Tyler Hansen
11/24/14
Assignment 8
Turbidity on Valley Creek
During my stream monitoring in the Natural Resources Class 1 unit, I became super-motivated
to test the oxygen levels in the streams we visited, such as Valley Creek. But ever since the Summer
Natural Resources class, I have always been fascinated by turbidity and how it affects streams and river
systems. I chose to do my project on turbidity on Valley Creek. I researched and analyzed data on the
factors that cause turbidity on this particular stream, and the effects turbidity has on the aquatic life
that lives in this fragile stream.
Throughout this project I interviewed two stakeholders. Their names are Brian Phillips and Jamie
Valadez. I asked both of these people numerous questions that involved my project and the factors that
made up my project. I received many helpful ideas and teachings from both of these amazing people.
Brian is a Streamkeeper volunteer who has lots of knowledge on stream ecosystems and the factors in
these ecosystems that are vital and not vital. Jamie Valadez is a Native American language teacher, and
is a professional in Native American history and the culture of the Northwest. Jamie helped me
understand numerous examples on the life that existed on these creeks and rivers, and how the river
was a vital source of Native American survival. I learned that we must treat our streams and rivers
nicely, by not trashing them, so that in the future, and now, the rivers and streams will continue to
produce life, which then gives us all life.
My contribution to this project was contributing helpful information on how turbidity affects the
life of streams. I helped provide an understanding on how turbidity affects this whole fragile ecosystem
of streams. Turbidity is the clarity of water, and the clarity of water determines life in the river.
Through my results and analysis I showed that the culverts at mouth of Valley Creek are one of
the major reasons turbidity levels are high on Valley Creek. During large rains the culverts located at the
mouth of Valley Creek release stormwater, which then rushes into the stream. Excessive amounts of
polluted stormwater being rushed into the stream from the culverts is a terrible thing for the ecosystem
of Valley Creek and the estuary in Port Angeles Harbor. The turbidity levels from 0.0 - 1.0 mile markers
from the mouth on Valley Creek have turbidity levels that reach over 80+ NTU’s during these large storm
events. On Valley Creek from 1.0 - 2.2 mile markers we found less turbidity because these locations are
farther away from these deadly culverts at the mouth of this stream. I concluded from my data that the
farther you go up stream on Valley Creek (Farther up river from the mouth of the stream) the less
turbidity you will have, which results in these locations having a healthier ecosystem then the mouth
locations. We observed more fish, benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) and plant life the further we went
upstream. I also concluded through our data, that the closer you get to the mouth of the stream (by
these culverts) the more turbidity is observed. The local ecosystem on this creek has been compromised
by development and human impacts. There are few fish, and rarely any BMIs. It’s common to see trash
all over by the mouth of this creek.
My views on turbidity changed a lot during the process of compiling information for my project.
I used to believe all aquatic life could not live in high turbidity with little to no clarity in streams, but
through talking with Mr. Lieberman, and doing research, I have discovered many macroinvertebrates
can live in these ecosystems. But fish struggle under conditions of high turbidity. The collected silt,
cobble, trash in these high turbidity water clog up the gills of fish, making it extremely hard for fish to
survive.
In the past I went to a Fly fishing Academy. I learned conservation, fish anatomy, river/stream
structure/habitat, and many factors that contribute in the development of healthy streams and rivers. I
also love fishing, and I love researching all the factors that involve fish and their habitats. I find it
interesting that a simple factors like low oxygen levels, high turbidity and no BMIs, can affect the whole
structure of an aquatic ecosystem.
This project definitely made me realize what I want to do in life (although ever since I was 12, I
knew what I wanted to do). I always loved fishing and everything that has to do with fishing and aquatic
life. This project helped me find an interest in stream monitoring and looking deeply into the factors that
make up stream environment and habitat. Through this project I learned not only how to work turbidity
monitors, but I learned how to work and test for oxygen levels in streams. I love everything that has to
do with water life, and I love every small particle that makes up every life form in an aquatic
environment. I learned that everything in streams works for each other to further the lifecycle.
I acknowledge Dave Zelenka, Dan Lieberman, and everyone that has been a part of my life, and
has supported my quest to become a fisheries technician. I have realized ever since I was a young boy,
you cannot further your progress in life unless you have help. And I am thankful for the opportunities
and friendships I have had in my life.
In conclusion, turbidity does affect the life on Valley Creek. The data showed that the closer to
the mouth of the stream by the culverts the more turbidity you will have. And the data also showed that
the higher you go upstream from the culverts at the mouth, the less turbidity you will have. Storm
drains in these culverts release giant storm water that creates high turbidity in the 0.0-1.0 mile markers,
and the 1.4-2.2 mile markers are relatively low turbidity. This is because, the farther you go upstream
away from the culverts the less trash and turbidity you will find. My hypothesis was correct. Turbidity
does affect the life on stream habitat. And the data proved my hypothesis. There was more fish, bugs,
and life the farther away upstream you went away from the mouth of the stream. And the closer you
got to the mouth of this stream and by the culverts the less fish, bugs, and life you would see. A new
question I would propose in the future would be, “How does high turbidity levels affect
macroinvertebrates life and function?”