The Stream Game - Making the Streams

Each player or team must follow a stream that represents what can happen to that population. Each step shows an event. You can use these events, or create your own. Use each step as its own space. These are the steps they'll follow as they roll the dice.

The "streams" can be large cards taped to the floor or a tarp in an "X" shape with an open space "home" where the streams join. Card #1 is at the far end of the spoke with card #12 leading to the center circle and the end.

THE BASS

  1. CATCH A DRAGONFLY LARVA - YUM, YUM
    GAIN 1 CHIP
  2. CREEK DRIES UP AND YOU ARE TRAPPED IN A POOL
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  3. TOO MANY PLANTS IN THE WATER. NOT ENOUGH OXYGEN.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE.
  4. FLOODS CLEAN OUT SOME PLANTS AND RESTORE THE WATER LEVEL.
    GAIN 2 CHIPS
  5. NEW CONSTRUCTION NEAR THE STREAM CAUSES TOO MUCH MUD IN THE WATER
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  6. SWIM THROUGH A RIFFLE AND GET LOTS OF OXYGEN.
    GAIN 1 CHIP
  7. A VERY LARGE CRAYFISH TRIES TO EAT YOU.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  8. A FALLEN LOG PROVIDES A GOOD HIDING PLACE FROM PREDATORS.
    GAIN 1 CHIP
  9. YOU SWIM THROUGH SOMETHING BLACK AND STICKY! YUK!
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  10. PARKS AND WILDLIFE STAFF RESTOCK THE STREAM WITH SOME OF YOUR COUSINS.
    GAIN 2 CHIPS
  11. A GREAT BLUE HERON TAKES A BITE OUT OF YOUR FIN, BUT YOU SWIM AWAY FAST.
    LOSE 1 CHIP OR TAKE A CHANCE
  12. YOU ESCAPE A FISHERMAN'S HOOK AND EAT THE BAIT.
    GAIN 2 CHIPS

 

THE CRAYFISH

  1. YOU FIND THE PERFECT ROCK TO HIDE UNDER!
    GAIN 1 CHIP
  2. NO RAIN! THE STREAM IS DRYING UP. YOU ARE TRAPPED IN A POOL.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  3. DROUGHT CONTINUES. DIG A HOLE AND CRAWL IN.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  4. RAIN RETURNS. THE POOL FORMS AGAIN.
    GAIN 2 CHIPS
  5. WHILE LOOKING FOR FOOD YOU BARELY ESCAPE THE GREAT BLUE HERON!
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  6. A MINNOW SWIMS CLOSE ENOUGH FOR YOU TO GRAB.
    GAIN 1 CHIP
  7. ANOTHER LARGE CRAYFISH PUSHES YOU OUT OF YOUR HOME.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  8. YOU HIDE IN WEEDS ALONG THE SHORE.
    GAIN 1 CHIP
  9. PEOPLE THROW TRASH IN THE STREAM BLOCKING YOU FROM FOOD.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  10. A FAMILY ON A HIKE NEAR THE STREAM SEES THE TRASH AND PICKS IT ALL UP.
    GAIN 2 CHIPS
  11. CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE STREAM PICK YOU UP. YOU ARE FRIGHTENED!
    LOSE 1 CHIP OR TAKE A CHANCE
  12. THE CHILDREN PUT YOU BACK NEAR A FALLEN LOG WHERE YOU CAN HIDE.
    GAIN 2 CHIPS

 

THE GREAT BLUE HERON

  1. WADING NEAR THE RAPIDS YOU FIND LOTS OF BUGS AND SMALL FISH TO EAT.
    GAIN 1 CHIP
  2. YOUR OLD ROOST IS CUT DOWN! IT'S HARD TO FIND ANOTHER HOME.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  3. A HAILSTORM BATTERS YOUR WINGS.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS
  4. WARM, WET WEATHER IS GOOD FOR THE INSECTS YOU LOVE TO EAT.
    GAIN 2 CHIPS
  5. THE GRASSES ALONG THE STREAM BANK ARE CUT DOWN. DIRT WASHES INTO THE STREAM AND COVERS YOUR FOOD.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  6. PEOPLE SEE THE SOIL WASHING AWAY FROM THE BANK AND PLANT NEW GRASSES.
    GAIN 1 CHIP
  7. WHEN IT RAINS, FERTILIZERS WASH INTO THE STREAM. TOO MANY PLANTS GROW. YOU CAN'T FIND FOOD.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  8. A FLOOD CLEANS THE STREAM OF TOO MANY PLANTS. YOU CAN FIND FOOD NOW.
    GAIN 1 CHIP
  9. YOU ACCIDENTALLY EAT SOMETHING SHARP AND SHINY THAT YOU THOUGHT WAS A MINNOW. IT HURTS YOUR THROAT.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  10. TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS STOCK THE STREAM WITH SMALL BASS. WHAT A MEAL!
    GAIN 2 CHIPS
  11. UGH! A HORRIBLE SMELL! A LEAKY SEWER PIPE POLLUTES YOUR STREAM AND KILLS FISH.
    LOSE 1 CHIP
  12. PEOPLE FIX THE LEAKY SEWER LINE. YOUR STREAM IS NICE AGAIN.
    GAIN 2 CHIP

 

THE DRAGONFLY

  1. AS A DRAGONFLY BABY YOU LIVE UNDER A NICE ROCK.
    GAIN 1 CHIP
  2. A FLOOD WASHES YOU AND YOUR ROCK DOWNSTREAM.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  3. YOU ALMOST GET EATEN BY A BIG FISH!
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  4. YOU FIND ANOTHER NICE ROCK, EAT LITTLE INSECTS AND GROW BIG.
    GAIN 2 CHIPS
  5. YOU ARE GROWING INTO AN ADULT DRAGONFLY. YOU COULD GET EATEN WHILE YOUR WINGS ARE DRYING.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  6. YOU FLY TO THE CATTAILS AND MUNCH ON SOME MOSQUITOES.
    GAIN 1 CHIP
  7. WHILE FLYING OVER THE WATER, A BIG BASS JUMPS UP TO EAT YOU.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  8. YOU ESCAPE THE BASS AND REST ON A DOCK.
    GAIN 1 CHIP
  9. A NEARBY FIELD IS COVERED WITH AN INSECT POISON. YOU ARE SICK.
    LOSE 2 CHIPS OR TAKE A CHANCE
  10. YOU AND ANOTHER DRAGONFLY CROSS THE STREAM AND HIDE IN TALL GRASS.
    GAIN 2 CHIPS
  11. A BLUE JAY FINDS YOUR HIDING PLACE. YOU MUST FLY AWAY FAST.
    LOSE 1 CHIP OR TAKE A CHANCE
  12. YOU FIND A QUIET POOL TO LAY YOUR EGGS.
    GAIN 2 CHIPS