|
Hello creek monitoring volunteers,
So, I heard a couple good mumblings about my last article. That some people are going to strive to monitor every month this new year for their creek site can be listed as such. YEAH!! That a team monitored every month last year but wasn’t listed. ☹ That means that these people are readers of our newsletter and that makes me VERY happy!!!!! 😊
I am sad to hear about the team that monitored every month but wasn’t listed. I am referring to Coal Creek: Morris Park in Tulsa County. So, I went back and looked through the submitted data. I did not find their data set from December 2023, but they swore to me they monitored. So, for that, I need to make a correction to the monthly monitored for a year creek list and add Coal Creek: Morris Park.
- Beaty Creek
- Bishop Creek: Constitution
- Bishop Creek: Eastwoods Park
- Black Bear Creek
- Brush Creek: 460 Rd.
- Cat Creek: Claremore Christian
- Chisholm Creek: Western
- Coal Creek: Morris Park
- Crow Creek: Discovery Lab
- Little Deep Creek: Weatherford
- Mingo Tributary
- Nickel Creek: 91st St.
- Salt Fork of the Arkansas River
- Spring Creek: Rocky Ford
- Turkey Creek
Sometimes it is best to still have a paper copy as a backup.
You can always check your QA’d submitted data via the ‘App Map’
Your Blue Thumb staff person should inform you at QA’s as to what data we have received from you.
You can always contact me about data inquiries. And sometimes glitches do just happen.
Oxygen Saturation
On another note, I have heard and read a few people asking about how/why oxygen saturation can be over 100%. Winter is the perfect time of year to see this happen. First of all, colder water has the higher capacity to hold more oxygen molecules. It is a density thing. Colder molecules are going to be bound closer together, thus more can be in one place. Unlike in warmer water when the bonds are farther apart thus fewer molecules can be in one place. A good range for oxygen saturation is 80-130%. Time of day and also algae play into the oxygen equation as well. Earlier in the morning, creeks will potentially have lower oxygen due to aquatic plants respiring all night, pumping out carbon dioxide into the water channel. Higher oxygen levels will potentially be in the early evening since aquatic plants will be conducting photosynthesis all day, pumping out oxygen into the water channel. This is where too much algae can certainly be a problem as it will create huge swings in low oxygen mornings and highly high oxygen ranges in the evenings which will be very stressful on fish and creek bugs. The speed of the water, flow, will impact oxygen levels too. So, thanks for the oxygen saturation questions and wanting to know the reasons why. If you have any other monitoring questions, please let me know as I'd love to address them with you and maybe even write a future newsletter article to inform others.
Kim Shaw
Blue Thumb QA Officer
We are excited to announce a series of upcoming events aimed at fostering environmental education among elementary students across Oklahoma. To make these events a success, we are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join us in creating a memorable and impactful experience for students and teachers alike.
Volunteer Opportunities Include:
- Assisting with environmental education activities for elementary students. Volunteers will co-present with at least one other adult presenter. Activities will include "Blue Planet," "The Incredible Journey," and other favorites from Project WET that you may already be familiar with from Blue Thumb Trainings.
- Serving as guides to help teacher and student groups navigate the event.
Details:
- Friday, March 28th: Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa, OK
- Wednesday, April 23rd: Scissortail Park, Oklahoma City, OK
- Tuesday, April 29th: Arnett City Park, Arnett, OK
Time Commitment: 8:15 AM – 3:00 PM (Lunch provided). Volunteers should be available for an entire day.
This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to your community, support environmental education, and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Share your passion for water with our state's youth!
If you’re interested in volunteering, or have any questions, please sign up by contacting:
Jack Hilgert
Blue Thumb Environmental Education Coordinator
 Dates:
March 8th, The Gathering Place (2650 S John Williams Way E Tulsa, OK 74114) Register Here
March 29th, Oklahoma County OSU Extension Center (2500 NE 63rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73111) Register Here
April 5th, Robbers Cave State Park (2300 Park Cabins Rd, Wilburton, OK 74578) Register Here
April 12th, Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge (32 Refuge Headquarters Rd, Indiahoma, OK 73552) Register Here
 Join us for a whole watershed experience in the beautiful Illinois River watershed near Tahlequah. We will travel through the entire watershed to learn how we impact our waters all while gaining valuable new resources for the classroom. Educators will receive 24 hours of professional development, new tools for the classroom, and an experience like no other! For questions, contact Jeri Fleming or Jacklyn Smittle. To register, click here and scroll down to select Riverology.
|
