Watershed Study

[pamschumm]

I am a high school Biology teacher trying to do a watershed study of a large natural lake. Our students will take a canoe trip from the headwaters to the lake, make a relief map, study weeds along the way (invasive and native), do a water depth study at the deepest spot on the natural lake, and include a biodiversity study. They will make a presentation to the parents and interested patrons. Any other suggestions about what I could include in this project?

[canalon]

If you have access to a microbiology lab, a sampling for water quality (say fecal coliform) as compared to the type of land use surrounding and upstream (and presence of sewage treatment plants/septic systems or farm vs urban vs natural parks) could also be an eye opener. Other markers of water quality (ie chemicals) could be interesting too, but access to an analytical lab is even less likely I presume.
Take the water samples during the canoe trip and store them on ice in coolers and analyse as quickly as possible.