My Summer with the UTRCA
As a summer student in the 糖心直播’s (UTRCA) Integrated Watershed Management Unit, I have been able to take part in several ongoing projects.
Primarily, I collected water samples from reservoirs, streams, and rivers across the watershed for laboratory analysis under the Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network program. This sampling provides valuable information regarding public and environmental health, early detection of ecological issues, and ensuring regulatory compliance. On a personal note, field sampling provided me with an opportunity to enhance my skill set by learning how to use pieces of field equipment such as sondes and flow meters. Other monitoring programs such as the Dingman Creek subwatershed monitoring project, a year-round collaboration between the city of London and UTRCA, were also performed throughout the summer. This monitoring helps us understand the impacts of nearby development on the health of aquatic ecosystems in areas of interest to both proponents.
This summer, I also assisted with biological surveys of local rivers. From mussel surveys to electrofishing, species analysis provides important data on the status of these populations, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas. Finding Spike mussel shells and Longnose Gars during these surveys was definitely a highlight for me! Furthermore, site visits to UTRCA and partner properties helped me gain a thorough understanding of best management practices in a variety of ecological niches.
When in the office, I entered and analyzed data obtained from the field. Reynolds Creek was one of my specific areas of focus. Using data collected by continuous sensors within the creek, I was able to analyze the effectiveness of routine monitoring at capturing significant ecological events. Through this study, I found that the timing of our monthly sampling in Reynolds Creek aligned with flow events about 30% of the time with most flow events occurring in the spring. Similarly, the water鈥檚 conductivity demonstrated a pattern of increasing during the summer months. Overall, this analysis generated feedback on potential approaches to monitoring that may increase efficiency and effectiveness of the data harvested.
The position of Stewardship Field Assistant with the UTRCA has given me valuable experience with scientific equipment and species identification as well as transferrable skills which have prepared me for future studies and field work as I begin my graduate studies in Environmental & Life Sciences this fall.
Marissa Ingratta
Stewardship Field Assisant