1. Introduction and theory
Coursework Year 12
Introduction and theory

2. Contents page Introduction Location Background information/Theory
Methodology
Tables/Graphs/Data collected

6. Place in Geographical context
State where study is?
Include 2 maps of N.Ireland (highlighting Rostrevor) One drawn, one from computer
Include map of Rostrevor area showing the course of the Yellow Water river (computer and drawn). Highlight studied area
Ensure all maps are titled and labelled with keys (number them Figure 1 etc)

7. Location State where study is
Mention local towns, rivers, mountains nearby
Map of Yellow water river
Map of N.Ireland

8. Introduction
Aims
I am going to carry out a piece of fieldwork on the Yellow water river. My aims for this fieldwork are:
River study for GCSE COURSEWORK
Study how river features change from source to mouth
Compare Yellow water river to rivers in our textbooks

9. Our 4 Hypotheses
To achieve our aims I will test the following 4 hypotheses:
The load of the river decreases in size and becomes more rounded as we go downstream
The river becomes deeper and wider as we go downstream
The discharge and velocity of the river increase as we go further downstream
The gradient of the banks decrease as we go downstream

10. Theory and background River in 3 sections: Upper Course Middle course
Lower course
Relate theory to 4 hypotheses.
In other words to:
Load
Width and depth
Discharge and Velocity
Gradient

11. Upper Course

12. Middle course

13. Lower Course

14. Processes of Erosion Attrition Corrasion Corrosion Hydraulic Action
Diagram of these processes
How do they affect the river in the upper, middle and lower courses?

15. Processes of transport
What is transportation?
How does it affect the river? Features
There are 4 processes:
Traction
Saltation
Suspension
Solution

16. Main river features Look at the main river features briefly ie.
Meanders
Oxbow lakes
How are they formed?
Include diagrams?

17. Methodology
How we are going to collect our primary data

20. The sites We will collect the data at each of 4 sites.
Site 1 – Near the source in Upper course. Grid Ref: 214, 224. (close to public pathway – easy access)
Site 2 – Upper to middle course. Near a picnic area (easy access). Grid Ref: 208, 222
Site 3 – Middle Course. In Fairy Glen. Public walk. Grid Ref: 188, 188.
Site 4 – Mouth of the river. Accessed from the beach. Grid Ref: 179, 181.
All sites in public areas, accessible without trespassing on private property

21. Photos Include photos of each site
Label the photos with local features
Photos should show you collecting the data and using the equipment at each of the 4 sites

22. Hypothesis 1-4 Restate the hypothesis Methods used for each hypothesis
Why method was chosen
How it was carried out
Diagrams to show how information was collected (do after fieldwork)

23. Initiative Why it was chosen?
How was it done? – diagrams and photos needed
Results of work done – graphs; charts; photos etc
Interpretation of results
Evaluation of work done

24. Data Presentation
Need to use the following graphs to show your collected primary data:
Line graphs
Piecharts
Tables
Scattergraph
Cross-section of rivers
Diagram showing changing width
Bar chart (width/depth)
Cross-section of the river
Flow diagram of discharge
Table (angles of the banks)
Diagram of angles of the banks
Photographs (labelled)

25. General Tables of all the results on spreadsheets Load
Velocity/discharge
Width and depth
Gradient

26. Load Pie charts of the Power shape Index for each site (1-4)
Figures entered in as percentages
Table of the Power shape index of the load
How many rocks are very angular, angular, sub angular etc

27. Load (continued)
Table of the length of the long axis and figures for all 20 stones at each site
Scatter graph and Radar graph of this data

28. Load (continued) Table of the Roundness Index of the Load
Scattergraph and Radar graph
Cross-section of the river at each site (drawn on graph paper)

29. Width and depth Bar charts of the Width,
Bankful width of the river at each site
Average depth
Flow diagram showing changing width across the 4 sites (on graph paper)
Cross-section showing the changing depth of the river across the 4 sites (on graph paper)

30. Discharge and velocity
Flow diagram of the discharge of the river (on graph paper)
Line graphs of
Average discharge at the 4 sites
Average velocity at the 4 sites

31. Gradient –angles of the banks
Results table of the angles of the banks for each site (1-4)
(On graph paper) Angles of the banks cross-section drawing for each site (1-4)

32. Flow diagram showing the changing width of the river
Site 1 – 4.9 m (2.5cm on graph paper)
Site 2 – 5.1 m (2.6cm on graph paper)
Site 3 – 8.3 m (4.1cm on graph paper)
Site 4 – 12.2 m (6.1cm on graph paper)
Leave 40 squares between each site
Scale
Width: 1cm: 2m
Length: 2cm: 1km

33. Flow diagram showing the discharge of the river
Site 1 – 0.1 m³/Sec (1 cm on graph paper)
Site 2 – m³/Sec (1.1 cm on graph paper)
Site 3 – m³/Sec (3.2 cm on graph paper)
Site 4 – 0.5 m³/Sec (5 cm on graph paper)
Scale
Width: 1cm:0.1m³
Length: 2cm: 1km

34. Angles of the banks Scale 1cm:1m River Width site 3 = 8.3 cm
Left Bank
Point
Distance on graph
Angle (°) 1
1.5cm
47° 2
2cm
10° 3
25°
Site 1
Right Bank
Point
Distance on graph
Angle (°) 1
1.4cm
51° 2
4.6cm 9° 3
Scale
1cm:1m
River width site 1 = 4.9 cm
River Width site 2= 5.1 cm
River Width site 3 = 8.3 cm
River width site 4 = 12.2 cm

35. Cross-section of the river at each site
Scale
Vertical: 1 cm: 5 cms
Horizontal: 2 cms: 1 m
Site 1
Width 4.9 m (49 squares on the graph)
17 readings of depth – depth rerading every 2.9 squares across
Site 2
Width 5.1 m (51 squares on the graph)
17 readings of depth – depth reading every 3 squares across
Site 3
Width 8.3 m (83 squares on the graph)
17 readings of depth – depth reading every 4.9 squares across
Site 4
Width 12.2 m (122 squares on the graph)
17 readings of depth –depth reading every 7.2 squares across

36. Depth of the river across the 4 sites

37. Data Interpretation Look at each hypothesis in turn
State the hypothesis
Say what you expected to find
Say what you actual found
What do your results mean?

38. Evaluation

39. Labelling photos Site 1 Coniferous forest Steep sides Small volume
Of water
Turbulent
water
Large
boulders

41. Measuring Velocity Wide river channerl Cork Measuring tape
Rocks from flood
Damage to
man-made
Stone wall
Stopwatch
Calm water
Small pebbles

42. Measuring Gradient Deciduous trees Ranging poles Clinometer Calm water
Gentle
bank

43. Measuring load