We visited the scenic area of Cadover Bridge as well as Burrator Reservoir.  Fieldwork we conducted included measuring the velocity of the river using a dog biscuit and collecting and analysing sediment from the river bed.  Meanders were also a very important element of this trip.  We located features of the meander such as the river cliff, the slip-off slope, the thalweg (fastest flow of the river) and the riffles.  We also had to identify which area of the river course this was.  We then travelled to the area of Burrator Reservoir and drew a cross section of the river valley.  We identified this section as the upper course.  We then attended a talk at the Discovery Centre, where we learned about the why the reservoir was built at Burrator and how it supplies water to Plymouth.  We also learned that Plymouth receives some of its water supply from Roadford Reservoir, which is transferred through the River Tavy to Gunnislake and by doing this we cemented our knowledge learned in the classroom.  As well as this, we learnt some interesting facts about Burrator Reservoir itself.

By Lucy Ryder and Monty Wood (Year 9 Geography students).