Blue Thumb’s Spring Creek Stewards 

Every month, a small team of volunteers sets up a portable chemistry lab at the trailhead of Spring Creek walking trail. Their mission is to record the quality of water flowing through the creek, which is then compared to data from previous years. 

John Harrington and Gretchen Jeane began volunteering for Oklahoma Blue Thumb, a water conservation organization, in the late 1990s. The program started as one of Oklahoma’s earliest citizen science programs, training volunteers to monitor 75 streams around the state. 

Having documented Edmond’s Spring Creek for over 30 years, John and Gretchen have witnessed many changes to the stream, both seasonal differences and the results of development in the area. While photographs capture the physical changes in the landscape, only chemistry can identify the water’s true health. 

“Oh, Wow! The water’s really low this month,” John says, coming around the curve to the testing location. “Look at that big sandbar in the middle of the stream.” 

“Last month, the creek was really high after the rains,” Gretchen adds. “It looks totally different this time.” 

“I’d guess it’s going to be a drought summer. Water conservation schedules are coming,” John says. “Hopefully it’s not a drought fall, too.” 

Gretchen begins unpacking chemistry supplies from the wagon. John’s wife, Sara, sets up a small table and hands out collection bottles. Sara joined her husband seven years ago, completing the Blue Thumb trio. “I married into this,” she says with a laugh. “John loves sampling this creek, and I wanted to be part of it with him.” 

As Gretchen scouts the streambed for running water, John points out wildlife tracks in the mud. “There’s some deer tracks….raccoons…a big dog. We’ve seen all kinds of animals. A big snapping turtle. Even a bull snake up under the bridge where the barn swallows have their nests.” 

“Here’s a good spot,” Gretchen calls. She walks across the sand bank, steps over some rocks, and kneels down to scoop up a bottle of water. “The water feels pretty good when it’s eighty-five degrees outside,” Gretchen says. “Not so much when it’s twenty-five degrees out here.” 

Back at the chemistry table, John, Gretchen, and Sara pour creek water into vials and begin adding various chemicals. Some test results show up immediately, others require a timer. 

As they work, John explains why he began volunteering with Blue Thumb. “As a geologist for 37 years, I knew a lot about water flowing underground, but I didn’t fully understand the rest of the water cycle until I got involved with Spring Creek. In fact, most people don’t understand where their water comes from, other than the faucet.” 

Gretchen was a biology major in college who wanted to be involved with hands-on conservation. Now, as a museum educator, she teaches people that their choices affect the natural world. “I want people to be aware that the trash they throw out their car window or the chemicals they pour down the drain all eventually show up in our water. We see it.” 

“This time of year, we see fertilizers and pesticides increase,” Sara says. “And this creek flows into Arcadia Lake, which is the water supply for a lot of people.” 

As the crew finalizes their tests, John records the results, which are submitted to Blue Thumb and made available to the public. 

“It’s weird to think I’ve been doing this for thirty years,” John says. “I just really enjoy it. We’d love other volunteers to join us, too.” He laughs. “And I promise it’s not a three-decade commitment!” 

To learn more, visit BlueThumbOK.com.