Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Meandering Stream Lab
This lab models what happens to the banks of slow and fast moving streams. Scientists use a "stream table" with 1 inch or so of sand, draw in a stream bed, then add water. The scientist can then observe what happens to the inner bank of corners as well as the outer bank of corners of streams of various flow rates.
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4 comments:
I think that if we were to change the flow of river and make them slower we would have less flash floods. Or if we were to change the slope and/or decrease the switchback on it to.
The sand that was used in the experiment was not fine enough, and therefore required a faster flow to have an effect on the larger grains. This made it difficult to the erosion without completely destroying the "stream-bed".
I agree with Orion, I believe that the sand used was to course to properly simulate large-scale erosion on a small scale. Being courser it also did not pack as well and this again made it dissimilar to dirt. Although these effected the experiment, changes in length and width were still observable. After the last switchback the forces of erosion formed a delta.
I agree with TJ. I think that a straighter stream and a slower flow rate would lead to fewer flash floods. The water has momentum from going in one direction, and then, when a bend comes around, the water would try to persist in going in that direction. The force of the water would erode said bank rather quickly. Also, there would be an increased possibility of the bank spilling over and the water persisting in its direction - on shore. One more thing. Straight or crooked, if the bank was to grow increasingly narrow, the water would overflow and be pushed over the sides.
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