Stream temperature
is an important component of restoration success. Different species have varying degrees of tolerance for environmental conditions, such as water temperature, stream flow rate, stream depth, and oxygen content of the water. We recorded water temperature at five locations, four along Goose Creek and one at Trout Creek. Goose Creek A is the location nearest the headwaters while Goose Creek D is the location near the mouth of the creek, with two locations in-between (Goose Creek B & C). The location at Trout Creek was used as a control for our studies, allowing us to compare and gauge the effectiveness of our restoration efforts along Goose Creek. By collecting this data and comparing it to that of previous ELP teams, we were able to infer certain trends within our restoration area across multiple years and the implications this has for native animals such as newts, Chinook Salmon, and the Western Pond Turtle.
To determine water quality, we placed a D-net on the bottom of the creek and used it to disturb a 1ft^2 area directly in front of the net opening. Team members then poked and prodded in the gravel to release macroinvertebrates from the substrate. We also brushed off rocks inside of the 1ft^2 area with the intention of collecting more macroinvertebrates. We also used a netting method comprised of placing the D-net at the bottom of the creek beneath submerged Reed canary grass and walking the net up the bank, coming into contact with Canary grass, and displacing species in and around it. In 2019, we found fairly sensitive species, such as Caddisfly larvae, gilled snails and Mayfly larvae, indicating a substantially higher water quality rating compared to previous years.
