A Semester Monitoring 7-Branch Creek

This semester I focused my area of study on the Upper Chattahoochee watershed. The specific stream I concentrated on was a tributary to the Chattahoochee River behind my apartment complex, 7 Branch Creek. Prior to data collection, I conducted a general ecology survey. This general ecology survey addressed the botanical biodiversity surrounding the stream I monitored. I listed the species per strata, i.e. canopy, midstory, and vine/herb layer in a 30 x 30 ft. survey area adjacent to my water quality monitoring location. After I recorded my general ecology information, I then assessed the stream for its specific designation in regards to the type of stream it is (perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral).  This was done with the North Carolina Department of Water Quality 4.11 Form. After I gained my general information about the site, I proceeded with my water quality monitoring.

Watershed Final Presentation

GIS Figures of Monitored Site

Figures continued below...

Water Quality Monitoring: 7 Branch Creek, Data set 4 (November 16, 2014)

pH: 5.35
Temp: 9.8 C
D.O.: 8.25 mg/l
Cond: 0.075
Flow: less than 1 fps
Depth: 7 inches
(November 16, 2014: 3:00 p.m.)

Panoramic View of 7 Branch Creek: Novemeber 16, 2014

Water Quality Monitoring: 7 Branch Creek, Data Set 3 (November 2, 2014)

November 2, 2014

• Temp: 10.16 C
• D.O. 8.23 mg/l
• pH: 5.97
• Cond: 0.078
• Flow: less than 1 fps
• Depth:  8 inches

Calibration data November 2, 2014

Panoramic view of 7 Branch Creek, November 2, 2014

Chattahoochee RiverKeeper Presentation

Equipment Research-Environemntal Uses for Drones

Panoramic view of monitored portion of 7 Branch Creek

Water Quality Monitoring, 7 Branch Creek, Dataset 2

Day 2 of water quality monitoring for 7 Branch Creek (October 12, 2014)

• Temp: 20.00 C
• D.O. 4.89 mg/l
• pH: 6.14
• Cond: 0.102
• Flow: less than 1 fps
• Depth: 7 in.

Dendrology List

   Swamp Chestnut Oak (Quercus michauxii) - Wetland status (Eastern Mountain/Piedmont): FACW. Swamp chestnut oak acorns are eaten by white-tailed deer, wild hogs, wild turkey, black bear, squirrels, and chipmunks. It is a medium-size to large tree that grows up to over 100 feet tall, with a trunk to over 6 feet in diameter, and a thick, scaly, loose, light-gray bark. Swamp chestnut oak is affected by wood decaying fungi species of Fomes, Polyporus, and Stereum, and sporadically by oak leaf blister (Taphrina caerulescens).

 (http://plants.usda.gov/)

   Post Oak (Quercus stellata) - Wetland status (Eastern Mountain/Piedmont): UPL. Post oak, sometimes called iron oak, is a medium-sized tree abundant throughout the Southeastern and South Central United States where it forms pure stands in the prairie transition area. Post oak is intolerant of competition and is classed as intolerant of shade. Post oak is susceptible to most insects, diseases, and pollutants that present a threat to other oaks. Regeneration efforts are hampered by acorns being destroyed by weevils.

 (http://plants.usda.gov/)

   Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata) - Wetland status (Eastern Mountain/Piedmont): FACU. Southern red oak, also called Spanish oak, water oak, or red oak, is one of the more common upland southern oaks. Southern red oak is characteristically an upland tree, growing on dry, sandy, clay soils. It is also found widely on sandy loam, sandy clay loam, and silty clay loam soils. Southern red oak is susceptible to injury by fire because of its thin bark. As a result of fire scars and other injuries, this species often is subject to heart rots. The uses of oak include almost everything that mankind has ever derived from trees-timber, food for man and animals, fuel, watershed protection, shade and beauty, tannin, and extractives (http://plants.usda.gov/)....

Water Quality Monitoring Methodologies

7 Branch Creek Water Quality Monitoring Methodologies

Methodologies for monitoring are based off of monitoring conditions for mitigation/restoration sites in NE Georgia. With input from aquatic ecologists, wildlife biologists, and environmental scientists, a set of comparable parameters to be monitored has been agreed upon for these areas. Parameters to be monitored are pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and conductivity. These readings will be taken out of the 7 Branch Creek, a tributary to the Chattahoochee watershed. Monitoring data for the Chattahoochee River will be taken from USGS water quality monitoring stations that are set up across the Upper Chattahoochee watershed to gain a better perspective of the overall conditions of the Chattahoochee River and compare the monitoring data with the condition of the tributary (7 Branch Creek) to determine the water quality of the tributaries input into the Upper Chattahoochee Watershed system....

Invasive Plants Species Presentation (Murdannia keisak)

USGS Water Quality Monitoring Stations in the Chattahoochee River

Data for the Chattachoochee River. 

Water Quality Monitoring, 7 Branch Creek, Dataset 1.

Day 1 water quality Monitoring for 7 Branch Creek.

• Temp: 18.88 C
• D.O. (Dissolved oxygen): 6.6 mg/l
• pH: 6.01 (data corrected)
• Cond: 0.125 ms/cm
• Flow: less than 1 fps
• Depth: 6 in. 

Brevard Fault Zone (Containment of the Upper Chattahoochee river)

The Chattahoochee River is essentially "locked" in place, flowing along the Brevard Fault Zone, and cannot meander and change course over time like most rivers.

Chattahoochee River Keeper Water Quality Synopsis

The Chattahoochee River is the most heavily used water resource in Georgia(USGS Water Resources Investigations Report 95-4278). The quality of the water is a result of the complex interaction of natural and human influences on land and water. Metropolitan Atlanta, the largest and fastest growing metro area in the Southeast, is in the river basin’s headwaters. The basin’s growing population presents challenges to balancing human and ecosystem needs for water of sufficient quantity and quality.

NWI Map (National Wetland Inventory)

This is a National Wetland Inventory Map of the tributary behind my apartment. The reach of this stream is named on some updated maps, but I cannot find a shapefile or topographic map with this reach mapped. I plan on using a GIS trimble unit from my work to map out this portion of the stream and display it using ArcMap.

Tributary to the Chattahoochee in Roswell, GA

I plan to focus my study on these 3 subjects in the stream behind my apartment complex. I have not been able to find an official name or mapping of this stream. 

1. Habitat assessment

Determine any pollution sources and conduct a general ecology survey (prior to fall). Map the relevant reach with a Trimble unit. 

2. Biological condition

Macroinvertebrate sampling

The Upper Chattahoochee Watershed