The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of damming on water quality conditions for salmon in the Yakima River.
I became interested in this
idea because the effect of damming on salmon is an important issue today. Also,
I went on a field trip to Rosa Dam last year.
The information gained from
this experiment could benefit fishermen, because they will know where to fish
for salmon, and it will benefit environmentalists, dam builders and the general
public.
My hypothesis was that there would be more dissolved oxygen in the fast-moving water before it is stopped by the dam.
I based my hypothesis on a quote from the Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring that stated, “Waves on lakes and slow-moving rivers, and tumbling water on fast-moving rivers act to mix atmospheric oxygen with water.” The water stopped by the dam is moving slower than the water before it is stopped by the dam, so there would be more dissolved oxygen in the water before it is stopped by the dam.
My second hypothesis was that the water would be colder below the dam than above.
I based this hypothesis on the Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring that said dissolved oxygen and temperature are related. Colder water has more dissolved oxygen. I thought that the fast-moving water would have more dissolved oxygen, so I also thought that it would be colder.
The constants in this study were:
- The river being tested
- The dam
- Testing method
- Time tested
- Frequency of testing
- Depth of water
- Distance from shore
- Testing equipment
The manipulated
variable was the location of testing: Roza Recreation Site (slowed water) and
Big Pines Recreation Site (fast-moving.)
The responding variables were the dissolved oxygen and temperature of the water.
To measure the responding variable I used a thermometer and a dissolved oxygen test kit.
MATERIALS
QUANTITY
|
ITEM DESCRIPTION
|
1
|
Dissolved
Oxygen Bottle
|
8
|
Dissolved
Oxygen 1 Powder Pillows
|
8
|
Dissolved
Oxygen 2 Powder Pillows
|
8
|
Dissolved
Oxygen 3 Powder Pillows
|
1
|
Thermometer
|
1
|
Square Mixing
Bottle
|
1
|
Plastic Tube
|
I. Select Test Sites
II. Temperature Test
1. Hold the
thermometer underwater for 2-3 minutes
2. Remove and record the reading.
3. Repeat steps
1-2 three more times.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 at other test site.
III. Dissolved
Oxygen Test
1. Hold
dissolved oxygen bottle under water for 2-3 minutes.
2. Remove from the water and insert the stopper.
3. Remove the stopper and add one Dissolved Oxygen 1 Reagent Powder Pillow and one Dissolved Oxygen 2 Reagent Powder Pillow.
4. Shake vigorously. Brownish-orange precipitate (floc) will form if oxygen is present.
5. Wait for floc to settle to about half of the bottle.
6. Shake the bottle again and wait for the same results.
7. Add one Dissolved Oxygen 3 Reagent Powder Pillow and shake. The sample should turn yellow.
8. Fill plastic
tube with the sample.
9. Pour the contents of the tube into the square-mixing bottle.
10. Add Sodium Thiosulfate Standard Solution one drop at a time until sample is colorless. Swirl after each drop.
11. The total number of drops used equals the mg/L Dissolved Oxygen.
12. Clean all bottles and tubes.
13. Repeat steps 1-12 three more times.
14. Repeat steps 1-13 at other test site.
The original purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of damming on water quality conditions for salmon in the Yakima River.
The results of the experiment were that, in the temperature test, the temperature was the same in both locations, at an average of 3.3∞ C. For the dissolved oxygen test, there were slightly higher dissolved oxygen levels in the fast-moving water before it is stopped by Roza Dam. The average dissolved oxygen level in the slow-moving water was 34.75 mg/L and the average dissolved oxygen level in the fast-moving water was 45.75 mg/L.
My first hypothesis was that there would be more dissolved oxygen in the fast-moving water before it is stopped by the dam.
The results of this experiment indicate that my first hypothesis should be accepted because there was, on average, 11 mg/L more dissolved oxygen in the fast-moving water before it is stopped by the dam.
My second hypothesis was that the water would be colder below the dam than above.
The results of this experiment indicate that my second hypothesis
should be rejected because the temperature was the same at both locations, at
3.3∞ C.
Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if a larger dam would have a bigger impact and, also I wonder if dams affect other water quality conditions.
Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if a larger dam would have a bigger impact and, also I wonder if dams affect other water quality conditions.
If I were to conduct this project again, I would do it in the summer so there would be a bigger flow rate difference between the two locations and I would do many more tests over a longer period of time.
Researched
by - Michelle M.
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