Case Study 1: Lower Wheeling Creek

Make a list of all of the things that could have caused changes with stream water quality. Which of these could change the water quality in lower Wheeling Creek?

• Urbanization
• Climatic changes
• Drainage basin
• Stormwater runoff
• Chemical toxins from industrious wastes
• Streambed sediment
• Fertilizer runoff

     The changes that would most likely be causes of this stream would probably either be influence from its drainage basin, chemical toxins from runoff or its own sediment. The stream has characteristics that may allude to how the stream became the way it is. Its physical characteristics include velocity, rock size, forest canopy and depth. It'd make sense that as the stream nears the Ohio River, these characteristics vary and begin to change. It is also the same case for that of the stream's chemical characteristics that include its pH, conductivity, hardness and oxygen. These as well change as the stream nears the Ohio River.


A second-order stream joins a fourth-order stream. Does the fourth-order stream double in size with the addition of a second-order stream?

      A fourth-order stream does not double in size with the addition of a second-order stream. In order for this to occur, a fourth-order stream would have to join two separate second-order streams or a third-order stream. Simply the addition of a second-order stream to a fourth-order stream does not double its size.

A third-order stream. How does the stream's width and forest canopy compare with those of the first-order stream and the sixth-order stream?

     A third-order stream's width and forest canopy greatly compare with those of the first-order stream and the sixth-order stream. The first-order stream is very small in width and has the greatest forest canopy surrounding it on either side. A sixth-order stream has a rather larger width than both the first- and third-order streams, and also with lesser forest canopy due to its width.

Aerial view of a third-order stream entering a fourth-order stream. Does stream order change when this tributary enters the larger stream?


     Stream order does not change when this tributary enters the larger stream. A tributary stream is a smaller stream that joins the main stream at different angles and such. They usually bring sediment or waste from sources of higher elevations, yet do not have any effect on the stream order.

Wheeling Creek nearing the Ohio River. How does this stream differ from those above?


     This stream differs from any stream above because of its order. It is a larger order than any other listed above. One could easily observe this by considering the width of the stream and its forest canopy. Because it is a larger stream with a wider width, it is different than the others with lesser forest canopy and more open space.