1. Stream Order & Watersheds

2. Watershed
A ridge of high land dividing two areas that are drained by different river systems.
The region draining into a river, river system, or other body of water.

3. Watershed

4. Stream Order

5. Upstream vs. Downstream

6. 1st order stream (1° stream)

7. Characteristics Steep angle / high elevation
Substrate dominated by boulders and cobbles
Narrow channel
Usually acidic (low pH - <7)
Low biodiversity
Mostly shredders and gatherers
High cover - usually shaded
Low turbidity - clear
Low temperatures
High oxygen

8. 2° stream

9. Characteristics Formed in a valley Less shaded Higher temperatures
Less steep
Wider
More nutrients / higher turbidity
Substrate dominated by cobbles and gravels
More biodiversity
Shredders, gatherers, and collectors

10. 3° Stream

11. Characteristics
Also forms in a valley, where 2 or more 2nd order streams intersect
Higher temperature, less shade, wider channel
More nutrients, higher turbidity
Substrate dominated by gravels, sands
More biodiversity, fewer of each species/type
Higher pH
Slower water, less oxygen

12. 4° and above

13. 4th Order and Higher Gentle slope (1-2%)
Slow water (slack water/glides)
Finer substrate (mud to gravels)
Higher turbidity - cloudy (silts & clays)
Higher temperature
Lower oxygen
Alkaline (higher pH - >7)
More sinuosity
Wider channel
Less tree cover – more sunlight to creek
Filtering collecters, scrapers

14. Point Source vs. Non-Point Source Pollution

15. Why is a watershed important?
What affects it?
Who owns it?
What is affected by it?
Who lives in/near it?