InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Water Science and Society > Student Materials > Module 3: Rivers and Watersheds > Rivers come in many shapes and sizes > Formative Assessment 3: Channel Systems
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Initial Publication Date: March 31, 2017

Formative Assessment 3: Channel Systems

Instructions

Write up a 1 page document (including your screen shots) answering the following questions.

1. Use Google Earth or a similar map program to find

a) a single-threaded channel with low sinuosity (relatively straight),Hint: These are relatively common.

b) a single-threaded channel with high sinuosity (lots of meander bends), Hint: Look in southern Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

c) a braided channel with unvegetated bars and, Hint: Try British Columbia, Canada or Southern Alaska.

d) an anastomosing channel with vegetated islands. Hint: These may be the hardest to find. Look for multi-threaded reaches with large, vegetated bars. Try the Tonle Sap River in Cambodia, or the Murray River in southeastern Australia.

Submit screen shots (4 total) of the different channel types you find. If you don't find one or more of the river types in the area you are searching in the first few minutes, move to an entirely different geo-climatic zone and search for a few more minutes. What channel type do you come across most often? Which area(s) did you look at? What channel type do you come across most often? Approximately what is the stream order for each of the channels you captured as screen shots (i.e., are they first or second order channels? fifth order? tenth order?)? What other relevant observations did you make about the stream network while virtually flying around?

Worksheet

There is no worksheet. This assignment is a paper.

Submitting Your Assignment

Bring your typed and printed assignment to class.

Scoring and Rubric

Each answer will earn a maximum of 25 points, as described in the rubric below.

Rubric
Work ShownPossible Points
Provides a well-reasoned response to the question posed10
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure5
Includes one or more references to specific materials in Module or assigned reading5
Appropriate length (100-150 words)5


These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »