Blog #5 – Site Visit
Feb 17th, 2012 by mattwong
This past week our team visited Kensington Pitch and Putt with Dr. Atwater and Sepideh Jankhah to gain an overview of the parameters of the site. The site visit enlightened us on our tasks and the significance of what we are planning to do.
Task
Our task is to measure multiple cross-sections of the trench that the stream runs through, in order to determine the volume of water sections are able to contain. This task may be challenging due to certain locations of the stream being deep and covered with black berry bushes. Also, the stream is located near golf holes, which will be hazardous. Therefore, extra time will be required in order to approach the project with the utmost caution.
Significance
The data will be analyzed to allow us to determine and suggest to the management staff where the optimal location of where semi-permeable barriers should be installed, creating a pool and riffle effect. The purpose of the semi-permeable barriers is to decrease the high degree change in volumetric flow rate. For the most part, the stream is very calm but changes drastically when it rains. The semi-permeable barriers will dam up the water and delay the flow for an hour. This is important due to the stream carrying the rain water from urban areas ultimately to a fish bearing body of water.
Materials
We are going to the site during reading break to take the necessary cross-sections of the stream. In preparation, we have contacted Mr. Blair Patterson to help us procure the necessary surveying equipment.
The equipment list is as follows:
1 laser level & tripod
1 surveying rod
1 surveying tape (50m or 60m)
~20 metal spikes
2 mallets
2 rolls ribbon
4 measuring tapes
2 carpenter’s levels
2 2x4x10 (or x8)
2 square angles
6 hard hats and safety vests