LIVINGLIVING WATERWATER Eno River State Park An Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for the Middle Grades “Without life, there would still be water. Without water no life.” - David Quammen, Natural Acts, A Sidelong View of Science and Nature Eno River State Park i May 2000 Funding for the original printing of this publication was contributed by Eno River State Park ii May 2000 This Environmental Education Learning Experience was developed by Scott Hartley and Martha Woods Former Rangers at Eno River State Park N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation Department of Environment and Natural Resources James B. Hunt, Jr. Bill Holman. Governor Secretary Eno River State Park iii May 2000 Other Contributors . Park volunteers; Association for the Preservation of the Eno River Valley, Inc.; Riffle and Pool Naturalists; The N.C. Department of Public Instruction; The N.C. Division of Water Resources; The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and the many individuals and agencies who assisted in the review of this publication. 500 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $3,430 or $6.86 per copy Printed on recycled paper. 5-00 Eno River State Park iv May 2000 Table of Contents 1. Introduction • Introduction to the North Carolina State Parks System............................................ 1.1 • Introduction to Eno River State Park ....................................................................... 1.2 • Introduction to the Activity Packet for Eno River State Park................................... 1.3 2. Activity Summary ..................................................................................................... 2.1 • Correlation Chart ...................................................................................................... 2.2 3. Pre-Visit Activities • #1 Map Trivia ............................................................................................................ 3.1 • #2 The Key to Water Quality .................................................................................... 3.2 4. On-Site Activities • #1 Go With The Flow................................................................................................ 4.1 • #2 Mind Your p’s and H’s ......................................................................................... 4.2 • #3 Sediment: The “S” Word ..................................................................................... 4.3 • #4 Water Bugs ........................................................................................................... 4.4 5. Post-Visit Activities • #1 Fragile Waters ...................................................................................................... 5.1 • #2 Troubled Waters ................................................................................................... 5.2 6. Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 6.1 7. References .................................................................................................................. 7.1 8. Forms ......................................................................................................................... 8.1 9. Notes ........................................................................................................................... 9.1 Eno River State Park v May 2000 Introduction to the North Carolina State Parks System reserving and protecting started out as one small plot As one of North Caroli- PNorth Carolina’s natural of public land has grown na’s principal conservation resources is actually a rela- into 61 properties across the agencies, the Division of tively new idea. The seeds state, including parks, recre- Parks and Recreation is of the conservation move- ation areas, trails, rivers, responsible for the more than ment were planted early in lakes and natural areas. This 167,000 acres that make up the 20th century when vast network of land boasts our state parks system. The citizens were alerted to the some of the most beautiful Division manages these devastation of Mount Mitch- resources for the safe enjoy- ell. Logging was destroying ment of the public, and a well-known landmark - protects and preserves them the highest peak east of as a part of the heritage we the Mississippi. As will pass on to generations to the magnificent for- come. ests of this mile-high peak fell to the lum- An important component bermen's axe, alarmed of our stewardship of these citizens began to voice lands is education. Through their opposition. Gov- our interpretation and envi- ernor Locke Craig joined ronmental education ser- them in their efforts to save scenery in the world and vices, the Division of Parks Mount Mitchell. Together offers endless recreation and Recreation strives to they convinced the legisla- opportunities. But our state offer enlightening programs ture to pass a bill establish- parks system offers much that lead to an understanding ing Mount Mitchell as the more than scenery and and appreciation of our first state park. recreation. Our lands and natural resources. The goal waters contain unique and of our environmental educa- That was in 1915. The valuable archaeological, tion program is to generate North Carolina State Parks geological and biological an awareness in all individu- System has now been estab- resources that are an impor- als which cultivates respon- lished for more than three- tant part of our natural sible stewardship of the quarters of a century. What heritage. earth. For more information contact: N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation 1615 Mail Service Center Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1615 919/ 733-PARK Website–www.ncsparks.net Eno River State Park, NC 1.1 May 2000 Introduction to Eno River State Park fforts to establish Eno Life in and along Numerous macroinverte- ERiver State Park began the Eno River brates are also found in the in 1965 when the city of river. The tiny panhandle Durham proposed building Eno River State Park pebblesnail, listed as “signifi- a reservoir on the Eno. In re- provides important habitat cantly rare,” is found only in sponse, a group of concerned for a host of animals and the Eno River. Freshwater citizens formed the Associa- plants. A mixture of steep mussels include several en- tion for the Preservation of rocky ridges and bottom- dangered or threatened spe- the Eno River Valley. The lands creates several distinct cies such as the yellow lamp- Association was successful plant communities. Many of mussel, Atlantic pigtoe and in gaining community sup- the wildflowers and shrubs green floater. These and oth- port for its proposal that a found in the park are nor- er aquatic macroinvertebrates state park be established mally found in the moun- can be used as indicator spe- along the river. In May of tains and foothills of North cies to monitor water quality. 1972, the state of North Carolina. Shrubs, including The presence or absense of Carolina approved the idea, mountain laurel and Catawba these wonderfully adapted and the city of Durham with- rhododendron, and wildflow- creatures tells us much about drew its plans to construct ers, such as yellow lady’s the health of our river. the reservoir. By 1975, 1,100 slipper, showy orchids and Presently, water quality in acres of land had been ac- wild geranium, find suitable the Eno River is good. The quired with the help of the habitat in the river valley. river is classified as a public Association, the Nature Con- The river hosts more than water supply and is also suit- servancy and the Division of 61 species of fish. The able for swimming, fishing Parks and Recreation. Today Carolina madtom (a catfish) and wading. Continuing de- the park protects 11 miles of and the Roanoke bass (a velopment and water with- river and over 2,800 acres of game fish) appear in the drawals upstream give cause associated land in Orange Natural Heritage Program for concern about the river’s and Durham counties. List of the Rare Animal quality. Only through sus- Species of North Carolina. tained vigilance and protec- tion efforts can the river’s water quality be preserved. Roanoke bass Carolina madtom The Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina. © 1991 Edward F. Menhinick. Reprinted by permission. Eno River State Park, NC 1.2 May 2000 Introduction to the Activity Packet for Eno River State Park NOTE: Weather and river he environmental edu- ries to build upon the stu- conditions permitting, on-site T cation learning experi- dents’ newly gained knowl- activities will be held on the ence, Living Water, was de- edge and experiences. banks of the river and in the veloped to provide hands-on river. Students will wade in environmental education The environmental edu- shallow rocky areas. They cation learning experience, should dress appropriately activities for the classroom (long pants and tennis shoes) and the outdoor setting of Living Water, will expose and bring a change of clothing. Eno River State Park. This the student to the following The students may encounter educator’s activity packet, major concepts: ticks, poison ivy and snakes, designed to be implemented although this is not likely as in grades 6-8, meets estab- • Water Quality long as students stay in appro- • Indicator Species priate areas. Chemical re- lished curriculum objectives of the North Carolina De- • Water Testing agents are used in water qual- • Watershed ity testing. Because misuse of partment of Public Instruc- these chemicals can be hazard- tion. Three types of activi-