CHILI BEAN

 

Further testing of the chili bean effect has shown that in streambeds and the moist areas adjacent to them, chili bean doesn't really do anything. In some areas further away from the stream though, where the soils are really unconsolidated, chili bean does make a difference. We're currently looking at ways to decrease that difference.

One idea is to make the T-rod shorter. Right now it's so long that it's really hard for me to get the chili bean that I do have on top of the rod to help push it in. Another idea is for me to wear a backpack filled with rocks when I make the measurements.Converting Mr. T into a sort of pogo stick that someone could jump on and drive into the ground is a third proposal. We're also looking into the possibility that making loud karate chop-like noises - "Hi-yah!" - as you push Mr. T into the ground will help drive it in further.

Pogo potential

Chris demonstrates the Mr. T shimmy

Chris, however, is convinced that his modification of the T-rod technique will do the trick. He calls it the Mr. T shimmy. It involves doing a special twist that starts with your shoulders and ends with several wags of your butt as you push the T-rod in. Chris plans to hold a special shimmy workshop. Stream team members and the general public are invited to attend!

 

THE PRINGLES INDICATOR

Typically when you read the t-rod, you have to bend down to be able to adequately read the markings. So doing a transect involves a lot of standing up to push the rod in and bending down to read it, which if you're
doing a 60 meter transect gets old after a while. Ben, however, was on top of the situation. He handcrafted a special device to make it easier to read the rod.

The Pringles indicator up close and personal

The Pringles indicator in action

The device consists of a plastic lid with a hole poked through the center. The lid is placed at the bottom of Mr. T. As the rod is pushed into the ground, the lid slides up. When the rod is pulled out of the ground the lid
remains in place and its position marks the active layer depth. No more need to bend down
to read the rod.

Lake Hoare camp manager Rae Spain was on the lookout for lids and provided us with a variety of models. After vigorous testing, we've discovered that the lid to the Pringles can is one of the best. So, the device has been dubbed the Pringles indicator. The indicator still has some kinks to be worked out however. After two or three transects, it starts to crack and fall apart. Not to worry though, Justin is hard at work ensuring that we have an adequate supply of lids.

Karen.

Justin hard at work