Land and Water

Investigation Question 2: How do land and water in my place impact each other?

Research statement: Land and water shape each other through the process of erosion and runoff. The participant will investigate water clarity at a place (location and scale TBD) that illustrates this interaction.

Citizen Science Project: GLOBE

Field Study: Collect multiple water clarity samples from a stream or river over a period of a week. This can be the same spot or a series of spots. Students will analyze the data, teacher's notes and maps of surrounding watershed to draw conclusions about how the surrounding landscape impacts the water and how the water is impacting the surrounding landscape. Note: Teacher researchers may opt to include or substitute different parameters.

Length of Study: Varies. At least two data samples per site should be taken.

Geo-spatial scale: Multiple monitoring sites should be established along a water body at potential sites of interest (upstream, downstream, inflows, outflows). Safety, legal access are the primary determinants. Consult with the course facilitator to finalize.

Training requirements: GLOBE trained in water transparency protocol.

Equipment provided: Participating teachers in South Dakota will receive a transparency tube.

Field Work - Capitol Creek

Capitol Creek is a small tributary to the Missouri River that runs through Pierre South Dakota. This water quality survey will examine how the water clarity of Capitol Creek changes from Mickelson Pond which is located on the northeast edge of town to the Missouri River a distance of approximately two stream miles. The surrounding watershed is a mix of developed residential areas, maintained park and natural park. There are storm drain outlets along the route.