The Wisconsin River Mrs. Hoffmann May 21, 2013
Feb 23, 2016
The Wisconsin River
Mrs. HoffmannMay 21, 2013
The Wisconsin River is
“the hardest-working river in the
United States!”
https://vimeo.com/20854491
For this part you need to focus on three topics:• The reading for last week
discussed indicators of the health of our river based on:
• CHEMICAL • PHYSICAL and• BIOLOGICAL factors associated
with Water Quality
Water quality:• The Wisconsin River has
very good water quality near it’s source in the north.
Water quality:• further
downstream the water has a brown cast
due to tannins in the water
Water quality:• tannins that
are leached from the decaying
vegetation can also make the
water smell and taste
bitter.
Water downstream from major cities became very polluted.
- municipal wastes- industrial pollution
-farm run-off
Water quality:
There are standard tests that are done by ‘water chemists’ to collect data on the water in the
river.
Water quality:
CHEMICAL…
ISSUES OCCUR WITH:Runoff from• agricultural fields • barnyards• residential yards • wastewater from industrial
and municipal systems
THESE “fertilize the water”.
A rash from wading in an algae bloom
Water quality tests: TEMPERATURE
• Warm water dissolves less oxygen
• Warm water allows more pathogens and/or bacteria to
reproduce• Warm water encourages
more plant growth
Water quality tests: DISSOLVED OXYGEN (D.O.)
• MOST SIGNIFICANT WATER QUALITY TEST.
• used to determine the suitability of a
stream for fish and other aquatic organisms
Water quality tests: DISSOLVED OXYGEN (D.O.)
MORE OXYGEN DISSOLVES:• Close to the top• If there are plants in the water
Water quality tests: DISSOLVED OXYGEN (D.O.)
FISH KILL ON THE EAU PLEINE:
Water quality tests: pH
• Bacteria thrive at just about any pH
• Other animals need water nearly neutral
• WHAT CAUSES ACID RAIN?
Water quality NITRATES:
• Needed by all living plants and animals to build protein.
• Sources of nitrates:• Rainfall: 0.5 mg/L
• Lawn Fertilizer
http://www.kwwl.com/story/22252773/2013/05/14/nitrate-levels-ris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpFAwSbP54
Water quality NITRATES:
• SOURCES OF NITRATES:• Sewage added by humans.
• Poorly functioning septic
systems and inadequately treated waste water.
“THE HARDEST-WORKING RIVER IN THE
UNITED STATES!”
7. There are 120 waste treatment facilities located along the Wisconsin River.
Facts about the Wisconsin River:
9. This is quite a bit since there are only 35 cities along the river.
There are 92 smaller towns, though
Facts about the Wisconsin River:
Water quality NITRATES:
• SOURCES OF NITRATES:• Animals such as ducks and
geese and animal waste from farms.
http://www.wicd15.com/news/top-stories/stories/the-dangers-goose-poop-7184.shtml 2 min
Water quality NITRATES:
• SOURCES OF NITRATES:• Industry= acid rain.
Water quality: PHOSPHATES
• Indicator of human activity - • Human and animal wastes• Soil erosion/ nutrients/ fertilizers• Detergents: don’t bathe in
lakes/streams!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSOrfj_5J6s
Water quality CHLORIDES:
• INDICATES POSSIBLE WATER POLLUTION.
• septic systems• animal waste• potash • drainage from road-salting
chemicals
PHYSICAL…
Water quality: TURBIDITY
• measure of water clarity• can decrease the amount of
light so decrease in oxygen• influenced by rain
• great indicator of runoff from construction sites,
fields, industrial discharge and eroding banks
HOWEVER…
The general quality of the water has improved in the
last 30 years in the Wisconsin River.
•numerous partnerships with state agencies to prevent
pollution/ clean up the waters.•Individuals are doing their
part, too.
BIOLOGICAL…
Wisconsin River animal resources:
- many different species of fish
Wisconsin River animal resources:
- many different species of
macroinvertebratesThey can’t move well, so they are
good indicators… some are very sensitive according to the
BIOTIC INDEX
Wisconsin River animal resources:
-fur bearing animals were important in the
past
Wisconsin River animal resources:
-many birds are closely tied to
the fish populations
Recreational Use:boating
Recreational Use:Sight Seeing
http://www.history.com/shows/only-in-america-with-larry-the-cable-guy/videos/down-the-river#
Recreational Use:fishing
Recreational Use:Hunting and trapping
Recreational Use:Bird Watching