Field Work

Given that everyone lives in a watershed and that water is a fundamental life sustaining resource, we will investigate ways to look at surface streams for quantity and quality of this vital resource. We will construct a longitudinal profile or transect of a tributary stream to the Potomac River and test the water quality.

Materials

1. Water Test kit
2. Instructions from notebook
3. Data sheets from notebook
4. Pen or pencil

PLEASE BE CAREFUL AT THE FIELD SITE SO WE MINIMIZE OUR IMPACT. PLEASE DO NOT STEP IN THE WATER. PLEASE WORK WITH A PARTNER

• Upon arrival at the stream you and your partner should select a section along the stream about 1 2 meters in length for your analysis.
• Prepare a sketch map of your section of the stream on the paper provided. Please note your names on the sketch map as well as the names of the people working on either side of you. This is so we can put the sketch maps together in the proper sequence.
• A sketch map does need to be drawn exactly to scale but noting measurements, direction, etc. is very helpful.
• Prepare a second sketch of the surrounding environment of your section of the stream. We are not judging artistic talent but the reliability of the information. Please note your names on the sketch map and the orientation so we can put these together as well.
• Take your water sample, complete the water quality tests, and record your data on the data sheets.

Click here for Data Sheet

On separate sheets of blank paper, have students sketch Stream Environment and a map of Stream Segment.

Click here for Phosphate Procedure

Click here for Temperature Procedure

Click here for Turbidity Procedure

Click here for Dissolved Oxygen Procedure

Click here for Nitrogen Procedure

Click here for pH Procedure

Click here for Coliform Bacteri Procedure

Click here for Biochemical Oxygen Demand