Arcade Creek Project

The Mira Loma Arcade Creek Project is a highly recognized ongoing study of the riparian corridor of an urban watershed in Sacramento, California. It consists of eleven studies which measure the health of Arcade Creek and is run entirely by students of Mira Loma High School and five faculty advisers. As of 2017, there were 346 students participating in the project.

The project was initiated in 1998 as part of the school's IB Group 4 project. In 2004, the project was recognised by Governor Schwarzenegger when it was awarded the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, California's most prestigious environmental honour.

The project was also awarded a $10,000 environmental excellence award from SeaWorld in 2010.

Bio Assay

Bio Assay tests the health of the creek's water using the indicator species Ceriodaphnia dubia which is highly sensitive to toxins and other changes in the creek's water.

Biological Assessment

Biological Assessment monitors populations of macroinvertebrates in the creek bed. Large populations of species in the insect orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera. indicate good health of the creek.

Botany

The Botany Study monitors the populations of plant life in the riparian corridor of the creek with a special emphasis on controlling invasive species.

Chemistry

The Chemistry Study monitors the chemical content of the creek water. Measurements of dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and various metallic ions are taken. This data can then be used to determine if the water is chemically appropriate for most life at the creek.

Habitat

The Habitat Study measures various physical features of the creek to provide a general description of its health. The group measures water , vegetation density, and average tree diameters.

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