Stream Sampling Procedure

Tasks:

Environmental samples may support the biotic collections in several ways:

• Collect stream samples from lake inlets, outlets (to compare with lake samples), or other stream sites we may choose to sample, and characterize stream substrate visually
• Measure stream flow with current meter (on selected streams, esp. inlets)
• Locate site with GPS coordinates

Procedure:

Locate site with GPS coordinates

• Locate site with GPS coordinates
• Characterize stream sediment visually
• Collect/measure QW sample
  -Obtain field parameters with YSI sonde
  -Collect field sample (1 L, surface -- avoid sediment) for later processing
  -Label each sample, possibly with stick-on labels partially written out with lake ID and date
• Measure stream flow
  -Stretch tape across stream, or pace width, plan readings
  -Collect depth and velocity readings
  -Enter onto worksheet and calculate flow
  -Possibly -- measure stream velocity with simple float and paced distance, if flow meter not available

Equipment and supplies:

• Hip boots, or stocking-foot hip waders, or "wading pants"
• Tupperware bins for organizing/storing equipment?
• GPS unit
• Mini-piezometer and manometer board. Accessory tubing, connectors, clamps, etc.
• Sampling mini-well, pounder, surger, purging pump?
• Auger or pack shovel? Hand trowel? For digging to water table...
• Lock level (hand level)
• Collapsible level rod, plus attachment to "stick" it into hole and mark groundwater level vs. lake level (stand at lake shore, and shoot rod marking gw level in hole...e.g.)
• YSI sonde with T, SC, DO, and pH probes, with flow-through cell
• Peristoltic pump (hand-operated) and/or vacuum bottle
• Strainer? Mini-well screen? for pump intake tubing... at springs, in holes?
• Field sampling bottles -- probably 1 L, but maybe only 500 mL. No smaller than that, I'd say.
• Maybe -- sample bottles for field alkalinities (with cone-lids), in addition.
• Isotope bottles
• Label tape and sharpies
• Stick-on labels

General Notes:

The fact is that, despite the above best-intentioned plans, we simply collected a grab sample for water quality from streams; there just wasn't enough time to measure flow.