Abstract

This paper looks at a broad overview of stream restoration with a focus on stream restoration of Apple Creek. Stream restoration attempts to restore a stream back to its native state. Apple Creek is an urban stream in Wooster, Ohio and serves as an important recreation site for the city of Wooster. Through stream restoration, the city hopes to improve the recreation at Grosjean Park. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the ongoing restoration of Apple Creek and of its hydrology.

To understand the flow characteristics of Apple Creek, this paper looks at the flow data of Killbuck Creek, which serves as a proxy for Apple Creek. The data shows that Killbuck’s flow is increasingly being influenced by a more variable and wetter climate from climate change and direct human influences. Isotopic ratios done on Apple Creek’s waters show where the stream’s water is on the global meteoric water line as well as help us develop a local meteoric water line for the region. This data shows that in the fall there is significant groundwater contribution to the creeks’ stream flow. Finally, this paper shows how Apple Creek does well on macroinvertebrate surveys for the past thirteen years and therefore has good general stream quality for habitat. This paper can help inform future stream restoration efforts of Apple Creek.

Advisor

Wiles, Greg

Department

Geology

Disciplines

Environmental Health and Protection | Geology | Hydrology

Keywords

Stream Restoration, River Restoration, Environmental Rehabilitation, Environmental Restoration

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2026 Aaron Walters