Faithkeeper's School Protecting Local Streams

We are Ganöhsesge:kha:' Hë:nödeyë:stha
The Faithkeepers School in the Allegany Seneca Territory

We live on the Allegany River near Steamburg, NY

Our class has been working on water quality monitoring of the springs and streams that feed the Allegany River near our school. We have found that some of the springs and streams are very healthy. Crayfish, Mayfly, Dobson fly, and Stone fly larvae live in our healthy springs and streams. One of the streams behind our school is not very healthy. It shows higher levels of phosphates and nitrates, and does not have any of the healthy water quality indicator species living there. There are now Eagles nesting near this stream. We are worried about the health of our stream and of all the living things that live near it or in it.

By helping researchers from the Nature Conservancy and the French Creek Project we have learned that Fresh Water Mussels are an important part of the Allegany River’s ecosystem. These creatures are in danger because of water pollution and loss of habitat. Water pollution is coming from streams like the unhealthy stream near our school. The loss of habitat comes from man-made changes to the natural course and rhythm of our river. The Kinzua Dam is an example. We are working with Earth Force to identify and publicize these threats to our river, and to create a plan to heal and protect our earth and our water.