1996-97 Water Quality Data Report for Bunker Creek and Deep Creek Project Area
Abstract
This report describes the results of four years of dry season water quality monitoring on Bunker Creek and Deep Creek (1994-97) and interim results for the third year of wet season monitoring (1996-97). Pre- and post-BMP monitoring were conducted to determine effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs).
During the wet season, monitoring continued to show high turbidity and high levels of total suspended solids. Turbidity standards were exceeded at two sites on Deep Creek during the wet season.
In Bunker and Deep creeks during the 1997 dry season, water quality standards were exceeded for fecal coliform, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. In 1997 fecal coliform levels at Deep Creek site DCM 2.4 were higher than in 1996, but still lower - than 1995. Increases seen in 1997 are most likely due to poor livestock management practices.
In comparing pre- and post-BMP dry season data, statistically significant improvements were seen in water quality. Two sites on Deep Creek showed lower bacterial levels and one site showed lower ammonia-nitrogen levels. Bunker Creek showed improvements in dissolved oxygen levels. Water quality improvements on Deep Creek are most likely due to fencing to exclude livestock from the creek. Further post-BMP monitoring is recommended on Bunker and Deep creeks.
Introduction
This report presents the results for pre- and post-best management practice (BMP) water quality monitoring on Bunker Creek and Deep Creek during the 1994-97 dry season and the 1996-97 wet season. Interim dry and wet season results for 1994-96 are available in two previously published reports (Sargeant; 1996a, 1997a). This project is funded in part by the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Chehalis Fisheries Restoration Program (CFRP). The purpose of the monitoring is to gather pre- and post-BMP data on several sites in the Deep Creek basin and the mouth of Bunker Creek, and to follow up on the Upper Chehalis River Dry Season Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Study (Pickett, 1994). Monitoring sites are shown in Figure 1.
by Debby Sargeant November 1998
Waterbody No. WA-23-1104
Ecology Report #98-333
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