Location: Birmingham, Alabama

Mentor: Ryan Reardon (rreardon71@gmail.com)

SMART student researchers: Hazel Higginbotham, Andre Yutiamco, Will Bobbs, Jeremiah Pulliam; Margaret Neely (Point Person, margaretneely@jcboe.k12.al.us)

Community partners: Cahaba River Society; Cahaba River Keeper; Birmingham-Southern College; Hoover City Schools; Trussville City Schools, WBHM (local NPR affliate); Jefferson County Schools.

Group meeting time: Wednesdays at 2 pm CT

Watershed: Cahaba River Watershed

Research sites:  

1. 1. Freshwater Land Trust Boat Launch at Hwy 78, Irondale, AL; 33.545/-86.612; Public Access Point to be developed…1.5 miles (3 river miles) from Large Outlet Mall called Shops of Grand River).
   2. City of Irondale Grantsmill Crossing on the Cahaba River; 33.511/-86.652; The most popular river access point in Jefferson County, 4.5 river miles downstream of site one. watershed is roughly 50% forested and 50% developed with a mix of industrial, commercial and residential developments.
   3. Old Overton Road canoe launch on the Cahaba River; 33.485/-86.701; Oldest established canoe launch in the County, 7.0 river miles downstream from Grantsmill Crossing. River is surrounded by forested riparian buffer, but watershed is roughly 80% developed at this point…almost all residential development.

Team goals and research topics: 

Students will be gather baseline data on the Cahaba and work in a variety of feeder streams to determine if recent commercial developments have changed feeder stream hydrology and water chemistry. One student may look at riparian forest biodiversity at each study site.

More information on the Cahaba River:

From OutdoorAlabama.com: “The Cahaba River is special in a state with many unique rivers. The diversity of the Cahaba River’s fish population is greater than any other temperate river its size. Recognized as a unique river in Alabama and one of “Alabama’s Ten Natural Wonders,” the Cahaba River has received attention from environmentalists throughout the nation. It is the longest free-flowing river in Alabama and has a wide diversity of plants and fishes due to the variety of its physical habitats and ecology. World Wildlife Fund and the Nature Conservancy recognized the Cahaba River as being one of only eight Hotspots of Biodiversity in the world. Flowing through the Birmingham area in the heart of Alabama, the river attracts many canoeists and kayakers. The Cahaba River also offers recreational opportunities in the form of fishing, rafting and bird watching for many outdoor enthusiasts. It also provides drinking water for the southern suburbs of Jefferson County including Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, and Pehlam (roughly 500,000 people).”

Presentations and Outreach

The JCIB SMART team was invited to present a poster of their work at the Cahaba River Society (CRS) Annual Meeting on February 1st. The students put together a digital poster (see below) of their work in Maine, their current projects in Irondale, AL, and ideas for future growth of the school’s SMART program.

Margaret, Jerimiah, and Hazel were able to meet several members of the CRS, and Mr. Reardon was able to network with new potential industry partners and meet new CRS board members. Everyone was very excited about our students’ work, and look forward to having us back to the 2019 Annual Meeting.