South-Central Section - 57th Annual Meeting - 2023

Paper No. 7-2
Presentation Time: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

AN INTERDISCIPLINARY EVALUATION OF RAIDER CREEK: URBAN RUNOFF IMPACTS ON WATER QUALITY


MORENO-WARD, April1, RATCLIFF, Daniel1, KELLER, Rose1, TRUSSELL, Frost2 and ROYKA, Zakary1, (1)Rose State College, 6420 SE 15th St, Midwest City, OK 73110, (2)30705 Waco rd, Mcloud, OK 74851

Students from Rose State College, Midwest City, OK, conducted an interdisciplinary study on a small creek running approximately 1.15 miles from east to west across a portion of campus before connecting with Crutcho Creek(CC). This drainage stream, referred to as Raider Creek, is a small solution to flood prevention providing stormwater a direct path into Crutcho Creek. The CC drainage area is approximately 4.8 square miles. Due to urban compaction, infiltration rates have decreased substantially while simultaneously increasing storm runoff.

As runoff increases, so does the contamination of stream systems. Students evaluated porosity/permeability in the surrounding soil and subsequent water quality. Bioassessments were conducted several times identifying which species were able to adapt to and thrive in streams impacted by urban development.

This was an overview for students with a variety of academic backgrounds in order to increase awareness and interest in water quality issues.