Spawn Creek - Beaver Pond Water Quality data

Beavers alter stream environments by impounding flow and flooding the landscape. This project aims to test whether beaver dams alter the stream biogeochemistry and productivity. Specifically, we hypothesize that dam will be warmer, have greater productivity (measured by chlorophyll proxy), and higher DOC, turbidity, and nutrient concentrations than downstream areas. Field methods include water, periphyton and sediment sampling in paired beaver ponds and stream areas immediately downstream of the dam. Additional sites include one below all dams and one above all dams. We analyzed Spawn Creek which has current beaver activity.