Spring 2024 Stream Testing Data

Thatcher Park is a public park located in our town of Ravenna.  It is a very popular park in the area. During October, we have been testing the water in Crockery Creek that runs through this park.  This creek is mostly sand with a lot of vegetation on the shores.  Rocks are scattered on the shore and throughout the creek.  Through our testing, we have learned that this water exceeds the set standards for full-body contact and partial-body contact.  This could be caused by suburban runoff, rain, and sediment runoff, or maybe septic tanks that are not working in the area.  

During October, we went to our test sites regularly to collect samples, as well as measurements like water flow, conductivity, salinity, temperature, pH, and turbidity,  then we went back to our classroom to turn these samples and data in. The E. coli samples were then taken to Grand Valley State University, where they 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 depend on daily.

We would like to thank the GVSU Department of Geology for providing us with equipment to take our measurements; Dr. Amanda Buday for her leadership; Brendan from AWRI's WET Lab 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

To look at the rest of the tests and findings click on the small tabs above this text.