Considerations: We have many variables that will have to be defined before we can accurately estimate the amount of sediment even deposited into the pond. First, comes the amount of water that is brought into the pond. This, of course fluctuates with the amount of precipitation. Second, comes the amount of sediment taken into the pond with the water. Once again precipitation takes a role in this. The more water flowing through the creek, the higher velocity and more erosion of the creek bed. This brings more sediment into the pond. Also, we need to figure out how much sediment is taken out of the pond on the other side. Not all of the sediment brought into the creek is left, some of it flows out of the other side of the pond with the creek. The final consideration in our study will be the compacting of this sediment on the pond floor. The volume of the sediment that will fill the pond will not equal the volume of the pond. The pressure from the water on the bottom of the pond will compact the sediment, and increase its mass while reducing its volume.
Briefs of procedure: Since this is a difficult problem, we have been brainstorming on procedural ideas, and have no definate answers on how to go about this analysis. We do, however, have some general unpolished ideas for the procedure.
1. Use previous documents to find the volume of the pond.
2. Take a sample of the water and sediment flowing into the pond
a) This can be done using ordinary window screens possibly, in a zig-zag or helix formation.
3. Take a sample of the sediment and water flowing out of the pond
a) Possibly the same as above assumption.
4. Take a sample of the water and sediment in the pond at several different depths and positions
5. Create a ratio of the volume of water to the volume of sediment in all of the samples.
a) Done by letting sediment settle out and measuring amount of water.
6. Estimate the amount of pressure on the bottom of the pond, and the density of the bottom.
a) Done by measuring depth and then water pressure accordingly.
7. Find out how many of the sediment samples will be needed to create the same amount of density
8. Add the volumes of the sediment leaving the pond.
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