Wabash Sampling Blitz

On Friday, September 18th, WREC hosted the first ever Wabash Stream Sampling Blitz. More than 180 volunteers monitored over 210 stream sites. Participants collected water samples and measured stream temperature on-site. Samples were analyzed for nutrient, metal, and general field parameters using test strips at the event. Additional samples were filtered and stored on ice for analysis in Purdue University's Soils Lab.

WREC would like to thank all of our volunteers especially those facilities that offered the use of their space for staging our volunteers: Purdue University for the Beck Agricultural Center, the Tippecanoe Soil and Water Conservation District for use of their parking lot, and the Town of Independence for use of Independence Park.

Sample Sites

Volunteers sampled 210 stream sites on Friday, September 18th between 3 and 5 p.m.  Note: samples were collected under extremely low flow conditions. Flows in the Wabash River measure in approximately the 25 percentile of historic flows. A map of the sites sampled is available here.

Sample Analysis

Volunteers filtered a portion of their water samples at our three staging locations. Samples were also analyzed for nitrate/nitrite, orthophosphate, copper, and pH using test strips. A portion of the sample was filtered for analysis at Purdue University's soil laboratory. The analyses included orthophosphate, nitrate/nitrite, ammonia, and carbon. Several parameters were repeated in the laboratory to further refine field-collected data. A subset of samples were also analyzed for E. coli.

Preliminary sample results are presented below on a subwatershed basis. This means that the entire area which drains or contributes to the sample point is shown. Further review of the data in the field will allow WREC and our project partners to further identify specific locations where water quality issues could be located.

Sample Results

Temperature - Samplers measured temperature in the field directly from the stream at the time of sample collection. Temperature is an important parameter as it is the regulator for aquatic communities - all plankton, bug, and fish species  have a preferred temperature. Temperature also controls the amount of dissolved oxygen present in the water -  cooler temperature waters hold more dissolved oxygen. Finally, temperature controls the rate at which chemical reactions occur, such as the conversion of nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen.

Higher temperatures are show in darker (red) colors. Several factors affect temperature including riparian buffers or shading, watershed inputs, and surrounding land uses. Highest temperatures were measured in small, headwater streams.

pH - Samplers measured pH from water samples at the staging location. Water pH is a measure of the amount of hydrogen ion available in the water. Water pH determines the solubility and biological availability of chemicals, including nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and metals, like copper or lead. Typical pH levels in streams measure 6.5 to 8.5. pH levels are indicative of the geological materials in the drainage area. Additionally, the amount of photosynthesis occurring in the stream can affect pH levels.

Higher pH levels are shown in darker (orange) colors, while lower pH levels are displayed in light orange or white. pH levels below 6 are of concern for biotic communities. Further observation is necessary in those tributaries where low pH levels were measured.

Orthophoshate - Phosphorus is typically the nutrient which limits the productivity in aquatic communities.  Phosphorus can be measured in many forms including orthophosphate or soluble reactive phosphorus. This form of phosphorus is the soluble, organic, readily available form of phosphorus. Higher phosphorus concentrations typically lead to higher levels of productivity. These increases can result in increased concentrations of algae or plants, which can result in decreased dissolved oxygen concentrations, taste and odor problems, and create poor habitat for aquatic communities.

Concentrations of orthophosphate measuring higher than 5 ppm are of concern. These subwatersheds will be further reviewed to identify potential nutrient sources in these locations.

Nitrate/Nitrite - Nitrate-nitrogen and nitrite-nitrogen, like orthophosphate, represent the available nitrogen in an aquatic system. Nitrogen is also available in the atmosphere and can move from the air into the water by nitrogen-fixers. Nitrogen can readily convert between different forms, especially nitrate and nitrite. Conversion to and from ammonia also occurs when dissolved oxygen is available in the system. Nitrate and nitrite concentrations are displayed below with darker orange colors representing higher concentrations.

Nitrate-nitrogen concentrations measuring higher than 2 ppm can inhibit aquatic communities. Concentrations higher than 10 ppm violate the state water quality standards.

Copper - Copper is a heavy metal and a trace element that is naturally available in aquatic systems. As such, it cannot be created or destroyed and is naturally present in some levels. Heavy metals can be concerning due to their ability to bioaccumulate in living organisms. This means that metals are not removed from the body, thus creating higher concentrations as the lower-level food chain organisms are consumed by higher-level food chain organisms. Copper is one of the easiest heavy metals to measure relatively quickly. In this case, copper is considered an indicator of other potential heavy metal issues. Its measurement should not be considered an indicator of copper contamination concerns within the watershed.

High copper concentrations are shown in darker (orange) colors. The highest concentrations are generally present in Wabash River samples. However, copper concentrations are also elevated in other subwatersheds.

E. coli- E. coli is an indicator organism used to monitor pathogen concentrations with surface waters. E. coli is present in the intestines of all warm-blooded mammals and can survive and reproduce outside of the body. Untreated sewage, combined sewer overflows, polluted discharges, input from animals, and source populations can all contribute E. coli to surface waters. In Indiana, concentrations measuring greater than 235 colonies/100 mL are deemed non-supporting of their designated use. In the figure below, those watershed which do not meet water quality standards are shown in the two darker orange colors.