Water Quality Sensory Check
Know Before
In order for Brook Trout to thrive they need their water to follow the 3 C’s: clean, clear and cold. For this activity we’re going to focus on the first two; clean and clear, by inspecting water collected directly from Twelve Mile Creek.
Get Out The Door
Avoid disturbing the stream bed when taking a water sample, or wait until disturbed sediment has settled.
Rinse the collection container twice with stream water, holding the container horizontally, with the open end facing upstream.
Fill the container with the stream sample. Let the water flow in and avoid picking up sediment from the stream bottom.
Visually inspect the water sample for the following and record notes on each of these parameters of water quality.
Water Clarity - Looking through the container at eye level, examine how clear the sample looks. Is there any sand, sediment or organic debris floating in the water?
Water Colour - Is the sample colourless, or is there a hue to the water? Contributing factors like plant material decomposing or algae can colour the water.
Water Odour - Smell the water. The odour can indicate if there is algae or contaminants in the water.
Think Some More
Let the sample sit for a while, before examining the base of the container. Has any sediment settled?
Why might sediment have been suspended in the water when it was first collected?
If you came back tomorrow, would the stream look and smell the same?
What could cause changes to the clarity, colour or odour of the stream from what you’re observing today?
Bring Along:
clear wide mouth container