Stream Velocity and Flow Categorization in Restored Reecer Creek
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Event Website
https://source2022.sched.com/
Start Date
19-5-2022
End Date
19-5-2022
Keywords
restoration, flowrate, stream, sustainability
Abstract
The velocity of water in a stream affects vegetative growth, nutrient dispersal, temperature, as well as rearing habitat and spawning areas for salmon and steelhead. We measured stream velocities and depth at 20 locations along a 1.8 km section of the Reecer Creek Floodplain Restoration Project, Ellensburg, WA. We compared our data to fall of 2014. We found that the stream velocities in fall of 2021 had a lower average velocity (0.527m/s < 0.748m/s) and lower standard deviation [0.259m/s < 0.362m/s]. For the 2014 data set 27% of data points were outside of one standard deviation compared to 40% of our data points more than one standard deviation away. From this, we were able to conclude that the restoration was successful in creating a variable stream habitat that is favorable to a healthy salmon and steelhead population.
Recommended Citation
Altman-Coe, Lucy; Estey, Bella; and Messner, Beagan, "Stream Velocity and Flow Categorization in Restored Reecer Creek" (2022). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 5.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2022/COTS/5
Additional Mentoring Department
Community Partnership with Ellensburg High School
Stream Velocity and Flow Categorization in Restored Reecer Creek
The velocity of water in a stream affects vegetative growth, nutrient dispersal, temperature, as well as rearing habitat and spawning areas for salmon and steelhead. We measured stream velocities and depth at 20 locations along a 1.8 km section of the Reecer Creek Floodplain Restoration Project, Ellensburg, WA. We compared our data to fall of 2014. We found that the stream velocities in fall of 2021 had a lower average velocity (0.527m/s < 0.748m/s) and lower standard deviation [0.259m/s < 0.362m/s]. For the 2014 data set 27% of data points were outside of one standard deviation compared to 40% of our data points more than one standard deviation away. From this, we were able to conclude that the restoration was successful in creating a variable stream habitat that is favorable to a healthy salmon and steelhead population.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2022/COTS/5
Faculty Mentor(s)
Jeff Hashimoto