I. Background

Narrative: Students at Meadows of Dan School, Patrick County, VA, studied the effects of non-point source pollution on the Dan River from the headwaters, Meadows of Dan, VA to the Albemarle Sound, NC, near the Atlantic Ocean. Students in the 5th, 6th and 7th grades along with teachers and several volunteers have been working on a project which was funded by the VA Environmental Endowment.

History:

The Dan River begins in Meadows of Dan, VA and flows toward Danbury, NC where the confluence on the first major tributary of the Dan, the Mayo River occurs. ( The Mayo River also originates in Meadows of Dan. ) The Dan passes through Eden, NC, where the second major tributary, the Smith River, enters the Dan.

( The Smith also originates in the Blue Ridge near Meadows of Dan. ) The River flows back into VA toward Danville, where it meets the Sandy River. The Dan continues to flow across the Piedmont of VA just past the town of South Boston, where it is joined by the Banister River- its third major tributary. The Dan River joins the Roanoke River in the John Kerr Reservoir at Clarksville. The Roanoke River continues southeasterly across the Piedmont, through NC, and into the Atlantic Ocean at the Albemarle Sound, NC.

The Study:

The students began their investigation of the Dan River with extensive study in the classroom. A survey was conducted by the students to determine public opinion about pollution along the Dan River. Water samples were collected and tested and macro invertebrates were collected and identified at each site. Students have traced the Dan River and tested water at the headwaters in Meadows of Dan, the power house at Kibler, VA, in Danbury, NC, in Eden, NC, Danville, VA, South Boston, VA, the Kerr Reservoir and the Albemarle Sound, NC.

In addition the Dan River's width was found to be