watershed system physical properties stream flow (cfs) stream channel pattern substrate chemical...
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Watershed System
Physical Properties
Stream flow(cfs)
Stream Channel Pattern
Substrate
Chemical Properties
pH
Dissolved Oxygen
Temperature
Nutrients
Turbidity
Biological PropertiesRiparian Zones
Macroinvertebrates
Water Testing Project for the North Fork River
Water testing day is FridayMay 11th at the North Arm Trailhead.
Physical Properties of a Watershed System
Stream Flow Stream Shape
Stream Flow
The amount of water that flows past a specific point in a
stream over a period of time.
Natural Influences that affect Stream Flow
• Climate • Season• Watershed• Meandering• Substrate• Groundwater• Vegetation
Why do we care about Stream Flow?• Water quality : affects turbidity (sediment load) and dissolved oxygen
• Aquatic life : creates different habitats for fish and bugs
•Vegetation: needs overbank flooding for nutrients
•Flooding: controlled for human structures
•Water storage: determines how and when water should be stored
Method to measure & calculate stream flow
1. Measure a 10 m section and mark it with rocks.2. Throw a stick in above this section and use a stop
watch to measure the time it takes the stick to travel the 10 m section 3 separate times. Average the times.
3. Divide the average time (sec) by the distance (10m) to get the velocity (m/s).
4. Measure the depth (m) & width(m) to find an area (m2).5. Stream flow = velocity (m/sec) x area (m2)
Substrate Types
Silt Sand Cobble
Gravel Boulders Bedrock
Method for Recording observations of substrate
1. Step into the stream, without looking bend down and pick up some sediment.
2. Tell your partner the type of substrate you are holding, have them record the type with a tally mark.
3. Take 50 samples in and along the river section. 4. Tally your total number of observations for each type
of substrate.5. Multiply the number of observations of each type by
2. This will equal the % out of 100 for each substrate.
Meandering Stream
Found invalley bottomswithout much slope. Slower Velocity.
Mixture ofsand bars& suspendedsilt particles.
Big pools, some riffles and runs
Straight Stream
Steep gradient, fast flowingSubstrate is predominantly cobble and gravelMostly runs some riffles
Braided Stream
River continually splitsand rejoins. River moves across broad flatplains. Slow and fast velocities.
Mixture of silt,Sand, and gravel.
Mostly runs andriffles.
Riffles have high oxygen amounts essential for macroinvertabrates (bugs) and spawning fish.
Runs where fish feed and travel
Pools where fish hide and rest from the current
Method for Recording Riffle Run Pool Ratios
1. Take one step next to your river section, look across the river.
2. Record a tally mark on your sheet that shows if you see a riffle, run, or pool
3. Make 50 observations.4. Total the tally for each characteristic.5. Multiply the totals by 2 to find the % riffle,
run or pool that your river section contains.
Human Influences affecting Stream ShapeDevelopment, logging, mining, grazing can destroy vegetation which causes more water and sediment to drain directly into a stream rather than being filter through groundwater.
Channel alterations, ie. straightening of a stream along a highway or through a city center
Dams prevent downstream flooding but then stream nutrients are not distributed throughout the floodplain to plants.
Why do we care about stream shape?Stream shape affects water quality
Straightening of a stream increases velocity, which results in higher erosion rates and more turbidityDarker streams impact temperature and amount of sunlight that reaches plant life.
Stream shape affects habitat.A straight stream does not have the variety of habitats found in a meandering stream
Stream shape impacts flooding
How will you interpret your results?Physical Characteristics of the river will be correlated to the
chemical and biological parameters.
Some Examples:Channel pattern and shape will effect velocity and erosion
which will in turn effect temperature and oxygen and/or nutrients.
Substrate will be related to velocity and oxygen which will determine how many bugs are in the river.
Riffle/Run/Pool ratio will indicate the diversity of the aquatic habitats and in relation to this the diversity of life in the stream. High diversity correlates to high water quality.