The Rocky RiverPresented by:

Julia: Marietta AreaLiz: Bowling Green

Sophia: Athens

How healthy is the Rocky River Watershed?

Background InformationRuns through Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, &

Summit Counties Located in Northeastern quadrant, near

ClevelandSeven Major Tributaries: Plum, Blodgett, Baldwin, Abram, Baker, Mallet, & HealeyDrains into Lake Erie

Sophia’s HypothesisWhen the QHEI (habitat quality) escalates, the

IBI (fish diversity) will escalate with it.

This darter is from Big Darby Creek, where we went this week.

QHEI vs. IBI

Key

IBI

Scor

e

Location

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10.0

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40.0

50.0

60.0

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30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

AvIBIAvQHEI

QH

EI Score

Liz’s HypothesisAs ammonia levels increase in the Rocky

River Watershed, the IBI, which is fish diversity, will decrease.

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12.0

22.0

32.0

42.0

52.0

62.0

72.0

0.00

5.00

10.00

15.00

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25.00

30.00

35.00

40.00

45.00

AvIBIMx_Ammo-nia-Total

Max Am-monia To-tal

Am

monia

(ppm

)Ammonia vs. IBI Levels

IBI

Scor

e

Location

Julia’s Hypothesis My hypothesis was that as the COD –

organic chemicals and metals – increased, the IBI – fish diversity – decreased.

COD vs. IBI

IBI

Scor

e

Location

CO

D

(ppm)

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

0.0

100.0

200.0

300.0

400.0

500.0

600.0

700.0

800.0

900.0

1000.0

AvIBIMx_COD

How can YOU help?Be cautious of what you use when you deice! Some

salts will run into the river as ammonia. Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol are eco-friendly choices.

When you paint around your house or wash your car, be careful not to dump it into the storm drains.

Restore the riparian zones so they can keep the pollutants under control.These practices will keep the environment balanced

with the economy.

How healthy is the Rocky River Watershed?

Thank You!Thank you to all the people who helped make our project possible:

Steve GordonPaula Williams

Tori CookAll other YWSI teachers and

chaperones