Students monitor physical characteristics of the Rouge River by conducting a physical stream survey at their sampling site. Students identify and record the stream type, surrounding land uses, the composition of the river bottom, water odors and appearance, erosion of the stream banks, and types of animal habitats present. Additionally, students measure the velocity of surface water, the slope of the stream banks, and air and water temperature. They also draw a map of the section of the river that they have surveyed.