Water Quality How Do We Measure Water Quality

Water Quality How Do We Measure Water Quality? ?

Water Quality n Chemical Characteristics n Biological Characteristics n Physical Characteristics

Chemical Characteristics Dissolved Oxygen n Nitrogen n Phosphorous n p. H n Alkalinity n

Dissolved Oxygen

Dissolved Oxygen

Fish Kill

p. H

Acid Rain

Alkalinity

Nitrogen and Phosphorous

Eutrophication

Good Water Quality Dissolved Oxygen: >6 ppm n p. H: Neutral n Alkalinity: 100 – 200 ppm n Nitrogen and Phosphorous: <. 1 ppm n

Biological Characteristics n Fish n Algae n Rooted Aquatic Plants n Bacteria n Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Benthic Macroinvertebrates Think Small!!!!!

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling

Stonefly Larvae

Mayfly Larvae

Caddisfly Larvae

Benthic Macroinvertebrates as Water Quality Indicators n Mayflies n Stoneflies n Caddisflies

Physical Characteristics Temperature n Local Land Use Activities n Stream Bank Erosion n Stream Bottom n Flow n

Different Types of Fish Do Better in Different Water Temperatures

Warm Water Fish Blue Gills

Stream Bank Erosion

Stream Bottom Characteristics

Measuring Stream Flow

Measuring Stream Flow n Width X Depth X Feet per Second = Cubic Feet per Second (cfs)

Watershed Scientists What Do We Do? Take Water Quality Measurements n Sample for Macroinvertebrates n Take Water Temperature n Figure Out the Stream Flow n Look for Signs of Pollutants n What Do All of These Say About Water Quality? n