1. Snapshot Event Monitoring Results for the Clackamas River Watershed Presented by PSU SWRP Summer Capstone August 12 2010

2. Background • The Clackamas Watershed • What influences Water Quality? • PSU and the Student Watershed Research Project

3. Study Area: The Clackamas River Basin

4. Parameters Tested • Temperature • Dissolved Oxygen • Turbidity • pH • Nitrogen (Ammonia and Nitrate) • Phosphorous • Macroinvertebrates

5. Water Temperature & Quality Standards • Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act

6. Methodology • Samples were collected on-site and tested for Temperature, DO, Turbidity, and pH in the field • Water samples were tested for Soluble Reactive Phosphorous, Ammonia Nitrogen, and Nitrate Nitrogen in the lab • Each parameter was tested using three replicates, but in the event of extreme outliers two more replicates were tested • Macroinvertebrate analysis included the EPT, Pollution Sensitive/Tolerant and OWEB Level 2 metrics.

8. Results by Sub-basin:Eagle Creek • With few exceptions the sites at Eagle Creek have favorable water quality conditions • ECK001 had slightly green water and smelled of Chlorine • EGL001 & EGL002 had ammonia readings above the upper limit • Turbidity at EGL002 was above the upper limit • Macroinvertebrate data indicated that the Eagle Creek sub-basin is not impaired and supports adequate macroinvertebrate populations

10. Results by Sub-basin:Rock Creek • RCK002 had a turbidity measurement significantly above the upper threshold • Ammonia levels exceeded the upper threshold for RCK001 & RCK002 and were at the top of the safe range for RCK000 & SEB002 • RCK001 had a DO measurement close to the minimum threshold for safety and has shown lower DO over time

11. Results by Sub-basin:Rock Creek • Macroinvertebrate analysis of the Rock Creek sub-basin indicates moderate impairment due to the absence of Trichoptera (Caddisfly), a pollution-sensitive organism

13. Results by Sub-basin:Deep Creek • NFD001, NFD003, NFD004 show higher nitrate levels from last year • All sites had DO levels above the minimum recommended level • The past few years NFD002, NFD003, & NFD004 exceeded safe phosphorus levels, but this is no longer true as of 2010 • In the past Deep creek has been above the upper threshold of safety for ammonia • This year all sites show lower levels of ammonia, but only NFD001 & NFD003 were at acceptable levels

14. Results by Sub-basin:Deep Creek • Macro data from Boring Trail Station showed signs of severe impairment and was limited in sensitive and tolerant species

16. Results by Sub-basin:Lower Goose and Clear Creek • For GCK001 water temp, turbidity, and ammonia levels were slightly high • CLE019 was within standards except for slightly high ammonia levels • Water temp for CLE000 exceeded the standard for a healthy stream • DO for CLE00 and CLA024 was within limits for the time data was collected, but not optimal for spawning conditions

17. Results by Sub-basin:Lower Goose and Clear Creek • Macroinvertebrate analysis of the Clear Creek sub-basin shows stream quality to be moderately impacted due to the absence of Trichoptera (Caddisfly)

19. Results by Sub-basin:Richardson Creek • The upstream sites RCH003 & RCH004 had ammonia levels above the limit of 0.03mg/L • A few samples had phosphorus levels above the DEQ mandate of 0.10mg/L. RCH001 was at 0.14mg/L in 2008 and 0.11 mg/L in 2010 indicating some improvement is still needed • Data for RCH001 in 2009 and RCH003 in 2010 indicate higher levels of turbidity

20. Comparison of Data Across Sub-basins: Turbidity

21. Comparison of Data Across Sub-basins: DO

22. Comparison of Data Across Sub-basins: Temperature

23. Recommendations to Maintain or Improve Water Quality • Increase the frequency of monitoring • Keep septic tanks well maintained • Remove invasive plants • Keep yard debris, garbage, & chemicals away from streams • Reduce fertilizer and pesticide use

24. Special Thanks to: Land Owners Water Environment Services Clackamas County Clackamas River Water District