Kids in the Creek passed another milestone in 2002. Due to budget cuts and changing work priorities, TVA withdrew its support for the program. TVA has historically provided the wildlife biologists and required sampling permits for the fish and benthic (bottom dwelling critters) stations. The future of the program was at risk. Thanks to good leads from Dave Dudek and TVA’s staff, we were able to locate the instructors necessary for the fish and benthic stations. The 2002 KIC program was presented to approximately 650 Haywood County eighth graders, teachers and parent chaperones over four days during the week of October 7, 2002. 

The program has been expanded to three separate events: an introduction and program overview, a half-day field trip to the Pigeon River and a follow-up classroom exercise to complete an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) using the data collected during the field trip. 

The first event includes a classroom discussion about the food chain, what constitutes a healthy stream and the water quality indicators we will be investigating. We discuss the stream bottom, riparian vegetation, diverse habitats in the river (riffles, runs and pools) and the diversity of fish and benthic critters we hope to find. We also discuss how the aquatic life present in a stream tells us something about water quality. 

The most exciting event is the field trip to the Pigeon River. Here the students enjoy hands-on learning as they rotate through the four stations: fish, benthic, water chemistry and a watershed model called the Enviroscape. The four stations are taught by highly trained professionals. Wildlife biologists conduct the fish and benthic stations.  This year the fish and benthic instructors included staff provided by Fish & Wildlife Associates of Whittier, NC and Julie Tindell, a retired TVA benthic specialist. Derric Brown and Melanie Gardner of Blue Ridge Paper Products and Skip Thompson from NC Cooperative Extension Service conducted the water chemistry station. Gail Heathman with the Haywood Soil & Water Conservation District led the Enviroscape presentation. These instructors do an outstanding job of teaching and the students have fun learning.

This year we added a third event, calculating an Index of Biotic Integrity. This is a follow-up classroom exercise to evaluate water quality by doing a fish community assessment. The IBI is one method of assessing water quality. Twelve metrics are used to calculate the final score.  Some of the data evaluated include: fish numbers, their tolerance of pollution, diversity of species, feeding habits and the presence of diseased fish. Students used their class data to calculate an IBI and then did a second IBI using the data collected by all seven groups that week. By comparing the IBI calculated using data from one class to the IBI using the data from a full week, students also learn how sampling techniques and the quality of the data used can affect the final rating.  This is an important lesson for young scientists to learn. We conclude the session with a brief discussion of the types of non-point pollution found in the river and some possible sources. 

In addition to developing an appreciation for our water resources and the aquatic life they sustain, students also use skills they will need for the end of grade test. Expanding KIC to include calculating an IBI gives students an opportunity to interpret data and develop important analytical skills. 

Kids in the Creek is a hands-on, learning experience that students will remember for years to come. HWA and others invest a lot of time and money to ensure its success. Canton allows us to use their park and provides rescue personnel to ensure everyone’s safety. The commitment of our instructors, Haywood County Schools and funding provided by the Great Smoky Mountain Trout Festival and the Pigeon River Fund make this program possible. Thank you all!