Salmonid Habitat Science Fair Projects

Habitat Projects

When studying a habitat it is important to understand how your study is going to impact the habitat. You need to take extra precautions to make sure you do not introduce a harmful microbe to the water system that you are extracting samples from.

Objectives/Goals

The main goal of our project was to identify factors that have adversely impacted the Alder Creek Watershed, the salmonid habitat, the demise of the local steelhead population, and the dewatering of Alder Creek.

Student Microscopes	Power House Experiments Science Kit	EDU 7074 Weather Station Science Kit	Picoturbine Windmill
Ages 9 to Adult	Ages 12 and up Discount Prices for Schools	Ages 8 thru Middle School	Age 10 thru College Discount Prices for Schools

Methods/Materials

First, we reviewed literature and talked to local resource agency professionals to determine the limiting factors for salmonids. We then conducted biological, aquatic resource, and plant inventories dependent on Alder Creek. Utilizing a GPS unit and software, we then created a map of existing known water diversions within the Watershed. These sites were determined by surveying the watershed on foot.

Utilizing methods described in the California Department of Fish and Game Salmonid Habitat Restoration Manual, we performed a stream survey of Alder Creek to determine the amount of salmonid habitat available. Our project then addressed the most crucial limiting factor: water availability. Hydrological assessments were performed on 8/15/07 and on 3/8/08. Employing both a bucket method that produces gallons per minute(gpm)and cross section method(flow meter) which results in cubic feet per second, 19 flow stations were set up above, below, and at the mouth of the watershed's major tributaries. Five replications were taken at each site, averaged, and then standardized to gallons per minutes(gpm).

Results

The Alder Creek Watershed survey revealed 21 water diversion sites consisting of water flow collection boxes, onstream dams, and water storage tanks. Data collected during the summer months indicated that all the Alder Creek tributaries were heavily diverted. Our 8/15/07 variable measurements revealed a complete absence of flow at all 19 flow stations. Our 3/8/08 control measurements revealed flow starting in the headwaters of Alder Creek at 10.7gpm increasing to a measurement of 399.4gpm at the mouth of mainstem Alder Creek.

Conclusions/Discussion

The results of the site visits revealed a large number of water diversions in a relatively small watershed. We have concluded the cumulative nature of the numerous water diversions has artifically dewatered the Alder Creek Watershed during the summer months. The seasonal dewatering has probably had an adverse impact on the Federally designated "Salmonid Critical Habitat" resulting in the loss of sensitive aquatic resources, and the continued demise of the steelhead population. 3rd party contributor