BASELINEASSESSMENTOFWATERQUALITYIN SUPPORTOFTHEROOTRIVERWATERSHED RESTORATIONPLAN

SiteSelectionandPreliminaryFindings

August2011

2011RacineHealthDepartmentRootRiverMonitoringSites

Site#1ChartroomCharlies Site#2RootRiverEnvironmentalEducationCommunityCenter(REC) Site#3LibertyStreetBridge Site#4DepartmentofNaturalResourcesRootRiverSteelheadFacility Site#5HorlickDam Site#6Highway31and4MileRoad Site#7JohnsonPark Site#8HoodsCreek Site#95MileRoadandRootRiverParkway Site#10HusherCreek Site#11Highway38atMilwaukeeCountyLine Site#12LegendCreek Site#13RootRiverCanalMain Site#14RaymondCreek Site#15RootRiverCanalWestBranch(N) Site#16RootRiverCanalEastBranch(N) Site#17RootRiverCanalWestBranch(S):UnionGroveWWTP Site#18RootRiverCanalEastBranch(S):Fonk'sTrailerPark

Site#1ChartroomCharlies

SamplinglocationistheredX

RationaleforSiteSelection:
CityofRacinehistoricsamplingsiteandlastaccessiblesamplingpointpriortotherivermouth. WaterqualitycanbeaffectedbyLakeMichiganinflow.Situatedinachannelizedenvironment andhashighlycommercialsurroundinglanduse.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 100 5.3 DO (%sat.) 63% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 7.8 537 3.2

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#1iscurrentlyincompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof 5.3mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#1isconsideredgood(4.010.0mg/L).AnexcellentDOreading isone>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepHscale(0 14)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4,similartothe valuesseenatSite1.TheconductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500 mhos/cm.Studiesofinlandfreshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixed fisherieshavearangebetween150and500hos/cm(USEPA).Conductivityoutsidethisrange couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates. TheaverageconductivityforSite#1isjustoutsidetheoptimumrangeforgoodmixedfisheries. Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidity concentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.MeanturbidityatSite#1isverygood, meetingbothcriteria,althougheventbasedincreasesareobserved.

Site#2RootRiverEnvironmentalEducationCommunityCenter(REC)

Samplinglocationisoffcanoelaunch

RationaleforSiteSelection:
CityofRacinehistoricsamplingsitelocatedattheRECEnvironmentalEducationCenter;used forrecreationalpurposes(fishing,canoeing,andkayaking).Sitsjustupstreamofchannelized downtownarea;hasindustrial,commercial,andresidentialsurroundinglanduse.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 227 8.4 DO (%sat.) 101% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 8.4 940 6.8

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#2iscurrentlyincompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof 8.4mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#2isconsideredgood(4.010.0mg/L).AnexcellentDOreading isone>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepHscale(0 14)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.The conductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinland freshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150 and500hos/cm(USEPA).ConductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#2 couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates. MeanconductivityforSite#2isnearlytwicetheoptimumrangeforgoodmixedfisheries. Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidity concentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.MeanturbidityatSite#2isverygood, meetingbothcriteria,althougheventbasedincreasesareobserved.

Site#3LibertyStreetBridge

Lookingdownstreamfromsamplinglocationonbridge

RationaleforSiteSelection:
ThisisaCityofRacinehistoricsamplingsitewhichrepresentsthetransitionpointfrom low/moderatetomoderate/highresidentiallanduse.Activefishingoccursjustupstreamof thissite.IslandParksampleshavetraditionallyhadhigherE.colicountsthanallotherCityof Racineopenwatersites.MultiplestormwateroutfallsdischargetotheRootRiveratthissite.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 610 7.3 DO (%sat.) 85% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 8.1 921 6.5

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#3isjustoutsideofcompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)level of7.3mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#3isconsideredgood(4.010.0mg/L).AnexcellentDO readingisone>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepH scale(014)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.The conductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinland freshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150 and500hos/cm(USEPA).ConductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#3 couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates. TheaverageconductivityforSite#3isnearlytwicetheoptimumrangeforgoodmixedfisheries. Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidity concentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.MeanturbidityatSite#3isverygood, meetingbothcriteria,althougheventbasedincreasesareobserved.

Site#4DepartmentofNaturalResourcesRootRiverSteelheadFacility

Lookingupstream;samplinglocationistheredX

SteelheadFacilityatLincolnPark

RationaleforSiteSelection:
Site#4isaCityofRacinehistoricsamplingsite.Landuseisprimarilyparkspacebutresidential areasexistupstreamandtothesouthofSpringStreet.Thissitewaschosenduetothe potentialutilityofthedatatotheDNRfisheriesdivision.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 287 7.9 DO (%sat.) 91% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (NTU) (S/cm) 8.2 921 8.5

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#4iswithincompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof7.9 mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#4isconsideredgood(4.010.0mg/L).AnexcellentDOreadingis one>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepHscale(0 14)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.The conductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinland freshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150 and500hos/cm(USEPA).ConductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#4 couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates. TheaverageconductivityforSite#4isnearlytwicetheoptimumrangeforgoodmixedfisheries. Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidity concentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.MeanturbidityatSite#4isverygood, meetingbothcriteria,althougheventbasedincreasesareobserved.

 Site#5HorlickDam

LookingupstreamatdamfromsamplinglocationHistoricPictureofRootRiveratHorlickDamLocation

RationaleforSiteSelection:
Thissiteisthefurthestupstreamsamplingpointpriortothedamseparationandthefirstsite withintheCityofRacine.Surroundinglanduseiscommercialandlowmoderatedensity residential.Muchhistoricdataexistsforthissite.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 13,193 7.7 DO (%sat.) 94% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 8.3 893 16.8

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#5iswelloutsidecompliance,butthisisduetooneoutlierresultof129,965on 8/16.Excludingthissamplingevent,E.colimeanresultswouldhavebeen218MPN/100mL.With anaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof7.7mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#5isconsideredgood(4.0 10.0mg/L).AnexcellentDOreadingisone>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfalls between6.5and8.5onthepHscale(014)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).Theconductivityof riversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinlandfreshwatersindicate thatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150and500hos/cm(US EPA).ConductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#5couldindicatethatthewater isnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates.TheaverageconductivityforSite #5isclosetotwicetheoptimumrangeforgoodmixedfisheries.Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warm waterfisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidityconcentrationof10NTUand25NTU respectively.CurrentmeanturbidityatSite#5issupportiveofcool/warmwaterfisheries.

Site#6Highway31and4MileRoad

Samplinglocationisondownstreamsideofbridge,inmiddleofriver

RationaleforSiteSelection:
Sire#6islocatedonthemainstemoftheRootRiver.AUSGSgaugingstationsitsjust downstreamandwillallowforcorrelationofmeasuredparameterstoflowrate.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 344 5.9 DO (%sat.) 67% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 8.0 906 7.3

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#6iswithincompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof5.9 mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#6isconsideredgood(4.010.0mg/L).AnexcellentDOreadingis one>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepHscale(0 14)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.The conductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinland freshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150 and500hos/cm(USEPA).ConductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#6 couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates. TheaverageconductivityforSite#6isclosetotwicetheoptimumrangeforgoodmixed fisheries.Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmean turbidityconcentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.MeanturbidityatSite#6isvery good,meetingbothcriteria,althougheventbasedincreasesareobserved.

Site#7JohnsonPark

Fromsamplinglocationlookingupstream

Sideviewofsamplinglocation

RationaleforSiteSelection:
Site#7isthehistoricCityofRacineupstreamsamplingsiteutilizedtoprovidekeyinformation onthetypeandquantityofpollutantscontributedfromupstreamreachesoftheriver.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 449 10.5 DO (%sat.) 123% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (NTU) (S/cm) 8.3 901 7.7

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#7iswithincompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof10.5 mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#7isconsideredexcellent(>10.0mg/L).UnitedStates(US)natural waterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepHscale(014)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).The optimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.TheconductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyranges from50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinlandfreshwatersindicatethatstreamssupporting goodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150and500hos/cm(USEPA).Conductivity outsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#7couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitable forcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates.TheaverageconductivityforSite#7isclose totwicetheoptimumrangeforgoodmixedfisheries.Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwater fisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidityconcentrationof10NTUand25NTU respectively.MeanturbidityatSite#7isverygood,meetingbothcriteria,althoughevent basedincreasesareobserved.

Site#8HoodsCreek

Fromsamplinglocationlookingdownstream

RationaleforSiteSelection:
Site#8islocatedattheBrookRoadcrossing;immediatelyupstreamfromtheconfluencewith theRootRiver.Thissitewillprovideinformationonthecomposition/loadofpollutantscoming intotheriverfromthecreek.Limitedhistoricwaterqualityexists;somefishbioticindexing, macroinvertebrate,andstreamhabitatconditiondataexists.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 752 6.5 DO (%sat.) 72% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 7.9 1,185 17.9

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#8isoutsideofcompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof 6.5mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#8isconsideredgood(4.010.0mg/L).AnexcellentDO readingisone>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepH scale(014)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.The conductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinland freshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150 and500hos/cm(USEPA).ConductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#8 couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates. TheaverageconductivityforSite#8ismorethantwicetheoptimumrangeforgoodmixed fisheries.Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmean turbidityconcentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.CurrentmeanturbidityatSite#8is supportiveofcool/warmwaterfisheries.

Site#95MileRoadandRootRiverParkway

Samplinglocationiswhereropeisextended

RationaleforSiteSelection:
Site#9islocatedontheMainStemoftheRootRiver.Thissitewillprovidekeyinformationon thetypeandquantityofpollutantscontributedfromupstreamreachesoftheriver.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 469 7.0 DO (%sat.) 81% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 8.1 889 12.7

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#9iswithincompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof7.0 mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#9isconsideredgood(4.010.0mg/L).AnexcellentDOreadingis one>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepHscale(0 14)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.The conductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinland freshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150 and500hos/cm(USEPA).ConductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#9 couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates. TheaverageconductivityforSite#9isclosetotwicetheoptimumrangeforgoodmixed fisheries.Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmean turbidityconcentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.CurrentmeanturbidityatSite#9is supportiveofcool/warmwaterfisheries.

Site#10HusherCreek

Sideviewofsamplinglocation

Lookingupstreamfromsamplinglocation

RationaleforSiteSelection:
HusherCreekisatributaryoftheRootRiver.Thissitewillprovideinsightintocreek contributionstotheRootRiver.Limitedhistoricwaterqualitydataindicateselevatedfecal indicatorbacterialevels.Limitedfishandmacroinvertebratebioticindexingandhabitat conditionassessmentdataexistsforSite#10.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 762 6.1 DO (%sat.) 67% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 8.0 765 32.0

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#10isoutsidecompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof 6.1mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#10isconsideredgood(4.010.0mg/L).AnexcellentDO readingisone>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepH scale(014)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.The conductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinland freshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150 and500hos/cm(USEPA).ConductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#10 couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates. Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidity concentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.MeanturbidityatSite#10isoutsidethe recommendedconcentrationsforeithercoldorcool/warmwaterfisherywaters.

 Site#11Highway38atMilwaukeeCountyLine

Sideviewofsamplinglocation

Lookingdownstreamfromsamplinglocation

RationaleforSiteSelection:
Site#11islocatedontheMainStemoftheRootRiverjustdownstreamoftheconfluenceof HusherCreekandtheRootRiver.Datacollectedfromthislocationmayallowinferencestobe madeastothetypeandquantityofpollutantscontributedbythecreektotheriverproper.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 533 6.6 DO (%sat.) 76% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (NTU) (S/cm) 8.0 924 15.9

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#11isjustwithincompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)level of6.6mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#11isconsideredgood(4.010.0mg/L).AnexcellentDO readingisone>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepH scale(014)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.The conductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinland freshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150 and500hos/cm(USEPA).ConductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#11 couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates. Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidity concentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.CurrentmeanturbidityatSite#11is supportiveofcool/warmwaterfisheries.

Site#12LegendCreek

Samplinglocationisinthemiddleofthecreek

RationaleforSiteSelection:
LegendCreekisatributarytotheRootRiverlocatedinMilwaukeeCounty.Datacollectedat thissitewillaugmentdatabeingcollectedbytheMilwaukeeMetropolitanSewerageDistrict (MMSD).

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 766 6.2 DO (%sat.) 66% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 7.9 1,003 16.3

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#12isoutsideofcompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof 6.2mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#12isconsideredgood(4.010.0mg/L).AnexcellentDO readingisone>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepH scale(014)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.The conductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinland freshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150 and500hos/cm(USEPA).ConductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#12 couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates. Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidity concentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.CurrentmeanturbidityatSite#12is supportiveofcool/warmwaterfisheries.

Site#13RootRiverCanalMain

Viewupstreamfromsamplinglocation

USGSgaugingstationondownstreamsideofbridge

RationaleforSiteSelection:
Site#13islocatedapproximately1.5milesdownstreamoftheconfluenceoftheeastandwest branchesoftheRootRiver.ThislocationisalsothesiteofUSGSgaugingstation,whichallows examinationofwaterqualityrelativetoflow.Agoodhistoricalwaterqualitydatasetexists.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 216 20.5 DO (%sat.) 240% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 9.0 1,249 30.7

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#13iswellwithincompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)level of20.5mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#13isconsideredexcellent(>10.0mg/L).UnitedStates(US) naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepHscale(014)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA). TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4;Site#13isfarfromthisvalue.Theconductivity ofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinlandfreshwaters indicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150and500 hos/cm(USEPA).ConductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#13could indicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates. Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidity concentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.MeanturbidityatSite#13isoutsidethe recommendedrange.

Site#14RaymondCreek

RaymondCreekwithfullflowafterrain(June2011)

ViewofRaymondCreekbutafterseveralmonthsoflow precipitation(August2011)

RationaleforSiteSelection:
Site#14isatributarytothewestbranchoftheRootRiverCanal.Selectionofthissitewill potentiallyyieldinformationonagriculturalinputstotheRootRiver.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 412 4.5 DO (%sat.) 51% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 8.1 1,537 34.0

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#14iswithincompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof4.5 mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#14isjustwithinacceptablerange(4.010.0mg/L).Anexcellent DOreadingisone>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthe pHscale(014)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4. TheconductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesof inlandfreshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearange between150and500hos/cm(USEPA).Conductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalue seenatSite#14couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacro invertebrates.Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommended meanturbidityconcentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.MeanturbidityatSite#14is faroutsidetherecommendedconcentrations.

Site#15RootRiverCanalWestBranch(N)

Fromsamplingpointonbridgelookingupstream

Fromsamplingpointunderbridgelookingdownstream

RationaleforSiteSelection:
Site#15isasitethatsitsjustupstreamfromtheconfluenceoftheeastandwestbranchesof theRootRiverCanal.Monitoringatthislocationwillprovideinsightonpollutantloadingfrom thewestbranchtotheRootRiverCanal,whichisimpairedfortotalsuspendedsolidsand phosphorus.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 256 17.0 DO (%sat.) 199% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 8.7 1,580 16.4

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#15iswithincompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof 17.0mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#15isconsideredexcellent(>10.0mg/L).UnitedStates(US) naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepHscale(014)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA). TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.TheconductivityofriversintheUSgenerally rangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinlandfreshwatersindicatethatstreams supportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150and500hos/cm(USEPA). ConductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#15couldindicatethatthewater isnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates.Coldwaterfisheryand cool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidityconcentrationof10NTU and25NTUrespectively.CurrentmeanturbidityatSite#15issupportiveofcool/warmwater fisheries.

Site#16RootRiverCanalEastBranch(N)

ViewofsamplinglocationondownstreamsideofbridgeViewdownstreamfrombridge

RationaleforSiteSelection:
Site#16sitsjustupstreamfromtheconfluenceoftheeastandwestbranchesoftheRootRiver Canal.Monitoringatthissitewillprovideinsightonpollutantloadingfromtheeastbranchto theRootRiverCanal,whichisimpairedfortotalsuspendedsolidsandphosphorus.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 168 5.3 DO (%sat.) 62% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (NTU) (S/cm) 8.2 859 15.4

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#16fallswellwithincompliance.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO) levelof5.3mg/LtheRootRiveratSite#16isconsideredgood(4.010.0mg/L).Anexcellent DOreadingisone>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthe pHscale(014)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4. TheconductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesof inlandfreshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearange between150and500hos/cm(USEPA).Conductivityoutsidethisrangesuchasthevalue seenatSite#16couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacro invertebrates.Coldwaterfisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommended meanturbidityconcentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.CurrentmeanturbidityatSite #16issupportiveofcool/warmwaterfisheries.

Site#17RootRiverCanalWestBranch(S):UnionGroveWWTP

Viewdownstreamfromsamplinglocation

Viewofsamplinglocation(largepipe)

RationaleforSiteSelection:
ThismonitoringstationislocatedatthesouthernendofthewestbranchoftheRootRiver Canal.Datacollectedherewillprovideinsightintohumansourcecontributionsasthisbranch ofthecanalsitsupstream,justtothenorth,oftheUnionGroveWastewaterTreatmentPlant.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 2,804 7.7 DO (%sat.) 85% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (S/cm) (NTU) 7.8 2,254 2.7

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#17fallswelloutsideofcompliance.Thismaybeattributedtocontributions fromthewastewatertreatmentplant.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof7.7mg/L theRootRiveratSite#17isconsideredgood(4.010.0mg/L).AnexcellentDOreadingisone >10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepHscale(014) with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.Theconductivity ofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinlandfreshwaters indicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150and500 hos/cm(USEPA).ConductivitylevelswelloutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenatSite#17 couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacroinvertebrates andindicatesignificantcontributionsofsedimentsorchemicals.Coldwaterfisheryand cool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidityconcentrationof10NTU and25NTUrespectively.MeanturbidityatSite#17isverygood,meetingbothcriteria, althougheventbasedincreasesareobserved.

Site#18RootRiverCanalEastBranch(S):Fonk'sTrailerPark

Viewofsamplinglocation(downstreamofbridge)Fonk'sTrailerParkWastewaterTreatmentsitsjustupstream

RationaleforSiteSelection:
Site318isatthesouthernendoftheeastbranchoftheRootRiverCanal.Thislocationwill provideinsightintowhetherhumansourcesarecontributingtopoorwaterqualityinthis branchofthecanal.ThetrailerparkWWTPliesjustupstreamofthesamplingpoint.

PreliminaryResults:
MeanResults(9Events)August2011
E.coli DO (MPN/100mL) (mg/L) 1,565 4.9 DO (%sat.) 51% pH Conductivity Turbidity (114) (NTU) (S/cm) 7.3 1,316 11.6

Intheir1986waterqualityguidelines,theUSEPAsuggestsanE.colimaximumvalueof576 MPN/100mlforinfrequentlyusedfullbodycontactwaters.Asanincidentalcontactwater,the RootRiver,atSite#18fallswelloutsideofcompliance.Thismaybeattributedtocontributions fromthewastewatertreatmentplant.Withanaveragedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelof4.9mg/L theRootRiveratSite#18isjustwithinacceptablelimits(4.010.0mg/L).AnexcellentDO readingisone>10mg/L.UnitedStates(US)naturalwaterfallsbetween6.5and8.5onthepH scale(014)with7.0beingneutral(NOAA).TheoptimumpHforriverwaterisaround7.4.The conductivityofriversintheUSgenerallyrangesfrom50to1500mhos/cm.Studiesofinland freshwatersindicatethatstreamssupportinggoodmixedfisherieshavearangebetween150 and500hos/cm(USEPA).Conductivitylevelswelloutsidethisrangesuchasthevalueseenat Site#18couldindicatethatthewaterisnotsuitableforcertainspeciesoffishormacro invertebratesandindicatesignificantcontributionsofsedimentsorchemicals.Coldwater fisheryandcool/warmwaterfisherywatershavearecommendedmeanturbidity concentrationof10NTUand25NTUrespectively.CurrentmeanturbidityatSite#18is supportiveofcool/warmwaterfisheries.