Student Research Reports
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Cottonwood Creek Water Quality Assessment
Organization(s):Knik Charter School
Country:United States of America
Student(s):Jameson Kalis, Lyra Abruska, Josh Olsen
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Faith Lussow, Lulu Chamblee
Contributors:Rebecca Brower, Macy Gust, Roberto Leyva, Freda Oenga, Avery Palaniuk
Report Type(s):U.S. Student Research Symposia (SRS)
Protocols:Air Temperature, Clouds, Surface Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Freshwater Macroinvertebrates, pH, Water Temperature, Water Transparency
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:05/22/2025
The purpose of this project is to monitor the temperature, pH, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen levels of the water in Cottonwood Creek to determine if the creek can sustain healthy salmon populations. We are learning about the lifecycle of salmon and salmon habitat through the Salmon in the Classroom curriculum, and we are participating in the Climate Change and My Community: Water and Fish Project through the IARC Arctic and Earth SIGNs Program at UAF.
Water quality data from Cottonwood Creek shows increasing temperatures and decreasing dissolved oxygen levels over time, indicating a growing risk to salmon habitat and long-term sustainability.
This research helps the community by identifying changes in water quality that threaten salmon habitat, supporting efforts to protect local ecosystems and subsistence resources.