Macro-invertibrate sampling is basically testing for small aquatic creatures by using a net that runs into the current. We split up into groups of three to get the maximum number of nets into the water. We did the same thing down stream yesterday, but my group didnt catch nearly as much intersting aquatic life yesterday, as today. Today, we were lucky enough to catch a crayfish that was carrying eggs, as in the picture below. I had a lot of fun with doing sampling, and found it very intresting!

What a Shock!: Electrofishing

This morning, we all had the great opportunity to go electrofishing in the creek upstream from the dam! With help from Tim Wilson from PA Fish and Boat, we sent an electric current through the water strong enough to stun the fish, but without causing most of them any harm. When the fish were stunned, they turned over onto their backs on the bottom of the stream, which made them much easier to spot and scoop up with our nets. We moved upstream through the ripples and eventually ended our search in a calm pool. All in all, we caught 12 different species of fish, including greenside and rainbow darters, river chub, logperch, and smallmouth bass. Learning about how to identify all the different kinds of fish and what their characteristics tell us about how they live was not just interesting, but a really fun hands-on experience!

French Creek Fun!

This afternoon, we had a little free time to go down to French Creek. We were able to swim, explore or find macroinverbrates and fish. It was exciting when Mark, our counselor, caught a small Variegate Darter; we all observed the fish's features, including its pretty blue and orange coloring. We were also able to look on the bottom of the creek, as the creek was quite clear, for mussels. Sadly, we were only able to find their empty shells. For those who chose to jump in, the water was nice and relaxing after the long day of exploring! Overall, this little diversion made for great fun!!

Woodcock Dam Tour

Woodcock Dam Tour

This Monday afternoon, students from Creek Camp were invited to tour Meadville's Woodcock Dam and its surrounding reservior with Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger Joe Arnett. Joe was more than happy to share his information regarding the dam's history as well as its operational procedures. The dam, constructed between the years 1971 and 1973, cost $18 million to create. However, it is estimated that the dam has saved well over $36 million in future property damage. We had also learned that the purpose of this particular dam was to address the issues of low flow augmentation, navigation, flow control, and recreation. In addition, the dam also addresses the environmental concerns prevalent in the diverse French Creek Wateshed. Overall, the tour was very informative and essential to the success of the Creek Camp research project

The sream table was fun!! It was like playing in a giant sandbox. We learned all about the importance of streams and currents.

geocaching

On Sunday, the first day of creek camp, we did Geocashing as we toured the campus. It was fun and entertaining, but at the same time difficult because the cashes were well hidden.

Water Chem. 101

After we got up and got around and had a filling breakfast we headed out to play in the creek. We got to test the creek down stream from the woodcock dam. We tested for the pH levels the phosphorous, and many other factors that will show if the creek is in good shape and if lifeform could sustain the living conditions. I was fortionate to test for phosphorous, an easy tast. It was a lot of fun and i'm glad that I took chemistry and biology this year because it really helped this experience become a easier and a lot of fun for me. I hope my family is having a lot of fun without me.... JK.. Don't forget that i'm missing you guys and of course my puppy...

Critters in the Creek: Invertabrate Sampling

This morning after water sampling, we headed out into the creek in search of macroinvertebrates. In order to capture the bugs, we used a kick net, which is a fine screen hung across two poles. To use, two people hold the poles and another two stand in front kicking up invertebrates so that they are captured and held in the net. After this process was completed, we laid the nets across the picnic tables and took forceps to pick out the critters and put them into a water tray. Once we did this, we took a total group consensus on the amount of each species we had. These numbers were used to calculate PTI (pollution tolerance index), which shows the cleanliness of the river by using a formula that takes into account the number of sensitive, moderately sensitive and tolerant. Overall, this process was fun as it was interesting to see what is really under your feet when you are in a creek. It was also interesting to observe how the bugs interacted with each other.

Green Allegheny

Today, we went on a Green Allegheny scavenger hunt around the campus. Our tour guide showed us the green roof that is on campus, gave us facts on the type of wood that they used, and explained how they can use rain water to water plants. Allegheny is doing a lot to take care of the environment and keep the campus eco-friendly.

Admission Talk

Today at lunch we recieved a talk about admission in college. We learned lots of things about university and some ways how to choose wich one we are going to assist.
They taught us some interesting facts about Allegheny College, for example now we know that it was founded in the 18th century, and that actually the college has 2100 students.
At the end some people won Allegheny shirts answering some questions.

Team Building! :)

Yesterday we started Creek Camp! We had to be at 4 in the afternoon in Allegheny College. We got to the dormitories where we met Mark and Brianna, our Creek councelors! Also we met Wendy and Laura. They showed us our bedrooms and we installed ourselfs. Then, we made some ice breaker games! We made a circle and through a ball to each other telling some interesting facts about our lifes. At 5 we had dinner, and then we did some other activities :)

 

Dear Creek Campers,

Only a week and a half until Session I of Creek Camp begins! Session II people should be just as excited as they are two and a half weeks away. One of the most important things you guys can do right now in preparation for Creek Camp is to pray for good weather. For optimal enjoyment of the weeks activities, we need the streams to be low and clear. That not only means having good weather during the week of Creek Camp, but we also need good weather for the week leading up to camp. As of now, over the next 10 days, the weather seems very promising and we will continue to monitor the forecast. We are so excited for your arrival and the beginning of Creek Camp. It will surely be one of the most exhilirating and exciting weeks of your life. A nature experience like no other!!!

Dear Creek Campers,

We are anxiously awaiting your arrival for Creek Camp. Approximately only one month until you begin an exciting week of biology, environmental science, and aquatic ecology. The schedule of activities has been nearly finalized and we are certain that you will enjoy the list of activities which we have scheduled. We hope that you are just as excited as we are. Until that time, the beauty of French Creek and Northwest Pennsylvania awaits your arrival!

Creek Camp 2010 ~II~ Fun Pictures!

Click here to view these pictures larger

Creek Camp 2010 ~II~ Fun Pictures!

Click here to view these pictures larger

Creek Camp 2010 ~II~ Fun Pictures!

Click here to view these pictures larger

Dear Session II Jokesters

I hope you all haven't been boring your families with bad puns! We miss you dearly. All of the pictures should be posted on shutterfly now. If you remember any that are missing let us know! Also I have posted some videos on Shutterfly that I wasn't able to get into the video. So if you scroll all the way down to bottom of the shutterfly page you SHOULD see them.

Here's your video!

Dearest Session I Campers

Here's your video!



Oh and if you haven't checked the last post from your session you might want to check out the sweet drawing that Matt taped to my door.

Slippy!!!

To collect the information on the Hellbenders we had to hold the Hellbenders easily. They were so slimy and hard to hold and grab. It was like trying to grab a wet bar of soap only it was moving and trying to bite. But the hellbenders were a lot of fun!! We all learned something new this day and it was a great and funny experience. Thanks creek connections for making this week happen.

Freshwater mussels

On Thursday we took a 2 mile canoe trip, on the way we stopped to look at freshwater mussles with Jerry. He showed us the different species in the area including the endangered northern Riffeled Shell. We saw how in some mussles different colors are present but they aren't sure why yet. My favorite shell that i saw had a greenish-blue circle on one side and a purple on the other. We saved a few mussles from drying out. There were mussles in the shallow water who needed to be burried in the deeper water. When putting back a mussle you put the muscular foot side down in the muck and leave part of the hinge out inorder for the mussles to filter-feed.