RIVER WRANGLER

STANDARD PROTOCOL USED FOR MONITORING WATER QUALITY

When performing tests that use chemicals, wear protective eyewear and gloves at all times. All tests are collected in the river and performed on site. The person should wade into the water and face upstream to collect the water samples. Care should be taken to avoid collecting a water sample when there is another person in front of you stirring the river bottom.

pH

The pH test we use is the Hach mid range pH Test Kit 6.5-8.5 pH. Model 17G, Catalog number 26674-00

1. Fill both tubes with river water to the lower line.

2. Open chemical packet and add contents to one tube.

3. Shake well and place in hole on right.

4. Insert untreated sample in hole on left.

5. Place colored disk in holder.

6. Compare the color of the treated sample to the colored disk. Take care not to block the sunlight from the backside opening.

7. Record results

TURBIDITY

We test turbidity with the LaMotte Turbidity in water test kit – Model TTM Code 7519

1. Fill one column with river water to the 25 mL line

2. Fill second column with distilled water to the 25 mL line

3. Place cylinders side by side

4. Compare dot in the bottom of both cylinders, checking the clarity of the dot

5. If the distilled water has a dot that is more distinct, or clear, put 0.5 mL of standard turbidity reagent in the cylinder

6. Compare the dots again

7. If the distilled water dot is still more distinct, add 0.5 mL of reagent

8. Count the number of droppers added to the distilled water

9. Multiply this number by 10

10. Record the number as JTUs (Jackson Turbidity Units)

DISSOLVED OXYGEN

We use the Hach Dissolved Oxygen Test Kit Model OX-2P, Catalog Number 1469-00

1. Go midstream in the river. Take the dissolved oxygen bottle (round bottle with glass stopper) and hold it beneath the surface for two minutes, turning it so that no air bubbles are inside

2. Cap the bottle under the water. Do not raise it through the water column and force more oxygen into bottle. Return to the river bank

3. Use the clippers to open DO packets one and two. Remove stopper. Add both packets and replace the cap firmly and carefully to avoid getting air bubbles.

4. Step away from other people and shake the bottle vigorously. Make sure to hold the cap firmly.

5. A flocculent (floc) precipitate will develop if DO is present. Allow sample to sit undisturbed until floc settles below white line

6. Shake sample again. Allow floc to settle below white line a second time

7. Use the clippers to open the DO 3 powder pillow.

8. Remove stopper. Add the powder pillow

9. Carefully replace the stopper and shake the sample. If DO is present the floc dissolves and the sample will turn yellow if there is oxygen present

10. Pour sample into plastic measuring tube until it overflows. Be sure to hold the tube over the chemical waste container while you are pouring to catch any spills.

11. Pour test tube sample into square mixing bottle

12. Add the sodium thiosulfate standard solution, one drop at a time to the sample. Swirl after each drop is added

13. Record the number of drops until the sample is clear

14. Hold the sample against something white (like the lid from the powder pillow container to check the clarity)

15. Record the number of drops added. Each drop used to bring about the color change is equal to 1 mg/L of dissolved oxygen (DO)

16. Factor in the altitude and multiply the number of drops used to make the sample clear by 0.86. This adjusted number is the amount of DO mg/L

17. To determine the percent of saturation by the “Quick and Easy” Method, use the chart in the Streamkeepers Field Guide by the Adopt-a-Stream Foundation P. 176.

To record the temperature of the stream use a calibrated Celsius thermometer. We use an armored thermometer

1. Tie a string to the top of the thermometer and lower it into the river about 4 inches below the surface. Take the temperature reading at the same site that you collect the DO and pH samples.

2. Keep the thermometer in the water for two minutes

3. When reading the thermometer take care not to hold the instrument directly with your hands because you will affect the temperature reading with your body heat.

4. Record the temperature