Leelanau Conservancy Report of the Leelanau Watershed Council: Water Quality Monitoring Report (A Synthesis of Data from 1990 through 2001)
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Authors
Keilty, Tim
Woller, Megan
Issue Date
2002
Type
Technical Report
Language
en_US
Subject
Water Quality , Leelanau County, Michigan , Lime , Little Traverse Bay , Cedar , Big and Little Glen , hydrolabs , Temperature , Dissolved Oxygen , pH , conductivity , oxidation/reduction potential , limnological , 1990 - 2001
Alternative Title
Abstract
Whenever discussing water quality and this program, we feel compelled to offer a
definition of water quality and then explain how it is monitored. Part of that explanation
will include a review for some and an introduction for others to some of the underlying
limnological (study of freshwater) concepts, as they relate directly to why we measure
what we measure and how we interpret those measurements. The interpretation of data
for individual lakes can be found following a brief review o f our methodology. A simple
understanding of these concepts will provide you with the necessary background to better
comprehend our interpretations of the data.
So, what is “water quality”? It is likely that there are as many interpretations or
definitions as there are users of the concept. Therefore, we offer the following definition:
water quality reflects the composition of water as affected by the sum of natural
processes and anthropogenic activities, expressed in terms of measurable quantities
and related to intended use. That is, water bodies integrate all of the forces acting upon
them, whether natural (such as direct precipitation, sunlight, etc.) or unnatural (septic
leakage, fertilizer runoff, etc.). By measuring scientifically accepted variables (such as
dissolved oxygen, phosphorus, etc.) whose values can be compared with a given set of
standards, one can determine if the quality o f a given water body is acceptable for an
intended use (such as the public water supply versus recreational activity).
Description
Partial OCR done. 56 pages total.