Students can assess the ecological health of their local stream with a few simple experiments. See also the Stream Health Assessment Worksheet. This worksheet can also be downloaded as a Word file (50K)

They include:

• Measurement of water flow
• Determination of water clarity
• Assessment of riparian vegetation and shade
• Assessment of instream vegetation and bed of stream
• Assessment of the invertebrate life of the stream

1. right click (click on the right mouse button)
2. from the menu options:
   • Netscape: select "Open frame in new window" and print this page in the normal way (either click the printer icon or go to File and select Print)
   • Internet Explorer: select "Print" - by default the frame in which the cursor has been clicked will be printed.

These investigations are based on the methodology in the Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit (SHMAK) developed by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA), Federated Farmers and the Ministry for the Environment.

If you don't have the stream animal identification plaques called 'Stream Life' in your school, then another resource for invertebrate identification you might find useful is A Photographic Guide to the Freshwater Invertebrates of New Zealand.

The Water Services Unit is also interested in keeping a record of the results in order to assist the Council in monitoring the health of the city's waterways. Your results will assist in this monitoring process and can either be faxed to the Council on (03) 371-1384 or posted to the Christchurch City Council, P O Box 237, Christchurch 1.

Health and Safety Considerations

Therefore:

• Dress for the situation
• Select sites that have safe and easy access
• Avoid wide deep and fast flowing waterways
• If you suspect the waterway is polluted, use protective waders and gloves

Stream Health Assessment Worksheet.

Christchurch City Council PO Box 237, Christchurch, New Zealand Ph +64 3 371-1270, Fax +64 3 371-1384 Email

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