Answers to the Stream lab Pre-quiz

Check the USGS streamdata website and find the Mt Hope river gaging station in CT.  How much water is flowing down the river today? Is this a lot or very little. In other words, will be in danger of losing a few of our shorter students or will we all be pretty safe?

Depending on the time you looked the water should have been about 1 to 2 feet deep.

How does water velocity in a stream change as you go
a) from the bank to the center of the stream
b) from the water surface towards the stream bottom?

In general, water velocity will increase towards the center of the stream due to decreasing effects of friction between the water and the banks, bottom surfaces, and atmosphere.