This Week on Gee Creek
PACIFIC NORTHWEST STREAM QUALITY ASSESSMENT
by Paul Snoey
Gee Creek is being monitored by the U.S Geological survey (USGS) as part of its National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program. The study is part of a larger study of 88 sites from Puget Sound to the Willamette Valley. The sampling began earlier this month on Gee Creek at the Division Street Bridge. Sampling will take place for several months from April through June of this year. Testing will be weekly. Samples taken will be analyzed for contaminants, nutrients, and sediments. Later testing, beginning in June will include an ecological survey of habitat, algae, benthic invertebrates, and fish.
The study cites “Rapid urban growth, particularly in the greater Seattle and Portland metropolitan areas, is causing water-quality concerns in the area.” The study states: “The findings will provide the public and policymakers with information regarding which human and environmental factors are the most critical in affecting stream quality and, thus, provide insights about possible approaches to protect or improve the health of streams in the region.” For information on the NAWQA Regional Steam Quality Assessments, visit: http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/studies/msqa or you can visit the NAWQA web site at: http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa
Above:: two technicians taking water samples at the Division Street Bridge in Abrams Park April 13th.
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Paul Snoey will lead a small group on an hour and a half tour of the Gee Creek watershed at 10am on Saturday, May 9, talking about erosion, water quality, and what’s being done to improve Gee Creek. Cost of the tour is $25, and benefits the Ridgefield Library Building Fund. If you are interested in going on the tour, send a check for $25 (or more) to Friends of the Ridgefield Library, PO Box 534, Ridgefield WA 98642. Write ‘Gee Creek Tour’ on the envelope, and include your name, phone number and email address so we can contact you with information about the starting point.
