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environmental information > river & stream WQ monitoring > state network >

Water quality monitoring station

34A170 - Palouse R @ Palouse

Results that exceed water quality criteria or the usual range of data (since October, 1996)

Results that exceeded water quality standards criteria

The Department of Ecology places limits on how much pollution is allowed in our rivers to protect public health and enjoyment, and to support fish, shellfish, and wildlife (WAC 173-201A). Individual results for temperature, pH, oxygen, fecal coliform bacteria, and metals (where sampled) that are higher than these criteria are listed below. (The standards do not contain criteria for other types of water quality constituents.) This table includes only results from our monthly monitoring program. Results from other monitoring, such as continuous monitoring for temperature, are not evaluated here.

Exceeding a criterion does not necessarily mean the water quality standard has been violated. Often, other �pollution� conditions must exist for a stream segment to be in violation of water quality standards. In some cases, standards require that the source of pollution be human activities rather than natural causes. Also, more than a single result exceeding a criterion may be required.

Washington's Water Quality Standards were amended in November, 2006. Data in the tables below are based on the older standards through 2008. Data collected after 2008 are based on the ammended standards, excluding supplemental temperature criteria. We are currently working on incorporating supplemental temperature criteria into our evaluation procedures.

date	time	units	criterion	result	remark	% exceed
Fecal Coliform Bacteria (exceeding the ten percent criterion)
1/7/2009	08:45	#/100ml	200	210		5
9/10/2008	08:30	#/100ml	200	210		5
2/13/2008	08:50	#/100ml	200	380	J	90
1/10/2007	10:10	#/100ml	200	220		10
1/11/2006	10:05	#/100ml	200	1500	J	650
9/9/2003	11:20	#/100ml	200	1700	J	750
3/12/2002	13:25	#/100ml	200	240	J	20
5/15/2001	11:55	#/100ml	200	920	J	360
9/12/2000	10:55	#/100ml	200	510		155
6/13/2000	09:55	#/100ml	200	1100	J	450
12/14/1999	11:20	#/100ml	200	210		5
4/5/1999	08:25	#/100ml	200	220		10
2/8/1999	08:20	#/100ml	200	290		45
1/11/1999	07:35	#/100ml	200	650		225
8/3/1998	08:15	#/100ml	200	940		370
6/8/1998	11:05	#/100ml	200	280		40
6/2/1997	16:05	#/100ml	200	670		235
12/2/1996	14:10	#/100ml	200	450		125
Oxygen
date	time	units	criterion	result	remark	% exceed
9/16/2009	09:15	mg/L	8	7.5		6
8/5/2009	08:57	mg/L	8	6.1		24
9/10/2008	08:30	mg/L	8	7.6		5
8/6/2008	08:40	mg/L	8	6.8		15
7/17/2007	14:30	mg/L	8	7.9		2
9/13/2006	09:35	mg/L	8	8		0
8/3/2005	09:50	mg/L	8	7.8		2
9/9/2003	11:20	mg/L	8	7.3		9
8/9/1999	08:00	mg/L	8	6.3		21
7/12/1999	08:00	mg/L	8	7.3		9
9/14/1998	08:30	mg/L	8	7		12
8/3/1998	08:15	mg/L	8	7.3		9
pH
date	time	units	criterion	result	remark	% exceed
8/22/2007	14:00	pH	8.5	9.4		10
7/17/2007	14:30	pH	8.5	8.6		1
6/20/2007	14:30	pH	8.5	8.8		4
5/15/2007	14:40	pH	8.5	9		6
8/9/2006	10:15	pH	8.5	9.7		14
8/3/2005	09:50	pH	8.5	8.7		3
8/5/2003	12:05	pH	8.5	8.9		5
6/3/2003	11:15	pH	8.5	8.6		1
9/10/2002	13:50	pH	8.5	8.7		2
8/13/2002	12:55	pH	8.5	8.7		2
8/7/2001	11:50	pH	8.5	8.6		1
7/10/2001	13:00	pH	8.5	9		6
9/8/1997	15:05	pH	8.5	9.1		7
8/4/1997	15:50	pH	8.5	9		6
7/7/1997	14:10	pH	8.5	8.8		4
Temperature
date	time	units	criterion	result	remark	% exceed
8/5/2009	08:57	deg C	20	22.4		12
8/6/2008	08:40	deg C	20	21.2		6
7/17/2007	14:30	deg C	20	23.6		18
6/20/2007	14:30	deg C	20	24.1		21
8/9/2006	10:15	deg C	20	21.7		8
7/13/2005	09:45	deg C	20	21.2		6
8/3/2004	11:40	deg C	20	22.1		11
7/13/2004	11:00	deg C	20	20.8		4
8/5/2003	12:05	deg C	20	23.3		17
7/8/2003	11:00	deg C	20	22.3		12
8/13/2002	12:55	deg C	20	20.8		4
7/16/2002	13:50	deg C	20	26.2		31
8/7/2001	11:50	deg C	20	23.7		18
7/10/2001	13:00	deg C	20	25.8		29
8/3/1998	08:15	deg C	20	20.3		2
7/6/1998	09:35	deg C	20	20.5		2
8/4/1997	15:50	deg C	20	25.4		27
7/7/1997	14:10	deg C	20	23.2		16

Results that contrast strongly with historical data

Results exceeding the usual range of data (defined as 2 standard deviations beyond the mean value for a station based on data from the same three-month period over the previous six years) are shown below. A certain percentage of results will always be listed in this report. Inclusion here does not necessarily indicate something unique is occurring in the watershed.

date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
Ammonia-Nitrogen
8/5/2009	08:57	mg/L	0.017		1.038889E-02	1.036901E-03	18
2/13/2008	08:50	mg/L	0.052		0.022	0.0147394	17
10/10/2007	08:30	mg/L	0.025		0.0100625	0.00025	16
1/10/2007	10:10	mg/L	0.061		2.593333E-02	1.469435E-02	15
9/13/1999	08:00	mg/L	0.031		0.013	0.005	18
8/9/1999	08:00	mg/L	0.037		0.013	0.005	18
7/12/1999	08:00	mg/L	0.035		0.013	0.005	18
Barometric Pressure
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
9/13/2006	09:35	mm/Hg	711.2	J	697.552	6.218945	18
8/9/2006	10:15	mm/Hg	711.962		697.552	6.218945	18
8/3/2005	09:50	mm/Hg	715.518		697.552	6.218945	18
12/8/2004	10:20	mm/Hg	678.434		698.991	7.618666	17
11/3/2004	10:40	mm/Hg	718.82	J	698.7106	7.797865	17
6/15/2004	12:05	mm/Hg	711.2		695.5032	7.048673	18
12/17/2002	11:25	mm/Hg	681.482		700.1107	6.550129	17
4/9/2002	13:35	mm/Hg	684.276		698.9244	5.926388	18
Conductivity
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
2/4/2009	08:20	umhos/cm	112		67.51111	16.83752	18
1/7/2009	08:45	umhos/cm	122		67.51111	16.83752	18
2/13/2008	08:50	umhos/cm	116		67.51111	16.83752	18
1/15/2008	08:50	umhos/cm	108		67.51111	16.83752	18
9/5/2007	13:55	umhos/cm	106		79.44444	11.79842	18
3/13/2001	11:15	umhos/cm	8.8		75.5	21.747	16
2/8/2000	06:15	umhos/cm	181		75.5	21.747	16
12/14/1999	11:20	umhos/cm	49		81.833	16.169	18
4/5/1999	08:25	umhos/cm	92		60.056	12.216	18
Fecal Coliform Bacteria
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
5/6/2009	08:30	#/100ml	200		35.5	23.69475	18
4/8/2009	08:45	#/100ml	83		35.5	23.69475	18
1/11/2006	10:05	#/100ml	1500	J	124.8667	167.0419	15
9/9/2003	11:20	#/100ml	1700	J	144	233.248	17
12/2/1996	14:10	#/100ml	450		94.412	144.718	17
Flow
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
2/8/1999	08:20	CFS	1140		347.688	336.106	16
1/11/1999	07:35	CFS	1340		347.688	336.106	16
7/7/1997	14:10	CFS	47		15.667	12.904	15
5/5/1997	13:55	CFS	1200		356.056	418.19	18
2/3/1997	14:10	CFS	1240		347.688	336.106	16
Nitrate+Nitrite-Nitrogen
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
4/8/2009	08:45	mg/L	0.5		8.155555E-02	0.1204092	18
4/9/2008	08:35	mg/L	0.583		8.155555E-02	0.1204092	18
2/13/2008	08:50	mg/L	2.93		1.050941	0.8521305	17
2/10/2004	12:15	mg/L	3.12		1.086938	0.7450652	16
4/8/2003	10:45	mg/L	0.457		0.1289444	0.1344582	18
Nitrate-Nitrite
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
12/4/2001	12:10	mg/L	1.15		0.205	0.408	18
3/13/2001	11:15	mg/L	2.76		0.869	0.714	16
12/2/1996	14:10	mg/L	1.35		0.205	0.408	18
Oxygen
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
8/5/2009	08:57	mg/L	6.1		8.718889	0.7718343	18
6/3/2009	08:50	mg/L	8.8		10.45111	0.8238781	18
8/6/2008	08:40	mg/L	6.8		8.718889	0.7718343	18
10/10/2007	08:30	mg/L	8.5		11.38188	1.368903	16
4/6/2005	10:30	mg/L	12.1		10.41722	0.816058	18
1/5/1998	09:45	mg/L	10.5	J	12.375	0.701	16
pH
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
8/22/2007	14:00	pH	9.4		8.24	0.4448926	18
6/20/2007	14:30	pH	8.8		7.656833	0.3776809	18
5/15/2007	14:40	pH	9		7.656833	0.3776809	18
8/9/2006	10:15	pH	9.7		8.24	0.4448926	18
1/5/2005	10:35	pH	8.4		7.4	0.2672327	16
6/3/2003	11:15	pH	8.6		7.680555	0.3927501	18
1/15/2002	12:20	pH	8.1		7.581	0.261	16
6/13/2000	09:55	pH	6.8		7.878	0.375	18
11/16/1999	09:45	pH	6.8		7.828	0.252	18
7/12/1999	08:00	pH	7.6		8.528	0.461	18
12/7/1998	07:30	pH	7.3		7.828	0.252	18
12/8/1997	08:55	pH	8.5		7.828	0.252	18
11/3/1997	09:00	pH	8.5		7.828	0.252	18
Phosphorus, Sol Reactive
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
4/8/2009	08:45	mg/L	0.0534		1.921667E-02	6.251612E-03	18
1/7/2009	08:45	mg/L	0.108		4.491765E-02	2.805103E-02	17
4/9/2008	08:35	mg/L	0.034		1.921667E-02	6.251612E-03	18
2/13/2008	08:50	mg/L	0.112		4.491765E-02	2.805103E-02	17
1/10/2007	10:10	mg/L	0.0974		0.04894	1.835351E-02	15
1/11/2006	10:05	mg/L	0.1		0.04894	1.835351E-02	15
1/5/2005	10:35	mg/L	0.011		0.04894	1.835351E-02	15
3/12/2002	13:25	mg/L	0.0854		4.653334E-02	1.758192E-02	15
Phosphorus, Total
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
2/8/2000	06:15	mg/L	0.285		0.096	0.067	16
12/14/1999	11:20	mg/L	0.136		0.049	0.029	18
1/11/1999	07:35	mg/L	0.531		0.096	0.067	16
12/7/1998	07:30	mg/L	0.111		0.049	0.029	18
11/3/1997	09:00	mg/L	0.161		0.049	0.029	18
8/4/1997	15:50	mg/L	0.344	J	0.063	0.074	18
6/2/1997	16:05	mg/L	0.264		0.085	0.081	17
4/7/1997	15:05	mg/L	0.28		0.085	0.081	17
2/3/1997	14:10	mg/L	0.259	J	0.096	0.067	16
12/2/1996	14:10	mg/L	0.124	J	0.049	0.029	18
Suspended Solids
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
5/6/2009	08:30	mg/L	47		9.444445	9.10864	18
4/8/2009	08:45	mg/L	109		9.444445	9.10864	18
12/3/2008	08:15	mg/L	14		3.3125	2.70108	16
5/7/2008	08:55	mg/L	28		9.444445	9.10864	18
1/11/2006	10:05	mg/L	293		63.66667	106.5898	15
9/15/2004	10:50	mg/L	9		3.111111	2.587047	18
12/14/1999	11:20	mg/L	17		3.778	3.422	18
Temperature
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
6/20/2007	14:30	deg C	24.1		10.05556	4.678892	18
5/15/2007	14:40	deg C	19.5		10.05556	4.678892	18
3/16/2005	09:45	deg C	5.9		1.525	1.926828	16
10/6/2004	09:54	deg C	11.1		3.777059	3.375233	17
3/24/2004	08:32	deg C	5.4		0.93125	1.459552	16
3/9/2004	11:35	deg C	4.6		0.93125	1.459552	16
10/7/2003	12:00	deg C	13.4		4.200588	3.93475	17
Total Persulf Nitrogen
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
4/8/2009	08:45	mg/L	0.673		0.2100556	0.1269277	18
4/9/2008	08:35	mg/L	0.737		0.2100556	0.1269277	18
1/10/2007	10:10	mg/L	3.5		1.587	0.8339429	14
9/9/2003	11:20	mg/L	0.367		0.2278333	6.703489E-02	18
8/5/2003	12:05	mg/L	0.372		0.2278333	6.703489E-02	18
3/13/2001	11:15	mg/L	3.17		1.236	0.962	11
4/5/1999	08:25	mg/L	1.03		0.345	0.181	11
6/2/1997	16:05	mg/L	0.729		0.345	0.181	11
12/2/1996	14:10	mg/L	1.68	J	0.472	0.509	12
Turbidity
date	time	units	result	remark	QMEAN	QSD	QDP
5/6/2009	08:30	NTU	26	J	9.577778	6.242978	18
4/8/2009	08:45	NTU	60		9.577778	6.242978	18
1/11/2006	10:05	NTU	240		54.6375	68.19381	16
12/14/1999	11:20	NTU	32		8.083	9.032	18
6/2/1997	16:05	NTU	170		29.633	57.019	18
12/2/1996	14:10	NTU	38		8.083	9.032	18

Note: QMEAN, QSD, and QDP are the quarterly mean, standard deviation, and number of data points for the last six years, where available, for the station shown.

Washington State Department of Ecology

Data users please read disclaimer.

Questions or comments on content may be sent to Dave Hallock
Questions or comments on presentation may be sent to Steve Barrett.