watershed Assessment: Channel Habitat Typing, Portland State University

Learn more about the effect different stream gradients can have on organisms in the stream.
(http://web.pdx.edu/~maserj/project/project1/3.htm)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To learn more about the Big Thompson, Colorado flood, visit the following web sites:

What We Have Learned Since the Big Thompson Flood, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

The Big Thompson Canyon Flood, Weather.com

Activity 2 -- Low-Gradient Streams
To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

1. Meandering Streams

Fluvial (Meandering Systems), University of British Columbia

Learn more about meandering stream characteristics outlined by tectonic setting, geometry, typical sequence, sedimentology, and fossils. Page includes several labeled diagrams.
(http://www.science.ubc.ca/~geol256/notes/ch12_facies_fluvial.html)
Complexity in Meandering Streams, Susquehanna University

This text introduces the concept of sinuosity or how "twisty" a stream is.
(http://www.susqu.edu/facstaff/b/brakke/complexity/mcintyre/streams.htm)
2. Streams and the Hydrologic Cycle

Introduction to Hydrology in the Lotic (Flowing Water) Systems, Portland State University

This page reviews the hydrologic cycle in outline form and with diagrams.
(http://www.oaa.pdx.edu/CAE/Programs/sti/pratt/hydrology.html)
Aquifer Fact Sheet, Maine Department of Conservation

Find out more about types and uses of aquifers.
(http://www.state.me.us/doc/nrimc/pubedinf/factsht/hydro/hydfact.htm)
What is Groundwater? USGS Fact Sheet

How does water get into the ground? What is an aquifer? Who uses ground water? How do you get water out of the ground?
(http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS/OFR93-643/)
Groundwater and Surface Water: Understanding the Interaction, Purdue University

Similar to fact sheets for most of the information, this page goes into more depth about groundwater surface water interactions as well as boundaries of watersheds and aquifers.
(http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/KYW/Brochures/GroundSurface.html)
3. Hazards: Floods on Low-Gradient Streams

Overview of Flooding, The Floodplain Management Web Site

Read about the causes, variability, frequency of flooding and floodplains.
(http://www.floodplain.org/overview_of_floods.htm)
Options for State Flood Control Policies and Flood Control Program, Vermont General Assembly

Read this report as an example of how one state prepares for floods.
(http://www.anr.state.vt.us/flood_control/)

To learn more about the floods of 1993 and 1997, visit the following web site:

Significant Floods in the United States During the 20th Century - USGS Measures a Century of Floods, USGS (http://ks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/pubs/fact-sheets/fs.024-00.html)

Activity 3 -- Sediments in Streams

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:
1. Size Range of Sediments

How fast do sediment grains of different sizes settle?, Society for Sedimentary Geology

Check out this sample lesson plan for a lab about sediment grains settling rate.
(http://www.beloit.edu/~SEPM/Earth_Works/How_fast_do_sed.html)
2. Transportation of Sediment by Streams
Field Exercise: Stream Flow Dynamics and Sedimentation, Society for Sedimentary Geology

Another lab to try but this one is outside.
(http://www.beloit.edu/~SEPM/Earth_Works/Stream_Flow.html)
3. How Streams Reduce the Sizes of Sediment Particles
Streams and Drainage Systems, Tulane University

Read an overview of many of the topics covered in this chapter, including particle size changes downstream (see the "Changes Downstream" section).
(http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/geol111/streams.htm)
4. Downstream Fining
Journal of Sedimentary Research Articles - Abstracts

Here are two abstracts for papers published in Journal of Sedimentary Research. The links take you to pages that include the necessary information to look up the article.

The nature and controls on downstream fining, by Rice, S.

(http://cgrg.geog.uvic.ca/abstracts/RiceTheAt1999.html)
Identifying the controls over downstream fining of river gravels, by Hoey, T. and Bluck, B.

(http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/sepm/jsr/69.1/hoey.html)

To learn more about sediment clean up after a flood, visit the following web site:

"After a Flood...The First Steps," American Red Cross.

After the Flood, University of Missouri

Activity 4 -- Rivers and Drainage Basins

1. Parts of a River System

Earth's Water: Rivers and the Landscape, USGS

Deltas, University of British Columbia

Mississippi River Delta Basin, Natural Resources Conservation Service

2. Drainage Divides

Know Your Watershed, What's a Watershed Fact Sheet? Purdue University

Surf Your Watershed, Environmental Protection Agency

Locate Your Watershed

Examples of How the Initiative Can Help Communities Revitalize Their Rivers, American Heritage Rivers, Environmental Protection Agency

California's Coastal Streams and Rivers

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To learn more about water quality issues, visit the following web site:

The National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Homepage, USGS

(http://water.usgs.gov/nasqan/)
To learn more about river pollution and ecosystems, visit the following web sites:

Know Your Watershed, Total Maximum Daily Load Fact Sheet. Purdue University

(http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/KYW/tmdl/tmdlfact.html)
Stream Ecosystems - Streams: A National Heritage Worth Preserving, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

(http://www.aces.edu/department/extcomm/publications/anr/ANR-911/anr911main.html#iii)
Feeding Ecology in Lotic (Flowing Water) Systems. Portland State University

(http://www.oaa.pdx.edu/CAE/Programs/sti/pratt/ecology.html)
To learn more about dams and river systems, visit the following web site:

Hoover Dam Learning Packet Online

(http://www.hooverdam.usbr.gov/educate/edpack0.html)

Rivers - Frequently Asked Questions, Hoover Dam National Historic Landmark

(http://www.hooverdam.usbr.gov/History/riverfaq.html)

To learn more about river systems and wastewater treatment, visit the following web site:

Army Corps of Engineer State Offices (Click on your state/district to be taken to a new site)

(http://www.usace.army.mil/where.html#State)
Office of Wastewater Management, Environmental Protection Agency

(http://www.epa.gov/OWM/)
What is Wastewater Treatment?, Portland District

(http://www.pwd.org/wastewater/what_is.html)

Activity 5 -- Parkland Field Study

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:
1. River Systems as Part of the Earth System

Streams and Drainage Systems, Tulane University

Read an overview of many of the topics covered in this chapter.
(http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/geol111/streams.htm)
Examples of How the Initiative Can Help Communities Revitalize Their Rivers, American Heritage Rivers, Environmental Protection Agency

The goal of the American Heritage Rivers is to support community-based efforts to restore and protect the environmental, economic, cultural and historic values of our rivers.
(http://www.epa.gov/rivers/scenario.html)
Wetlands: A Key Link in Watershed Management. A Guide for Watershed Partnership., Purdue University Learn more about how the connection between wetlands and watersheds links hydrosphere and the biosphere.

(http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/KYW/Brochures/Wetlands.html)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:

What Else Can Be Done - Streams: A National Heritage Worth Preserving. Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Landowner's Guide to Managing Streams in the Eastern United States

To learn more about landscape architecture as a career, visit the following web site:

What is Landscape Architecture? American Society of Landscape Architects

To learn more about construction practices, visit the following web site:

Planning and Management-American Heritage Rivers, Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.epa.gov/rivers/update/update.html

http://yosemite.epa.gov/water/surfah.nsf/planning?OpenView

Resources:

Web Sites:

USGS Real Time Data

Streams: A National Heritage Worth Preserving

Stream-Gaging Program of the US Geological Survey

Water Resources of the United States

Suspended-Sediment Database, US Geological Survey

American Heritage Rivers, Environmental Protection Agency

Water Resources - Education Resources, USGS

Maps:

Geologic maps: State and local:

The United States Geological Survey National Geologic Map Database contains information on how and where to obtain geologic maps. (http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/)
Your state Geological Survey - find your state survey on-line at Association of American State Geologists (http://www.kgs.ukans.edu/AASG/AASG.html).
Download state geologic maps at About.com's site. (http://geology.about.com/science/geology/cs/geomapsusstates/)
Reading Geologic Maps - informative review on how to read and interpret geologic maps. (http://geology.about.com/science/geology/library/weekly/aa100800a.htm)

Geologic maps: Regional (two or more states):

The on-line bookstore of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (http://bookstore.AAPG.org; 918-584-2555)

Topographic maps: Local

The United States Geological Survey MapFinder allows you to order 7.5 minute maps online for $4 per map plus $5 s/h per order. (http://edc.usgs.gov/Webglis/glisbin/finder_main.pl?dataset_name=MAPS_LARGE)
The United States Geological Survey maintains a list of Map Dealers. Click on your state to obtain a list of retailers who sell maps. (http://mapping.usgs.gov/esic/map_dealers/)
The United States Geological Survey National Geologic Map Database site on How to find topographic maps (http://ngmsvr.wr.usgs.gov/Other_Resources/rdb_topo.html)
TopoZone site allows you to download topographic maps (including USGS maps) for free, at various scales (from 1:100,000 to 1:24,000). (http://www.topozone.com/)
MapServer offers free online viewing of topo, nautical and aeronautical charts plus high altitude digital ortho quads (nav photos). (www.maptech.com and www.mapserver.maptech.com)

General Map Resources:

An excellent list of map resources available online can be found on the Central Michigan University Resources for Earth Science and Geography Instruction web site. Included are links to sites to make maps, as well as links to free downloadable outline maps, satellite imagery, GPS, and GIS databases. (http://personal.cmich.edu/~franc1m/locamap.htm)
"Maps" - USGS Earth Science Information Center, includes general map information, from how to read maps to how to obtain them. Also includes links to further information regarding topographic, thematic, planetary maps, and more. (http://ask.usgs.gov/maps.html)
National Geographic (maps and videos): 1-800-962-1643 (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/index.html)
"Maps of the United States" - USGS fact sheet, contains a series of depictions of the United States, along with information on how to obtain additional US maps. (http://www.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/maps-us/index.html)
"Maps of the World" - USGS fact sheet, contains a series of world maps, including outline maps, seismicity maps, and political maps. Also contains information for ordering more specific world maps. (http://www.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/maps-world/maps-world.html)
"National Atlas Maps" - USGS site of a variety of US maps that are available online, including shaded relief maps, aquifer maps, and further information on how to order maps not available online. (http://www-atlas.usgs.gov/atlasmap.html?)

Videos:

PBS: Building Big, Dams
National Geographic: Nature's Fury! (includes floods)
Bullfrog Films: River videos (contains a list of videos that relate to rivers and the environmental issues surrounding them)

Books:

Magazines:

Geotimes. Published by the American Geological Institute, this magazine reviews current issues in the Earth Sciences and can serve as a valuable supplemental resource for teachers and students alike. Visit the web site for online articles and information about obtaining a one-year subscription (40% discount for AGI Member Society members; 65% discount for students).

(http://www.geotimes.org/current/)

Posters:

Water Education Posters, US Geological Survey