Status of the Watershed 2019
Status of the Watershed 2019 Summarizing 2018 Water Quality in the Upper White River Basin Citizens Measuring Water Quality The Upper White River Basin, home to over a million resources. Volunteer efforts from 2012 through 2018, people, covers 14,000 square miles and features the wa- representing more than 3,400 monitoring events across tersheds of Beaver Lake, Table Rock Lake, James River, the basin, provide the essential testing data for the 120 Lake Taneycomo, and Bull Shoals Lake. These waters lake and stream sites evaluated for this assessment. of northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri are the heart of the region. Good stewardship of these invalu- The primary metrics of water quality we consider here able resources is imperative for our economy, well-be- are water clarity, dissolved oxygen levels, the types of ing, and legacy to our children. aquatic invertebrates present, and laboratory-tested nutrient levels of phosphorus and nitrogen. Phospho- The Upper White River Basin is blessed with many in- rus and nitrogen contribute to algae growth, which in dividuals who donate their time to collect samples and excess degrades the general health of our stream and participate in water quality monitoring events. This lake ecosystems. We compare 2018 water testing results community’s passion for engaging with the natural to those of the previous six years for insight into prog- environment is the cornerstone of grassroots efforts ress or decline in general water quality over time. Sites to understand and protect the health of these shared with healthier water quality results across this six-year interval and with continuing positive results into 2018 receive the highest scores.
[Show full text]