SMART School: Boise High School

Location: Boise, Idaho

Mentors: Seth Garrison (seth.garrison@boiseschools.org), Andrew Taruscio (andrew.taruscio@boiseschools.org)

SMART student researchers: Abigail Chen, Abigail Robison, Quinn White, Chloe Woodall, Shelby Galinat (Point Person, 18shelby.galinat@boiseschools.net)

Community partners: Kate Harris (Boise Watershed), Kathy Riley (Boise Watershed)

Group meeting time: Thursdays at 11:45 pm PT

Watershed: Boise River

Research sites:  

    1. Directly up-river of confluence of a drain pipe from under 9th St. with the Boise River, near the 9th St. bridge. Water flows from a tunnel, through a grate designed to hold back debris, across 50 feet of land before reaching the river. Lat 43.610982, Long -116.210643.
    2. At confluence of a drain pipe from under 9th St. with the Boise River, near the 9th St. bridge. Water flows from a tunnel, through a grate designed to hold back debris, across 50 feet of land before reaching the river. Lat 43.610982, Long -116.210643.
    3. Directly down-river of confluence of a drain pipe from under 9th St. with the Boise River, near the 9th St. bridge. Water flows from a tunnel, through a grate designed to hold back debris, across 50 feet of land before reaching the river. Lat 43.610982, Long -116.210643.
    4. Directly up-river of confluence of Freestone Creek and the Boise River in Julia Davis Park near Broadway Ave. A tunnel directs the creek directly into the river at the site. Lat 43.605432, Long -116.193868.
    5. At confluence of Freestone Creek and the Boise River in Julia Davis Park near Broadway Ave. A tunnel directs the creek directly into the river at the site. Lat 43.605432, Long -116.193868.
    6. Directly down-river of confluence of Freestone Creek and the Boise River in Julia Davis Park near Broadway Ave. A tunnel directs the creek directly into the river at the site. Lat 43.605432, Long -116.193868.

Team goals and research topics: 

Our team is interested in the effects of city stormwater infrastructure on water quality as well as the causes of recent bacteria level increases in recreational ponds in the area. We hope to discover ways to keep river water from becoming contaminated, whether it is from chemical or bacterial pollutants. We plan to test for concentrations of specific ions, such as nitrates and phosphates, and to work with Kate Harris and Kathy Riley from the Boise Watershed to analyze both past data of the Boise River’s water chemistry and biology and to have samples of water tested for E. coli and total coliforms.

Student Resources