Healthy Streams What makes a healthy stream Scientists

Healthy Streams: What makes a healthy stream?

Scientists observe, measure, record, analyze, and make conclusions

What is turbidity? Why is turbidity important for a healthy stream?

Using the Slyter Stick to take a sample

Dr. William Trush, River Ecologist Mc. Bain and Trush, Arcata CA If the turbidity in a stream reaches 20 NTU’s (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) for 20 straight days, the forming salmonid will not be able to see its food, will not grow to its full length, and will be unlikely to survive into adulthood.

Turbidity Data all 5 Schools

Data Report Covers a Slice of Time Nov. 22, 2014 Dec. 6, 2014

Water Temperature Why is water temperature important to a healthy stream?

EPA Recommended Temperature Thresholds to Protect Salmonid species and Trout Fish are exothermic (e. g. , physiologically controlled by surrounding water temperature levels). As such, water temperature controls all life stage needs. Adult migration 64 -68 F (18 -20 C) Incubation 55 F (13 C) Juvenile Rearing 61 -64 F (16 -18 C) Smoltification 57 -59 F (14 -15 C) Prolonged exposures of Chinook salmon to water temperatures above about 20°C (68 F) can result in a number of adverse effects, depending on the life stage (Moyle et al. 2002). In northern California, both Welsh et al. (2001) and Hines and Ambrose (1998) found that coho salmon juveniles did not persist where the floating weekly maximum temperature exceeded 18. 3° C (65 F) for any length of time.

What is the most prevalent fish in the Van Duzen and Eel Rivers?

Data Temperature 5 School and 3 Locations

Grizzly Creek th Dec. 6 , 2014

What is ph Why is ph important to a healthy stream?

Redway Beach

p. H rises and falls during the course of a hydrologic year The North Coast Water Quality Control Board objectives for p. H in the Van Duzen River are 6. 5 to 8. 5.

p. H Eel River, Van Duzen River, Grizzly Creek

Fruits and vegetables can raise your bodies p. H. The p. H scale ranges from 0 to 14; pure water has a neutral p. H of 7. Acids range from 0 to 7, and bases range from 7 to 14 on the scale. The website Alkalize for Health reports that human blood maintains a steady p. H of 7. 4, making it slightly alkaline.

Science on the Eel River

Finding Macroinvertebrates

Science in Action

Collaborative Learning Thanks Redway School