Publication Summary

This Technical Appendix provides station-specific analyses and assessment procedures used for the study, Washington State Water Quality Conditions in 2004, based on Data from the Freshwater Monitoring Unit (Publication No. 05-03-036, linked below).

This technical appendix presents details about the assessment methods and sampling locations used to develop the report, Washington State Water Quality Conditions in 2004, based on Data from the Freshwater Monitoring Unit (Ecology Publication Number 05-03-036).

Seven analyses are presented:

1. The Stream Water Quality Index, derived from eight variables that describe water quality at river and stream monitoring stations measured in water year 2004 (October 2003 through September 2004).

2. Trends in the Stream Water Quality Index, derived from data that describe water quality at long-term river and stream monitoring stations over the last 10 years.

3. An analysis of water quality, based on a comparison of water quality descriptions with water quality criteria, at stations monitored in water year 2004.

4. Temperature assessments and compliance with water quality standards, from continuous measurements collected during the summer of 2004.

5. Reductions in fecal coliform bacteria levels needed to meet sanitary standards, estimated from data collected in water year 2004 at basin and long-term river and stream monitoring stations.

6. An Index of Biological Integrity, derived from stream macroinvertebrate data collected in water year 2004, applied to assess the biological health of streams and compared with water quality conditions.

7. A listing of locations where invasive exotic aquatic weeds have been identified by the Department of Ecology since 1994.