Why Do Mountain Streams Run Higher in the Late Afternoon?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do mountain streams run higher in the late afternoon?

The Big Idea

Mountain streams run higher in the late afternoon because the Sun melts snow and ice all day. The meltwater takes time to flow down the slopes. So the stream rises long after the melting begins.

The Sun Melts Snow

Step one: the Sun melts snow and ice. In spring and summer, sunshine warms the snow and glaciers all day. The warmest part of the day melts the most.

Water Travels Down

Step two: the meltwater travels downhill. It has to trickle over snow, rock, and soil, and that takes hours. So the stream does not rise right away.

Stream Peaks Late

Step three: the stream peaks late in the day. It is highest in the late afternoon or evening, and lowest in the early morning. Glacier-fed streams show this daily rhythm the strongest.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at the daily rhythm! In the morning, the stream is low. By noon, the Sun is melting lots of ice. By evening, the water arrives and the stream rises. So always stay back from fast water.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Glacier-fed streams can be low in the morning and rushing by evening. Crossing a stream is much riskier at the end of a warm day. Fast, cold water can be very strong. Stay back from streams, and always stay with grown-ups.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Put an ice cube in a funnel above a cup, in a warm spot. Count the drips each hour. Does the dripping speed up as the room warms? Draw a graph of what you see.

Outro

Streams follow the rhythm of the Sun. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!