Running Water and Random Numbers Teacher Page idea by A. Colleen Yows
	Purpose To model the development of drainage basins by using random rolls of a number cube.

Water, a dominant geologic agent on Earth, makes significant changes to our planet's surface. Channels and valleys are evidence of the erosional effects of running water. Point bars, levees, terraces, alluvial fans, and deltas are deposits associated with running water.

This exercise focuses on the development of channels and drainage basins (the total area contributing water to the stream channel). Is there an orderliness to channel development? Or is there a randomness to the channel patterns? In truth, the answer is yes to both questions. Channel patterns are related to and sometimes controlled by underlying rock type and structure, especially in the presence of faults, joints, domes, and basins. On the otherhand, where bedrock is relatively uniform and flat, a beautifully random, tree-like (dentritic) channel pattern develops. The tracing to the left shows a dentritic channel network from the country of Yemen bordered by the Red and Arabian Seas. Channel intersections point downstream, so the flow of water is down to the bottom of the page.

In nature, streams continuously change shape and orienation in response to the amount of water and sediment being carried in the channel. Random patterns develop when discharge (the volume of water moving downstream per unit time) and load (mateial being transported by the stream) are variable e.g., in braided streams.

A roll of a number cube provides an excellent simulation of the random development of stream channels.

What about water on the other planets? Liquid water does not exist on the surfaces of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto. But data from Mars and many of the outer planet satellites lead scientists to conclude that water ice does indeed exist on these bodies today. Past climatic conditions on Mars were probably different enough from current conditions to allow flowing liquid water on the surface. How do we know? The evidence comes from photographs taken by orbiting spacecraft and lander craft which depict channels and valley networks on the surface of Mars.

Preparation

Review and prepare materials listed on the student sheet.

Review the key words so the students can label features they see on their diagrams.

In Class

Each pair of students begins with one sheet of graph paper. If there is enough time, encourage them to tape another sheet of paper onto the bottom to continue the exercise.

Remind students to choose the dot (water source) before tossing the number cube to ensure randomness.

Wrap-up

1.

How many drainage basins were produced on the various diagrams?

2.

How do diagrams compare?

1.

How would faults, joints, domes, and basins influence channel development?

2.

What influences stream discharge? How does a stream's discharge change?

3.

Name and describe the common stream patters found in nature.

4.

Compare the physical characteristics of young and old drainage systems.

5.

The Mississippi River drainage basin covers a huge portion of the central United States. In fact, the drainage basin exceeds 40% of the entire area of the contiguous U.S. What are the major tributaries of the Mississippi River?

6.

Choose a famous river and write a report on its significance to human settlement, transportation, health, and welfare.

7.

Choose a martian channel and explain its origin.

8.

Debate the pros and cons of living in a flood zone.

9.

Debate the pros and cons of constructing dams to provide water for hydroelectric power.