SEDIMENT INVESTIGATIONS
Sediment, although naturally present in water, can negatively affect organisms in high concentrations. Human activities, such as construction and land development, clearcut logging, and other catchment disturbances can lead to increased erosion, and thereby increase suspended sediment levels. ERA monitors sediment in local sediment levels to understand natural and anthropogenic causes of sediment increase.
Coal Creek Sedimentation Investigation
A pilot project to investigate sedimentation on Coal Creek was launched in 2020. This included installation of a level logger, volume measurements to determine water level to discharge and water sampling. A dedicated team of volunteers collected over 650 water samples from April to October to produce a dataset detailing the levels of sediment in Coal Creek.
The project will continue in 2021 to collect further data and produce a sediment monitoring protocol for other community groups. This will allow groups to produce tangible evidence of the effect of land use practices such as clear-cut logging, road development and clearing.
- Preliminary sampling and data collection
- Covid-19 delays
- Project extended through to 2022
INFOGRAPHIC
PROJECT FUNDING
