Morrison Creek Stream Lab
Purpose:
- to determine factors that may affect the creek discharge rate
- to determine the size and profile of Morrison Creek
- to determine the discharge rate of Morrison Creek
- assess the quality of water in Morrison Creek
Part A – Associated Land Uses
1. Research the uses of land adjacent to Morrison Creek. Use websites such as Google Earth, and the
Town of Oakville to help you.
2. Create a map illustrating what you found. Be sure to include proper mapping components (title,
north arrow, scale, border, date). (5 Com marks)
Part B – Creek Profile
1. Create a sketch of the study site.
2. Using a tape measure, measure the distance from one side of the creek to the other side.
3. Using a meter stick, measure the depth of the creek at regular intervals (ex. every 50 cm). Use a
table to record your observations. (5 Com marks)
4. Create a profile of the creek by creating a graph. Place distance on the x-axis and depth on the yaxis. (5 Com marks)
Part C- Discharge Rate
1. Measure a distance of 5m.
2. Using a stopwatch, drop a floating device (marshmallow, ping pong ball, orange, etc.) into the water
and time how long it takes for the device to travel the 5m.
3. Record this time in your observations chart.
4. Repeat this 3 times.
5. Determine the average time (s).
6. Determine the average flow speed by dividing the distance (5m)/average time. Record this in your
observations chart in m/s.
7. Calculate the volume of water flow speed:
Stream width x average depth x average flow speed x 0.8
(0.8 is a constant to compensate for bottom drag)
Part D – Water Appearance and Ecology
1. Fill a collecting jar with a sample of water.
2. Allow to settle for 3 minutes.
3. Holding the jar in front of the lettering on this page, select the best turbidity level from the list
below:
Cannot see any print………………………opaque
Print barely visible………………….……..very cloudy
Print visible, but not readable……….cloudy
Text readable, but blurry……………….slightly cloudy
Easily read through water……………..clear
Record your observations in your chart.
4. Smell the water sample and record any odour present such as fishy, metallic, woody, or none.
Record your observation in your chart.
5. Record any organisms you notice by sight in and around the creek.
Analysis (20 marks Application)
1. What benefit do streams, creeks, and ponds offer local areas? (5 marks)
2. What impact do the adjacent land uses have on Morrison Creek? (3 marks)
3. Are there any signs of increased erosion or sediment deposition? What impact may this have on
ecology of Morrison Creek? ( 4 marks)
4. Does Oakville have any laws about dumping and polluting in local waterways? Identify any you
find. (3 marks)
5. A landowner that has a home beside the Morrison Creek would like to remove some of the trees
and shrubs along the bank since they can’t see the pretty creek from their home. As a
geographer, what advice would you provide this homeowner on whether this vegetation
removal would be a good or bad idea? (5 marks)