Examining the health of our watershed

A further look at Sunset Middle School’s watershed

Why do we care about watersheds?

Watersheds provide water – and the resources that water provides.

Most watersheds combine urban, rural, natural & cultural elements

Alter land cover and use (e.g., agriculture, urban development)

Simplify surface pathways (e.g., drainage ditches, canals, storm sewers)

Add things to water (e.g., fertilizers, sewage)

Increase runoff and sedimentation from parking lots, roofs, roads

Increase risk of flooding

Common Ways People Change Watersheds

How are these two areas

different? The same?

Waterways

Transportation

Habitats

Land use

How do we test the watershed?

Examine local biodiversity

Evaluate surfaces though mapping

Physically test the water

Water quality testing

Test different areas around the watershedSunset ForestEmpire shores & docksGreater Coos Bay & South SloughNERRs Centralized Data Management Office

Different parametersTemperatureSalinityDissolved Oxygen

Temperature

Measured in ˚C

Simple!

Pacific Ocean: 12 to 14˚C

PNW Rivers & Streams 5 to 22˚C

Values vary based on season, depth, mixing, etc.

Dissolved Oxygen

Milligrams per Liter (mg/L)Fresh: want 6mg/L or moreSaltwater can hold onto less% Saturation

Dependent on temperature of waters

Why do we care?

Life in the water needs oxygen too

SalinityParts per thousand (ppt)

Refractometers

More important when looking at coastal areas, especially estuaries

Must be adapted to living in different salinities

Estuaries are the places where The ebb and

flow of the tides connect a watershed

to the ocean.

Estuaries are the places where The ebb and

flow of the tides connect a watershed

to the ocean.