Lime Watershed

Even after the storms this week the Lime watershed has not been as affected as the ICS and Big Loop Watersheds. The data from the streams were found to be linear (similar, not a big difference) with last weeks data. Nothing out of the ordinary. As well the town of Brandon, IA looked as if it had not been affected badly by the storms. If we would have retrieved data immediatley after the storms then we would have been able to measure the impact of the rainfall at that moment. We measured the water quality of this watershed 4 days after the storm and the run off has been running through the streams most of the effects of the storm have dissipated.

Tubridity levels:

previous week vs. this week

Lime 240- 15.2 vs. 16.4

Lime 250- 18.3 vs. 25.5

Lime 290- 5.91 vs. 4.56

Lime Ham- 16 vs. 5.79

Lime- 4.93 vs. 5.59

Lime Fin- 5.77 vs. 4.65

From the data you can see that Lime240, 250, and Lime show higher levels of turbidity compared to last week. This is because turbidity increases sharply during and after a rainfall due to the force of falling and flowing water causes sediment to get dislodged and carried into rivers.

Bacteria levels:

previous week vs. this week

Lime 240- 2909 vs. 3873

Lime 250- 1450 vs. 889

Lime 290- 3255 vs. 2187

Lime Ham- 4611 vs. 1043

Lime- 1723 vs. 1989

Lime Fin- 1553 vs. 2310

From the data you can see that Lime240, Lime, and Lime Fin have an increased difference in bacteria amounts where Lime250, 290 and Ham have lower amounts. The effects of run off are different to each stream due to the environmental surroundings of the streams. For instance if some streams are surrounded by crops or lawns the stream will be affected by amounts of fertilizer run off.

TSS levels:

previous week vs. this week

Lime 240- 23.2 vs. 29.6

Lime 250- 18.4 vs. 28

Lime 290- 4.4 vs. 6.4

Lime Ham- 15.2 vs. 7.6

Lime- 10.4 vs. 4.4

Lime Fin- 7.2 vs. 0.7

From the data you can see that Lime240, 250 and 290 have higher amounts of TSS and are showing a gradual increase down the watershed. TSS levels are affected by any type of run off into the stream such as sand, soil, etc. Suspended particles absorb more heat, a high amount of turbidity can cause water temperatures to increase and eventually lower the amount of dissolved oxygen. If dissolved oxygen is reduced then photosynthesis will be reduced. High amounts of suspended particles have the capability to clog fish gills and eventually increasing the mortality rate of aquatic life.