Sunday, July 21, 2024
Today was a very beautiful 75-degree day, and despite the mosquitos, I had a lovely walk to my stream and made some friends with some fungi. My favorite part of today was the pH test because I liked to analyze the changing color. I think tomorrow I'll get to spend more time at the stream and maybe explore a bit because I feel like the part I was at today wasn't all there is to see, and I'm excited to get to know her better.
Water temp = 17.6 C
pH = 6.8
Conductivity = 489 µS/cm
Me with my bestie pH test
Me with my E. coli sample
Monday, July 22, 2024
Today had great weather, the sun was shining, and the water was glistening. Macroinvertebrates, on the other hand, were a little shy today. I attempted to gather invertebrates 8 times, and I wasn't super lucky. I collected a total of 11 little bugs, and I believe two species that I have yet to identify. If anyone has any idea what they are let me know! I was able to venture upstream a little today to see what else she had to offer, but sadly it was too precarious to get down to the water. I did learn that further upstream the water runs a little faster and are a few riffles. I wonder if I had been able to get down, would there be more macroinvertebrates in there? I also noticed that my stream was more shallow today and possibly slower in the section I can get to. I hope that tomorrow I can find a way to get upstream because I'm now invested.
Water temp = 18.7
pH = 6.9
Conductivity = 429 µS/cm
Unidentified bug #1, (Water Strider?)
I found 10 of these
Unidentified bug #2
I found only 1 of these
extra things from today
a LOT of water in my boots
dragonfly on my head!!!
crystal clear water!
Pictures from today
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
I ventured to my stream earlier today so I had more time this afternoon to do everything, and it was also the first time I've gone alone. I had a very easy time collecting all of the usual data and the water samples. The water was a lot more shallow and clear today. The birds were extra loud today and the bugs were extra thirsty. I checked my E. coli test and it looks like I have three blue dots, which means 30 colonies (see below). The soil sample wasn't very complicated for me, I took soil from only three different parts of the yard because I don't think my dad would be too happy with me digging up more than that. I then filled the small plastic bag about halfway with the mixed soil. I still couldn't get upstream today as everything was even more slippery and not safe after the rain earlier, but alas, safety first.
Water temp = 18.6
pH = 7
Conductivity = 452 µS/cm
E. coli Test