Water Quality; An Introduction to Water Quality Research in the Yakima Watershed

Outline

•Our research on the Yakima watershed

•An introduction to watersheds

•An introduction to water quality

Our Research on the Yakima Watershed

Our Research on the Yakima Watershed

Ammonia, NH3

+

Nitrate, NO3-

Phosphate, PO4

-

Our Research on the Yakima Watershed Research Goals:•To assess water quality in the lower

Yakima watershed

Research questions:•How do certain water quality parameters

change in the within the Yakima watershed?

What is a Watershed?

•It is an area of land where water (ground water or precipitation) drains into the same body of water

•Watersheds A.K.A. drainage, catchment, river or water basins

Watersheds Have a Variety of Forms

Estuary

The Pacific Ocean

The Amazon River

The Great Lakes

WetlandsThe Black Sea

Reservoir

Watershed Structure

•The upper most boundaries are the ridges of mountains and hills

Cascade Mountains

Appalachian Mountains

The Aspect of a Hill Determines Where the Water Will Travel

Tributaries•Are small watersheds or sub-watersheds

that join together to form a larger watershed which is called a basin

The Yakima Watershed

Upper Yakima

Naches

Lower Yakima

Water Quality; A Brief Introduction•Measure the condition of water relative to

environmental needs or intended uses •Is the physical, chemical & biological

characteristic of water•Water quality is often compared to set

standards

Characteristic of Water

1) Physical - pH, temperature, turbidity, suspended solids.

2) Chemical – dissolved oxygen, salinity, nitrates, phosphates, biochemical oxygen demand.

3) Biological - insects, micro-invertebrates and animals

Research Goals:To Assess Water Quality in the Lower Yakima River & Two Tributaries.

• First we have to do background information

Our Research on the Yakima Watershed

•Upper Yakima

•Naches

•Lower Yakima