RAIN!!

Yesterday, four Mark West Tigers went to Mark West Creek to monitor the water. For the first time this year there was lots of rain. It was much different from our last experiences. The rain had already added some volume to the creek. The temperature, ph, and dissolved oxygen had some changed. The fish tend to hide when it's dark and raining. The creek also had more garbage because the rain washes up garbage from the banks and nearby streets.

The change came suddenly and suprised the fish. This change affects the fish's habitat. Some change is good for the fish. The change helped the fish because of the rain the creek has a perfect ph level. Fish need a ph level of 7 or close to it. Also, the weather has raised the temperature, making it just right for the salmon.

One more thing the rain changed is dissolved oxygen. The dissolved oxygen is also very important because the fish need to breath. The dissolved oxygen level is close to perfect and prefered by the fish. A potential bad thing that can be caused by the rain is high turbidity or sediment in the stream. The sediment can flow from the banks into the creek. This would be bad because it would make it harder for the fish to breath. The mud can change the ph and dissolved oxygen levels, making it uncomfortable for the fish. However, when we took our sample we reallized that what looked dirty was actually low tubidity.

Miguel Sanchez