as high as , which is 3° Celsius (5.4° Fahrenheit) higher than coldwater fish can tolerate. Between May 2010 and July 2011, it ranged from below in February and March 2011 to in August 2010. Between May 2010 and July 2011, the concentration of dissolved oxygen in West Creek ranged from slightly under in May 2010 to nearly in late January 2011. This is well above the minimum required concentration of dissolved oxygen for optimal fish habitation. West Creek is less affected by episodic acidification than most of the rest of the upper Fishing Creek watershed, with the exception of Coles Creek. The pH of West Creek is at its lowest in late winter and spring, when it is typically around 6.3. During the rest of the year, it is above 7.0. The entire pH range of the creek ranges from just over 6.0 to 7.2 or 7.3. The concentration of dissolved aluminum in West Creek is under , considerably less than the concentration needed to kill fish. The aluminum concentration is, in fact, usually approximately zero and is often under . However, early in 2011, the concentration was observed twice to be nearly . The discharge of West Creek is usually less than . However, it sometimes is between and has occasionally been as high as nearly . The conductance of the creek ranges from slightly over 40 to more than 60 micro-siemens per centimeter. Geography and geology The elevation near the mouth of West Creek is above sea level. The elevation of the creek's source is between above sea level. The rock in the southern part of the watershed of West Creek is of the Trimmers Rock Formation. This consists of siltstone and shale and comes from the Devonian period. The northern part of the watershed has rock belonging to the Catskill Formation, which consists of sandstone and siltstone and also comes from the Devonian. The Huntley Mountain Formation can be found at the headwaters of the creek. This formation consists of sandstone and siltstone and comes from the Mississippian and Devonian periods. Watershed The watershed of West Creek has an area of . The creek's mouth is in the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Benton. However, its source is in the quadrangle of Elk Grove. There is significant agricultural activity done in the lower reaches of the watershed of West Creek and there are also some