Water Quality; An Introduction to Water Quality Research in the Yakima Watershed

Outline Our research on the Yakima watershed An introduction to watersheds An introduction to water quality

Our Research on the Yakima Watershed

Ammonia, NH 3 + Nitrate, NO 3 - Phosphate, PO 4 -

Our Research on the Yakima Watershed Research Goals: To assess water quality in the lower Yakima watershed Research questions: How do certain water quality parameters change in the within the Yakima watershed?

What is a Watershed? It is an area of land where water (ground water or precipitation) drains into the same body of water Watersheds A.K.A. drainage, catchment, river or water basins

Watersheds Have a Variety of Forms Estuary The Pacific Ocean The Amazon River The Great Lakes Wetlands The Black Sea Reservoir

Watershed Structure The upper most boundaries are the ridges of mountains and hills Cascade Mountains Appalachian Mountains

The Aspect of a Hill Determines Where the Water Will Travel

Tributaries Are small watersheds or sub-watersheds that join together to form a larger watershed which is called a basin

The Yakima Watershed Upper Yakima Naches Lower Yakima

Water Quality; A Brief Introduction Measure the condition of water relative to environmental needs or intended uses Is the physical, chemical & biological characteristic of water Water quality is often compared to set standards

Characteristic of Water 1)Physical - pH, temperature, turbidity, suspended solids. 2)Chemical – dissolved oxygen, salinity, nitrates, phosphates, biochemical oxygen demand. 3)Biological - insects, micro-invertebrates and animals

Research Goals: To Assess Water Quality in the Lower Yakima River & Two Tributaries. First we have to do background information

Our Research on the Yakima Watershed Upper Yakima Naches Lower Yakima