River Severn Virtual Fieldtrip The River Severn is one of the most important rivers in the United Kingdom. Today you are going to go on a virtual fieldtrip down the river from near its source towards its mouth. The aims of the fieldtrip are as follows: To search for changes in the river as we move away from the source To look for evidence of the work done by rivers To find out how the river impacts on the lives of people River Severn Virtual Fieldtrip

B A C A B C D D Here is a map of the river Severn Location A is known as Carding Mill Valley. Here a small stream starts which is a tributary of the River Severn. The site was chosen as an example of the upper course of a river. C A B Location B is the town of Shrewsbury. Here we can examine the impact of the river on the town C Location C is just east of the town of Welshpool. The site was chosen as an example of the middle course of a river. D Location D is near Bristol as the river nears the end of its journey. D

Can you label the map correctly with these features? Carding Mill Valley Can you label the map correctly with these features? Footpath V-Shaped Valley River Source Stream Car Park Confluence

Close to the Source Here we are at the start of our walk into the mountains. This stream is one of many tributaries of the River Severn. How would you describe the shape of the valley? How big is the stream?

The Waterfall As we walk up the valley we come across this waterfall. Can you put these labels in the right places? Gorge/Waterfall retreat Plunge Pool Softer Rock Hard Cap Rock

The River in Action This video footage shows the stream in action. What does the moving water do to the rocks and earth below and to the sides of it? What would happen if the river were in flood? Double click on the photo to play movie.

A closer view of the river Near the top of the mountain we have a closer look at the river bed. How would you describe the size and shape of the material in the river?

The Upper Valley Here is a view up to the top of the valley. What is the vegetation like on the hillsides on these mountains? How steep is the land the river is flowing over?

On the Slide! On the walk up the valley we come across this scene. What do you think has happened here? Why are the rocks in metal cages?

Busy, Busy, Busy When we return to our car we aren’t the only people in the area. How many different activities can you think of that people in the area might do?

We move further downstream close to the town of Welshpool We move further downstream close to the town of Welshpool. We want to see how the river will change.

The Middle Course When we arrive in the countryside near Welshpool we are amazed how much the river had changed. What has happened to the width of the river? How has the river altered in shape? What do you notice about the valley?

Going round the bend! A bend in a river like this is known as a meander. Can you label the inside and outside of the bend?

Shrewsbury We travel even further down the river to the town of Shrewsbury to examine what impact the river has had on the town.

Shrewsbury First we visit the park. The park has been built on the river’s flood plain. How might people use this area of parkland and the river bank?

Riverside Living These flats enjoy lovely riverside views but what do you think might happen if the river went into flood?

Bridging the Gap This bridge spans the river close to the block of flats. How do you think it affects the flow of the river? What affect might the bridge have when the river is in flood? Why is the bridge important?

Along the Riverside When we stand on the bridge and look downstream we can see these walls built along the side of the river. What do you think they are intended to do?

Finally We eventually reach the end of our journey down the River Severn. The river goes into the sea near Bristol. Lets take a final look at the river.

The Severn Estuary Click on the pictures if you want to go to Multimap to compare this photo and map. What is there in the river? How has this happened? What other features both human and physical are linked to the presence of the River Severn being in this location?

The Severn Bridge The end of our journey Final observations: How wide is the river here? Where are the valley sides? What is the main river process in operation here?