Publication Summary

Water quality studies underway
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is conducting water quality studies in the Lower Skagit River watershed. During summer 2001, Ecology is assessing water temperature. The results of the temperature study will be used to set the total maximum daily load (TMDL) that the water can accept and remain healthy for fish and other organisms. Ecology has already set a TMDL for bacteria (fecal coliform) in the watershed based on a water quality study completed in 1997. Water cleanup plans will be developed for temperature and fecal coliform to meet these TMDLs.

Water quality studies underway
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is conducting water quality studies in the Lower Skagit River watershed. During summer 2001, Ecology is assessing water temperature. The results of the temperature study will be used to set the total maximum daily load (TMDL) that the water can accept and remain healthy for fish and other organisms. Ecology has already set a TMDL for bacteria (fecal coliform) in the watershed based on a water quality study completed in 1997. Water cleanup plans will be developed for temperature and fecal coliform to meet these TMDLs.

Ecology also completed studies of dissolved oxygen (1997) and flow (2000) in the Lower Skagit. Standards for dissolved oxygen are being met, and no cleanup is necessary. A TMDL was set for dissolved oxygen, however, in order to continue meeting standards in anticipation of future uses. Flow studies are used to support studies like temperature and dissolved oxygen. In addition to these studies, Ecology is continuing long-term water quality monitoring in the watershed.

You are invited to attend a public meeting to hear more about Ecology′s work in the Lower Skagit River watershed in Mount Vernon, Washington, at Skagit Valley College on Wednesday, July 25.