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| Title | Methow River Water Quality Survey and Assessment of Compliance with Water Quality Standards | |||
| Month-Year Published | June 1990 | |||
| Online Availability |
1827 kilobytes, requires version 4.0 or later of Adobe Acrobat Reader Software get Acrobat Reader
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| Short Description |
Presently, the Methow River has two water quality classifications: the lower river is Class A (excellent) and the upper watershed is Class AA (extraordinary). The Washington State Department of Ecology is considering a reclassification of the lower Methow to Class AA. (Also see abstract below) | |||
| Publication Number | 90-e71 | |||
| Author(s) | Willms, R. and W. Kendra | |||
| Print Availability |
Not maintained in stock. Copy must be made from archive version.
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| Number of pages | 39 pp. | |||
| Keywords | pH, phosphorus, quality, river, standards, stream, temperature, water, water quality, water quality standards, watershed | |||
| Subject Waterbodies |
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| Related Publications | Title | Relationship | ||
| Recent Water Use in The Methow River Valley: An Estimate | similar topic | |||
| Abstract | Long Description |
Presently, the Methow River has two water quality classifications: the lower river is Class A (excellent) and the upper watershed is Class AA (extraordinary). The Washington State Department of Ecology is considering a reclassification of the lower Methow to Class AA. A review of historical data showed that high summer water temperatures were the major water quality concern. Instream temperature monitoring during August indicated water quality criteria violations at both RM 49.8 and 5.0; however, violations were more extreme at the lower site. Less stream shading and higher air temperatures probably contribute to naturally elevated temperatures in the lower river. Both historical and present temperature data indicated that if the lower river had been classified AA, only slight increases in criteria violations would have occurred. Differences in water quality between Class AA and A sites were minimal; however, some nutrients were significantly higher at Class A sites. Mainstem N:P ratios indicate that phosphorus may be a growth limiting nutrient for instream plants. Plant productivity may explain the observed phosphorus loss and higher pH in the lower river. |
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This page last updated August 17, 2011
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