This summer, Summit Prep students had the opportunity to participate in real time research during their River Ecology class. They delineated the Flathead River Watershed and then proceeded to collect data for the chemical, physical and biological parameters of two of its tributaries, Ashley Creek and Spring Creek. Both streams were relatively healthy except for one factor, Fecal Coliform (FC), which is a bacteria found in warm-blooded animals' wastes. The students then investigated Summit’s septic system to determine the possible cause of the high FC count. Unfortunately, the block ended before they were able to collect enough data to formulate a definitive conclusion.
The good news is that Summit was able to obtain a grant from the Flathead Conservation District to buy computer software and probes to collect water quality data such as dissolved Oxygen, pH, temperature, phosphates, nitrates, flow rate, etc. The technology records Geographical coordinates at the same time as the other data is collected. In addition, a free GIS mapping software program was obtained via GIS 4MT and ArcGIS. So the students will be able to map their data at specific points in the watershed helping to locate point and nonpoint source pollution.
About Summit Preparatory School
Summit Preparatory School is an accredited private, non-profit, co-ed therapeutic boarding school located on 520 acres near Kalispell, MT. Summit integrates professional therapy and college prep academics within a nurturing and dynamic community that energizes and challenges adolescents to succeed and transform their lives. Grounded in the concepts of the Summit Model, the program focuses on promoting the development of healthy psychological and social skills. The campus is close to Glacier International Airport (FCA) and less that an hour from Glacier National Park.