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The Wisconsin River

The Wisconsin River. Mrs. Hoffmann May 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:

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The Wisconsin River

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  1. The Wisconsin River Mrs. Hoffmann May 21, 2013

  2. The Wisconsin River is “the hardest-working river in the United States!” https://vimeo.com/20854491

  3. 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

  4. Water quality: • The Wisconsin River has very good water quality near it’s source in the north.

  5. Water quality: • further downstream the water has a brown cast due to tannins in the water

  6. Water quality: • tannins that are leached from the decaying vegetation can also make the water smell and taste bitter.

  7. Water quality: Water downstream from major cities became very polluted. - municipal wastes - industrial pollution -farm run-off

  8. Water quality: There are standard tests that are done by ‘water chemists’ to collect data on the water in the river.

  9. CHEMICAL…

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. Water quality tests: DISSOLVED OXYGEN (D.O.) MORE OXYGEN DISSOLVES: • Close to the top • If there are plants in the water

  14. Water quality tests: DISSOLVED OXYGEN (D.O.) FISH KILL ON THE EAU PLEINE:

  15. Water quality tests: pH • Bacteria thrive at just about any pH • Other animals need water nearly neutral • WHAT CAUSES ACID RAIN?

  16. 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

  17. Water quality NITRATES: • SOURCES OF NITRATES: • Sewage added by humans. • Poorly functioning septic systems and inadequately treated waste water.

  18. Facts about the Wisconsin River: 7. There are 120 waste treatment facilities located along the Wisconsin River. “the hardest-working river in the United States!”

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. Water quality NITRATES: • SOURCES OF NITRATES: • Industry= acid rain.

  22. 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

  23. Water quality CHLORIDES: • INDICATES POSSIBLE WATER POLLUTION. • septic systems • animal waste • potash • drainage from road-salting chemicals

  24. PHYSICAL…

  25. 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

  26. HOWEVER…

  27. 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.

  28. BIOLOGICAL…

  29. Wisconsin River animal resources: - many different species of fish

  30. Wisconsin River animal resources: - many different species of macroinvertebrates They can’t move well, so they are good indicators… some are very sensitive according to the BIOTIC INDEX

  31. Wisconsin River animal resources: -fur bearing animals were important in the past

  32. Wisconsin River animal resources: -many birds are closely tied to the fish populations

  33. Recreational Use: boating

  34. http://www.history.com/shows/only-in-america-with-larry-the-cable-guy/videos/down-the-river#http://www.history.com/shows/only-in-america-with-larry-the-cable-guy/videos/down-the-river# Recreational Use: Sight Seeing

  35. Recreational Use: fishing

  36. Recreational Use: Hunting and trapping

  37. Recreational Use: Bird Watching

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