Build A Stream Table
Objective
To construct a scale model, which duplicate natural processes realistically so that they may be studied in the laboratory. See figure 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the end of Lesson 3.
The materials and plan for constructing a stream table 5 feet long, 32 inches wide and 4 inches deep are as follows:
Material Needed
Provide yourself with a piece of exterion or marine plywood, 5’ x 4’ x 5/8”. You will also need 1 1/2 pounds of 1 1/2” galvanized or coated nails and one piece of plastic sheeting 6’ x 4’ (available in paint and hardware stores as paint dropcloths or plastic store windows). The plastic is to be used as a liner so that the box will hold water without leaking. If you wish to make the box water tight without using plastic liner, you can coat all joints with boat caulking or roof-patching cement. The interior can then be painted with waterproof paint such as porch enamel or boat paint.
Construction
Saw four pieces 4” wide and 5’ long from one side of the 5’ x 4’ sheet of plywood. Place the plywood sheet, now 5’ x 32”, over two of the 4” x 5’ pieces as shown in figure 2 and nail through the bottom into the side pieces. Coat with caulking or roof cement before nailing if you do not plan to use a plastic liner. Space the nails about 1 1/2” apart in nailing the sides on the bottom of the box. After the side pieces are in place, carefully measure the end spaces and cut pieces from the other two 4’ x 5’ strips so that they will fit snugly. Nail ends in place in the same way that sides are nailed.
Cut a v-shaped notch 1” wide (at the top) and 1” deep in the top edge of one of the end pieces. Cut the notch about 3 or 4 inches from one side of the box as shown in B and D, in figure 1.
After setting up a stream table you need to collect sand, pebbles, and gravel to simulate the environment of the beach you are going to study. You will need road maps of coastal or inland lake areas. Topographic maps will usually give better information on landscapes. These maps are available from the State Geological Department in Hartford.
* ’ means foot, ” means inch
Activities Using Your Stream Table
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1. How does a given beach in the summertime compare with the same beach in winter?
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2. What effect would be produced on the beach and on the sand in the shallow part of the water if a breakwater were to be added to the shoreline?
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3. What happens to beach if the average sea level were lower or higher than it is now?
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4. What changes take place if one end of the beach is raised?