Profile of the Stream

Stream Study

Stream Study

Part 1: Velocity

Trial #	# of Seconds Per 5 Metres	Velocity (m/s)
1	8.0	0.63
2	6.9	0.72
3	7.7	0.65
AVERAGE	7.5	0.67

Trial 1 = 5/8

            = 0.63

Trial 2 = 5/6.9

            =0.72

Trial 3= 5/6.5

            = 0.65

AVERAGE STREAM VELOCITY =5 metres per 7.5 seconds

                                                            = 5/7.5

                                                            = 0.67 m/s

Is it possible for a stream to be neither eroding, nor depositing material? When would this occur?

Yes, it is possible for a stream to be neither eroding, nor depositing material. This would occur when the stream is not running. For example, in winter time, when the stream is frozen over and is not running, there is no eroding taking place, due to the lack of movement. There is also no material being deposited into the earth, because the water is in a solid form and does not deposit minerals. In the same way, a dried stream would cause no erosion, nor could it deposit any materials into the earth. 

Part 2: Stream Erosion and Profiling

Stream Width = 80 cm

Distance From Shore (cm)	Water Depth (cm)	Sediment Grain Size (mm)	Sediment Grain Shape
20	5	0.5	Round and granular
40	20	0.7	Irregular and pebbly
60	19	0.6	Irregular and pebbly
80	9	0.4	Round and granular

Analysis

2. Average Depth: 0.1325 m

Average Width: 0.5 m

Cross Sectional Area = 0.066 m

Average Velocity x Cross Sectional Area = Rate of Discharge

0.67 m/s x 0.066 = 0.04 m3/s

3. As you move across the stream, from one side to the other, the sediment becomes larger and more poorly sorted. Especially towards the middle of the stream, the sediment becomes extremely irregular and larger pebbles are found. Along the bank, the sediment becomes more granular and sandy. The sides are comprised of sorted material, worn down by the moving waters. 

Satellite Images

 Haiti Earthquake (Google Satellite)

This image depicts the before and after of the Haiti earthquake. These satellite images allowed the Western world to see the true effects of the earthquake. The earthquake turned the houses and buildings into rubble. It flattened the city of Puerto Prince into a shadow of what it once was. People were stuck beneath buildings and the surrounding cities were devastated. The tectonic plates around the world were shifted by this quake, and scientists worried about another disaster of similar magnitude occurring around the world in various places.  The world was shocked by the damage done by this earthquake, and the amount of people who were harmed or killed. This earthquake was caused by movement of tectonic plates beneath the Capital of Haiti, Puerto Prince. 

 Gulf Oil Spill (Google Satellite)

This image depicts the oil spill off of the Gulf of Mexico. This spill is creating a lot of hype in the world these days. The economic and environmental impact of such a spill is becoming a large problem. It will take an enormous amount of resources and money in order to plug the flow of the oil into the Gulf. This oil flow is polluting the water and killing animals. The water pollution could potentially be devastating to the rest of the world, as the water sifts and flows and the oil is carried further out into the ocean. Depending on the amount of water which is released into the ocean, and the amount of time it takes for BP to stop the flow, this could potentially cause significant damage to the world's water supply, and the safety of our waters. 

3 Examples of Human Impact

Water Pollution - This photo shows the impact of water pollution, as evidenced between the roots/wood and rocks, through the flow of water. This pollution is as a result of dumping and improper waste methods, as well as acid rain. In order to decrease the amount of water pollution existent in the world today, there needs to be more accountability for large corporations, as well as each person in their daily waste disposal procedures. Large fines should be induced for those who are unable to comply to the standards set by the government. The difficulty which will be found by those trying to put those laws into effect, will be the monitoring of such methods of waste disposal. In order to implement such laws, new enforcement will be required (which will cost more money), and the people who choose to dump in private/in secrecy, will be difficult to monitor.

Creation of Roads (Destruction of Rock Formations) - The widespread destruction of rock formations in order to create roads causes erosion loss of natural environments. In order to change the way that the world uses up natural environments destroys rock formations, there should be better city planning in terms of roadways. There is not enough money placed into proper city planning and roadway planning. There are enormous amounts of money used on creating and recreating roads. This weakens the natural environment and the resources which are available. More money placed into Urban Planning programs, and taxes placed into putting resources back into the environment

Industrial Pollution - This photo illustrates the industrial pollution of the Western World. There is a large amount of pollution from factories (especially found in Hamilton, ON) without any repercussions to the companies who are creating this pollution. This damages cycles, from the water cycle to the oxygen cycle. The amount of pollution being created also is a significant cause to global warming. In the years to come, we will begin to see the severity of the condition of our world. In order to prevent the situation from getting worse, programs should be implemented in order to reward large corporations for cutting down on pollution and waste production, and taxes in order to prevent them from creating more. There should also be programs in order to provide more resources in order to account for the ones destroyed or taken out of the environment. However, these programs all cost money, and the government is not in a place to spend extra money on programs and monitoring.

Point bar

A point bar is the inside bend of the meander on a river. There are found most prevalent in mature and meandering streams. This point bar has a large amount of receded water, where you can see the stream used to flow. It has eroded on the other side, creating the curve, and stopped flowing so close to this end.

Cutbank

A cutbank is a rivercliff formed by the natural erosion of the bank by the flowing of the water. Some of the eroded material and sediment can be seen at the base of the bank/rivercliff and eventually are washed through the river itself. 

Landform - Lake Ontario

This is a picture of Lake Ontario in Burlington (Lakeshore). Lake Ontario is one of the 5 Great Lakes. It was carved out of the soft Silurian Rocks by the Wisconsonian Ice Glacier.

Meander

At the end of this picture, you can see the curve of the river (meander). This is created by the movement of water eroding the outer bank of a river. In this case, the water eroded the bank more towards the left, creating a left curve of the river. These curves can follow the natural flow of natural forms (trees...etc) and are formed over time.

Mechanical Weathering

This is an example of Mechanical Weathering. The rocks have become eroded over time, and have broken off due to freezing and melting of snow and ice, and other weathering. The rock which has been broken off can be seen below the larger rock formation. 

Landform Waterfall

This is a picture of the waterfall located on old Waterdown Rd. just outside of Waterdown (also known as Mill Street). This waterfall shows the natural flow of water over eroded rocks. At the base of the waterfall, numerous eroded and weathered pieces of rocks can be seen. These are as a result of the flowing water, and the strong fall over the rocks. 

Bed Load

 A bed load is the eroded sediment floating to the top of the rivers waters. In this particular picture, there are immense amounts of sand covering the waters and causing water pollution. There is a large amount of sand blocking the amount of sunlight allowed through the water, which could cause the various plants and animals living beneath the surface to die off.