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The only real challenge that presented itself was finding a viable location within each creek to perform discharge measurements. The device used for obtaining the discharge measurements requires a fairly cobble-free creek bed, no obstructions to flow within the creek (i.e. logs), and a visually uniform flow (i.e. avoid switchbacks). This proved to be challenge for Durieu Creek and Legace Creek as they experience a great deal of sediment deposition. Durieu Creek also follows a steep terrain with many switchbacks causing many sections of the creek to be unsuitable for obtaining measurements. Selection of the creeks for the study was chosen systematically based on their hydraulic connection with the Miracle Valley aquifer. Locations for sampling along the creeks were conducted using random sample selection. I intend to collect data using the same technique as it is the method defined in the Manual of British Columbia Hydrometric Standards and Environment Canada’s “A Field Guide to Streamflow Measurement by Gauging and Metering.” I will also continue to use the SonoTek Flow Tracker 2 as it is widely used by water resource professionals and provides quality control warning messages to assist with data accuracy. The location of measurements will not be changed as a base point is required to determine changes in water depth. Also differences in creek bed composition (i.e. amount of cobbles) can affect flow measurements. By using the same locations and equipment the influence of confounding variables can be controlled.
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Blog Post 3: Ongoing Field Observations
Hi Katrina,
Looks like a really interesting study. I am quite interested in what you find as I did a lot of work in aquatic ecology and never really thought to much about algal growth and what impact their growth. Greta hypothesis, you’ve clearly stated that algal growth could be impacted by both flow regime and water depth and not just one aspect even though depth and flow regime can go hand in hand.
In your previous blog you mentioned a scale of none to moderate to significant growth, the only question I have is how are you sampling the algal growth? are you determining the algal growth within a plot or quadrat?
Look forward to reading the rest of your posts to see what you find.
Mark