Water Quality Monitoring at Little McAllister CreekMeadows ElementaryMarch 21, 2013
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Monitoring Site Summary• Located off Mallard Drive SE, near
Meadows Elementary, on land co-
managed by Thurston County and
Alpine Meadows Homeowners
association.
• The headwaters (source) of the Little
McAllister Creek is McAllister Springs
Lake.
• The mouth of Little McAllister Creek
is located near Old Pacific Hwy and
Reservation Rd. where it joins the
main stem of McAllister Creek.
Monitoring Site Description
• The place we go to monitor Little McAllister Creek is in our school neighborhood, in the Alpine Meadows sub-division. We can walk there, but we have to get someone to unlock the gate for us. On our walk, we pass many houses, yards, a small playground, some green open space, and several stormwater retention ponds.
Brief watershed Overview
• Important features of
the watershed include:
• Forests of cedar, fir, alder
and maple trees;
• Habitats for insects, animals,
fish, birds and humans;
• Current issues in the
watershed include:
• dog waste, fertilizer, cans
and bottles, soap from car
washing and oil leaks from
cars.
• Some areas prone to flooding
• Failing septic systems
Water Quality Data
Water Quality
Dissolved Oxygen 8.6 and 77 % in Oct. and
11.7 and 105 % in Feb
Temperature 10 c in October and 11 c in February
pH6.75 IN OCTOBER,
AND “7.0” IN FEBRUARY
Fecal Coliform NA
Turbidity 5.8 jtu in Oct.
and 5 jtu in Feb.
Nitrates 4 mg/L in Oct.
and 4 mg/L in Feb.
Data Interpretation We think dog waste may be causing
a higher level of nitrates. Fertilizer from lawns might be another cause.
Our ideas to improve water quality at our site include:
• Encourage pet owners to pick up after their dogs, keep dogs from running loose, and walk dogs on a leash
• Encourage people to use less fertilizer, or practice organic methods of gardening.