1 Useful web links

www.suffolklearning.org The County Hub Learning Platform. From the Humanities Homepage locate details of your local SGN (Suffolk Geography Network), which can provide 'Source to mouth' aerial photos of Suffolk rivers, including the and Waveney, on CD Rom. www.halton.gov.uk/schools/weblinks/geoglinks_pupils_investigatingrivers.htm Many useful links to other websites about rivers.

www.geographyalltheway.com Resources for 11 – 18 year olds, including river processes, the water cycle, drainage basins, flooding, use and management of water and fieldwork skills. www.4learning.co.uk/apps26/learning/microsites/E/essentials/geography/units/rivers_bi.shtml Site based on the QCA Unit 14 Investigating Rivers.

www.geograph.org.uk An online community that aims to collect photographs and information for every grid square in Britain. Access images of your local area and add to the image bank. www.naturegrid.org.uk Canterbury Environmental Education Centre web pages. ncil is not responsible Information for teachers and online children’s activities, including: Investigating Rivers (with photos, maps and links), Pond, Grassland, Woodland and Plant Explorer.

www.environment-agency.gov.uk Under “At home and leisure” / “What’s in your backyard” - view maps of river systems and obtain data on water quality, flood risks, etc., for all river systems.

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/riversandcoasts BBC Schools website with plenty of interactive pages and useful glossary of terms, including information about the water cycle.

www.learnanywhere.co.uk/la/geography/14.ppt Simple PowerPoint slide show including water cycle and meanders. Aimed at KS2 Unit 14 – Investigating Rivers. www.swgfl.org.uk/rivers/default.htm Journey along an Exmoor river with information on how to carry out fieldwork, recording sheets and a worked fieldwork example with results.

www.gatm.org.uk Geography at the movies. A range of short videos/movies related to rivers (and other subjects). Designed by Drab Ltd. www.wearedrab.net www.sharegeography.co.uk/riverdomterms2.html Simple game with multiple-choice questions linked to river terms and facts.

www.radicalgeography.co.uk/Rivers.html Links to river and water related games, quizzes and presentations.

www.naturalengland.gov.uk Search for “Suffolk geology” to find out more about local geology.

www.anglianwater.co.uk Learn with Captain Splosh, or find out more about how the water you use reaches your taps. © Discovery Project - District Council - 2009. Reproduction for educational purposes only. Mid Suffolk District Cou © Discovery Project - Mid Suffolk District Council 2009. Reproduction for educational purposes only. for the content of other websites listed. Introduction

Rivers are an inspiring topic, looking at how places and landscapes are formed, and how people and their environment interact. Rivers are an ideal topic for undertaking a local project and then making comparisons with other parts of the world. Most of us live within a few kilometres of a river or stream that can be studied.

Water is vital to life on earth and our bodies are made up of over 50% water. Therefore understanding where water comes from, its journey above and below the land, the habitats it creates, how we consume it and how to protect it, is an important educational topic. Suffolk itself has a fascinating history linking today’s water courses to the past.

Over 600,000 years ago a large river flowed to the north east across the area of present day Suffolk, depositing sands and gravels in its valleys.

Later, ice advances covered Suffolk in a thick sheet of ice pushing this river 2 south to eventually become today’s River Thames.

Around 425,000 years ago the ice retreated, leaving behind thick layers of material (commonly called Boulder Clay) that covered the underlying rock and formed the Suffolk claylands. Water flowing from the melting ice deposited sand and gravels and also created new river valleys, the forerunners of many of Suffolk’s present day river systems. Further sands and gravels were deposited in these river valleys at later stages of the Ice Age.

These sands and gravels became a rich source of aggregates and are still being dug out today in the Gipping and Waveney valleys. The River Gipping is featured throughout this pack but many of the ideas and suggestions can be used on other rivers near you.

A visit to a local river or stream can act as the centre piece of the study, with work in class preparing the pupils for the field visit and the follow up work developing their understanding of river processes and features. How to use Project Rivers This practical hands-on resource provides information, ideas and activities to assist you in making the most from a rivers study.

The contents will support classroom learning by providing © Discovery Project - Mid Suffolk District Council 2009. Reproduction for educational purposes only. useful web links, a template self-led field trip, an overview of the River Gipping from source to mouth, including stopping Contact Us points for a coach trip, and health and safety considerations. Discovery Project and To help continue the topic in school there are a variety of Countryside Team pre and post visit ideas that overlap with other parts of the curriculum. Telephone: 01449 724632 email: [email protected] Project Rivers can be used in conjunction with other popular or visit the Discovery Project and education packs in the series, including Project Ponds, Project Countryside pages at: Minibeasts and the Aggregates Trail’s X Traction. These www.midsuffolk.gov.uk resources help to link young people to their local environment and heritage. Please contact the team for more information on any of the above. River Studies naturally link to the Cross geography curriculum but there are lots of ways to use your river study to curriculum enhance and compliment work across ideas the curriculum. Maths • Calculate averages etc., of group data collected on your visit • Compare lengths of different rivers and Literacy display the information, eg. with • Write a poem or story about a river journey graphs/scale drawings • Define the terms found in the word bank • Plot graphs to show velocity, width etc., • Write a letter to the Environment Agency of selected rivers requesting specific river information • Estimate water flow of a river using your • Run a debate about the conflicts between velocity and cross section information river user groups Science • Carry out water cycle experiments The Arts (such as evaporation rates)

• Research how to minimise water pollution anch, image ref. K681/1/59/1. • Create land art or sculpture with pebbles, • Use water, mud and sand to recreate sand and river related materials river processes • Create a giant wall picture depicting life • Make a scrapbook about plants and along the river animal life found along the river • Make up your own songs/rhymes/music

about rivers 3 • Create a dance about a river’s journey

ICT • Create a database of river information • Design a digital photo library of the trip • Make the most of the great websites available by exploring the river web links Citizenship • Why and how do we protect wildlife along the river? • Discuss how to keep safe near water • Think about the choices we make, for example: using water for irrigation or conserving water for wildlife. • Should people be allowed access to rivers in the countryside, for example Photo credits : 1 and 2 © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk; 3, © Denis Greenough; 4. Image held at Suffolk Record Office, Br Photo credits : 1 and 2 © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk; walking or canoeing? All other photos © Discovery Project - Mid Suffolk District Council 2009; Line illustrations Jem Seeley www.wearedrab.net Ideas to get you started The following are suggestions to help a group to prepare and learn about rivers prior to a field visit. Things to learn • The water cycle • River features and how the river changes on its journey to the sea. • River terms found in the word bank. This will help with map work on your field visit. • The main rivers in Suffolk and the UK. • Find the river to be studied on a map.

Things to try • Mark the edge of a puddle with chalk and measure how long it takes for the water to evaporate. • Do puddles dry up faster in the sun or shade? • Build a sloping mound of damp sand, aggregates and mud then slowly pour water over the top. Observe the route the water takes and the materials it carries as it goes.

Things to discover • Use Ordnance Survey maps to find a local stream, then trace its route to the sea. Which towns/villages does it pass through? Where does the stream start? • Look for place names linked to rivers and streams. What do they tell you about the river (e.g. )? • Discover the source of the Nile! Why was it so hard to find in the past – though many people tried to? © Discovery Project - Mid Suffolk District Council - 2009. Reproduction for educational purposes only. Future study ideas Once you have completed your field visit, the experiences gained and the information you have gathered can be used for further study. Why not use some of the ideas below to continue your study of rivers?

Things to create • Visit our suggested web links and use your own images from a visit and create a scrapbook, or annotated map of how a river changes on its journey to the sea • Write a story about a raindrop on a journey from the sky, down the river and back to the sea • Create a movie of images taken on your visit Things to do • Use data to calculate the river’s velocity and draw your depth cross-sections • Find out about some of the creatures you saw on your visit • Make a map of Britain with the main rivers shown • Update you school’s website with information about your river visit • Compare your river to other UK or world rivers Things to discover • Use the Internet and school library to find famous paintings of rivers, for example, by John Constable • Find the longest rivers in the world and the communities along them • Find out about the impact of flooding in the local area and in other parts of the world (e.g. Bangladesh) • Research Ancient river gods (Egyptian, Roman etc.) • Study rivers in religion, i.e. Ganges (Hinduism) • Find out about rivers as transport routes

sketch your favourite animals or birds that you see Source to Mouth A river or stream will have a source. This might be a low spot where enough water, draining from the surrounding area, gathers and flows on the surface. It might be where water appears from underground in a spring, or it might be an outflow from a lake – or even from beneath a glacier.

The water flows downhill overland, is joined by other small tributaries or streams, growing larger all the time and, eventually, becoming a river. The river will flow through the landscape until it finally meets the sea at the river’s mouth. Journey of the River Gipping The source of the River Gipping is close to Mendlesham Green, from where it flows South West to meet up with other tributary streams on the outskirts of . Here it turns South East, flowing towards Ipswich where it changes its name to the and continues on to meet the coast between and .

The source of the Gipping would once have been marshy, but the land has been drained for farming. Pipes and open ditches drain the fields during wet conditions but may be dry in summer. A permanent stream is found where the river passes beneath a road. The river continues South West creating a small V-shaped valley.

As the river approaches Stowmarket it is joined by other streams and quickly grows in size. The river through the town has been tamed with steel piled banks and flood defences to protect the buildings. As the Gipping leaves the town the River joins it.

Downstream of Stowmarket the river continues through a wide floodplain of grazed pastures and flooded gravel pits until it approaches Ipswich where houses and factories again line the riverbank.

The River Gipping was modified in the late 1700s to allow goods to be carried between Ipswich and Stowmarket. In places a new canal was cut to bypass the winding course of the river and many canal features can still be seen. The original course of the river has been lost in many places but is still visible south of .

On the outskirts of Ipswich river water is abstracted and piped to Reservoir to be later processed into drinking water. In the town itself, the river becomes tidal and is again confined within concrete walls. South of the town the river widens rapidly Teacher’s Note: and continues on its way to A power point slideshow about the sea between Felixstowe the River Gipping is contained and Harwich. on the CD with teacher’s notes 4 and questions to stimulate discussion. © Discovery Project - Mid Suffolk District Council - 2009. Reproduction for educational purposes only. River Gipping Study Points This table identifies a number LOCATION GRID REF FEATURES ACCESS: SUITABLE FOR COACHES FACILITIES of locations along the EXCEPT WHERE STATED Gipping/Orwell that can be Mendlesham Green TM 104 635 • Source of river • Coach/minibus can stop on roadside • None. visited as part of a study of (source) • Narrow Channel but nowhere to park for long periods. TM 098 636 • Arable fields • Good views of river from the roadside. the river. These locations have (parking) been selected to show the river in its varied forms on its Rendall Lane, TM 070 611 • Views down slope into • Minibuses can stop on roadside but • None. a V-shaped valley nowhere to park for a prolonged period. journey to the sea. All • No coach access. locations are accessible by Stonebridge Lane, TM 055 608 • Traditional grazing meadows • Minibuses can stop on roadside but • None. coaches except where stated. Old Newton alongside narrow river channel nowhere to park for a prolonged period. • No coach access. • Views of river from public footpath. Stowmarket TM 056 580 • Industrial landscape • Coach/lorry park near river and pick • Coach Park. (coach park) • Confluence with River Rattlesden up/drop off at the Railway Station. • Toilets on Milton Road. TM 050 589 • Weirs • GRP alongside river. • Riverside path. (Pickerel • River opposite railway station • Access into river possible for sampling. Project area) (Pickerel Project) shallow for sampling. Needham Market TM 089 555 • Range of natural and man made • Coach parking. • Parking, toilets and picnic area at Needham Lake. (Hawks Mill) features: meanders, cliffs, weir, • Surfaced GRP. • Educational resources available. TM 095 548 , mill etc. • Access to river for measurements. (coach parking) Start of Aggregates Trail. • Information room. Great Blakenham TM 120 507 • Range of natural and man made features • Parking on Mill Lane at Village Hall (check • Parking. with venue). • Access to GRP. Claydon Picnic Site TM 127 500 • Man made channel • Small car park. • Parking. • GRP. • Picnic Area. Barham Picnic Site TM 123 513 • Gravel Pits • Coach access and ample car parking. • Parking, toilets (restricted times), picnic • Short walk to GRP & start of Aggregates Trail. area, play area, space for games and activities. Bramford Picnic Site TM 128 465 • Man made channel and remnant • No coach parking on site. • Small car park, toilets (summer only) channel of old river • GRP. • Riverside picnic site. • Waterside meadows. • Space for games and activities. Ipswich TM 153 444 • Tidal channel • Coach parking (near river opposite • Parking. (Coach parking) • End of River Gipping Council Offices). • Toilets in town. TM 151 445 • Docks and dockland development • Riverside paths, bridges, dock buildings. • Information boards. (End of Gipping) TM 173 406 • Wide tidal channel • Roadside parking for coaches in layby. • None. (Roadside parking) • Mud flats (near Orwell bridge) • View of Orwell Bridge • Marina nearby Felixstowe TM 284 320 • Mouth of River • Coach parking at Landguard. • Public toilets GRP = Gipping River Path • Confluence with River Stour • Viewpoint at Landguard. in town. (Stowmarket to Ipswich) • Docks • Coastal Features River Investigations Many websites and books explain how to take measurements of river features or sample the creatures that live there. A good starting point on the Internet is www.swgfl.org.uk/rivers (with recording forms for you to copy and use) whilst the Field Studies Council publication ‘Freshwater Investigations’ explains clearly how to safely go about freshwater fieldwork. What lives there? Large creatures can be easily seen and recorded but you will need a net to catch the animals that live under the water and on plants or the riverbed. Two common techniques are used. Both require nets and trays:

• Kick Sampling – a common method for sampling the Teacher’s Note: creatures that live amongst the stones in shallow stony riverbeds. Why not study the adaptations • Dipping - pond nets can be used to sweep the aquatic used by creatures found in vegetation to sample the creatures living there. ponds and fast flowing rivers to help them survive in their What does the river look like? chosen habitat? • Channel width – measuring the distance across the river channel at different points along a river’s course shows how the river changes in width as it gets nearer the mouth. Alternatively, take photos to show the changes.

• River depth – taking depth measurements at intervals across a section of the river shows how the riverbed changes shape. Try taking measurements at different locations along the course of a river to see how it changes in size and shape. Sampling on a meander should provide interesting results due to erosion and deposition.

• Water velocity – using oranges or corks to measure how fast the water is flowing over a measured section of river shows how speed varies both across a channel (e.g. around a bend) and along the course of a river. Make sure you can retrieve your orange or cork! (You can use small twigs instead to obtain rough estimates of speed). How clean is the water? • Water temperature/pH/oxygen levels - use scientific instruments to measure a number of chemical and environmental factors that may change along the course of a river. These influence the variety of life found.

Observing and sketching or photographing the river along its course also highlights changes in vegetation and surrounding land use and the historical use of the river.

© Discovery Project - Mid Suffolk District Council - 2009. Reproduction for educational purposes only. Looking after each other The weather is: • Stay with your group and leader during the visit A V • Keep away from steep edges and slippery sides Sunny Cloudy ColdBrr • Remember freshwater is not always clean water; cover cuts with a plaster or rubber glove to avoid any infection a b • Never go into the water until an adult has checked the Warm Windy WetG depth and speed of the water – it may be deeper than it looks! • Always wear Wellingtons. Never go into the water in bare feet as there may be sharp stones or even broken glass • Always wash your hands after sampling and before you eat your lunch Safety Tips for Teachers: • Respect other river users such as fishermen and walkers • Visit the site on your own before a visit • Keep noise levels low near people, houses to check for dangers and other groups b • Carry out a Risk Assessment • Check the staff/adult to pupil ratio needed for the age group • Always have a safety line and first aid kit • Use a stick/pole to test the water depth before entering • If in doubt it is better not to enter the water and risk an accident • Sets of data can be provided by the Discovery Project to use if you choose not to go in the river • Set up boundaries as to where pupils can sample the river • Carry a spare set of clothing and some spare socks – just in case! • Use the equipment check list below to remind you of the things you need to take.

Equipment required ✓ Clipboards Oranges/corks/twigs Ordnance Survey Map Tape measure Magnifying glass Stopwatches Plastic spoons Camera Pond dipping net Ranging poles/metre rulers White tray Gloves to cover cuts and abrasions Bug boxes Hand wipes/antibacterial gel Wellies First Aid kit Project Rivers and accompanying worksheets Clinometer, if required Explore the Gipping A single field trip can be carried out at Needham Market to study river features. Alternatively, a whole day can be spent exploring the River Gipping from source to mouth.

A field trip is an opportunity for pupils to experience, first hand, what they have learnt in the classroom. For those who are at the beginning of their topic on rivers, but also for those who are further advanced, the following basic knowledge would benefit the pupils on their visit: • Look at maps of the area (Ordnance Survey Explorer series: 197 for Ipswich and 211 for Stowmarket) • Find the source and mouth of the River Gipping and the places it passes on the way to the sea. • Work out the route from your school to Needham Market. Needham Market Needham Lake and the surrounding area is an excellent location for fieldwork. There are many physical and human features to be discovered and in places the river is shallow enough to allow access for sampling activities.

Features can be easily viewed from the surfaced towpath and, with a mix of land uses (recreational, pasture, arable and urban), there are opportunities to look at the role of the river as it flows through the area. Recording the features you see helps develop observational skills and understand terms. Have a look at the ‘River Investigations’ sheet for sampling ideas and measurements to take.

To avoid each pupil carrying clipboards it may be best to work in small groups on your field trip.

Rivers Word Bank Stream Floodplain Flow Wildlife Source Waterfall Erosion Tidal Mouth Rapids Water cycle Mudflats Estuary Pool Pollution Saltmarsh Meander Riffle Watershed Otter Tributary Eddy Drainage basin Water Vole Confluence Canal Channel Banded Demoiselle Deposition Lock River bed Kingfisher Transportation Weir River bank Heron Cliff Sluice Sediment Chub Ox-bow lake Spillway River Load Willow Levee Mill stream Current Alder Downstream Wharf Water table Black Poplar Upstream Flood Surface run off Water Lily Upper course Flash flood Catchment area Lower course Sewage works Velocity Middle course River system Reed © Discovery Project - Mid Suffolk District Council 2009. Reproduction for educational purposes only. River Features at Needham Market An annotated map of the River Gipping as it flows through the Needham Market area showing physical and man made features associated with the river. A blank map is included in the workbook for students to annotate during their field trip.

Suggested route Natural Features for river walk 〈 FEATURE SYMBOL Willow Tree WT SP Alder Tree AT Black Poplar Tree PT Physical Features FEATURE SYMBOL MS L W Meander x M Confluence Y Erosion X Deposition Cliff C River Channel RC Alder Carr Farm Fast Flow FF Slow Flow SF Y AT FF Public Wharf

C X M WT AT X SW PT Needham Market Town Centre

SF Mill Meadow Railway Station Coach Parking RC

Man Made Features Needham Lake FEATURE SYMBOL Railway 〈 PT Mill x L Mill Stream MS W x MS Lock Chamber L New Weir W course Warning Sign of river

Levee 〈 Old course Spillway SP of river Sewage Works SW N Use atleast5labelstomarkthefeaturesyouhavedrawn Make asketchoftherivertoremindyouwhatitlookedlikeonyour visit. Field Sketch RIVER GIPPING INVESTIGATION By

The River Gipping has its source close to ...... and flows into the sea near ...... We studied the river at ...... Date of Visit ...... The weather is: A V Brr ✓ Tick the boxes Sunny Cloudy Cold you agree with a b G Warm Windy Wet

or near the river: the near or Colours in the water the in Colours

Descriptive words: Look and listen to the river. e.g. wide Use this space to write down words to remind you of your visit.

Sounds : e.g. gurgle

feel: e.g. relaxed e.g. feel: The river makes me makes river The 1=T 3= T4 = T3 = T2 = T1 = Repeat this several times to get an average time takes to travel the measured distance (m). orange into the water. A second person times how long (in seconds) this river bank. One person, standing upstream, throws or places a stick/cork/ travel a known distance. To do this, measure a 5m or 10m length along the Water velocity can be measured by timing how long it takes for an object to as a source of water power. whether the bed will be rocky or muddy and also it can used The speed of a river determines which plants and animals can live there, Measuring water velocity object on its journey. a third person on the bank can time water to place and remove their objects If the river is shallow, students can stand in the The velocity (V) is measured in metres per second.

Photographs Make sure you note down the photographs you take and where you were standing. eoiy()= distance travelled (m) Velocity (V) = average time (sec) River measurements Use these pages to record the measurements taken on your visit The River Gipping and tributaries

A THINGS Elmswell TO DO: 1. Mark on the map •M • H the source and mouth of the River Gipping. Stowmarket •SA C 2. Indicate which way • R the river is flowing. B • G •C •B Needham Measuring width and depth Market Claydon 1. Measure the distance from ‘A’ across the water surface to ‘B’. Bramford Width = Ipswich

•W

2. Measure the depth ‘C’ at regular Orwell Bridge intervals across the channel. River Orwell

Interval = cm

Villages Felixstowe •B Battisford C1 = C2 = C3 = C4 = River Stour •C Coddenham Harwich •G Gosbeck •H C5 = C6 = C7 = C8 = •

Add more if needed M Mendlesham Green •R Rattlesden Make a scale drawing in class by drawing a line on a piece of paper to •SA Stonham Aspal represent the width of the water surface. Draw vertical lines down from •W Washbrook this line at regular intervals to represent the depths you found. Join up the bottom of the lines to complete your picture of the river bed. River features at Needham Market On your field visit to the River Gipping, see how many of the following features you can find. Mark their locations on the map with the symbol given.

Natural Features Suggested route for river walk FEATURE SYMBOL Willow Tree WT Alder Tree AT Black Poplar Tree PT Physical Features FEATURE SYMBOL Meander M Confluence Y Erosion X Deposition Cliff C River Channel RC Alder Carr Farm Fast Flow FF Slow Flow SF

Needham Market Town Centre

Mill Meadow Railway Station Coach Parking

Man Made Features Needham Lake FEATURE SYMBOL Mill x Mill Stream MS Lock Chamber L Weir W Warning Sign

Levee 〈 Spillway SP Sewage Works SW

N East Anglian Rivers Activity Before or after a river field trip, find out more about the local geography. A worksheet for students is overleaf and can be photocopied for individuals.

A C B 1. 2.

D E

3. H G 4.

F

5. I 8. 6.

J 9. 7.

10.

Settlements Rivers

1. T hetford 6. Felixstowe A Little Ouse F Gipping 2. Diss 7. Harwich B Thet G Deben 3. Bury 8. Sudbury C Waveney H Alde St Edmunds D 4. Stowmarket 9. Colchester Lark I Stour

5. Ipswich 10. Chelmsford E Dove J Colne East Anglian Rivers Find out more about your local geography and name these towns and rivers.

B A C 1. 2.

D E

3. H G 4.

F

5. I

8. 6.

J 7. 9.

10.

Settlements Rivers

1.T ______6. F ______A L _____O___ F G ______2.D ___ 7. H ______B T ___ G D ____ 3.B ___ 8. S ______C W ______H A___ S______

4.S ______9. C ______D L ___ I S ____

5. I ______10. C ______E D ___ J C ____

© Discovery Project - Mid Suffolk District Council - 2009. Reproduction for educational purposes only. Debate and Discussion 1. Why do people historically settle by rivers?

2. What are the pros and cons of building on a floodplain?

3. How do humans increase the risk of flooding to river catchments?

4. What could you do to help prevent flooding in the future • as a policy maker or • as an individual at home?

5. What is the consequence of pollution on a river ecosystem? Investigate the different sources of pollution.

6. Which invasive plants and animals are destroying river habitats? What can we do about it?

7. How could you measure the amount of material, like sand, a river carries along? Use the sheet 8. If you owned a section of river what issues would overleaf for your you need to consider before starting a business? answers, images 9. How can rivers be used to produce energy? and references

10. How might Global Warming affect rivers?

11. Where does your drinking water come from?

12. What happens if we take too much water out of a river for our own use?

© Discovery Project - Mid Suffolk District Council - 2009. Reproduction for educational purposes only. I have chosen to debate and discuss the following questions...

References Continue on a separate sheet if required

My images