Macroinvertebrates and Bacteria
The macroinvertebrate and bacteria projects are going well. The macroinvertebrates
come out when it is cool, but not cold. This was around ten degrees celsius. Mostly
crane flies and crayfish were caught, so this means that the river's ability to support
more sensitive is low. These two organisms are somewhat tolerant of poor water, but others
are not. If the creek had more of the sensitive macroinvertebrates, that would mean it
had a higher water quality.
The bacteria in the Sweat Mountain Creek has been improving with less fecal
coliform and E-coli. The last time I took a data collection the temperature was warmer
and it was closer to the dog park and that resulted in more bacteria. Near the dog park
there were 140 colonies of bacteria in the sample I took. Far away from the dog park
there were 48 colonies. Each time there were few or no E-coli and fecal coliform
colonies.