Water Watchers: What To Do In Your Watershed

La Center High School and Jessy Janisch Presented by: Jacob Buckmiller, Hunter Kruse, Tristan Newton, Kassy Rankins and Jessy Janisch

Where is La Center?

Map of East Fork of the Lewis River

Map of Brezee Creek

Hypothesis If people do their part and are more conscientious about the environment through their daily actions, then our tributaries will be healthier because less toxins will flow into watersheds

How we monitored Twice a month Two different sites Environmental Studies Class alone And as mentors with fourth grade classes

Farm land and rural phosphate & nitrate contributors Fertilizers are made up of nitrates and are the main thing used on large farms The use of land for cattle also add to the amount that is released from their manure

Phosphate Levels: What are phosphates? Phosphates are inorganic material that comes from detergents, fertilizers, soaps, etc. ppm= Parts per Million.

Impact of higher levels of phosphates When there is a high level of phosphates in water it can cause algae to bloom which causes a lower dissolved oxygen level making an inhabitable environment for aquatic life (salmon).

Nitrate Levels: What are nitrates? Nitrates are chemicals that come from decomposing organic material (plant waste). Measured in ppm= Parts per million

Impact of Higher Levels of Nitrates to Our Stream. Combined with high phosphate levels nitrates cause aquatic plant life to grow at a faster rate but then dissolved oxygen levels lower making the environment inhabitable for aquatic life particularly salmon.

Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is the amount of air in the water. DO rates have to be a certain level to support aquatic life. DO is important because it allows aquatic life (salmon) to breath.

Models

Special Thanks To… Water Resource Education Center Judy Bufford: our water monitoring mentor from WREC Fish First: non-profit organization focused on restoring salmon runs in the Lewis River Les Greear: affiliated with Fish First Department of Fish and Wildlife Watershed Stewardship Program: WSU-V/Clark County Extension La Center High School Administration: for allowing us the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom Washougal Fish Hatchery Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association: Adopt-a- -School Grant Program

Any Questions?

Thank you!