Norman Dean and Chuck Marsh conduct the biological conditions part of a stream survey at Yellow Spring Run. Even though there was very little flow due to lack of rain lately, there were a surprisingly large amount of benthic macroinvertebrates, salamanders, crayfish, and minnows in the net. Bob Meadows, Jeff Iliff and Danielle Watson also helped with the survey. Stay tuned for information on the next monitoring event, maybe you can join us!
It was perfect weather to enjoy the beauty of Sleepy Creek during our annual monitoring at this site.
Level 3 Stream Survey results for Sleepy Creek at Creek Road on 09-02-2016, 8:30am.
Participants: Fink, Iliff, Oaks, Meadows, Dean.
Conditions: Sunny and cool, no rain in the last 48 hours.
Latitude: 39-30-59 Longitude: 78-13-38
Water temp: 19.5 C. , Dissolved Oxygen: 67 mg/l, Conductivity: 284 uS, Turbidity: 56 (tube reading)
Habitat conditions: 180 optimal (up 15 from last year)
Biological conditions: 83.6 Optimal (up 2.6 from last year)
There were 180 low tolerance benthic macroinvertebrates represented by 10 types, 83 ‘critters’ of 7 types in the medium tolerance category, and only one in the high tolerance category.
Click on our ‘Stream Monitoring’ category (to the right) to see stream monitoring results for other Sleepy Creek Locations this year, as well as a deeper explanation of the process in a posting called, “What is stream monitoring and what do the numbers mean?”
Level 3 Stream Survey results for Sleepy Creek near Burnt Mill Bridge August 19, 2016 8:30 am.
Monitors: Iliff, Fink, Oaks, Dean, Meadows
Latitude: 39-38-47 Longitude: 78-7-45
Ambient temp: 90 deg. and sunny
Water temp: 24 deg. C (75.2 F)
pH:7.5 Dissolved solids: 110 ppm
Habitat conditions: 183 Optimal (up five from last year)
Biological conditions: 81.6 Optimal (same)
There were 228 low tolerance benthic macroinvertebrates represented by 9 types, 239 ‘critters’ of 7 types in the medium tolerance category, and only one in the high tolerance category.
Click on our ‘Stream Monitoring’ category (to the right) to see stream monitoring results for other Sleepy Creek Locations this year.
Another great day for stream monitoring at Sleepy Creek. Norm Dean identified a Monkey Flower (left picture) at our data compilation site and we netted hundreds of Benthic Macroinvertebrates, which are seen here being collected by Bob Meadows and Stan Oaks at our stream-side station. Ph and dissolved O2 tests in the foreground performed by yours truly. Check back to this site to find out when you can join us on our next outing!
Today was perfect weather for a stream monitoring as Sleepy Creek members Norman Dean (left) and Bob Meadows are seen here doing the pebble count.
Level 3 Stream Survey results for Sleepy Creek at Middle Fork near Rt. 13
Latitude: 39-30-59 Longitude: 78-13-45
Water was clear and odorless, 22 degrees C
Substrate (Pebble count):=Good
Habitat conditions: 120=Good
Biological conditions: 74.9=Suboptimal
Dissolved O2: 140%
pH: 6
There were 108 low tolerance benthic macroinvertebrates represented by 7 types, 94 ‘critters’ of 4 types in the medium tolerance category, and 21 underwater bugs of 4 types in the high tolerance category.
Click on our ‘Stream Monitoring’ category (to the right) to see stream monitoring results for other Sleepy Creek Locations last year, and to get new results as they come in.
We will post upcoming Stream Monitoring events as they are scheduled, so check back frequently to find our when the next one is and come join us!
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Level 3 Stream Survey results for Sleepy Creek at the Meadows property: (At New Hope Rd. bridge) May 19, 2016
Latitude: 39-35-46 Longitude: 76-10-15
Ambient temp: 74 deg. and sunny
.6 inches of rain in last 48 hrs.
Water was clear and odorless.
Substrate (Pebble count): Good
Habitat conditions: 166 Suboptimal
Biological conditions: 93.2 Optimal (Last year was suboptimal)
Dissolved O2: 85%
There were 180 low tolerance benthic macroinvertebrates represented by 11 types, 30 ‘critters’ of 8 types in the medium tolerance category, and 14 underwater bugs of 4 types in the high tolerance category.
Click on our ‘Stream Monitoring’ category (to the right) to see stream monitoring results for other Sleepy Creek Locations last year, and to get new results as they come in.
We will post upcoming Stream Monitoring events as they are scheduled, so check back frequently to find our when the next one is and come join us!
Sleepy Creek nears flood stage on April 20, 2015 after 2 inch rainfall the night before endangering cropland and promoting excessive stream bank soil erosion. Video taken from the Spriggs Road bridge at the intersection with Winchester Grade Road.
The iconic limestone train bridge near the mouth of Sleepy Creek
The Cacapon Institute recently released it’s 2014-2015 final report on Fecal Coliform Bacteria levels in the Sleepy Creek Watershed. Seven sites were sampled over the course of 15 months. The tests were done as a result of Sleepy Creek’s 2007 designation as an ‘impaired’ stream due to it’s high levels of Fecal Coliform Bacteria. These sites were sampled because the source of this pollution was thought to be coming from the estimated 6,400 homes in the watershed that were not connected to a treatment facility, (14.18% of which are thought to be failing). Sleepy Creek has an ongoing septic system pumping and repair cost-sharing program through a 319 grant that we have implemented to help address this problem and dozens of homeowners have already taken advantage of these funds. (You can get the forms by going to the ‘Grant Awards’ category on the right.) Sleepy Creek Watershed Association is also helping to reduce runoff from rain events by planting trees along the creek to help buffer and absorb runoff into the stream.
Thanks to Cacapon Institute for their testing and laboratory expertise.
You can check out the entire Final Report by clicking here:
