Physical Layout of Pigeon Creek

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Physical Layout of Pigeon Creek
Taught by Mr. Spear

• By Lacy W., Jamie C., Matt C., Justin D., LeeAnn
  O., Jessica H., Nicole F., Daniel R., and Nick S.

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Citizens Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index

• Substrate (bottom type)
• Fish Cover (hiding places)
• Stream shape and Human Alterations
• Stream Forests Wetlands and Erosion
• Depth and Velocity
• Riffles/ Runs

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Terms

• The following terms are good to know about the
  physical aspect of Pigeon Creek
• Riparian- the banks of a natural course of water.
• Riprap- a layer of chunks of concrete thrown
  together without order or similar material on an
  embankment slope to prevent erosion.
• Sinuosity- the state of being of a serpentine or
  wavy form winding.
• Silt- in between sand and clay
• Buffer strip- serves as a barrier

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Substrate

• Size of substrate- Mostly Large (Fist size or
  bigger)
• Smothering of substrate- Yes. Symptoms Hard to
  move, large pieces, often black on bottom of
  stream with few insects.
• Silting of substrate- Yes. Light kicking of
  bottom, results in substantial clouding of stream
  for more than a minute or two

Score 14 out of 24
5
Fish Cover (hiding places)

• Downed trees, logs, and branches
• Shallow, slow areas for small fish
• Water plants
• Shrubs, small trees that hang close or over the
  bank
• score 8 out of 20

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Stream Shape and Human Alterations

• Curviness or Sinuosity of Channel very straight
• How natural is this site? A few major man made
  changes (e.g. a bridge some stream bank
  channeling)
• Score 9 out of 20

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Stream Forests and Wetlands(Riparian Area) and
Erosion
Erosion

• Width of Riparian Forest Wetland Mostly
  Narrow(Can throw a rock through/ across it)
• Land use mostly Shrubs, Row Crops
• Bank Erosion typically stable hard or well
  vegetated banks
• How much of stream is shaded? none
• Score 14 out of 20

8
Depth Velocity
WET PANTS

• Deepest pool is at least waist deep
• Flow type was very slow and almost nonexistent.
• Score 7 out of 10

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Riffles/Runs(Areas where current is
fast/turbulant, surface may be broken)

• Riffles/Runs do not exist
• Riffles/Runs Substrates are smaller than your
  fingernails or do not exist
• Score 0 out of 15

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Tests
We ran a test on the Surface Velocity. We found
that the creek didnt have a water flow. We
concluded that this was caused by the weather
conditions and the creek itself not being very
healthy.
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Conclusion

• We learned that Pigeon Creek has a overall score
  of 52 out of 114 which means the creek is in
  medium condition.
• In this experience we also learned that rainfall
  has a big impact in how fast the creek flows.
• Overall the riparian zone had many plants that
  were sources to the critters living in the water.