Water Quality Survey of the Shellrock River prepared for the Iowa Department of Environmental Quality by the University of Iowa, State Hygienic Laboratory, October 26, 1977

(1977) Water Quality Survey of the Shellrock River prepared for the Iowa Department of Environmental Quality by the University of Iowa, State Hygienic Laboratory, October 26, 1977. University of Iowa

Preview

PDF shellrock_riveR_1977_OCR_.pdf File Size:8MB

Abstract

A water quality survey of the Shellrock River was conducted during July, 1977. The purpose of the survey was to assess summer water quality of the Shellrock River as affected by point source discharges. Results of the survey demonstrate the poor quality of water entering Iowa and its affect on water quality in the Iowa section of the Shellrock River. The high organic loadings entering Iowa were characterized by elevated organic nitrogen (2.9 mg/L), filtrable phosphate (0.97 mg/L), BOD (10 mg/L) and chloride (78 mg/L). The organic loading created an oxygen sag near Northwood which resulted in violation of Iowa's dissolved oxygen water quality standard at three stations. The biological community was also affected as demonstrated by the high numbers of pollution tolerant leeches, snails and amphipods found at Station 1. A decline in water quality was observed at the last three stations on the Shellrock and may be due to an as yet undefined organic waste loadings. Water quality of the Shellrock River was poor and is expected to remain poor as long as it receives the point source waste loading, especially from Albert Lea, Minnesota.