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ROCK CREEK, IDAHO RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM COMPREHENSIVE WATER QUALITY MONITORING ANNUAL REPORT 1989
Description:
This report documents progress on for the Rock Creek Rural Clean Water Program, Twin Falls County, Idaho (17040212), initiated in 1981. Results through 1988 suggest that Best Management Practices (BMPs) implemented under the program have improved water quality in the creek. BMPs have reduced sediment, total phosphorus, and other pollutants to the agricultural drains studied. Increases in suspended sediment seen in some subbasin during the last 3 years apparently correspond to sediment loss from fields of persons not under contract or other external factors such as BMP maintenance or cropping patterns. Stream bank erosion continues to be a major source of sediment. A new technique to directly measure trout spawning is being tested. Habitat evaluation procedures conducted in 1981, 1984, and 1988 show a gradual improvement at lower Rock Creek stations. The volunteer creek survey has not collected the number of responses as anticipated and is recommended to be discontinued. Percent exceedence from water quality criteria generally showed declines between 1982 and 1989 for suspended sediment, bacteria, turbidity, and total phosphorus. Water Quality Index values for stations below the agricultural drains show a gradual improvement in water quality. Ground water monitoring found nitrate levels below the drinking water standard. Since funding was not approved for the proposed ground water survey, domestic well sampling was discontinued. Maret, T. 1990. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Bureau, Boise, ID. 134 pp plus appendices.