H 2 whOa! The Governor’s Institute of Environmental Science & Technology- Water Group

Water Pollution Study  We have damaged the rivers and now we want to fix them.  Testing to ensure the water quality is normal  To better understand the wildlife  To get experience in field work. Analyzing data of the physical, chemical, biological parameters to make sure the rivers are healthy. “It doesn’t matter how beautiful your theory is, it doesn’t matter how smart you are. If it doesn’t agree with experiment, it’s wrong.” -Richard Feynman Why? The Governors Institute of Vermont Environmental Science and Technology have conducted a series of tests and assessments for the overall quality of the rivers, Centennial and Mill brook.

Centennial Brook: The Brook is located in a urban area. The Brook is located in a urban area. The main part of the brook is The main part of the brook is.08 miles in length..08 miles in length. It has many branches of water, but 2 main sections that branch towards the east and the south. It has many branches of water, but 2 main sections that branch towards the east and the south. It’s no longer touched by humans (as in farming and living). It’s no longer touched by humans (as in farming and living). It has lower water levels that can be seen by past erosion located higher than the water levels now. It has lower water levels that can be seen by past erosion located higher than the water levels now. Residential areas of the east side take up a lot of the watershed. Residential areas of the east side take up a lot of the watershed. The Watershed drains 887 acres The Watershed drains 887 acres Land within the watershed

Centennial Brook Watershed

Mill Brook Mill Brook is part of the Winooski Watershed, located in Jericho, Vermont. Mill Brook is part of the Winooski Watershed, located in Jericho, Vermont. Jericho is mainly farmland, with some residential areas. Jericho is mainly farmland, with some residential areas. Mill Brook is located in a rural area without a lot of civilization. Mill Brook is located in a rural area without a lot of civilization. Mill Brook is used for recreational boating as well as trout fishing. Mill Brook is used for recreational boating as well as trout fishing. Mill Brook is about 9.5 miles in length. Mill Brook is about 9.5 miles in length.

Mill Brook Watershed Mill Brook watershed area is 10,350 acres.

Stream Habitat Assessment Results Mill Brook: Averages Centennial Brook: Averages Mill Brook: Suboptimal 140 Centennial Brook: Suboptimal 130

pH and Light A pH measurement of 7.0 is considered neutral for water so both brooks were more basic. pH can affect which organisms live in the water. Light levels affect watersheds by controlling temperature and algae growth.. EPA standards for pH measurement are between 6.5 and 8.0 so both brooks are within the Federal Standards. Centennial BrookMill Brook pH level Light Measurement 470 lux15 lux

Conductivity Conductivity = how well water can conduct electricity. Directly related to dissolved ions/temperature (the warmer the water, the better the conductivity) Sources of ions: Sodium (road salt) Sodium (road salt) Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Iron Iron Aluminum Aluminum Chloride Chloride Nitrate Nitrate Sulfate Sulfate Phosphate Phosphate Centennial Brook Mill BrookEPA Standard Conductivity (mS)

ICP(Inductively coupled plasma spectrometer) report 560 Parts per million Elements

Dissolved Oxygen & Temperature Streams produce and consume DO Velocity and vegetation add oxygen Aquatic organisms and organic matter consume oxygen. Dissolved oxygen is directly related to temperature. The Numbers: Centennial Brook: Temp: 19°C DO: 11.2 mg/L Acceptable: mg/L Mill Brook: Temp: 13.5°C DO: 9.8 mg/L Acceptable: mg/L

Phosphorus Enters water systems by natural and human methods Enters water systems by natural and human methods Must be limited to not accelerate eutrophication- accelerated plant growth, algae blooms, low dissolved oxygen and death of certain aquatic animals Must be limited to not accelerate eutrophication- accelerated plant growth, algae blooms, low dissolved oxygen and death of certain aquatic animals Centennial vs. Mill Brook Centennial vs. Mill Brook Average level of phosphate Centennial Brook (measured for PO 4 -3 ) 0.42 mg/L Mill Brook (measured for PO 4 -3 ) 0.07 mg/L Lake Champlain- VT Standards (depending on location).01 mg/L to.054 mg/L

Nitrates NO 3 - & NO 2 - NO 3 - & NO 2 - Pollution sources: fertilizers, septic tanks, sewers Pollution sources: fertilizers, septic tanks, sewers Algae growth  limited sunlight Algae growth  limited sunlight Testing water samples for PO 4 -3 and NO 3 - Nitrate content data Centennial BrookMill BrookVT Standard Nitrates (mg/L)

Macroinvertebrate Survey What are macroinvertebrates? What are macroinvertebrates? Why should we study them? Why should we study them? How do we collect them? How do we collect them? What do our results mean? What do our results mean?

Mayfly Midge Larva

SEM Data What is SEM? What is SEM? What can it do? What can it do? What did we find? What did we find?  Calcium, Carbon  Oxygen

Element Map of Black Fly Larva Key: Green= Carbon Red= Oxygen Blue=Aluminum

Solutions Despite the fact that Vermont is one of the healthier states in the country, actions still must be taken to improve the overall quality of the rivers and streams Waste water management/ water filtration Waste water management/ water filtration Patrol for invasive aquatic plants and animals Patrol for invasive aquatic plants and animals Weekly monitoring of the lake water quality Weekly monitoring of the lake water quality Healthy buffer zones Healthy buffer zones River and stream habitat awareness River and stream habitat awareness

Thank You!