Opinion: Watershed status: Problem areas result in C+ grade
Posted online
How’s the water?
That’s the question answered in the annual Status of the Watershed report by Ozarks Water Watch. The report assessed the lakes and streams in the Upper White River Basin watershed, which covers over 14,000 square miles across 19 counties almost equally divided between Arkansas and Missouri. Naturally, water quality will vary from place to place. To gauge the health of our waters, we rely on a network of agencies, organizations and volunteers who in 2013 took 4,500 measurements at 242 sites.
The scores in our report show how the numerous monitoring sites compare to one another and are not intended to define “good” or “bad” water quality. What we attempt to do is show where the highest and lowest relative water quality is located to help us focus our efforts and limited resources where they are most needed.
Our report is not a scientific document but rather a comparative tool. Many of the sites were sampled only once during the year and, therefore, might not accurately represent average conditions. In years past, using the example of a school report card, we said our waters would overall receive a C+ grade, and I feel we are still at that level – passing but with much room for improvement. Our waters in almost all locations are available for their “intended uses,” some of which according to the Environmental Protection Agency are “swimmable” (whole body contact) and fishable. That is good news. But as our report shows, there are still many areas with excessive nutrients and some that are heading the wrong direction. In contrast, there are sites that would receive an A grade and have shown much improvement.
Using Google Maps technology, we created an online database for each test site with details of each parameter and who took the samples. This allows you to drill down and see what the water quality is like in your area. This map and the 12-page report is available at OzarksWaterWatch.org.
Improvement in water quality is a slow process. Pollution did not happen overnight, and solutions also take time. But improvement cannot even begin until we know the problem areas.
—David Casaletto, Ozarks Water Watch executive director
