Courses

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EES 21/31 : Saucon Creek Watershed

Saucon Creek is located in the Lehigh River Watershed and is 71 Kilometers Squared. Watersheds are terrestrial features of landscapes that contribute water to a lake or stream. Water generally travels down slope in response to gravity although pressurized springs sometimes push water in the opposite direction. Watersheds are usually defined by the surface elevation of the land over which water would flow into the receiving water body. River watersheds typically consist of a collection of sub-watersheds for tributary streams.

Along the length of a stream there will be changes to the aquatic environment because of watershed and stream processes. Natural materials are brought into the stream by tributaries and groundwater. These natural materials include: suspended particulate matter, dissolved minerals and nutrients and organic matter. Pollutants are added by discharge from pipes (called "point sources" in the environmental jargon) and from runoff of land surfaces such as farmlands, lawns, roads, and parking lots (called "non point sources" in the environmental jargon).

The students will engage in gathering data to assess the health and possible problem areas in our own watershed, and introduce them to real-world applications for their newly gained environmental expertise.

Fall 2000

Saucon Creek Land Use : GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Coverage

Saucon Creek Geology : GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Coverage

Watersheds and Longitudinal Studies of Streams and Rivers

Field Sampling Form (PDF)

Lab and Followup Analysis Form (PDF)

Scanned Information

How to Write a Scientific Report

Final Product: Data Sheet

Pictures from Fall 2000 Field Work

Spring 2002

Lehigh River and Tributary Survey Spread Sheet