River Erosion Model
Get your hands dirty! Students will play in the mud as they construct/deconstruct a river scene. This Botanical Expedition program investigates how rivers work. See erosion in action and find ways to reduce soil loss. You might want to bring an old shirt for this one!
This program is available as a Gardens Classroom activity in the Water for Life program, or stand-alone as a Botanical Expedition (guided) activity.
Who is it for?
A Botanical Expedition program designed for Years 4-12.
or
Gardens Classroom (as one of the 3 rotations that make up the Water for Life activities) for years pre-school – Year 12.
Botanical Expedition
A guided activity for Years 4–12. Ideal number of 25 students maximum per session. Sessions can take 45 mins to 1 hour. Larger groups are encouraged to extend their visit and include other self-guided activities that can be rotated with the River Erosion Model activity.
For interstate visitors - This activity has been included in the Botanical Expeditions program because it provides a unique hands-on introduction to water erosion and soil conservation. Interstate groups are encouraged to extend their visit time to see the Gardens collection of native plants.
River Erosion Model Features:
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10 m long fabricated steel channel 800mm wide with 180mm high sides, set on extendable legs to alter slopes.
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Adjoining wetlands and recycling of water
How it works:
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Accommodates a whole class of students (25 maximum ideally)
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Students shift “soil” and engineer a river
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When it rains in the upper catchment, students observe erosion and deposition patterns.
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Then we slow the water by putting back the rock riffles, snags and vegetation. Students can see the dramatic effect on erosion and habitat
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For rotating groups the reverse procedure happens in rotation 2 (ie the plants, snags and rocks are removed)
The model can be used to demonstrate:
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effects of land clearing by early European settlers; good restoration processes
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erosion, erosion features
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transportation of sediment, sedimentation
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the roles of vegetation
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the roles of woody debris
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the roles of rocks and riffles
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habitat reconstruction
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formation of pools
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stock watering points
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stock crossings
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waterlogging
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wetland and dryland salinity
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urbanisation
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impacts – economical, sustainable
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global warming effects
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