Abstract:  Kings Creek flows eastward out of Pisgah National Forest through several residential and commercial developments before reaching the Brevard College campus.  The Introductory Biology courses have taken advantage of the stream's proximity to demonstrate impact on freshwater macroinvertebrate benthos.  The biotic index we used is the average (tolerance value)/specimen.  In Fall of 1998 we increased our sampling sites.  It was at this time that we detected a sudden decrease in water quality downstream of the College's gymnasium which houses the campus swimming pool.  Sites further downstream showed less impact.  Upon  investigation it was discovered that the College periodically backwashed the pool's filters directly into the creek.  The College immediately desisted but the water quality problem persisted.  Pool operators then discovered a leak of 10 gallons/minute.  The pool was emptied for repairs at the end of the Fall 2000 Semester.  Two months later, the biotic index for that site is approaching what is expected for that location.  Other possible contributing factors include runoff from the heavily fertilized soccer field and physical disturbance by activities although no change in these was observed over this period.

(This abstract summaries a poster presentation of the Ecology Section on March 24th at the 2001 annual meeting of the North Carolina Academy of Science held on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.)
 
 

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