Publication Summary

This report describes the results of four years of dry season water quality monitoring on Bunker Creek and Deep Creek (1994-97) and interim results for the third year of wet season monitoring (1996-97). Pre- and post-BMP monitoring were conducted to determine effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs).

This report describes the results of four years of dry season water quality monitoring on Bunker Creek and Deep Creek (1994-97) and interim results for the third year of wet season monitoring (1996-97). Pre- and post-BMP monitoring were conducted to determine effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs).

During the wet season, monitoring continued to show high turbidity and high levels of total suspended solids. Turbidity standards were exceeded at two sites on Deep Creek during the wet season.

In Bunker and Deep creeks during the 1997 dry season, water quality standards were exceeded for fecal coliform, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. In 1997 fecal coliform levels at Deep Creek site DCM 2.4 were higher than in 1996, but still lower than 1995. Increases seen in 1997 are most likely due to poor livestock management practices.

In comparing pre- and post-BMP dry season data, statistically significant improvements were seen in water quality. Two sites on Deep Creek showed lower bacterial levels and one site showed lower ammonia-nitrogen levels. Bunker Creek showed improvements in dissolved oxygen levels. Water quality improvements on Deep Creek are most likely due to fencing to exclude livestock from the creek. Further post-BMP monitoring is recommended on Bunker and Deep creeks.