The document provides instructions for a fieldwork activity to study a river channel. Students will take measurements of cross sections and flow velocity in both straight and meandering sections of the River Tillingbourne. By comparing the data between sections, students will investigate how channel shape and flow speed may differ in straight and meandering areas of the river. The goal is for students to understand how river meanders form through this hands-on study of the river's characteristics.

1. The River Tillingbourne
1st year fieldwork

2. Where?
We will visit
Crossways Farm,
which is
about11miles west
of Reigate
Reigat
Dorkin e

3. What are our aims?
• To investigate what a river’s channel looks like
• To investigate how the channel and the velocity may
change between a straight section and a meander
We will then use our data to create
cross sections of the River
Tillingbourne…
…and ultimately you will establish
how meanders form in a river!

4. Team X-Section!
1) Start on the left hand bank (you will be looking upstream)
2) Measure the width of the river with a tape measure
3) Split the width into small, equal sections, and measure the
depth using a ruler
4) Record ALL your data and make any useful observations!
You will take 3 cross sections
along a 5m stretch
Example:
• Width – 2m
• Record depth
every 25cm across

5. Team Velocity!
1) Measure 5m along the river (either in the stream, or along
the bank (requires 2 people)
2) Person A drops a dog biscuit into the centre of the channel.
Person B times how long it takes to travel 5m. Person C
catches it!
• You need to repeat this 3
times so that you can work
out an average velocity
(m/s)
• If you started on a straight
section, your teacher will
send you over to a meander
(and vice-versa)
• You will then swap teams
and roles!

6. What personal equipment do I need on the
day?
AM groups, report to
• Wellies or shoes you can get wet teacher at 8:45, outside
• Spare change of clothes (in case!) PMH:
• Pens/clipboard/camera/brain SMH – go to Mr Cline
LHS – go to Mrs Dexter
• Some snacks JMA – got to Mr Hadley
• Water
• Suncream
• Hand Sanitizer
PM groups, report to
teacher at 12:50, outside
PMH:
CLN – go to Mr Collins
BHE – go to Mr Klein
NJF – got to Miss

7. What do we do in the following
lessons?
• You will be making 2 cross sections – for a straight and
meandering section of the river.
– You will take the average of your data for the meander/straight
section
• You will plot the average velocity and discharge of the
stream on your cross sections
• Also add in any good observations and photos to your
graphs
We will then look for any differences between a meander and straight section,
and your teacher will help YOU to uncover any mysteries that crop up!