A gripping tale

A gripping tale!!

Aims.

To understand how man has affected a natural river basin. Moorland Drainage - "Gripping". (Video Extract - Gripping in the Yorkshire Dales - Gripping in the Yorkshire Dales 2).

Introduction.

1. What is gripping?

2. Why did it take place?

3. When did it take place?

The impact of gripping on the river regime.

4. Using the table below, describe the changes between the two hydrographs "before" and "after" gripping.

5. With the aid of diagrams explain why this has taken place.

The impact on the ecology of the river.

How has the changing river regime affected the ecology of the river?.

a). Sedimentation of the river.

b). Lower base flows.

c). Increase in the acidity of the river.

Using a local person to gain specific knowledge of the changes of river regimes.

7. Has gripping taken place in Swaledale?

8. When did gripping take place in Swaledale?

9. Has this lead to more sheep being carried in the farms of Swaledale?

10. Who paid for the gripping?

11. What has been the impact of gripping on the river regime? (Response time of the river, flooding of the river?)

12. What has happened to fish stocks in the river? Size and quantity?

13. In your opinion has gripping been a success or failure in Swaledale.

Conclusion.

14. What could you do to stop the impact of gripping in the catchment?

15. What will be the impact of sheep farming in the area?

The above graphs are to illustrate the changes, the data is fictitious.

The hydrographs change from an attenuated response to a flashy response.

The Environment Agencies response. (You will be able to answer these questions when we interview the EA at the Foss Barrier at York).

What do they think causes the floods at York?

What impact do they think gripping has on flooding at York?

Extension Activity

Moorland Drainage

River Swale Regeneration Project

Moorland Drainage

Flood Plain Management

Read the Geofile September 1999 River Ouse, Moorland Drainage,Gripping.