Field Measurements
Highlights:
The Reservoir met the aquatic life standards for temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen in WY 2023.
The Reservoir met the temperature standards established for the Class I Warm Water Aquatic Life classification established by the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) in Regulation No. 31 (Reg 31) of 26.2 ˚C Maximum Weekly Average Temperature (MWAT) and 29.3 ˚C Daily Maximum (DM), as adopted in Regulation 38 for the Reservoir.
Regulation 31 states that in the upper portion of a lake or Reservoir, dissolved oxygen (DO) shall not be less than 5.0 mg/L. There needs to be adequate refuge for aquatic life with DO levels greater than 5.0 mg/L available at other depths or locations in the Reservoir at the same time period. Although there were low DO concentrations at depth during the summer months of WY 2023, the DO standard was met since concentrations in the mid and upper portions of the water column were sufficient. It is common that high microbial activity or decomposition in the hypolimnion and sediments reduces DO concentrations in the bottom of the Reservoir during the warmer months.
During WY 2023, the pH met the minimum and maximum standards of 6.5 and 9.0, based on the annual 15th and 85th percentiles. Higher pH values are usually correlated with higher productivity and elevated chlorophyll-a in the Reservoir.
Useful Links
Reservoir Depth Profile: Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, pH and Oxidation Reduction Potential
info_outlineEach square on this depth profile represents a sampling event. The different square colors represent the magnitude of the the value for the a sampling event. To learn more about a specific data point, hover over a square with your mouse.
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- Change the start and end dates to look at different time periods
- Investigate different parameters using the parameter dropdown list
- View different locations using the surface water location list
- To learn more about a specific data point, hover over a square with your mouse.