OUR GEM: Youth Water Summit winners

On May 21, students from eight area high schools gathered for the 13th annual Youth Water Summit, a research fair where students present their water-related research as the culmination of a yearlong program known as The Confluence Project. This initiative focuses on teaching students about the quantity and quality of water in the Idaho Panhandle.

This year’s winners presented a diverse array of topics, ranging from beaver dams to wildfires, with students being judged by community volunteers with expertise in various scientific and water-related fields. The following are the first-place winners from each participating high school:

Coeur d’Alene High School: Taegan Larsen, Wyatt Jones and Mindi Overholt presented "What’s at the Bottom? The Secrets of Coeur d'Alene Lake." They thoroughly researched the water quality issues of Lake Coeur d’Alene and proposed measures to prevent future pollution.

Wallace High School: Wyatt Ritchey and Drake Nelson presented "Boating Impact on Water Quality." Their project explored the historical and current challenges facing Coeur d’Alene Lake due to boating activities.

Post Falls High School: Madi Lau and Mahala Regis researched "Unlocking the Potential of Genetically Modified Fish." They examined the potential of genetically modified fish to filter out chemicals and minerals from water. Judges praised their presentation, suggesting they compare their findings with local data on largemouth bass in the Coeur d’Alene watershed. One judge commented, “This project is amazing! Your presentation was clear and concise. Your poster board is beautiful. Great job.”

Timberlake High School: Tyler Engelson presented "How Water Quality Affects Athletic Performance." This project compared different types of water, from well water to bottled water, and analyzed how various water quality constituents’ impact athletic performance.

Lake Pend Oreille High School: Jayda Chubb and Quinn Smith presented "Justice 4 Joslyn." They investigated the Joslyn Site, a contaminated area in Sandpoint, Idaho, historically used as a wood pole treatment plant. They explored environmental remediation methods for cleaning up chemicals like creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP) found in the soil and groundwater. A judge praised their project, saying, “Ladies, what an amazing project and topic. You were very knowledgeable and prepared to answer questions. Your passion and enthusiasm for your community are evident.”

Paradise Creek High School: Jo Hodge and Lex Stewart researched "Wildlife of the Urban Palouse." They investigated the behaviors of Palouse wildlife, using photographs to quantify species abundance and diversity. Their presentation was praised for being societally relevant and educational, effectively using visuals to engage a wide audience.

Lakeside High School: Dylan Erickson and Julian Moffit researched "How Beaver Dams Affect Water Quality and Flow." Their research demonstrated that beaver dams positively impact water quality, with field data supporting their hypotheses.

Lake City High School: Logan Anderson and Matthew Labelle presented "Wildfires and Water Quality." They studied burned and unburned regional watersheds, discussing the significant impacts of wildfires on water quality, particularly concerning runoff processes in post-burn areas.

In addition to the individual school winners, one student was recognized for exceptional effort and enthusiasm. This was the inaugural presentation of an award named in honor of the late Bob Witherow, a long-time committee member of The Confluence Project dedicated to outreach and education.

This year’s recipient of the Bob Witherow Award for Gusto was Kyla Meyer from Lake City High School, nominated by her teachers for her passion for environmental science and her enthusiasm for learning.

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Youth Water Summit. We look forward to seeing what you will accomplish in the future.

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The Our Gem Coeur d’Alene Lake Collaborative is a team of committed and passionate professionals working to preserve lake health and protect water quality by promoting community awareness of local water resources through education, outreach and stewardship. Our Gem includes local experts from the University of Idaho — Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission, Kootenai Environmental Alliance and the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce.