Students from Waldon Middle School participated for the first time in the Stream Leaders program through the Clinton River Watershed Council.
About 100 eighth-grade students visited Yates Park in Rochester on May 4 with Waldon science teacher Jon Gray, four students from Lake Orion High School, volunteers and representatives of the Vanguard Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Trout Unlimited provided the school with an aquarium and other equipment to raise 142 Chinook Salmon, which the students received as eggs from the Wolf Lake DNR Hatchery in Mattawan, Michigan.
The fish were released by the students into the Clinton River at the park.
‘We had to release them downstream of the dam, so the park was a good site,? said Gray.
Students also visited several stations, where they tested the water quality, identified aquatic macroinvertebrate in the river, and conducted a physical survey by taking measurements.
Gray said the school is planning to take part in the Stream Leaders program every year.
‘In eighth grade, the students do a unit on water quality and water sheds, so this ties in perfectly,? he said.
Each group of 4-5 kids was able to release a few fish. Before the release, they could name their fish, sketch them and noted other observations.
Gray said in about three years, the fish should weigh 30-40 pounds each.