Nature Watch: Creek Walk Aug. 2 at Steele Creek Park

When we were little kids, we used to watch water striders on the surface of the creek at our parents’ farm. It was fascinating to see that a creature could be so lightweight that itsfeet wouldn’t break the water tension. We also tried to catch crayfish and watched the minnows swim in tiny schools beneath the gleaming water.

This year we heard similar activities were going to take place at Steele Creek Park in Bristol, Tenn., so we went to find out more.

We enjoyed the shade there to take pictures of the water and some of its inhabitants. The sun was way too hot – ball caps and a drink would have been a good idea – but the air surrounding the creek was cool and inviting. It is here near Shelter D that the creek walk is to take place on Aug. 2 at 1 p.m. 

Locate Shelter D by following the one-way road along the and train tracks. After passing the turnoff to the Civitan Shelter on the left, look for the shelter sign on the right and pull into the parking area. 

Guest naturalist and aquatic biologist Greg Harris will be joining the Nature Center staff and any willing volunteers at Shelter D, equipping them with glass bowls, nets and forceps to catch aquatic insects and other creatures. Volunteers must either come with their own waders or be prepared to get their shoes wet. The group will be catching primarily larvae, aquatic insects and arachnids such as mayflies, stoneflies, certain beetles, aquatic spiders, water striders, water boatmen, water pennies and back swimmers. The group may also catch fish and crayfish, although these are not the main subjects of the activity.

Harris, a Bristol native who received his bachelor of science degree in biology at ETSU and his masters in aquatic biology at Austin Peay State University, has been working as an aquatic biologist for the state of Tennessee since 2003. Serving at Steele Creek in an entirely volunteer capacity, he will help identify the creatures caught and will bring two dissecting scopes to the Nature Center, where the group is to convene at 3 p.m. to examine their findings.

Although this is not really a creek walk or an official study of the water, the insects found will give an indication as to the water quality of Steele Creek. Located on plant roots that hang in the water, as well as on and under rocks, the presence or absence of certain genuses of insects, as well as certain types of algae, diatoms and fish, can tell a lot about how safe the water is.

An abundance of stoneflies, mayflies and native darters (a type of fish) suggests that the water quality is excellent, according to Harris. It would mean that the water has “very little impairment from pollution,” and could be recommended for fishing and boating.

Poor water quality supports life such as worms and fly larvae. This water would have high levels of ecoli, sediment, mud and silt. Larry McDaniel, senior park naturalist at the Nature Center, said, “I would love to be able to say the quality of the water is excellent.” 

For those wishing to continue the fun after the creek walk, the Nature Center itself has lots of things to capture your interest. Inside the center, a CD of park sounds such as bird songs plays frequently, and there are educational tours of the center available. There are examples of wildlife that may be found in the park: some are stuffed, such as a coyote, a fox and a screech owl, while others are live. There is a snapping turtle, as well as a bullfrog, an American toad, a black grass snake who is nearly 6 inches long and a corn snake named Jake. The corn snake is the only tame animal resident in the center and may be touched by visitors with supervision from staff.

There are also photos and information hung on the walls, snake skins, and reptile and amphibian skeletons. Outside the center, there are bird feeders, an herb garden, a wildflower garden and a butterfly garden.

McDaniel, who is also president of the Mountain Empire Butterfly Club, says the butterfly garden is doing especially well this year.

LEE AND J.J. MACFADDEN live in Bristol, Tenn. and write about their experiences with Mother Nature and what they learned as a result of the encounters. Contact them at .