 245 miles long  Area is mostly agricultural  Some urban land: Bellefontaine, Indian Lake  Has greatly improved over last few decades.

IBI- index given to a watershed according to how many species of fish are present. BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand)- amount of oxygen used by bacteria to decompose waste Nutrients- elements such as nitrogen and phosphorous used for fertilizing crops Urban- land that is occupied by a city Siltation- loose soil that gathers in a river Eutrophication- the adding of unwanted nutrients that lead to overgrowth of algae

METHOD: At Darby Creek we learned to test for Dissolved Oxygen and Nutrients. We also learned how electro-fishing works to give us IBI.

4 Major Threats Point source Pollution Hydromodifi- cation Agriculture Urban Runoff

Bellefontaine

As the Nutrient level increases, the BOD also increases.

In the urban areas, nutrients and BOD levels skyrocket. At the end of the graph, the factors decrease and remain constant. Agricultural areas have had less pollution problems than urban areas. Bellefontaine Nitrate N ppm

As nutrients, such as fertilizer, increase, BOD, (or the oxygen loss due to bacteria), also increases. Excess nutrients cause overgrowth of algae (eutrophication). When the algae dies, the bacteria decomposes the waste and uses up the oxygen.

As the urban land use increases, the IBI (population of fish species) decreases. Where are my friends?

The higher red areas represent cities. Indian Lake pollution in 1988 caused a large dip in the fish population but in 1994 the IBI recovered. Bellefontaine did a better job of protecting their fish population. Percent of Urban Land

The more populated the area, the more the IBI decreases. The urban community channelizes the river, destroys the Riparian Zone, and pollutes the water ruining the fish’s habitat.

As the BOD increases, the IBI decreases. Where is my oxygen ?

Indian Lake had a large drop in IBI in In 1984, Bellefontaine had a lot of bacteria in the water. Both cities seemed to have solved their pollution problems after a few years. The factors are inversely related. Level of BOD

As the BOD increases, the IBI decreases. The more bacteria there is, eating the waste,the more oxygen they consume. The fish that need a lot of oxygen cannot survive, thus, the IBI decreases.

Water quality has greatly improved. Improvement due to upgrade of water treatment plants. One of the most extensive and important recoveries witnessed by the EPA. Education is vital to ongoing improvement.

Nisha says, “YWSI is number one!”

This program was brought to you by YWSI! Special thanks to: Steve Snake, Leslie Lion, Paula Penguin, Virginie Vulture, Kathryn Kangaroo, Julie Jackal, Rebecca Raccoon, Diana Dolphin, Shannon, Judy Fountain, EPA staff, the OSC staff, and especially Melanie Moose!!!!!!!!!!!! We had a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful week!!!!!