Geographic Information System (GIS) Development for Plaster Creek Watershed
Charlotte Reynolds, Annaka Scheeres, Dr. Jason VanHorn
The Plaster Creek Watershed is one of the most polluted watersheds in Michigan, with
significant problems ranging from extremely high concentrations of E. Coli, to sedimentation, to
environmental injustice. Our project seeks to communicate these problems to others (the public,
local government officials, developers) in a way that is accessible and easy to understand, as well as
to create synergy between various departments at Calvin who are involved with the restoration of
the Plaster Creek Watershed. We aimed to do this in three interconnected ways: through the
creation of new spatial layers exploring the complex issues facing the watershed, which will be
incorporated into the redesign of the Plaster Creek Interactive Online GIS; through the development
of an online map journal guiding users through the story of Plaster Creek, from its problems to
solutions; and through the production of a number of educational videos that will help the public
better understand what is going on in the watershed, as well as how to navigate the Plaster Creek
Online GIS.
We began our project by discussing the ways in which we wanted to expand the current
Plaster Creek Online Interactive Map. By combining our geographical and biological knowledge of
the watershed, as well as information from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Watershed Management Plan, we were able to create a list of the important aspects of the watershed
we wished to visualize using new map layers. We sought out the data that would allow us to create
these layers and maps, using a variety of sources, such as the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), United States Geological Survey (USGS), and student researchers from other departments at
Calvin. These maps were then posted online, and guided the creation of the Story Map Journal. The
final step of our project was to begin the process of creating the educational videos. We built upon
the narrative text used in the Story Map Journal to write scripts for the videos, from which we
planned out which camera shots and footage would best engage viewers.
As of August 1st, we have created a number of new layers for the Plaster Creek Online GIS,
such as aspects of environmental justice, E. Coli concentrations throughout the watershed, and land
use. We have also put together a Story Map Journal using these layers and maps in combination
with a narrative to tell the story of the watershed. More recently we have visited various parts of the
watershed to film footage for our educational videos, and have begun to edit this footage. In the
next two weeks, we will continue to film and edit in order to build up a collection of educational
videos to be incorporated into the Story Map Journal, as well as to be available and accessible to the
public. We are hopeful that the products of our work will be utilized by many as a way to better
understand the Plaster Creek Watershed, to raise awareness of its problems, and to promote ways to
get involved in its restoration.
The student research experience has provided me with a huge number of benefits. I have
been able to greatly improve my GIS skills by applying my previous knowledge to a real and
relevant purpose. I have also learnt the importance of patience, perseverance, and troubleshooting
throughout the entire project: using software that doesn’t always work quite how you expect;
waiting for data to download; going through the challenging processes of data management,
organization, and spatial visualization; and venturing into film-making of which I had little prior
experience. The research experience has been an invaluable one which I am thankful to have had
the opportunity to be a part of.