Deering High School Students Study Health of Capisic Brook

Student holding a macroinvertebrate.

On a beautiful day in late October, Deering High School students walked to Capisic Brook to study the water quality of the local stream. Along the way they observed several ways that humans impact the fragile watershed. Once at the stream, they put on their waders and these young scientists walked up and down the stream collecting a variety of aquatic macroinvertebrates (insects, worms, snails, clams, and other animals without backbones that can be seen with our eyes that live in the water). Some aquatic macroinvertebrates are more sensitive to water pollutants and poor water quality than others, so if sensitive aquatic macroinvertebrates are found in Capisic Brook, that’s an indication the water quality is healthy.

In addition to collecting macroinvertebrates, the students measured the health of Capisic Brook using water quality testing kits. The classes measured the amount of dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrogen, and conductivity. Based on their quantitative data and qualitative observations, the students determined that Capisic Brook had good water chemistry to support the sensitive aquatic macroinvertebrates they found in the stream.