Operation and Use of a Stream Table Prepared by Kristina Nevius

A stream table, most often used in Earth Science/Geology classrooms, is a box-like table that usually contains sand that can be used to show the effects of a stream on land surfaces. Different streams can be manually produced (braided or meandering) by running fingers through the sand, and students are able to see the concepts of deposition and erosion on the "banks" of the streams formed on the table.

Materials needed:

Large, thin piece of plywood**

Other small pieces of wood to form a "box"**

Sand

Gravel (optional)

Water source

Books or block (to elevate the table)

**Any source suitable as a large box can be used

To make a stream table, use a piece of thin plywood, 100 cm X 65 cm X 2 cm. Nail small pieces of wood, 10 cm X 2.5 cm, around the plywood base (sizes are approximate). Make a small opening at one end of the stream table and insert a piece of rubber tubing. This will allow water to drain into a catch bucket. Waterproof the stream table by caulking around the base and sides or use a plastic trash bag to line the inside.

Prop up one end of the stream table to about 3 to 5 cm. Fill the raised end of the stream table with fine sand and gravel. Pick up the raised end and shake the stream table gently until the sand covers about the top two-thirds of the stream table.

You can run a hose from a sink or use a siphon from a pail as a source of water. The hose should have a spray nozzle, and should be set at a low, constant stream of water. A watering can may also be used to simulate "rainfall."

Begin pouring water slowly and steadily from the hose. The hose should be level with the table. If using a watering can, it can be held slightly above the high end of the stream table. Observe the small stream(s) that form(s) in the sand.

Sample activities:

Modeling erosion:

Create a reservior of water at the upper end by mounding up the sand. Watch the flow of water as it erodes the sand. How are the different grain sizes affected by the water flow? How is the water flow affected by different size sand or rock particles?

Modeling a Delta:

Form a large pool of water (a lake or "ocean") at the end of the stream table. Watch as sediments are carried and deposited at the edge of the "ocean". After one delta has formed, raise the stream table to allow new deltas to form.

Modeling melting glacier effects:

Mix 1 L of sand and gravel with 500 mL clay and water. Freeze the mixture until solid. Place the frozen mixture on the raised portion of the stream table, and observe the results.

The University of Nebraska-Omaha Geology department has a labatory activity that is well worth examining.

http://maps.unomaha.edu/Maher/geo101/tablea.html