Porter Creek, green belt, subdivision, pollution, overflow and Hidden Lake
Overview description: Porter Creek and Hidden Lake are part of an urban system. Homes and schools are adjacent to the creek and lake. Residents and students use the area as park land and for a wide variety of recreational purposes. They are very much aware of the decline in the quality of the water in the lake and creek but
The general finding between 1994 and 2005 are:
1. Hidden Lake has been drained during eight of the ten past winters because the flow of Porter Creek into Hidden Lake has been diverted into overflow that fills the depression caused by the soil stripping on Versluice meadows. Overflow is created when insulating layers of snow on Porter Creek is disturbed. Porter Creek is now perched above the basin of mined area of Versluice meadows.
2. Increased solids are introduced into Hidden Lake in the spring due to the melt of ice and the transport of soils from Versluice meadows. This, in turn, has reduced the exfiltration rate of Hidden Lake causing the lake level to raise during spring runoff periods.
3. The algae bloom on the lake and in the creek is a direct result on the introduction of nutrients (principally nitrates and phosphates) from Ice Waters Ltd. (IWL) arctic char farm. These nutrients have resulted in blooms of algae that have covered more that 70% of the lake during the summer and in the ponds found along the course of Porter Creek.
4. The presence of arctic char in Porter Creek and Hidden Lake over the ten year period indicates regular escapement from IWL.
5. IWL provides inadequate treatment of their effluent. Observations of solid wastes being flushed from their system and the indirect evidence from algae blooms throughout the system indicate that the levels of nutrients and wastes released are more that the system can tolerate. The algae that has died in the lake contributes to a noxious bethoic environment and also contributes to the decrease rate of ex filtration. Both contribute to the development of a eutrophic environment.
Experiential Science classes have been involved in a wide range of studies over the past fifteen years. Porter Creek and Hidden Lake have proven to be excellent study topics. Proximity, access, and the types of problems faced by the system have given many opportunities for study.
From 1993 to 2010 a range of studies have been undertaken, many repeatedly. The following lists many of these studies February-March
· Bathometic survey of the lake
· Preliminary water quality studies. Lake cycles of drying up and flooding the surrounding forest.
· stream flow observations at Holy culvert, but considerable overflow above this point
· overflow identified on Versluice meadows diverting creek flow from the lake
· fish killed from lake drying up, char within the group
· lake dries up during studies, class undertake studies to determine cause
· no stream flow at Holy culvert, but considerable overflow above this point
· overflow identified on Versluice meadows diverting creek flow from the lake
· measurement of overflow ice on Versluice meadows
· stream chemistry measurements
· benthoic measurements in Hidden Lake and Porter Creek
· stream flow records for multiple years
· city environmental fund to stabilize winter flows
· results observations on ice volume, stream flows and seasonal lake levels
· basic data on pH, DO, Nitrates, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved solids, suspended solids and three benthoic surveys
· Porter creek study wins at National science fair
· benthoic measurements in Hidden Lake and Porter Creek
· stream flow records and lake levels
· results observations on ice volume, stream flows and seasonal lake levels
· basic data on pH, DO, Nitrates, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved solids, suspended solids and three benthoic surveys
· install concrete weir to stream flow records and lake levels
· core sample lake bottom
· stream clean-up with residents near the creek
· results observations on ice volume, stream flows and seasonal lake levels
· basic data on pH, DO, Nitrates, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved solids, suspended solids and three benthoic surveys
· observe algae growth at margins of lake in spring
· moved concrete weir to stream flow records and lake levels
· core sample lake bottom
· surveyed run above Alaska Highway to determine natural pattern for restoration
· mapped the algae growth on lake margin
· results observations on ice volume, stream flows and seasonal lake levels
· observe increased algae growth on surface of lake in spring 1998
· mapped run of 2 k above Alaska Highway
· v notch weir on culvert brackets below Icy Waters to monitor flow at origin
· results observations on ice volume, stream flows and seasonal lake levels
· basic data on pH, DO, Nitrates, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved solids, suspended solids and three benthoic surveys
· observe increased algae growth at margins of lake in spring 1999
· v notch weir on culvert brackets below Icy Waters to monitor flow at origin
· mapped the algae growth on lake and on ponds up stream from Alaska Highway
· survey of War Eagle pit at dump and info from Water Resources
· basic data on pH, DO, Nitrates, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved solids, suspended solids and three benthoic surveys
· observe increased algae growth on lake and ponds on Porter Creek
· observed solids released at top culvert during flushing period
· another survey of War Eagle pit at dump and info from Water Resources
· results observations on ice volume, stream flows and seasonal lake levels
Community interest or concern Many of the studies related to Porter Creek were initiated at the request of the Porter Creek Community Assn. The initial request was to examine topics related to water levels in Hidden Lake and water quality in Porter Creek. Following the class studies, ES 11 became involved in questions related to overflow on Versluice Meadows, ground water levels in the meadows, algal growth on Hidden Lake and rising water levels in the lake. The ES class has taken part in two water board hearing at the request of the community Assn.
Duration of study and numbers involved. Porter Creek and Hidden lake studies began in 1994 and are still underway. The initial studies have grown based on the results of initial studies.
Protocols followed and resources. The range of studies on Porter Creek have been following standard methods. Appearances before the Water Board have resulted in selecting metering systems that give high resolution information from observations. As part of the process we have developed and calibrated a flow meter comprised of a model boat propeller, a bike odometer and an aluminum T shaft.
Contact person and more detailed information Bob Sharp, Alain Dalaire, Kevin O’Connor and Bob Truelson have been involved on an ongoing basis. Sharp have been involved throughout the studies since 1994.
Porter Creek Water Board Interventions:
Overview description: (Related to the Porter Creek studies) Porter Creek has undergone considerable stress for a small aquatic system. Periodic diversion of the lower system, infusion of nutrients and antibiotics from the fish farm, infusion of salts and pollutants from both the Alaska Highway and the dump area, solid wastes deposited in the creek, , and have all placed stresses on the aquatic system. The creek begins with a spring (Icy Waters Char farm is located adjacent to the spring) flows approximately 4 km past the city dump to the Alaska Highway where the dump road begins. The creek flows down Rabbits Foot Canyon, under the Alaska highway, past the Super A store and along Versluice Meadows. The route of the creek has been redirected so that it flows around the edge of the Meadow, Under Holly street and into Hidden lake which exfiltrates into the Yukon River.
Experiential Science classes have been studying the water quality of Porter Creek since 1991. Over that time period we have seen an algal bloom on Hidden Lake and a far more extensive growth of algae on the creek bed. There has been an increase in turbidity and the creek water has gone from clear to brown. Our class continues to conduct standard tests on DO, Nitrates, Phosphates, pH, dissolved solids and turbidity. We also continue to conduct bethic sampling using a Schuber swift water sampling protocol. We have been observing qualitative changes in the system's water quality and we are now undertaking a variety of quantitative measures to establish base line information. Our long term goal is to obtain periodic water samples from the spring that feeds Porter Creek as a baseline for water quality. We have recognized that the sampling tools we have been using to measure DO, Nitrates, Phosphates, pH, and dissolved solids (Hacch kits) do not offer the resolution needed to make compelling arguments regarding water quality. The information we have been able to collect with confidence related to the extend to the algae bloom on Hidden Lake.
Duration of study and numbers involved. Studies on Porter Creek and Hidden Lake began in 1991 and are ongoing through 2013. The studies have involved to Porter Creek Community Association and people who live around Versluice Meadows.
Contact person and more detailed information Bob Sharp and the Porter Creek Community Assn have been the contacts for these two interventions. The reasons for decision were given for the first but not the second intervention.
Overview description: Porter Creek and Hidden Lake are part of an urban system. Homes and schools are adjacent to the creek and lake. Residents and students use the area as park land and for a wide variety of recreational purposes. They are very much aware of the decline in the quality of the water in the lake and creek but
The general finding between 1994 and 2005 are:
1. Hidden Lake has been drained during eight of the ten past winters because the flow of Porter Creek into Hidden Lake has been diverted into overflow that fills the depression caused by the soil stripping on Versluice meadows. Overflow is created when insulating layers of snow on Porter Creek is disturbed. Porter Creek is now perched above the basin of mined area of Versluice meadows.
2. Increased solids are introduced into Hidden Lake in the spring due to the melt of ice and the transport of soils from Versluice meadows. This, in turn, has reduced the exfiltration rate of Hidden Lake causing the lake level to raise during spring runoff periods.
3. The algae bloom on the lake and in the creek is a direct result on the introduction of nutrients (principally nitrates and phosphates) from Ice Waters Ltd. (IWL) arctic char farm. These nutrients have resulted in blooms of algae that have covered more that 70% of the lake during the summer and in the ponds found along the course of Porter Creek.
4. The presence of arctic char in Porter Creek and Hidden Lake over the ten year period indicates regular escapement from IWL.
5. IWL provides inadequate treatment of their effluent. Observations of solid wastes being flushed from their system and the indirect evidence from algae blooms throughout the system indicate that the levels of nutrients and wastes released are more that the system can tolerate. The algae that has died in the lake contributes to a noxious bethoic environment and also contributes to the decrease rate of ex filtration. Both contribute to the development of a eutrophic environment.
Experiential Science classes have been involved in a wide range of studies over the past fifteen years. Porter Creek and Hidden Lake have proven to be excellent study topics. Proximity, access, and the types of problems faced by the system have given many opportunities for study.
From 1993 to 2010 a range of studies have been undertaken, many repeatedly. The following lists many of these studies February-March
· Bathometic survey of the lake
· Preliminary water quality studies. Lake cycles of drying up and flooding the surrounding forest.
· stream flow observations at Holy culvert, but considerable overflow above this point
· overflow identified on Versluice meadows diverting creek flow from the lake
· fish killed from lake drying up, char within the group
· lake dries up during studies, class undertake studies to determine cause
· no stream flow at Holy culvert, but considerable overflow above this point
· overflow identified on Versluice meadows diverting creek flow from the lake
· measurement of overflow ice on Versluice meadows
· stream chemistry measurements
· benthoic measurements in Hidden Lake and Porter Creek
· stream flow records for multiple years
· city environmental fund to stabilize winter flows
· results observations on ice volume, stream flows and seasonal lake levels
· basic data on pH, DO, Nitrates, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved solids, suspended solids and three benthoic surveys
· Porter creek study wins at National science fair
· benthoic measurements in Hidden Lake and Porter Creek
· stream flow records and lake levels
· results observations on ice volume, stream flows and seasonal lake levels
· basic data on pH, DO, Nitrates, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved solids, suspended solids and three benthoic surveys
· install concrete weir to stream flow records and lake levels
· core sample lake bottom
· stream clean-up with residents near the creek
· results observations on ice volume, stream flows and seasonal lake levels
· basic data on pH, DO, Nitrates, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved solids, suspended solids and three benthoic surveys
· observe algae growth at margins of lake in spring
· moved concrete weir to stream flow records and lake levels
· core sample lake bottom
· surveyed run above Alaska Highway to determine natural pattern for restoration
· mapped the algae growth on lake margin
· results observations on ice volume, stream flows and seasonal lake levels
· observe increased algae growth on surface of lake in spring 1998
· mapped run of 2 k above Alaska Highway
· v notch weir on culvert brackets below Icy Waters to monitor flow at origin
· results observations on ice volume, stream flows and seasonal lake levels
· basic data on pH, DO, Nitrates, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved solids, suspended solids and three benthoic surveys
· observe increased algae growth at margins of lake in spring 1999
· v notch weir on culvert brackets below Icy Waters to monitor flow at origin
· mapped the algae growth on lake and on ponds up stream from Alaska Highway
· survey of War Eagle pit at dump and info from Water Resources
· basic data on pH, DO, Nitrates, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved solids, suspended solids and three benthoic surveys
· observe increased algae growth on lake and ponds on Porter Creek
· observed solids released at top culvert during flushing period
· another survey of War Eagle pit at dump and info from Water Resources
· results observations on ice volume, stream flows and seasonal lake levels
Community interest or concern Many of the studies related to Porter Creek were initiated at the request of the Porter Creek Community Assn. The initial request was to examine topics related to water levels in Hidden Lake and water quality in Porter Creek. Following the class studies, ES 11 became involved in questions related to overflow on Versluice Meadows, ground water levels in the meadows, algal growth on Hidden Lake and rising water levels in the lake. The ES class has taken part in two water board hearing at the request of the community Assn.
Duration of study and numbers involved. Porter Creek and Hidden lake studies began in 1994 and are still underway. The initial studies have grown based on the results of initial studies.
Protocols followed and resources. The range of studies on Porter Creek have been following standard methods. Appearances before the Water Board have resulted in selecting metering systems that give high resolution information from observations. As part of the process we have developed and calibrated a flow meter comprised of a model boat propeller, a bike odometer and an aluminum T shaft.
Contact person and more detailed information Bob Sharp, Alain Dalaire, Kevin O’Connor and Bob Truelson have been involved on an ongoing basis. Sharp have been involved throughout the studies since 1994.
Porter Creek Water Board Interventions:
Overview description: (Related to the Porter Creek studies) Porter Creek has undergone considerable stress for a small aquatic system. Periodic diversion of the lower system, infusion of nutrients and antibiotics from the fish farm, infusion of salts and pollutants from both the Alaska Highway and the dump area, solid wastes deposited in the creek, , and have all placed stresses on the aquatic system. The creek begins with a spring (Icy Waters Char farm is located adjacent to the spring) flows approximately 4 km past the city dump to the Alaska Highway where the dump road begins. The creek flows down Rabbits Foot Canyon, under the Alaska highway, past the Super A store and along Versluice Meadows. The route of the creek has been redirected so that it flows around the edge of the Meadow, Under Holly street and into Hidden lake which exfiltrates into the Yukon River.
Experiential Science classes have been studying the water quality of Porter Creek since 1991. Over that time period we have seen an algal bloom on Hidden Lake and a far more extensive growth of algae on the creek bed. There has been an increase in turbidity and the creek water has gone from clear to brown. Our class continues to conduct standard tests on DO, Nitrates, Phosphates, pH, dissolved solids and turbidity. We also continue to conduct bethic sampling using a Schuber swift water sampling protocol. We have been observing qualitative changes in the system's water quality and we are now undertaking a variety of quantitative measures to establish base line information. Our long term goal is to obtain periodic water samples from the spring that feeds Porter Creek as a baseline for water quality. We have recognized that the sampling tools we have been using to measure DO, Nitrates, Phosphates, pH, and dissolved solids (Hacch kits) do not offer the resolution needed to make compelling arguments regarding water quality. The information we have been able to collect with confidence related to the extend to the algae bloom on Hidden Lake.
Duration of study and numbers involved. Studies on Porter Creek and Hidden Lake began in 1991 and are ongoing through 2013. The studies have involved to Porter Creek Community Association and people who live around Versluice Meadows.
Contact person and more detailed information Bob Sharp and the Porter Creek Community Assn have been the contacts for these two interventions. The reasons for decision were given for the first but not the second intervention.