LITTLE PIGEON CREEK WATERSHED
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Neal Schroeder joined the team in January 2024 as the Watershed Coordinator for the Little Pigeon Creek. Neal comes to us with an educational background in geography, hydrology, meteorology, climatology, and construction. Neal has worked in the environmental field for IDEM, IGS, and a private firm before and has ran his own construction company. Neal will be busy sampling the Little Pigeon to test for water quality and designing a management plan. We are excited to have Neal working with us.
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The Little Pigeon Creek Watershed extends into Dubois & Pike counties in the north. The eastern portion lies in Spencer county to the east, while the majority of the watershed is within the Warrick county area. Issues within the watershed? A study of the Little Pigeon- watershed identified dissolved oxygen, nitrates, E-coli, sediment loading & phosphorus. What are doing in the watershed? We will begin water quality sampling in the spring to determine the state of the water within the watershed. Also, we will conduct vegetation, soil and macroinvertebrates in the study. What can you do? Get involved. We are currently planning on having a meeting to discuss issues within the watershed. Do you live in the watershed? Would you like to be involved somehow? Look here for an announcement for the meeting date & time. |
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Want to learn more about the work we are doing in the Little Pigeon Creek Watershed? Watch this video from our zoom series Green Bites to hear Neal Schroder, our Watershed Coordinator, tell you all about it! |
Top: Mississippi River Watershed
Right: Watersheds on Indiana within the Mississippi River Watershed |
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What is a watershed?
A watershed is a land area that collects and channels all the rainwater and streams to a common outlet, such as the outflow of a reservoir, the mouth of a bay, or any point along a stream. Our local watershed is a small part of the expansive Mississippi River Watershed, and we are situated within the Ohio River Water. |
Did you know?
Our watershed, Little Pigeon Creek, is comprised of 2 watersheds; the Otter Creek (West) and the Barren Fork (East). Combined the 2 watersheds are over 350 square miles.
Our watershed, Little Pigeon Creek, is comprised of 2 watersheds; the Otter Creek (West) and the Barren Fork (East). Combined the 2 watersheds are over 350 square miles.
What tests do we run?
Water quality is determined by a variety of factors. However, due to time and resource constraints, we only monitor a fraction of the possible parameters. The three categories that we focus on are habitat, chemical, and biological. Within those categories we test for water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate, nitrite, orthophosphate, total phosphate, turbidity, and E. coli bacteria. We also measure flow, stream depth/width, and we track macroinvertebrates.
Why?
Temperature:
Testing water temperature is crucial for assessing overall water quality, as it directly impacts dissolved oxygen levels, photosynthesis rates, and the metabolic efficiency of aquatic organisms. Colder water typically holds more dissolved oxygen, supporting greater biodiversity among macroinvertebrates, while warmer water can lead to lower oxygen levels that weaken fish and aquatic insects. Additionally, temperature influences the rate of photosynthesis in algae and aquatic plants, which can result in fluctuations in oxygen production and consumption. Aquatic organisms thrive within specific temperature ranges, and deviations can lead to mortality. Factors such as loss of tree shade, runoff, and thermal pollution can artificially raise water temperatures, disrupting the balance of aquatic ecosystems.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO):
Testing for dissolved oxygen (DO) in water is essential for assessing aquatic health, as oxygen is vital for the survival of most aquatic plants and animals. The concentration of DO indicates the water's ability to support life; levels below 3 ppm can be stressful for organisms, and below 2 ppm often cannot sustain fish. DO levels fluctuate based on various factors, including temperature, which affects how much oxygen water can hold, as well as plant growth and the presence of decaying organic material. Monitoring DO levels helps identify potential pollution issues and the overall well-being of aquatic ecosystems.
pH:
Testing pH in water is essential for assessing water quality and protecting aquatic life, as most organisms thrive in a pH range of 6.5 to 8.2. Aquatic organisms are sensitive to pH changes; while adults may survive, their young often cannot. Factors like temperature, algal blooms, and runoff can significantly affect pH, potentially increasing toxicity from heavy metals in more acidic conditions.
Orthophosphate:
Testing for phosphates in water is crucial for managing water quality and preventing ecological issues like algal blooms and eutrophication. While phosphorous is a natural and essential nutrient for plant and animal life, excessive levels can lead to rapid plant and algal growth, which depletes dissolved oxygen in the water and can result in hypoxia, causing fish kills. Orthophosphates, a readily available form of phosphorous, serve as key indicators of the potential for algal blooms. Since phosphorous does not have a gaseous phase and remains in aquatic systems, monitoring phosphate levels help identify nutrient overloads and informs strategies for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems.
Nitrate/Nitrite:
Nitrates and nitrites are forms of nitrogen found in water, essential for plant growth but problematic in excess. Nitrogen enters water through human and animal waste, decomposing organic matter, and fertilizer runoff from agriculture and lawns. While nitrates are vital nutrients that promote plant growth, they can lead to increased algal blooms and eutrophication, particularly when combined with phosphorous. This nutrient overload contributes to hypoxia, especially in saltwater environments. Common sources of nitrogen pollution include manure from treatment lagoons, over-fertilized fields, and sewage.
Turbidity:
Testing for turbidity is essential for evaluating water quality and ecosystem health, as it measures the clarity of water affected by suspended particles such as clay, silt, organic matter, and algae. High turbidity can limit light penetration, restricting photosynthesis and harming aquatic plants and organisms. Additionally, turbid water can absorb more heat from sunlight, leading to increased temperatures and decreased dissolved oxygen levels, which can be detrimental to fish and invertebrates. Common causes of turbidity include soil erosion, runoff from agricultural and urban areas, and algal blooms.
E. Coli Bacteria:
Testing for E. coli in water is crucial for assessing fecal contamination and the potential presence of harmful pathogens that can pose health risks to humans. E. coli, a type of fecal coliform bacteria, serves as an indicator of overall water quality; elevated levels suggest contamination from sources such as human waste, livestock runoff, and pet waste. The U.S. EPA has established that E. coli counts above 235 colonies per 100 mL indicate a significant risk of illness for individuals coming into contact with the water. While not all E. coli strains are pathogenic, their presence often correlates with other dangerous microorganisms.
Macroinvertebrates:
Testing for macros is essential for monitoring stream health and assessing the impact of pollution on aquatic ecosystems. These organisms, which include various aquatic insects and mollusks, play a critical role in the food web by feeding on algae and organic matter, thus contributing to nutrient cycling. Their presence and diversity serve as indicators of water quality; pollution-sensitive species, such as mayflies and stoneflies, decline in polluted environments, while pollution-tolerant species, like midges, may thrive. By analyzing the diversity and density of macroinvertebrates populations, scientists can gauge the ecological integrity of a stream over time.
Water quality is determined by a variety of factors. However, due to time and resource constraints, we only monitor a fraction of the possible parameters. The three categories that we focus on are habitat, chemical, and biological. Within those categories we test for water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate, nitrite, orthophosphate, total phosphate, turbidity, and E. coli bacteria. We also measure flow, stream depth/width, and we track macroinvertebrates.
Why?
Temperature:
Testing water temperature is crucial for assessing overall water quality, as it directly impacts dissolved oxygen levels, photosynthesis rates, and the metabolic efficiency of aquatic organisms. Colder water typically holds more dissolved oxygen, supporting greater biodiversity among macroinvertebrates, while warmer water can lead to lower oxygen levels that weaken fish and aquatic insects. Additionally, temperature influences the rate of photosynthesis in algae and aquatic plants, which can result in fluctuations in oxygen production and consumption. Aquatic organisms thrive within specific temperature ranges, and deviations can lead to mortality. Factors such as loss of tree shade, runoff, and thermal pollution can artificially raise water temperatures, disrupting the balance of aquatic ecosystems.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO):
Testing for dissolved oxygen (DO) in water is essential for assessing aquatic health, as oxygen is vital for the survival of most aquatic plants and animals. The concentration of DO indicates the water's ability to support life; levels below 3 ppm can be stressful for organisms, and below 2 ppm often cannot sustain fish. DO levels fluctuate based on various factors, including temperature, which affects how much oxygen water can hold, as well as plant growth and the presence of decaying organic material. Monitoring DO levels helps identify potential pollution issues and the overall well-being of aquatic ecosystems.
pH:
Testing pH in water is essential for assessing water quality and protecting aquatic life, as most organisms thrive in a pH range of 6.5 to 8.2. Aquatic organisms are sensitive to pH changes; while adults may survive, their young often cannot. Factors like temperature, algal blooms, and runoff can significantly affect pH, potentially increasing toxicity from heavy metals in more acidic conditions.
Orthophosphate:
Testing for phosphates in water is crucial for managing water quality and preventing ecological issues like algal blooms and eutrophication. While phosphorous is a natural and essential nutrient for plant and animal life, excessive levels can lead to rapid plant and algal growth, which depletes dissolved oxygen in the water and can result in hypoxia, causing fish kills. Orthophosphates, a readily available form of phosphorous, serve as key indicators of the potential for algal blooms. Since phosphorous does not have a gaseous phase and remains in aquatic systems, monitoring phosphate levels help identify nutrient overloads and informs strategies for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems.
Nitrate/Nitrite:
Nitrates and nitrites are forms of nitrogen found in water, essential for plant growth but problematic in excess. Nitrogen enters water through human and animal waste, decomposing organic matter, and fertilizer runoff from agriculture and lawns. While nitrates are vital nutrients that promote plant growth, they can lead to increased algal blooms and eutrophication, particularly when combined with phosphorous. This nutrient overload contributes to hypoxia, especially in saltwater environments. Common sources of nitrogen pollution include manure from treatment lagoons, over-fertilized fields, and sewage.
Turbidity:
Testing for turbidity is essential for evaluating water quality and ecosystem health, as it measures the clarity of water affected by suspended particles such as clay, silt, organic matter, and algae. High turbidity can limit light penetration, restricting photosynthesis and harming aquatic plants and organisms. Additionally, turbid water can absorb more heat from sunlight, leading to increased temperatures and decreased dissolved oxygen levels, which can be detrimental to fish and invertebrates. Common causes of turbidity include soil erosion, runoff from agricultural and urban areas, and algal blooms.
E. Coli Bacteria:
Testing for E. coli in water is crucial for assessing fecal contamination and the potential presence of harmful pathogens that can pose health risks to humans. E. coli, a type of fecal coliform bacteria, serves as an indicator of overall water quality; elevated levels suggest contamination from sources such as human waste, livestock runoff, and pet waste. The U.S. EPA has established that E. coli counts above 235 colonies per 100 mL indicate a significant risk of illness for individuals coming into contact with the water. While not all E. coli strains are pathogenic, their presence often correlates with other dangerous microorganisms.
Macroinvertebrates:
Testing for macros is essential for monitoring stream health and assessing the impact of pollution on aquatic ecosystems. These organisms, which include various aquatic insects and mollusks, play a critical role in the food web by feeding on algae and organic matter, thus contributing to nutrient cycling. Their presence and diversity serve as indicators of water quality; pollution-sensitive species, such as mayflies and stoneflies, decline in polluted environments, while pollution-tolerant species, like midges, may thrive. By analyzing the diversity and density of macroinvertebrates populations, scientists can gauge the ecological integrity of a stream over time.
Pokeberry Creek erosion & log jam from March rains.
Our watershed simulator
Otter Creek flooding on Shelton Road April 4, 2025
Want to check out our data?
Go to www.hoosierriverwatch.com/search/
Select 'more search criteria'
Enter a site ID Number (3014-3027 for Little Pigeon)
Select 'map' to view the location of the site
'Select test' to view a graph of that specific test
Enjoy! Questions? Call Neal Schroeder 812-459-8443
Go to www.hoosierriverwatch.com/search/
Select 'more search criteria'
Enter a site ID Number (3014-3027 for Little Pigeon)
Select 'map' to view the location of the site
'Select test' to view a graph of that specific test
Enjoy! Questions? Call Neal Schroeder 812-459-8443