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Why Can’t I Swim in the Ohio River? Stream Flow in Ohio

Explore stream flow data to predict Ohio River swimming suitability after rain in northern Ohio. Determine infiltration time, improving racing decision accuracy.

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Why Can’t I Swim in the Ohio River? Stream Flow in Ohio

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  1. Why Can’t I Swim in the Ohio River? Stream Flow in Ohio C. Koehler NASA Participant – ASTE 2009

  2. Context: • Since I have moved to Cincinnati, I have found that when it rains in northern of Ohio, the Ohio River becomes too unstable to swim, e.g. high water, more effluent, more debris, etc. This particularly affects my racing schedule, e.g. triathlons. The swim is an important factor in my racing as I am a triathlete (swim, bike, run), not a duathlete (run-bike-run). I train to swim and prefer not to have the swim cancelled the day before the race. Your task is to examine stream flow data to determine when rain occurs in northern Ohio, how long will it take to infiltrate into the Ohio River causing the river to be unhealthy to swim. This data will save me lots of money since it will help me determine whether I should register in advance for a race or wait until the day before in case the swim is cancelled.

  3. Research Focus • Your task is to examine stream flow data to determine when rain occurs in northern Ohio, how long will it take to infiltrate into the Ohio River causing the river to be unhealthy to swim. • Research Question: How long does it take surface water to flow from specific collection stations in Ohio to affect the rise of water in the Ohio River?

  4. Method • Use: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/oh/nwis/rt • Choose 8 random stations in Ohio: 2 from the north, 2 east, 2 central, 2 south • Keep a record of your data • Use dates: May, 2007 – Sept, 2007 • Note location using longitude & latitude • Choose-link: Summary of all available data at this site

  5. Data Summary: • This is a sample of the Excel data file you will create for each station.

  6. Data Summary • This is an example of the graph that you will create per station. • Your ultimate graph will be a compilation of all the data.

  7. Data Summary • At Raccoon Creek in southern Ohio, the most discharge occurred during the month of May.

  8. Conclusion • It is suggested that you do not choose to race during the month of May as it may interfere with the swim in the Ohio River close to Cincinnati and beyond.

  9. Implications • A work in progress

  10. Educator Implications • Work in progress

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