WatershedStudentField BookPrimary Headwater Habitat Assessment (PHWH)

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ISLS 2013 Safety Contract

1. No horseplay, practical jokes, running, yelling or pranks while conducting experiments2. Follow all instructions given by the teacher, ask questions if you do not understand the given

instructions 3. Read the lab assignment before coming to class4. Wear necessary protective attire (i.e. boots, pants, gloves, etc.)5. Never go anywhere alone, always stay with a partner

a. If you do leave the group, let someone know6. Do not touch any equipment, supplies, plants or animals without permission7. Keep your hands away from your face, eyes and mouth while handling animals8. Wear sunscreen, bug spray, pants, hat and closed toed shoes 9. Bring plenty of water to hydrate throughout the day 10. Report any accident, injury or hazardous conditions to the teacher immediately11. Handle all animals with care and respect

a. Do not tease or handle animals roughlyb. Keep animals away from your facec. Report any animal bite, scratch or sting to a teacher immediately

12. Clean all supplies when done and return them to where you found them13. Leave the area the way you found it (i.e. do not add litter or take anything away)

Important questions:● Do you wear contact lenses?

○ Y or N● Do you have any allergies? (i.e. food, medicine, pollen, etc.)

○ Y or N○ If so, please list _________________________________________

I, _________________________ have read and understand each of the above safety rules set forth in this contract. I agree to follow them to ensure not only my safety but also the safety of others in the field. I also agree to follow the general rules of appropriate behavior for a classroom at all times to avoid accidents and to provide a safe learning environment for everyone. I understand that if I do not follow all the rules and safety precautions, I will not be allowed to participate in the scientific activities.

________________________________Student Signature

________________________________Date

Parents or Guardian, please read the above list of safety rules. No student will be allowed to perform science activities unless this contract is signed by both the parent/ guardian and student and is on file with the teacher.

_______________________________Parent/ Guardian Signature_______________________________Date

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Pre-test

1. What type of water source is a primary headwater?a. Lakeb. Streamc. Oceand. Wetland

2. What is bankfull width?a. Measurement of how full the primary headwater isb. Measurement of how tall the bank isc. Measurement from bank to bankd. How much money is in my bank account

3. What type of organisms are recorded during a primary headwater habitat assessment?a. Salamandersb. Crayfishc. Water striderd. All of the above

4. What is sinuosity?a. The number of bends in the stream b. The number of riffles that are present in the steamc. The deepest pool in the streamd. The changing of the stream’s current

5. What is a watershed?a. An area of land that drains into a body of water.b. An area of land containing small rivers and streams.c. An area made up of mainly water.d. Another name for a lake.

6. A riparian zone is...a. The area with the most fishb. The area surrounding the primary headwaterc. The bottom of the primary headwaterd. The part of the primary headwater that meets with another body of water

7. What are the characteristics of a primary headwater stream?a. drains under 1 square mileb. has a defined bed and bankc. has flowing water in a least part of the drainage and a pool with the deepest

depth of <40 cmd. all of the above

8. Which of the following is a class of primary headwater stream?a. Interstitialb. Ephemeralc. Perenniald. All of the above

9. How many metrics are used in the Primary Headwater Habitat evaluation form?

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a. 2b. 5c. 4d. 3

10. How deep can the deepest pool in a primary headwater be?a. 1 mb. 60 cmc. 40 cmd. 10 cm

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Day 1Objective:

● To gain an understanding of the difference between the natural water cycle and the urban water cycle.

● To understand the characteristics of a primary headwater including the different classes● To understand how your everyday actions can affect the quality of a primary headwater

Directions:● Take notes on the differences between the natural water cycle vs. urban water cycle

under the section that shows two different diagrams of each cycle● Fill in the Venn diagram to show the similarities and differences between class I, class II

and class III primary headwaters● Watch the movie and take notes in the becoming a scientist section

Watersheds

● What is a watershed?

○ A watershed is an area of land that drains into a body of water. The largest watershed in Northeast Ohio is the Lake Erie watershed.

● Why is it important?

○ Protecting the Lake Erie watershed and all other watersheds is important to the environment, public health, and economy.

Primary Headwater Streams● What is a primary headwater stream?

○ A primary headwater stream is a small creek or stream that drains under 1 square mile of land. Primary headwater streams have a defined bank and bed, flowing water in at least part of the drainage, and has a pool with the deepest depth of < 40 cm

● There are three classifications of primary headwater streams...

○ Class One: Ephemeral-The part of the stream that is usually dried up and has little to no aquatic life

○ Class Two: Interstitial- they flow for most if not all of the year and have diverse aquatic life with native fauna adapted to warm water.

○ Class Three: Interstitial- they flow for most if not all of the year and have diverse aquatic life with native fauna adapted to warm water.

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Primary Headwater Stream Classifications of health and flow patterns

Use the given background information of the primary headwater streams to complete the activity below.

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Urban Water Cycle

Natural Water Cycle

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Natural Water Cycle vs. Urban Water Cycle After reviewing the two pictures above, state five major points about the two water cycles.

NWC UWC1.__________________________ 1.__________________________2.__________________________ 2.__________________________3.__________________________ 3.__________________________4.__________________________ 4.__________________________5.__________________________ 5.__________________________

Becoming a ScientistAs a perspective scientist being able to take precise observations is key . During the video write down all of the observations you make about watersheds and primary headwater streams.

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Free Write:This section is used to write down notes from the day’s activities including reviewing the water cycle, primary headwater characteristics and the relationship between you and watersheds.

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ReflectionBased on your experience today what were some things you enjoyed and what are some of the questions that you may have about the habitat or the activities in general. Are there any surprising observations that you made?

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Day 2Watershed and Primary Headwater StreamsBrainstorm and notes

Activity: Make a ModelObjectiveCreate a model primary headwater stream and observe the various aspects that make up a primary headwater stream.

Materials:● Cardboard box,plastic container, poster, etc.... (This will be the basis of the

model streams)● Coloring supplies● Construction paper● Tape and Glue● Water● Foil● Paper towels● Silly putty/modelling clay● Food coloring● Other materials that you think will be helpful

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Directions:

1. Using the materials provided, construct the following a primary headwater habitat with:

● At least 5 different substrates● Riparian Zone● Macroinvertebrates● Salamanders

2. Identify the class of stream you have created and observe the differences between your stream and that of a classmate with a different class stream. Which stream would be considered healthier? Why? Write your answer in the free write section

3. What could be done to improve the overall health of these habitats and to protect them from further harm? Write your answer in the free write section.

4. Sketch your model and label the following:● The riparian zone● Sinuosity● Substrates (sand, gravel, boulder etc.)● Bank full width● Macroinvertebrates● Salamanders

Free Write:

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This section will be used to write down any notes that you may have from today’s activities including a drawing of the primary headwater model.

Reflection:

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Today you got the chance to create a primary headwater stream yourself. What were some of your thoughts while building the primary headwater stream? What worked and what didn’t work while creating the primary headwater stream? If you had to do this activity again what would you do differently? What did you write about in the free write section? Did you observe something more interesting than yesterday? Draw your model or post a picture on your reflection today so you can save it for later.

Day 314

Activity: Completion of the Primary Headwater Habitat Assessment (PHWH)

Objective: To collect analyzable data on a primary headwater stream

Materials:● PHWH manual● PHWH Evaluation form● Meter stick● Twine or some kind of long string about 30 ft● Vials or some kind of container for collecting water sample● Waterproof notebook and pencil (record data)● 2 color flag markers● bubble type line level● camera● stopwatch ● clipboards● insect repellent

For biological metrics● hip waders● mesh kick net● white sorting pans (2)● specimen jars● small handle invertebrate net● hard plastic container● small cooler for salamander transport and water samples

For further lists of equipment please refer to the back of the PHWH evaluation form

Directions:You will be completing a Primary Headwater Habitat Assessment (PHWH) at a predetermined site. You are to completely fill out the data collection sheet and if you have any questions refer to the PHWH manual. The materials listed above will be needed to complete the data collection.

Free Write:This section will be used to write down all observations that you have made while assessing the primary headwater. This might include time of day, weather conditions,

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type and abundance of organisms, drawing of the stream and notes on how to carry out the protocol.

1. Substrate2. Pool Depth3. Bankfull Width4. Sinuosity5. Pebble Count 6. Salamanders7. Macroinvertebrates

Reflection:You got a chance to use the protocol today! What was it like filling it out? Were there any parts of the protocol you felt confident in? Were there any parts that were still

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confusing? Was there anything that you were completely lost in? What about your data, how confident are you with it’s accuracy? Is there anything you wish you could have done better? What did you write in your observation section? Did you discover something mind-blowing?

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(Supplement)

Activity:To complete a series of stations made to mirror the Primary Headwater Habitat Assessment. These stations will allow you to experience the metrics and data collection involved in the Primary Headwater Habitat Assessment.

Directions:Classroom stations will be used to represent a Primary Headwater Habitat Assessment (PHWH). You will fill out the tables below with the appropriate information and observations found at each station.

Station 1: Substrate

Substrate Type Amount of Substrate Found

Boulder Slab

Boulder

Bedrock

Cobble

Gravel

Sand

Silt

Leaf pack / woody debris

Fine Detritus

Clay or Hardpan

Muck

Artificial

Station 2: Pool Depth

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Bucket Depth

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Average

Station 3: Bank Full Width

Bank # Length

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Bank full width average

Station 5: Pebble Count

Pebble Number Size of Pebble

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Reflection:

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You got a chance to use the protocol today! What was it like filling it out? Were there any parts of the protocol you felt confident in? Were there any parts that were still confusing? Was there anything that you were completely lost in? What about your data, how confident are you with it’s accuracy? Is there anything you wish you could have done better? What did you write in your observation section? Did you discover something mind-blowing?

Day 4Background:

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pH of waterMeasuring Acids and Bases

Acidic and basic are two extremes that describe chemicals,just like hot and cold are two extremes that describetemperature. Mixing acids and bases can cancel out theirextreme effects; much like mixing hot and cold water caneven out the water temperature. A substance that is neitheracidic nor basic is neutral.The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is.It ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral. A pH less than7 is acidic, and a pH greater than 7 is basic. Each whole pHvalue below 7 is ten times more acidic than the next highervalue. For example, a pH of 4 is ten times more acidic thana pH of 5 and 100 times (10 times 10) more acidic than apH of 6. The same holds true for pH values above 7, eachof which is ten times more alkaline—another way to saybasic—than the next lower whole value. For example, a pHof 10 is ten times more alkaline than a pH of 9.Pure water is neutral, with a pH of 7.0. When chemicals are mixed with water, the mixture can become either acidic or basic. Vinegar and lemon juice are acidic substances, while laundry detergents and ammonia are basic.Chemicals that are very basic or very acidic are called “reactive.” These chemicals can cause severe burns. Automobile battery acid is an acidic chemical that is reactive. Automobile batteries contain a stronger form ofsome of the same acid that is in acid rain. Household draincleaners often contain lye, a very alkaline chemical that isreactive.

Activity: Data Analysis

Objective: To analyze the PHWH data collected from the field and to fully comprehend the significance of the data

Materials:● Litmus paper● Samples collected from the stream (It may be interesting to take samples from

different places to compare them)● Dropper

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● Vials

Directions:You will first test the pH of the water you collected yesterday. Follow the directions in the pH kit to determine the pH of the stream water. You will then analyze the data collected during the PHWH survey. Do your results make sense? Do they have any ecological importance?

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Free-write:This section will be used to write down the importance of pH and how you analyzed the data from the PHWH.

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Reflection: Today you got to analyze some of the data collected from the stream. Did anything you did today surprise you? How about amaze you? How about your data today, any good data points found? How close was your data compared to your classmates? Can you think of any reasons why your data is different? What can be done to improve the accuracy of PHWH scores?

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Day 5Activity: Discussions of...

a. the week and all of their discoveriesb. ways to keep primary headwater stream healthyc. the importance of keeping primary headwater streams healthy

Objective: To wrap-up discussions on primary headwaters and solidify the understanding of the importance of primary headwaters

Materials: ● Field Notebook

Directions:You will be looking at ways to better the health of primary headwater streams. What makes a primary headwater healthy? What resources are out there to inform others about the health of these streams? Write your answer in the free write section.

Compare and Contrast:In groups compare a healthy primary headwater stream to an unhealthy primary headwater stream.

Similarities Differences

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Free-write:This section will be used to write down ideas on how you can carry out and promote ways to keep primary headwaters healthy.

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Reflection:Today is the last day, look back on your reflections throughout the week. Have all your questions been answered? Do you have a better understanding of the material? How about your thoughts and opinions on primary headwater streams, have they changed? Looking forward how can you help keep the primary headwater streams healthy? What about education can you think of a way to inform everyone about the importance of primary headwater streams? How can you become a leader in primary headwater stream management?

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GlossaryA

● Abiotic factors- Non Living things

B● Bankfull width- The length of the two sides of the streams starting from the tip of one to

the tip of the other.

● Bedrock - unbroken, solid rock

● Biotic factors- Living things

● Boulder - a large rock that is over 256 mm.

C● Class 1 Primary headwater- Ephemeral-The part of the stream that is usually dried up

and has little to no aquatic life

● Class 2 Primary headwater- Interstitial- flows for most, if not all, of the year and have diverse aquatic life with native fauna adapted to warm water.

● Class 3 Primary headwater- Perennial- the mouth of the stream which has a diverse abundance of aquatic life that is adapted to cool flowing water.

● Clay - sticky and often wet mud.

● Cobble - rock that is between 65 and 256 mm.

G● Gravel - small rock that is between 2 and 64 mm.

I● Infiltration - when water falls on the ground it can soak in.

P● pH- Determines how acidic/basic a solution is. s. A pH of 7 is neutral, less than 7 is

acidic and more than 7 is basic.

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● Precipitation - water falls from the sky as rain, hail or snow.

● Primary headwater- A primary headwater is a small creek or stream that has a defined bank and bed, flowing water, drainage, deepest pool < 40 cm

● Pool- The deeper parts of the streams

R● Riffle- Part of the stream where the current runs faster and is more shallow

● Riparian zone- Area surrounding the primary headwater.

● Root mats- Are the roots that provide shade over the water and do not touch them.

● Root wads- These are the roots over hanging from the bankfull sides and touches the water

● Run off - water that does not soak into the ground and that flows into creeks, rivers or oceans.

S● Sand - is less than 2 mm in length and has a grainy feel to it.

● Silt - fine sand and earth matter carried by running water

● Sinuosity- The number of bends in a stream.

● Substrate- The different types of substances found within the stream.T

● Transpiration - water can also be released into the air by plants.

W● Watershed- A watershed is an area of land that drains into a body of water. The largest

one in northeast ohio is Lake Erie.

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