Discovering What Lives on the Bottom of Catoctin Creek

Have you ever wondered what lives on the bottom of a stream? Well, the 60 folks who attended the latest Creek Critters of the Catoctin event on March 24 got to find out!

Although the ground was a bit mushy from recent rains, the Chapman DeMary Trail provided a lovely backdrop for the event – complete with emerging Virginia Bluebells and Trout Lilies, and the rapidly flowing water of Catoctin Creek’s South Fork.

Participants of all ages had the opportunity to meet various creek critters (aka benthic macroinvertebrates) including stonefly, midge and crane fly larvae along with lunged snails and riffle beetles. They also discovered that these critters can be categorized based on their abilities to tolerate pollution, which makes them valuable as bioindicators.

Attendees also learned about why and how we conduct stream monitoring and how to identify benthic macroinvertebrates. Special guest Kay Powell, Conservation Educational Specialist from Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District, was also on hand with an Enviroscape model to provide an interactive demonstration about point and nonpoint source pollution in our watershed.

The event was led by Loudoun Wildlife’s Stream team and co-hosted by the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee.