Question

How can a light anchor in a fast flowing river cause positive error in depth measurements?

Answer 1

An anchor is a heavy metallic object that is dropped from boats with chains connected to it.

The depth of a river or water body can be measured using an anchor by dropping it in water. The length of chain that goes into the water is the depth at the place.

Now, suppose that the river is flowing very fast and the anchor is a light one, (not heavy enough to stop from flowing with the water.)

Then, due to the velocity of the water, the anchor moves to the side to which the water is moving, rather than positioning at the exact bottom of the boat.

Now, the depth measured will be higher than the actual depth of the river.

So, there will be a positive error in the depth measurement.