Stream Health

During our Gorge studies, students created a visual model of healthy and unhealthy streams. As a class they were able to identify what makes streams healthy and unhealthy. We had the pleasure of going on a field trip to help us learn more about what makes streams healthy and had a special guest from the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (http://www.lcrep.org/) came to speak with us about Stream Tables. The following is a class brainstorm on what makes a stream healthy and what makes a stream unhealthy.  The students are quite the experts, ask them more about it!

Healthy Streams

Riparian Area

Fast, cold, oxygenated water

Slow release of ground water

Life! Fish, macroinvertebrates, plants

Fallen trees act as shelter for fish and life forms

Healthy pH levels, dissolved oxygen

Unhealthy Streams                                                                   

Polluted Water                                                                        

Erosion-no trees, shrubs, shade                                                

Warm water                                                                            

Silt in water                                                                             

Low oxygen levels                                                                   

Runoff from factories, treated sewers                                       

No protection for living organisms

Barriers fish can't pass

Invasive plants