“THE
INS AND OUTS OF KETTLE CREEK”
On
September 17th and 18th 8 volunteers attended a training
to learn about trout habitat and stream functions within
Kettle Creek. In attendance were local landowners, community
members and teachers from Keystone Central School District.
During this two day habitat training, provided by the
United States Geological Survey, PA Fish and Boat Commission,
Kettle Creek Watershed Association and Trout Unlimited,
volunteers learned how to conduct a stream cross section
survey, stream longitudinal profile survey and habitat
assessment at the Headgate project, known by locals as
“The Projects”. This type of monitoring will open new
doors to stream monitoring and projects within Kettle
Creek watershed. The monitoring, when completed will show
how the stream has responded to in-stream structures,
answering questions such as these; Has it created a more
narrow, deep stream channel? Has it provided good habitat
for trout? How is the stream responding and why? Where
are the pools and riffles? Are there highly erosive banks
present? If so why?
What
is a stream Cross Section and Longitudinal Profile?
A
stream cross section measures the width, depth, area,
wetted perimeter and channel passage at one or many locations
within a stretch of stream. All data collected through
the cross section measurements can then be plotted onto
a graph to show, visually, what the stream bottom looks
like at that particular location. If you have permanent
markers at each cross section you will be able to return,
year after year to collect data and then compare your
results to past years. This will demonstrate how the stream
is responding to structures, storms and seasons by showing
you how the sediment on the bottom has shifted from one
side to the other or has been flushed downstream. You
will also see whether the stream is either becoming more
narrow and deep or wide and shallow.
A
stream longitudinal profile of a stream demonstrates,
over time, the way in which the stream’s elevation changes
over a given distance. Like the cross section data the
longitudinal profile can also be plotted onto a graph
to visually show what the streambed looks like.
Objectives
of monitoring
Natural
systems have rhythms that can be difficult to describe.
Some, like the seasonal rise and fall of water in a stream,
can be measured simply. Others, like the lateral migration
of channels across a floodplain, or changes in regional
climate, may take decades or even lifetimes to occur.
To accurately record such changes takes an extension of
human memory through repeated measurement and scientific
records. Placing a permanent, benchmarked reference site
is the first step in this long-term effort. Correctly
done, it will support further work over time. The other
elements are a monumented cross-section, a longitudinal
profile, a pebble count, and a discharge measurement.
The object is to find the baseline of existing physical
conditions for the stream channel. With this foundation
of technically correct and comparable data, we can track
changes in the character of the stream.
What
is a stream habitat assessment?
A
stream habitat assessment is an important step in tracking
changes within the stream over time. Changes that take
place slowly have a way of escaping our attention until
the changes are dramatic in scope. How many of us remember
our grandparents or other elders saying, "I remember
what this stream looked like when I was a kid"? Even
though these accounts are useful and entertaining, proper
management of natural resources takes solid data and observations
to document what's going on within a natural system. Even
with these, it's still difficult to determine cause and
effect within a complex natural system. The stream assessment
is an all encompassing survey of stream characteristics
within a measured area (100 ft or so). During a survey
or observation you look at everything from aquatic insects,
water quality, in-stream vegetation, in-stream woody debris
to surrounding land uses, vegetation on the stream bank,
erosion areas, habitat types (riffle, pool, run) and taking
reference photographs of the site.
These
observations need only be measured and recorded once a
year, unless there is some significant landuse change
that may affect stream characteristics in a very short
period of time. Examples of this might be stream channelization,
a large industrial development or housing development
in a short period of time, or a catastrophic natural event
such as a flood. In such cases, a second stream habitat
assessment would be valuable.
Along
with water monitoring and aquatic insect monitoring the
group will have a an all encompassing picture of how the
stream is doing at all levels. The habitat monitoring
and aquatic insect monitoring will be completed twice
a year (Fall & Spring), while the water quality monitoring
will be completed three times a year (Fall, Spring, early
Summer). The group hopes to involve school students and
more volunteers in the monitoring during the Spring of
2006. We plan on going out again in October, anyone interested
in learning first hand how the monitoring is completed
you are welcome to join us. If you are interested in going
with us contact Amidea Daniel, Trout Unlimited Kettle
Creek Project Coordinator, to find out the date and time
at (570)726-3118 or adaniel@tu.org.
Trout
Unlimited is North America’s leading coldwater fisheries
conservation organization, dedicated to the conservation,
protection and restoration of trout and salmon fisheries
and their watersheds. The organization has more than 130,000
members in North America, including more than 11,000 in
Pennsylvania.
THANK
YOU TO THE PA FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION, USGS, and the
VOLUNTEERS WHO CONTINUE TO MAKE PROJECTS ON KETTLE CREEK
A SUCCESS!!!
AND NOW WE CAN MONITOR THE PROJECTS TOO!!
Contact:
Amidea Daniel, Trout Unlimited Kettle Creek Project
Coordinator, (570) 726-3118
