1
2006 Shell Creek Watershed Study
Advisors – Mark Seier & Suzy Goedeken
Researchers – Amanda Gasper, Melissa Gasper, Heather Schmidt, Tom O’Brien, Laura Johnson, Josh Kaufman, Tim Wiese, Mandy Anderson, Jessica Boschen, Sean Farrier, Brittany Julsen, Ann O’Brien, Sheila O’Brien, Lynzee Pieke, Brett Roberg, Connie Dohmen, Luke Gasper, Jesse Knust, Alyshia Nelson, Skye Rosno, Darrek Schmidt & Kelsey Wallin
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(with Township-Range Labels)
Shell Creek and Loseke-Taylor Creek Watersheds
Lower Platte North Natural Resources District
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W.Q.I.
• The Water Quality Index was developed by the National Sanitation Foundation as a standard system to compare different bodies of water.
• To determine the WQI, a series of nine tests were performed. These tests were: dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform, pH, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), temperature, total phosphate, nitrates, turbidity, and total solids. We also did a water discharge test which we use to measure the flow of the creek in cubic feet per second.
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• After the tests are completed, the WQI for each section of the creek can be computed.
• To formulate the WQI, we first computed Q-values. • We multiply this number by a weighting factor, which
provides a measure of the relative importance of each test to overall water quality.
• The water quality index ranges from zero to 100.- 0 - 25 is very bad - 25 - 50 is bad - 50 - 70 is medium - 70 - 90 is good- 90 - 100 is excellent
• The bio-indicator tests weren’t part of W.Q.I., but did give us a water quality rating.
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Sample W.Q.I. Form
Test Results Q-valueWeighting
FactorT o t a l
DO % sat. 0.17 Fecal Coliform col/100 mL 0.16
pH units 0.11 BOD mg/L 0.11
Temperature change in C 0.1 Total Phosphate mg/L 0.1
Nitrates mg/L 0.1 Turbidity JTU 0.08
Total Solids mg/L 0.07
Overall Water Quality Index ___
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Test Natural Readings Cautionary Readings
Dissolved Oxygen % Saturation
90% or higher Below 90% unless the waters are supersaturated due to cultural eutrophication.
pH 6.5-8.5 Below 6.5Above 8.5
Nitrates 0.0-1.0 ppm Consistent readings above 3.5 ppm
Change in Temperature
The higher the change, the worse the water quality.
Turbidity 0-8 JTU’s Increasing trends in turbidity measurements.
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Test Natural Readings Cautionary Readings
5 Day B.O.D The higher the difference between the original and the 5 day reading, the worse the water.
Phosphates Less than 1 mg/L More than 1 mg/L
Total Solids The higher the concentration, the worse the water.
Fecal Coliform Over 200 colonies/100 mL of water
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pH Change in Water Temp.
(Degrees Celsius)
Total Solids (mg/L)
Fecal Coliform(Col./100
mL)
Discharge (cubic
ft./sec.)
May 27 Site 1 7.8 1.4 270 150 2.62
Site 2 7.7 -1.3 420 100 1.22
Site 3 7.9 0 590 750 2.65
Site 4 8.2 -0.5 510 200 4.53
Site 5 7.9 0.9 410 400 13.1
June 12 & 13
Site 1 7.75 1.55 390 125 2.575
Site 2 7.7 -0.6 460 175 1.08
Site 3 6.95 0.2 370 150 2.86
Site 4 7.85 -0.4 600 700 2.96
Site 5 8 0.7 510 550 12.2
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Turbidity (JTU’s)
Dissolved Oxygen (% Saturation)
Dissolved Oxygen (ppm)
5 Day B.O.D.
Nitrates(ppm)
Phosphates(ppm)
May 27 Site 1 23 60% 5.4 2.6 1.408 0.54
Site 2 41 41% 3.8 2.6 12.848 0.37
Site 3 51 53% 4.7 3.6 10.384 0.28
Site 4 139 9% 1.9 0 10.472 0.76
Site 5 36 25% 2.4 0 3.476 0.46
June 12 & 13
Site 1 13.5 69.5% 6.35 2.6 13.597 0.5
Site 2 39.5 31.5% 3.1 0.7 2.748 1.725
Site 3 23 68.5% 6.3 2.2 1.342 0.37
Site 4 125 27.5% 2.8 0.2 0 3.84
Site 5 55 43.5% 4.1 2.5 7.59 0.44
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pH Change in Water Temp.
Degrees Celsius
Total Solids mg/L
Fecal Coliform
Col./100 mL
Discharge cubic
ft./sec.
July 17 & 18
Site 1 7.6 1.6 340 300 1.565
Site 2 7.25 -0.35 270 400 0.61
Site 3 7.7 0.55 630 600 1.1105
Site 4 8.15 -1.35 640 550 3.25
Site 5 7.85 1.55 510 2200 9.505
August 8 Site 1 7.5 0.9 980 85100 NA
Site 2 7.7 0.3 230 300 2.08
Site 3 7.9 -0.1 300 1 0 0 2.382
Site 4 7.9 -0.3 470 216 3.9
Site 5 7.9 0 2760 68100 NA
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Turbidity JTU’s
Dissolved Oxygen % Saturation
Dissolved Oxygen
ppm
5 Day B.O.D.
Nitrates(ppm)
Phosphates(mg/L)
July 17 & 18
Site 1 19 19.5 1.65 1.15 13.024 4.54
Site 2 18 21.5 1.9 1 0.836 0.365
Site 3 73 32 2.6 .7 2.156 0.69
Site 4 135.5 19.5 1.7 .1 0 3.18
Site 5 55 57.5 4.85 2.25 9.878 1.275
August 8
Site 1 794 0 0 0 0 4.48
Site 2 58 25 2.3 1.2 1.408 0.92
Site 3 62 54 4.6 1.7 1.188 1.04
Site 4 108 46 4 3 0.09 0.69
Site 5 2096 0 0 0 3.036 1.58
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 57 0.17 9.69Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 40 0.16 6.4pH Units 90 0.11 9.9B.O.D. Mg/L 70 0.11 7.7Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9.0
Phosphates Mg/L 60 0.10 6.0Nitrates Mg/L 94 0.10 9.4Turbidity JTU 56 0.08 4.48Total Solids Mg/L 63 0.07 4.41
Overall Water Quality Index 66.98 (medium)
May 27 Site 1
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 31 0.17 5.27Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 44 0.16 7.04pH Units 91 0.11 10.01B.O.D. Mg/L 70 0.11 7.7Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9.0Phosphates Mg/L 96 0.10 9.6Nitrates Mg/L 45 0.10 4.5Turbidity JTU 44 0.08 3.52Total Solids Mg/L 45 0.07 3.15
Overall Water Quality Index 59.79 (medium)
May 27 Site 2
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor TotalD.O. % Sat. 45 0.17 7.65Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 23 0.16 3.68pH Units 86 0.11 9.46B.O.D. Mg/L 70 0.11 7.7Temp. Change in o C 93 0.10 9.3Phosphates Mg/L 93 0.10 9.3Nitrates Mg/L 50 0.10 5.0Turbidity JTU 37 0.08 2.96Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 56.45 (medium)
May 27 Site 3
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 5 0.17 .85Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 35 0.16 5.6pH Units 75 0.11 8.25B.O.D. Mg/L 96 0.11 10.56Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1Phosphates Mg/L 50 0.10 5.0Nitrates Mg/L 50 0.10 5.0Turbidity JTU 5 0.08 .4Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 46.16 (bad)
May 27 Site 4
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 14 0.17 2.38Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 27 0.16 4.32pH Units 85 0.11 9.35B.O.D. Mg/L 96 0.11 10.56Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2
Phosphates Mg/L 6 0.10 6.1Nitrates Mg/L 91 0.10 9.1Turbidity JTU 47 0.08 3.76Total Solids Mg/L 46 0.07 3.22
Overall Water Quality Index 57.99 (medium)
May 27 Site 5
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 75 0.17 12.75Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 43 0.16 6.88pH Units 90 0.11 9.9B.O.D. Mg/L 70 0.11 7.7Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9.0
Phosphates Mg/L 60 0.10 6.0Nitrates Mg/L 48 0.10 4.8Turbidity JTU 71 0.08 5.68Total Solids Mg/L 48 0.07 3.36
Overall Water Quality Index 66.07 (medium)
June 12 & 13 Site 1
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 20 0.17 3.4Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 38 0.16 6.08pH Units 88 0.11 9.68B.O.D. Mg/L 90 0.11 9.9Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9.0Phosphates Mg/L 29 0.10 2.9Nitrates Mg/L 90 0.10 9.0Turbidity JTU 46 0.08 3.68Total Solids Mg/L 39 0.07 2.73
Overall Water Quality Index 56.37 (medium)
June 12 & 13 Site 2
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 74 0.17 12.58Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 40 0.16 6.4pH Units 90 0.11 9.9B.O.D. Mg/L 70 0.11 7.7Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1Phosphates Mg/L 90 0.10 9.0Nitrates Mg/L 94 0.10 9.4Turbidity JTU 59 0.08 4.72Total Solids Mg/L 50 0.07 3.5
Overall Water Quality Index 72.3 (good)
June 12 & 13 Site 3
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 18 0.17 3.06Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 23 0.16 3.68pH Units 88 0.11 9.68B.O.D. Mg/L 95 0.11 10.45Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9.0Phosphates Mg/L 18 0.10 1.8Nitrates Mg/L 97 0.10 9.7Turbidity JTU 5 0.08 0.4Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 49.17 (bad)
June 12 & 13 Site 4
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 40 0.17 6.8Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 24 0.16 3.84pH Units 82 0.11 9.02B.O.D. Mg/L 70 0.11 7.7Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9.0Phosphates Mg/L 65 0.10 6.5Nitrates Mg/L 57 0.10 5.7Turbidity JTU 36 0.08 2.88Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 52.84 (medium)
June 12 & 13 Site 5
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 10 0.17 1.7Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 30 0.16 4.8pH Units 89 0.11 9.79B.O.D. Mg/L 90 0.11 9.9Temp. Change in o C 88 0.10 8.8Phosphates Mg/L 16 0.10 1.6Nitrates Mg/L 45 0.10 4.5Turbidity JTU 61 0.08 4.88Total Solids Mg/L 53 0.07 3.71
Overall Water Quality Index 49.68 (bad)
July 17 & 18 Site 1
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 12 0.17 2.04Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 27 0.16 4.32pH Units 91 0.11 10.01B.O.D. Mg/L 90 0.11 9.9Temp. Change in o C 88 0.10 8.8Phosphates Mg/L 90 0.10 9Nitrates Mg/L 54 0.10 5.4Turbidity JTU 63 0.08 5.04Total Solids Mg/L 61 0.07 4.27
Overall Water Quality Index 58.78 (medium)
July 17 & 18 Site 2
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 20 0.17 3.4Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 25 0.16 4pH Units 88 0.11 9.68B.O.D. Mg/L 92 0.11 10.12Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2Phosphates Mg/L 61 0.10 6.1Nitrates Mg/L 90 0.10 9.0Turbidity JTU 28 0.08 2.24Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 55.14 (medium)
July 17 & 18 Site 3
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 9 0.17 1.53Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 26 0.16 4.16pH Units 76 0.11 8.37B.O.D. Mg/L 99 0.11 10.89Temp. Change in o C 89 0.10 8.9
Phosphates Mg/L 20 0.10 2Nitrates Mg/L 97 0.10 9.7Turbidity JTU 5 0.08 0.4Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 47.35 (bad)
July 17 & 18 Site 4
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 48 0.17 8.16Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 18 0.16 2.88pH Units 89 0.11 9.79B.O.D. Mg/L 70 0.11 7.7Temp. Change in o C 88 0.10 8.8
Phosphates Mg/L 33 0.10 3.3Nitrates Mg/L 51 0.10 5.1Turbidity JTU 37 0.08 2.96Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 50.09 (medium)
July 17 & 18 Site 5
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 0 0.17 0Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 20 0.16 0.32pH Units 93 0.11 10.23B.O.D. Mg/L 97 0.11 1.067Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1
Phosphates Mg/L 15 0.10 1.5Nitrates Mg/L 96 0.10 9.6Turbidity JTU 0.5 0.08 0.04Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 33.257 (bad)
August 8 Site 1
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 17 0.17 2.89Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 32 0.16 5.12pH Units 90 0.11 9.9B.O.D. Mg/L 94 0.11 10.34Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2
Phosphates Mg/L 42 0.10 4.2Nitrates Mg/L 92 0.10 9.2Turbidity JTU 35 0.08 2.2Total Solids Mg/L 67 0.07 4.69
Overall Water Quality Index 57.74 (medium)
August 8 Site 2
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 43 0.17 7.31Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 45 0.16 7.2pH Units 86 0.11 9.46B.O.D. Mg/L 89 0.11 9.79Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9
Phosphates Mg/L 38 0.10 3.8Nitrates Mg/L 95 0.10 9.5Turbidity JTU 32 0.08 2.56Total Solids Mg/L 59 0.07 4.13
Overall Water Quality Index 62.75 (medium)
August 8 Site 3
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 39 0.17 6.63Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 34 0.16 5.44pH Units 86 0.11 9.46B.O.D. Mg/L 63 0.11 6.93Temp. Change in o C 89 0.10 8.9
Phosphates Mg/L 57 0.10 5.7Nitrates Mg/L 96 0.10 9.6Turbidity JTU 50 0.08 0.4Total Solids Mg/L 32 0.07 2.24
Overall Water Quality Index 55.3 (medium)
August 8 Site 4
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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total
D.O. % Sat. 0 0.17 0Fecal Coliform Col./100mL 20 0.16 0.32pH Units 86 0.11 9.46B.O.D. Mg/L 97 0.11 10.67Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2Phosphates Mg/L 28 0.10 2.8Nitrates Mg/L 68 0.10 6.8Turbidity JTU 50 0.08 0.4Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4
Overall Water Quality Index 41.05 (bad)
August 8 Site 5
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pH
6.3
6.6
6.9
7.2
7.5
7.8
8.1
8.4
Ma y 27 June 12 &13
July 17 &18
August 8
Da te
pH
Le
vel Site 1
Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5
40
Cha nge in Wa ter Tempera ture
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
Ma y 27 June 12 &13
July 17 &18
August 8
Da te
De
gre
es
Ce
lciu
s
Site 1Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5
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Tota l Solids
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
Ma y 27 June 12 &13
July 17 &18
August 8
Da te
mg
/L
Site 1Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5
42
Feca l Coliform
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Ma y 27 June 12 &13
July 17 &18
August 8
Da te
colo
nie
s/1
00
mL
Site 1Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5
*August 8-Site 1- 85,100 colonies/100 mL
Site 5-68,100 colonies/100 mL
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Flow
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Ma y 27 June 12 &13
July 17 &18
August 8
Da te
Cu
bic
fe
et
pe
r se
con
d
Site 1Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5
45
Turbidity
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Ma y 27 June 12 &13
July 17 &18
August 8
Da te
JTU
's
Site 1Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5
*Augst 8-Site 1 794 JTU’s
Site 5 2,096 JTU’s
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Dissolved O xygen
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Ma y 27 June 12 &13
July 17 & 18 August 8
Da te
pp
m
Site 1Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5
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Dissolved O xygen
0
10
2030
40
50
60
7080
90
100
Ma y 27 June 12 &13
July 17 &18
August 8
Da te
% S
atu
rati
on Site 1
Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5
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5 Da y Biologica l O xygen Dema nd
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Ma y 27 June 12 &13
July 17 & 18 August 8
Da te
pp
m
Site 1Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5
49
N itra tes
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Ma y 27 June 12 &13
July 17 &18
August 8
Da te
pp
m
Site 1Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5
50
Phospha tes
0
0.5
11.5
2
2.5
3
3.54
4.5
5
Ma y 27 June 12 &13
July 17 &18
August 8
Da te
pp
m
Site 1Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5
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Chemical Test Conclusion• pH consistent • D.O. consistently low• Fecal coliform is increasing• Phosphates are increasing • May WQI averages consistent since 2003• By site WQI averages are consistent within 5
points• Each year from 2003-2005 WQI increased over
the summer
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Site 1 54
Site 2 58Site 3 62Site 4 49Site 5 50
May 27 57June 12 & 13 59July 17 & 18 52August 8 50
WQI Averages by Site
WQI Averages by Date
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0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5
Site
WQI Averages by Site
2003 Averages2004 Averages2005 Averages2006 Averages
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WQI Averages by Date
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
May June July August
Month
2003 Averages
2004 Averages
2005 Averages
2006 Averages
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2003 to 2005 Chemical Test Average Comparisons
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Disch
arge pH
Nitrat
es
Phosphat
es
B.O.D
.
Change
in T
emp.
Chemical Test
2003 Averages
2004 Averages
2005 Averages
2006 Averages
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2003 to 2005 Chemical Test Average Comparisons
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
D.O. % Sat. Turbidity Fecal Coliform Total Solids
Chemical Test
2003 Averages
2004 Averages
2005 Averages
2006 Averages
*2006 Fecal Coliform Average 8,058 col/100 mL
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Bio-Indicator Comparison Chart 2002 & 2004-2006
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5
Summer 2002
Summer 2004
Summer 2005
Summer 2006
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Bio-Indicator Ratings
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
May June July August
Month
Ratin
gs
si te 1si te 2si te 3si te 4si te 5
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Bio-Indicators Test Conclusions
• Average water quality-poor • Water quality is poor-making macro
invertebrates hard to find• Improvement from 2005• Lower ratings than 2002 & 2004
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Fish Study 1939 1972 1985 1989 1991 1992 1995 2006
Black Bullhead
X X X X X
Carp X X X X X
Fathead Minnow
X X X X X X X X
Sand Shiner X X X X X X
Red Shiner X X X X X X
Bigmouth Shiner
X
Brassy Minnow
X
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Fish Study 1939 1972 1985 1989 1991 1992 1995 2006
Channel Catfish
X X X
Emerald Shiner
X
Flathead Chub
X
Freshwater Drum
Plains Minnow
X
Quilback X X
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Fish Study 1939 1972 1985 1989 1991 1992 1995 2006
River Carpsucker
X
Shortnose gar X
Shorthead redhorse
X X
Western Silvery Minnow
X
Silver Chub X
Flathead Catfish X
Speckled Chub X
Green Sunfish X X
Yellow Bullhead XTotal Fish Diversity 2 11 12 2 8 6 4 6
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Fish Study Conclusion
• Fish vary greatly over years • With the information from Phil Chvala at
the Nebraska Game and Parks Commision – Fish diversity is a lot worse– Better than in 1995 – 2006 study same diversity as 1992 study
• Can’t make any conclusions at this point
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Website
• http://newman.esu8.org/project.htmlOR
• http://newman.esu8.org/ • Click “Our Students”
• Click “Student Projects”• Click “Watershed Project”
• You can see our data and further information concerning this project,
including pictures.
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Thank You To:• Lower Platte North Natural
Resource District
• PrairieLand RC&D
• Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
• Shell Creek Watershed
Improvement Group
• Chris Poole
• Phil Chvala
• Area Land Owners
The End