The 5th year Geography class from Athboy Community School with teachers Mr. Magner and Ms Dolan went to Kippure House Estate near Blessington in Co. Wicklow for a river field study on Wednesday April 9th.
The purpose of the field trip was to investigate the impact of the processes of erosion on the formation of a V-Shaped Valley on Athdown Brook, a tributary of the River Liffey.
In lovely, bright weather the group had an enjoyable day gathering data in the river. With the aid of the park rangers each student measured the river velocity and classed the river flow using Berg’s Classification. Next the students did a River Channel Cross Section to see the effects of erosion on the shape of the river channel. They recorded the gradient of the river itself and its discharge, then used clinometers to carry out a Valley Profile to see the effect of erosion on the shape of the valley.
The group also did a Bedload Analysis to see the impact of the processes of attrition, abrasion and hydraulic action on the material being carried by the river and how it shapes the load.
They also observed features of erosion such as rapids and a river cliff. The group also did field sketches to take note of the features, conditions and processes evident.
The students are now producing a report on the field trip which is worth 20% of their Leaving Certificate Geography examination next year.