In this activity examine how the influences of the temperature of river water (which floats on the surface), the temperature of bay water (which creeps along the bottom), and the amount of river flow influence the stratification in the imaginary estuary below. Remember, stratification is the separation of water into layers. Need a Hint?

mixing sky
mixing water
mixing results
mixing base
mixing cross section
Bay water temperature River water temperature River flow
temp low Low temp low Low flow low Low
temp high High temp high High flow medium Medium
    flow high High