Geography Activities
AG5 - Floods
Geography Stage 6 – 8.2 Biophysical Interactions
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Principal focus
The focus of this study is a geographical investigation of
biophysical processes and how an understanding of these processes
contributes to sustainable management.
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Outcomes
P7 formulates a plan for active geographical inquiry
P8 selects, organises and analyses relevant geographical
information from a variety of sources
P9 uses maps, graphs and statistics, photographs and field
work to conduct geographical inquiries
P10 applies mathematical ideas and techniques to analyses
geographical data
P11 communicates geographical information, ideas and issues
using appropriate written and/or oral, cartographic and graphic
forms
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Activity
Examine historical aerial photographs to examine changes
in built up areas in the catchment.
Construct flow chart to show changes in catchment surfaces
from natural to urbanised and the impact of the increase in
the proportion of impervious surfaces.
Cross section using topographic maps
Vegetation transect and birds eye view map at Loyalty Rd
Flood Basin – show plant distribution, weed invasion
along creek line and flood zones upstream from wall.
Photos of flooding in CBD
Map 100 year flood lines in CBD pre flood basin and post
flood basin
Newspaper articles about flooding (short answer questions)
Background reading from information sheets
Field trip sites:
Loyalty Road flood retention basin
Wetlands at McCoy Park and Lancelot St
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Content
Students learn to:
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investigate and communicate geographically
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plan a field work activity to assess the impacts
of floods
Students learn about:
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a case study investigating urban run-off and
floods
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Key questions
What are the effects of human impacts on the hydrology of the upper
Parramatta River catchment?
Background – Impact of Urbanisation
Urbanisation in the upper Parramatta River catchment has greatly
increased the area of impervious surfaces (such as roads and roofs).
This causes rainfall that previously infiltrated into soil or flowed
off the catchment at a slow rate, to flow off the catchment quickly
and in greater volumes.
Throughout the catchment, many small creeks have been replaced
with piped and lined drainage systems. This causes additional increases
in the rate at which stormwater is carried, increased flooding and
erosion problems. The concentration of pollutants such as oil, grease,
sediment and organic matter running off urban surfaces causes deterioration
in the water quality downstream.
How much stormwater runs off your school site?
This activity involves:
- Map the proportions of impervious surfaces in
your school grounds.
- Calculating the volume of stormwater water running
off from your school.
- Developing strategies to reduce the run-off from
the school grounds.
1. Map school surfaces
a.
Walk through the school grounds and identify the different
kinds of surfaces (for example: rooves, paths, garden, lawn and
sporting fields etc).
b.
Devise a system of symbols to represent these surfaces.
c.
Use a school map and graph paper to draw a detailed map of
the various surfaces.
d.
Mark on the map any systems that your school has installed
to reduce the area of impervious surfaces within the school grounds.
e.
Estimate the area of each surface type in square metres and
the proportion of each surface type in the school grounds.
f.
Record your results in a table.
2. Estimate
school stormwater runoff volume
a.
Use this information to classify your school surfaces in
high, medium and low runoff surfaces.
b.
Estimate the volume of stormwater that would leave the school
site in a storm that dropped 25mm of rain.
(% runoff x surface area x rainfall volume
= mm stormwater volume generated by each surface type)
c.
Use tables and graphs to record the results of your field
investigations.
3. Develop
an action plan
Resources and Links
Water Sensitive Urban Design
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Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust website www.uprct.nsw.gov.au -
click on “Sustainable Water”
UPRCT Catchment Education Kit Information Sheets
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Water
Sensitive Urban Design
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Hydrology
Information
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Flooding
Information
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ESD
Information
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