Kansas StreamLink
...a watershed exploration
StreamLink Collaborator
PHS Science Club
Cow Creek

Date: December 5, 2001
Time: 3:30 PM

Visual Assessment

Weather in the past 24 hours:
Overcast
Weather Today: Showers

Major Land Uses in the watershed:
Sewage treatment plant discharge, Cropland, Construction

Trash at the Creek:
Broken glass, Cans
Animals at the Creek: Raccoon tracks
Animals in the Creek: None observed

Stream Bank Cover (1 is the least, 8 is the greatest):
Left Bank:
Concrete (1), Grasses (5), Big trees (6), Shrubs/Small trees (7), Bare soil (8)
Right Bank: Concrete (2), Grasses (2), Big trees (2), Shrubs/Small trees (7), Bare soil (8)

Stream Bank Conditions: N/A

Habitat Types: N/A
Shape of the Channel: Narrow Banks (< 6 feet), Deep Banks (> 3 feet)

What's in the water?: Large branches or logs
Is the creek in the sunshine or shade?:
Shade
What type of algae are present?:
Brown coat of algae on rocks

Conditions in your stream: Muddy water, Yellow-brown to dark brown water


Chemical Assessment

Temperature: 16 C
Dissolved Oxygen:
5 ppm
Percent Oxygen Saturation: 41%
Nitrate:
20 ppm
Phosphate:
4 ppm
pH:
7
Turbidity: 70 JTU
Total Coliforms:
Positive
Biological Oxygen Demand: 1 ppm
Stream Flow: 0.1 m/s


Macroinvertebrate Assessment

Sensitive Species: None
Somewhat Sensitive Species: Dragonfly Nymphs, Scuds
Tolerant Species: Aquatic Worms, Pouch Snails

How many times did your group sample with the kick net?: 2

Water Quality Determination (as calculated from number of species present): 6
Scale: Excellent (>22), Good (17-22), Fair (11-16), Poor (<11)

StreamLink Collaborators are in no way conducting professional water quality sampling. The information gathered is for educational purposes only. Students across Kansas share their creek experiences via the internet. If you have concerns about your water, please contact your local drinking water supplier or the KS Dept. of Health & Environment.