The Wisconsin River

Mrs. HoffmannMay 21, 2013

The Wisconsin River is

“the hardest-working river in the

United States!”

https://vimeo.com/20854491

For this part you need to focus on three topics:• The reading for last week

discussed indicators of the health of our river based on:

• CHEMICAL • PHYSICAL and• BIOLOGICAL factors associated

with Water Quality

Water quality:• The Wisconsin River has

very good water quality near it’s source in the north.

Water quality:• further

downstream the water has a brown cast

due to tannins in the water

Water quality:• tannins that

are leached from the decaying

vegetation can also make the

water smell and taste

bitter.

Water downstream from major cities became very polluted.

- municipal wastes- industrial pollution

-farm run-off

Water quality:

There are standard tests that are done by ‘water chemists’ to collect data on the water in the

river.

Water quality:

CHEMICAL…

ISSUES OCCUR WITH:Runoff from• agricultural fields • barnyards• residential yards • wastewater from industrial

and municipal systems

THESE “fertilize the water”.

A rash from wading in an algae bloom

Water quality tests: TEMPERATURE

• Warm water dissolves less oxygen

• Warm water allows more pathogens and/or bacteria to

reproduce• Warm water encourages

more plant growth

Water quality tests: DISSOLVED OXYGEN (D.O.)

• MOST SIGNIFICANT WATER QUALITY TEST.

• used to determine the suitability of a

stream for fish and other aquatic organisms

Water quality tests: DISSOLVED OXYGEN (D.O.)

MORE OXYGEN DISSOLVES:• Close to the top• If there are plants in the water

Water quality tests: DISSOLVED OXYGEN (D.O.)

FISH KILL ON THE EAU PLEINE:

Water quality tests: pH

• Bacteria thrive at just about any pH

• Other animals need water nearly neutral

• WHAT CAUSES ACID RAIN?

Water quality NITRATES:

• Needed by all living plants and animals to build protein.

• Sources of nitrates:• Rainfall: 0.5 mg/L

• Lawn Fertilizer

http://www.kwwl.com/story/22252773/2013/05/14/nitrate-levels-ris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpFAwSbP54

Water quality NITRATES:

• SOURCES OF NITRATES:• Sewage added by humans.

• Poorly functioning septic

systems and inadequately treated waste water.

“THE HARDEST-WORKING RIVER IN THE

UNITED STATES!”

7. There are 120 waste treatment facilities located along the Wisconsin River.

Facts about the Wisconsin River:

9. This is quite a bit since there are only 35 cities along the river.

There are 92 smaller towns, though

Facts about the Wisconsin River:

Water quality NITRATES:

• SOURCES OF NITRATES:• Animals such as ducks and

geese and animal waste from farms.

http://www.wicd15.com/news/top-stories/stories/the-dangers-goose-poop-7184.shtml 2 min

Water quality NITRATES:

• SOURCES OF NITRATES:• Industry= acid rain.

Water quality: PHOSPHATES

• Indicator of human activity - • Human and animal wastes• Soil erosion/ nutrients/ fertilizers• Detergents: don’t bathe in

lakes/streams!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSOrfj_5J6s

Water quality CHLORIDES:

• INDICATES POSSIBLE WATER POLLUTION.

• septic systems• animal waste• potash • drainage from road-salting

chemicals

PHYSICAL…

Water quality: TURBIDITY

• measure of water clarity• can decrease the amount of

light so decrease in oxygen• influenced by rain

• great indicator of runoff from construction sites,

fields, industrial discharge and eroding banks

HOWEVER…

The general quality of the water has improved in the

last 30 years in the Wisconsin River.

•numerous partnerships with state agencies to prevent

pollution/ clean up the waters.•Individuals are doing their

part, too.

BIOLOGICAL…

Wisconsin River animal resources:

- many different species of fish

Wisconsin River animal resources:

- many different species of

macroinvertebratesThey can’t move well, so they are

good indicators… some are very sensitive according to the

BIOTIC INDEX

Wisconsin River animal resources:

-fur bearing animals were important in the

past

Wisconsin River animal resources:

-many birds are closely tied to

the fish populations

Recreational Use:boating

Recreational Use:Sight Seeing

http://www.history.com/shows/only-in-america-with-larry-the-cable-guy/videos/down-the-river#

Recreational Use:fishing

Recreational Use:Hunting and trapping

Recreational Use:Bird Watching