CCMP Test Parameters and Data

Along with the data collected by our monitors, the parameters for measuring stream health are summarized below. This information is excerpted from Mark Mitchell and William Stapp's, "Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring," (second edition) Dexter, MI: Thomson-Shore Printers: 1986.

Chemical Tests:

Benthic Macroinvertabrate Survey


Microbiological Tests:


Future Tests:

The data that follows refers to the sites by number. Please see the sites pageto learn which sites are monitored.


Water Temperature

This graph shows the water temperatures taken at each testing time for each site.

pH Test

The pH value of water, on a scale of 0 to 14, measures the concentration of hydrogen ions. Pure distilled water is considered neutral, with a pH reading of 7. Water is basic if the pH is greater than 7; water with pH of less than 7 is considered acid. For every one unit change in pH there is approximately a ten-fold change in how acidic or basic the sample is. Some species, such as brook trout, are sensitive to changes in pH; immature stages of aquatic insects and immature fish are extremely sensitive to low pH values. Very acidic lakes and streams cause leaching of heavy metals into the water.

Mean pH values were between 6 and 7.5 from February to April (see figure 2). We observed little variation both between sites and within a given site. These values suggest no acidity problems exist within our testing area.

Alkalinity Test

Alkalinity levels measure the buffering ability of the stream -- its ability to maintain constant pH levels were an influx of acidic chemicals to occur. Examples of acid influxes include a hazardous materials spill or long-term exposure to acid rain.

We observed CaCO3 levels averaging between 50 and 70 parts per million (ppm); any reading below 100 ppm suggests that the Crum Creek could be prone to pH changes.

Dissolved Oxygen Test

Dissolved oxygen is an essential element for the maintenance of healthy lakes and rivers. Most aquatic plants and animals need a certain amount of oxygen dissolved in water for survival. Some aquatic organisms such as pike and trout require medium to high levels of dissolved oxygen to live. Waters of consistently high dissolved oxygen are usually considered healthy and stable aquatic ecosystems capable of supporting many different kinds of aquatic organisms. The atmosphere, algae and vascular aquatic plants are the sources of dissolved oxygen in lakes and rivers; the accumulation of organic wastes depletes dissolved oxygen.

This graph shows the combined D.O. readings for all sites so far. A nicecurve is apparent that corresponds well with the seasons. In the coldermonths the water temperature drops allowing more oxygen to be dissolved in the stream.

The graph also shows low readings early on. Because the low values occuronly in the beginning of the time period (at the start of the group's existence) and cleared up later on, they may be due to monitor's errors as they figured out how to do the test.

If our DO data are accurate, then several problems may exist. The Mean DO level from site 4 -- the storm sewer drain -- is somewhat low (about 56% saturation). In addition, DO levels approaching 60% saturation are within the standard error seen at sites 2 and 6 (Baltimore Pike and the Pool, respectively). Mean values at all other sites are above 80% saturation, however, which is good news (see figure 5). It is important to realize, however, that these data were all taken during winter months, when DO levels are generally higher due to lower temperatures.

Nitrate Test

Nitrate and nitrite are inorganic forms of nitrogen in the aquatic environment. Nitrate along with ammonia are the forms of nitrogen used by plants. Nitrates and nitrites are formed through the oxidation of ammonia by nitrifying bacteria, a process known as nitrification. In turn they are converted to other nitrogen forms by denitrification and plant uptake. Nitrogen, in its various forms is usually more abundant than phosphorus in the aquatic environment; therefore, nitrogen rarely limits plant growth as does phosphorus. Aquatic plants are not usually as sensitive to increases in ammonia and nitrate levels. Sources of nitrates are the atmosphere, inadequately treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants, agricultural runoff, storm drains, and poorly functioning septic systems. The following data was gathered between 2/96-6/97:

Results show that in the Crum proper Nitrogen-Nitrate levels were between 0 and 2 ppm from February and April. We observed little variation between testing dates. At the tributary that starts at site 4 -- the storm sewer drain -- and joins the Crum at site 5, higher mean nitrogen-nitrate levels have been observed. The larger standard error values at these sites can be explained by 2 testing dates that followed heavy rains. Test results were lower on these dates.

One possible interpretation is that nitrogen cycling occurs in this small tributary. Others have observed high nitrogen levels in another tributary upstream from this one, and we would like to investigate whether high nitrogen levels are typical of these tributaries. We would be interested if any other monitors have collected similar (or different) data. Another possible explanation of higher nitrogen-nitrate levels in tributaries is increased non-point source runoff in these locations.

In general, however, nitrogen-nitrate levels suggest that the Crum is healthy, with mean levels well below 10 ppm.

Phosphate Test

Total phosphorus includes organic phosphorus and inorganic phosphate. Organic phosphorus is a part of living plants and animals. It is attached to particulate organic matter composed of once-living plants and animals. Inorganic phosphates comprise the ions bonded to soil particles and phosphates present in laundry detergents. Phosphorus is an essential element for life; it is a plant nutrient needed for growth and a fundamental element in metabolic reactions of plants and animals. In northern Minnesota, phosphorus functions as a "growth-limiting" factor because it is usually present in very low concentrations. This scarcity of phosphorus is attributed to its relationship with organic matter and soil particles. Any unattached or "free" phosphorus, in the form of inorganic phosphates, is rapidly taken up by algae and larger aquatic plants. Because algae only require small amounts of phosphorus to live, excess phosphors causes extensive algal growth called algal blooms. Algal blooms color the water a pea-soup green and are a classic symptom of cultural eutrophication. Sources of phosphorus are human wastes, animal wastes, industrial wastes, and human disturbance of the land and its vegetation.

Chloride Test

Ammonia Test

Benthic Macroinvertabrates

Benthic macroinvertebrates are bottom dwelling organisms that live in, crawl on or attach themselves to the river bottom. These are visible with the naked eye. Macroinvertebrates are good indicators of river health because they are sensitive to pollution, they live in the water over a year, cannot easily escape pollution as a fish can, and can easily be collected.

Fecal Coliform

Fecal coliform bacteria are derived from the feces of humans and other warm-blooded animals. These organisms enter rivers through direct discharge from mammals and birds; from agricultural and storm runoff containing mammal and bird wastes; and from sewage discharge. Even though fecal coliform bacteria are not pathogenic, they occur along with pathogenic organisms; therefore, their presence suggest the occurrence of disease-causing organisms. When fecal coliform counts are greater than 200 colonies/100 ml of water sample there is a greater chance that the disease-causing organisms are present. It is advised that water contact be avoided at this coliform level. Possible diseases and illnesses carried by such waters are typhoid fever, hepatitis, gastroenteritis, dysentery, swimmers itch, and ear infections.

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