By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
GALENA, Kan. — Seventh-graders from Linda Phipps’ class on Thursday used test strips, ampules, turbidity tubes and other devices to test the condition of Shoal Creek in Schermerhorn Park.
They tested the water for turbidity, acid, nitrates and nitrites, ammonia, phosphates and E. coli bacteria. Though the pupils have to wait a few days for the results of the E. coli test, the other examinations suggest that Shoal Creek is in good condition.
Crystal Eisele, watershed coordinator with Southeast Kansas Resource Conservation and Development, directed the pupils in their testing. Carl Hayes, chairman of the Spring River Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy group, also was on hand to help.
The pupils first checked the turbidity and found the creek to be pretty clear. They also determined the water temperature. They also were asked to smell their water samples.
“It smells like water,” said Jordan McAllister, 12.
“This is what we want it to smell like,” said Eisele.
Hayes assisted one group of seventh-graders with the E. coli test while Eisele directed pupils in a test for phosphates. After each group completed the procedure, they switched.
Phipps, their teacher, said her pupils have been studying and watching films about how to conduct the tests over the past week or so. She said they have been excited about the idea of doing the testing.
“They take a little bit of ownership in the creek this way,” she said. Phipps said she plans to bring the pupils back to test the water in Shoal Creek, and possibly other locations, at least once a month.
Gage Davis, 12, said he was enjoying the project.
“I think this is pretty fun, and we’re going to learn a lot of stuff about our river, whether it’s polluted or clean,” Davis said.
He said the turbidity test was his favorite thing.
“We got to use the turbidity tubes to see how clear the water was,” he said.
McAllister said she most enjoyed the phosphate test, because it required many steps to accomplish.
“I think it’s kind of cool how we get to test our water to see how good it is and how it’s not as bad as you think,” she said.
“If you were going to swim in this water, what would you want to know the most?” Eisele asked.
“E. coli,” a pupil answered.
Eisele said that was correct, because E. coli was the most likely thing to make them sick.
She said one pupil told her she was going to check her laundry detergent at home for phosphate level.
Eisele and Phipps said the pupils didn’t test for heavy metals, because that has to be done professionally. They said they would probably expect to find heavy metals in the water, because of the area’s mining history.
Hayes said it’s positive that the tests suggested Shoal Creek was in good condition, but cautioned that no absolute conclusions can be reached from testing on one date.
“They’re only a snapshot in time,” he said.
He said the project is a good one, because responsibility for the creek will someday belong to today’s children.
“I really am encouraged by the interest they seemed to show,” he said.
Project plan
The Spring River Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) group recently selected as a demonstration project creating a wetland in Schermerhorn Park, which also is the location of the Southeast Kansas Nature Center. Shoal Creek flows into Spring River just west of Schermerhorn Park.
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Galena seventh-graders test Shoal Creek
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