Current+&+Velocity4


 * Current and Velocity



What is current and velocity? **

Velocity- distance water flows during some period of time, such as meters per second or feet per second Current- the part of a fluid body moving continuously in a certain direct. Velocity is the measurement of how slow or fast the current is going. Currents carry organisms and nutrients down stream. Velocity changes when a stream changes direction or depth.

** How does Current and Velocity affect wildlife? **

Unlike water currents in oceans, water currents in rivers and streams flow one way, meaning that they carry nutrients and other substances down stream to living organisms. However if the velocity of a stream is too much many insects and some fish are unable to live there. The flow of water exerts a force on organisms, which can cause stress. But mollusks and some fish are not affected by it. Other organisms such as streamlined fish more against or with the vicious currents.


 * Human Activities that impact the current and velocity: **

Some of the impacts humans can put on the speed of water, is to put up dams. Dams are put in to control, or completely stop the flow of the water. We also affect the velocity of a river but digging the bed out and making it deeper, because the removal of the soil makes teh velocity increase. Drastically altering landscapes in a watershed, such as with development, can also effect a river or strestream's current. These altering flows can negitavely effect an entire ecosystem by upsetting habhabitats and organisms dependent of natural flow rates.