Stillwater River Watershed

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Stillwater River Watershed

• Paige Ruppel, Esther Wong, and Kelsie Keen
• YWSI 2003

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Location
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Stillwater Watershed

• Ohio Scenic River in 1975
• 313 miles long
• 59 different species of fish
• Largest Redhorse Minnow population
• Mainstream is healthy
• Headwaters are unhealthy

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Words to Know

• Watershed- area of land that acts as a drainage
  system for streams, lakes, or rivers, much like a
  drainage basin
• Macroinvertebrates- an invertebrate animal large
  enough to see with the unaided eye
• ICI- measurement used to determine the diversity
  of macroinvertebrates in a watershed
• IBI- measurement used to determine the diversity
  of species of fish higher numbers are given to
  fish more sensitive to pollution
• Riparian Zone- area between the upland and
  aquatic habitats
• QHEI- Measurement used to determine the quality
  of riparian habitat

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Hypothesis 1

• When QHEI decreases, the IBI and ICI decrease as
  well. Corresponding effects also happen when QHEI
  increases.

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Analysis

• Inconsistent changes over time
• Measurements mimic one another
• Hypothesis supported

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Hypothesis 2

• Correlation occurs between IBI and ICI.

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Analysis

• Time comparisons
• Corresponding relationships
• Hypothesis supported

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Hypothesis 3

• When agricultural land use increases, the IBI
  decreases.

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Analysis

• Evidence strong
• Few exceptions
• Hypothesis supported

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Conclusion

• Channelization destruction in headwaters affected
  stream quality
• Mid-lower section retains natural habitat
• Increased agricultural activity affects IBI and
  ICI

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Concerns

• More development
• Manure spills increasing
• Channelization occurring in the mid-lower section

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Acknowledgements

• Peggy Redman
• YWSI 2003 Sponsors
• Leslie Southern
• Kathryn Kelley
• Steve Gordon
• Virginie Bouchard
• Paula Williams
• Julie Burns
• Ohio EPA
• Our Parents and supporters
• And all our friends that helped
• make this week special!