Rivers fieldwork is an excellent way to introduce pupils to investigation and enquiry in the field. It is relatively easy to do (ensuring the location/s is suitable) and there are a variety of areas which can be investigated including:

• river changes from source to mouth
• river features and process
• erosion, deposition and transportation
• sediment and bed material
• use of the river
• river basin management
• settlements along the river
• flooding
• land use change
• leisure
• pollution
• hydrological cycle
• human impacts on the river
• river conservation and ecology

This resource was written by the RGS-IBG Education Department and reviewed by Rachel Atkins (Bristol Grammar School) and Dr John Gerrard (University of Birmingham)