Water Quality Testing
at the Nisqually River
(RiverbendCampground)
Brief Watershed Overview
• Riverbend Campground is
set along the banks of the
Nisqually River
• The mouth of the Nisqually
River meets the Puget
Sound close to our
monitoring site
• This area is near an estuary
where the freshwater meets
the Puget Sound.
Nisqually Middle School Scientists Testing on the Nisqually River
Testing for pH
pH levels of 7-8 are optimal
•pH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity in water•pH is measured on a scale from 0-14 with 0 being the most acidic, 7 is neutral and 14 the most basic or alkaline•Optimal PH levels are important for the survival and health of living organisms in the Nisqually Watershed
Water Quality
pH7.5 - fall
7.5 -winterGreat!
Testing For Dissolved Oxygen
• Dissolved Oxygen is the amount of
oxygen in the water.
• Salmon, water bugs, plants and all
other organisms need lots of dissolved
oxygen in the water for survival!
Dissolved Oxygen Results
Dissolved Oxygen at the Nisqually River
Trail 1 Trail 2 Trail 3 Average
Fall(Oct. 2012)
10 mg/L 10mg/L 10mg/L 10mg/L
Winter (Feb.2012)
11.4mg/L 12.4mg/L 13mg/L 12.3mg/L
Acceptable levels of D.O.= 9.0 mg/l (ideal) 7.0-8.0 mg/l (acceptable)
Nisqually Middle School Students Being Smart Testing for DO
Testing for Fecal Coliform
Fecal Coliform indicates the likely presence of disease-causing bacteria.
This gets into the water through animal and human feces.
Fecal Coliform optimal levels: Less than 50 FC/100mL.
Results
Site Date Weather and Temperature
Fecal Coliform Level
River Bend Campground
October 14 2012
Clear40 Degrees
160 FC/100 mL
River Bend Campground
February 212013
Clear 40 Degrees
0 FC/100 mL
Fecal Coliform Optimal Level: < 50 FC/100ml
Fecal Coliform
By Trisha and Irene Villegas
Setting up the Filter System
• Turbidity is the amount of sediment and silt in
the water and is measured in Jackson Turbidity
Units or JTU’s.
• High turbidity can make it hard for underwater
plants to survive, harm the gills of organisms,
and effect the ability of juvenile fish to catch
prey.
• Salmon avoid water with high silt amounts.
Testing for Turbidity
Fall (October) 2012Turbidity Test Results
Winter (February) 2013 Turbidity Test Results
Replicate 1: 25 JTUs Replicate 1: 20 JTUs
Replicate 2: 20 JTUs Replicate 2: 15.5 JTUs
Replicate 3: 20 JTUs Replicate 3: 20 JTUs
Average: 21.5 JTUs Average: 18.33 JTUs
Turbidity Results
•Optimal Turbidity: Less than 20 JTUs
•The lower the turbidity the better because it affects salmon and other organisms.
too
Testing for Nitrates
•This tests for nitrogen-containing compounds.•In fresh water, nitrogen can cause a decrease in oxygen levels.•The main sources of nitrates into bodies of water are with industrial wastewater, septic tanks, animal wastes, and fertilizers.
Nitrate Optimal levels –
*Nitrate levels should be below 1
mg/L.
Nitrate levels Results-October water quality testing
February water quality testing
Replicate#1 - 1.0 mg./l Replicate #1- 1.0 mg/l
Replicate #2- 1.0 mg/l Replicate #2- 1.0 mg/l
Replicate #3- 2.0 mg/l Replicate #3 - 1.0 mg/l
Average: 1.3 mg/l Average: 1.0 mg/l
Biological MonitoringTesting for
Macroinvertebrates at Eatonville
Benthic Species Tally on Yelm Creek vs Lacamas Creek
Sensitivity Species Yelm Creek (Disturbed)
LaCamas Creek
(undisturbed)
Intolerant Mayfly 3 19Stonefly 11 9Adult Beetle 2 0
Medium Tolerance
Caddisfly 1 11Juvenile Beetle 1 0
Mosquito 0 1Midges 4 0
Tolerant Snails 3 1Aquatic Worms 6 10
Total Benthics 31 51Total Species 8 6
Data Interpretation:
• What can we celebrate?
The pH of the Nisqually river is very good!
The Dissolved Oxygen levels were great!
Healthy species diversity of Benthics!
• What might be causing the high amounts
of Fecal Coliform, and nitrates?
Left behind pet waste, farm animals, and fertilizers
from upstream.
• What could be done to improve the Water Quality?• Pet waste stations
• Recycle
• Regular monitoring throughout the year
• Take the bus, ride a bike, or car pool
• Plant Trees
• Salmon tossing
• Educate people
Water Testing!!
All Done!!