Overall Patterson Park is a good 50/50 layout of sand and rocks. Our site also has some clay mixed in with the sandy parts, this site changes frequently between a sand/clay mixture and rocks/boulders. Patterson Park has very minimal foam with decent amounts of erosion, but not excessive. There was recent construction on a bridge overpassing the upstream part of our site, there has been no dredging or channelization done to our area. Very little runoff from a few houses decently close to our site, and there is around 50-90% overhanging vegetation. Patterson Park overall is a good site for testing with a lot of different things and aspects to study.

Spring 2024 Stream Testing Data

The spreadsheet above shows all six of the water perimeters that we tested for, including pH, salinity, conductivity, temperature, total dissolved solids, turbidity, and flow rate. We used a multimeter probe pocket tester to test for most of those except for turbidity and flow rate. We used a turbidity tube and a flow meter for the last two tests. Due to the warm weather during week two, the temperature of the water rose a little, but the temperature was never above average. When the water is warmer, it is more reactive to our tests. The conductivity was fairly consistent during all three weeks of testing. Typically runoff, groundwater, construction, and more can affect the conductivity levels. The levels of conductivity at our site were fairly normal, meaning that aquatic life should be able to thrive. The salinity could change due to runoff in fields. pH can be affected by laundry detergent, soil additives that runoff or many other factors. pH has been high throughout our local system.

What we did was go out to our test sites regularly and take samples as well as measurements like water flow, conductivity, salinity, temperature, pH, and turbidity,  then we went back and turned these samples and info in. The E. coli samples we took were then taken to Grand Valley State University where the samples were examined and the results sent back to us, after receiving the information from them and the measurements we took we were able to calculate the quality and situation of the water.  During our research, we were able to gain more knowledge about our water and understand how many more aspects impact the water that we love and need.

A special thanks to the GVSU Department of Geology for providing us with equipment to take our measurements, which made the task of taking the samples considerably simpler.  We would also like to thank Dr. Amanda Buday for her leadership; Jenna from GVSU Honors College for helping us conduct E. Coli tests, the Ravenna Conservation Club for paying for our E. Coli testing, and Swanson Pickle Company for buying our waders and dipnets. 

Fall 2023 Stream Testing Data

The spreadsheet above shows all of the data we found during our testing. The E. coli shows you the levels and if they exceeded the partial body or full body limit. All of our tests exceeded the full body contact limit, which is the limit for swimming. However, none of them exceeded the partial body contact limit, which is the limit for boating and angling. The macroinvertebrate tab shows you what bugs we found and how they handle pollution in creeks. You can also see how our temperature has changed throughout the testing period. If you look at the Stream Chem page, you can see the difference in the three testing dates and the results we got from monitoring turbidity, conductivity, salinity, pH, and flow rate. 

Now, you may be asking so what? What does all of this data mean? This data shows you what is going on in our creek right in the Village of Ravenna. We want you to know that this data should not be a huge concern for you. This data is going to tell you if it would be a smart idea to change some of our habits. Some things that cause some of the pollution in our creek that we should change. Some major things we have found are that people should get their septic systems checked to make sure they are not leaking, and we should also try to keep livestock out of our creeks.