3. Results
Figure 5: Temperature grouping analysis results
3.3 Grouping Analysis of Summer Water Quality Parameters
3.3.1 Temperature
Grouping analysis of summer temperature data divided sites into low, medium and high categories with mean temperatures of 15.4oC, 17.7oC and 21.1oC respectively (table 1). Low temperatures were found at the majority of the forest sites, about 50% of agriculture sites, and about 40% of industry sites as shown in figure 5. Rural and urban sites both had medium temperatures. Industry had the most sites in the high temperature grouping.
3.3.1 Temperature
Grouping analysis of summer temperature data divided sites into low, medium and high categories with mean temperatures of 15.4oC, 17.7oC and 21.1oC respectively (table 1). Low temperatures were found at the majority of the forest sites, about 50% of agriculture sites, and about 40% of industry sites as shown in figure 5. Rural and urban sites both had medium temperatures. Industry had the most sites in the high temperature grouping.
Figure 6: Dissolved oxygen grouping analysis results
3.3.2 Dissolved Oxygen
Grouping analysis of summer DO data divided sites to into good, super-saturated and poor categories with mean values of 6.8mg/L, 13.0mg/L, and 2.0mg/L respectively (table 1). Over 80% of the forest sites, but less than 50% of agriculture and 31% of industry sites had good DO levels as shown in figure 6. Approximately half of agriculture and industry sites were classified as poor and the remaining industry sites had saturated levels of DO. Four of the five urban sites had poor DO levels.
Grouping analysis of summer DO data divided sites to into good, super-saturated and poor categories with mean values of 6.8mg/L, 13.0mg/L, and 2.0mg/L respectively (table 1). Over 80% of the forest sites, but less than 50% of agriculture and 31% of industry sites had good DO levels as shown in figure 6. Approximately half of agriculture and industry sites were classified as poor and the remaining industry sites had saturated levels of DO. Four of the five urban sites had poor DO levels.
Figure 7: Conductivity grouping analysis results
3.3.3 Specific Conductivity
Grouping analysis of summer specific conductivity measurements divided sites into low, medium and high categories with mean conductivity at 298uS, 695uS and 1267uS respectively (table 1). Compared to streams in other watersheds these levels are elevated over levels typically found in areas with only forest (personal ob.) Figure 7 shows that all forest and industry sites and 50% agriculture sites had low conductivity levels. 25% of agriculture sites and two of five urban sites had high conductivity readings.
Grouping analysis of summer specific conductivity measurements divided sites into low, medium and high categories with mean conductivity at 298uS, 695uS and 1267uS respectively (table 1). Compared to streams in other watersheds these levels are elevated over levels typically found in areas with only forest (personal ob.) Figure 7 shows that all forest and industry sites and 50% agriculture sites had low conductivity levels. 25% of agriculture sites and two of five urban sites had high conductivity readings.
Figure 8: All water quality parameters grouping analysis
3.3.4 All Water Quality Measurements Grouped
Grouping analysis of aggregated summer water quality data divided sites into four groups: average, high conductivity, high temperature-high DO and low DO, with average being the only good water quality indicator and the other three as poor water quality indicators. The vast majority (89%) of forest sites, but only 21% of agriculture sites and 18% of industry sites had average water quality values as indicated in figure 8. All the rural and urban and the remaining agriculture and industry sites had poor water quality measurements. Of importance, 33% agriculture and 46% industry had low DO measurements with a mean of 1.7mg/L, which is considered hypoxic and barley able to sustain aquatic life (Davis, 1975). Figure 9 displays a scatter plot showing that sites grouped as average had good DO and temperature levels, sites grouped as low DO levels also have good temperature levels, whereas high DO levels are associated with high temperatures.
Grouping analysis of aggregated summer water quality data divided sites into four groups: average, high conductivity, high temperature-high DO and low DO, with average being the only good water quality indicator and the other three as poor water quality indicators. The vast majority (89%) of forest sites, but only 21% of agriculture sites and 18% of industry sites had average water quality values as indicated in figure 8. All the rural and urban and the remaining agriculture and industry sites had poor water quality measurements. Of importance, 33% agriculture and 46% industry had low DO measurements with a mean of 1.7mg/L, which is considered hypoxic and barley able to sustain aquatic life (Davis, 1975). Figure 9 displays a scatter plot showing that sites grouped as average had good DO and temperature levels, sites grouped as low DO levels also have good temperature levels, whereas high DO levels are associated with high temperatures.