1

2005 Shell Creek Watershed Study

2

(with Township-Range Labels)

Shell Creek and Loseke-Taylor Creek Watersheds

Lower Platte North Natural Resources District

3

Site 1

4

Site 2

5

Site 3

6

Site 4

7

Site 5

8

W.Q.I.

• The Water Quality Index was developed by the National Sanitation Foundation as a standard system to compare different bodies of water.

• To determine the WQI, a series of nine tests were performed. These tests were: dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform, pH, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), temperature, total phosphate, nitrates, turbidity, and total solids. We also did a water discharge test which we use to measure the flow of the creek in cubic feet per second.

9

• After the tests are completed, the WQI for each section of the creek can be computed.

• To formulate the WQI, we first computed Q-values.

• We multiply this number by a weighting factor, which provides a measure of the relative importance of each test to overall water quality.

• The water quality index ranges from zero to 100.- 0 - 25 is very bad - 25 - 50 is bad - 50 - 70 is medium - 70 - 90 is good- 90 - 100 is excellent

• The bio-indicator tests weren’t part of W.Q.I., but did give us a water quality rating.

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Sample W.Q.I. Curve Chart

11

Sample W.Q.I. Form

Test Results Q-valueWeighting

FactorT o t a l

DO % sat. 0.17 Fecal Coliform col/100 mL 0.16

pH units 0.11 BOD mg/L 0.11

Temperature change in C 0.1 Total Phosphate mg/L 0.1

Nitrates mg/L 0.1 Turbidity JTU 0.08

Total Solids mg/L 0.07

Overall Water Quality Index ___

12

Test Natural Readings Cautionary Readings

Dissolved Oxygen % Saturation

90% or higher Below 90% unless the waters are supersaturated due to cultural eutrophication.

pH 6.5-8.5 Below 6.5Above 8.5

Nitrates 0.0-1.0 ppm Consistent readings above 3.5 ppm

Change in Temperature

The higher the change, the worse the water quality.

Turbidity 0-8 JTU’s Increasing trends in turbidity measurements.

13

Test Natural Readings Cautionary Readings

5 Day B.O.D The higher the difference between the original and the 5 day reading, the worse the water.

Phosphates Less than 1 mg/L More than 1 mg/L

Total Solids The higher the concentration, the worse the water.

Fecal Coliform Over 200 colonies/100 mL of water

14

pH Change in Water Temp.

(Degrees Celsius)

Total Solids (mg/L)

Fecal Coliform(Col./100

mL)

Discharge (cubic

ft./sec.)

May 31 Site 1 8.0 0.6 540 900 2.503

Site 2 7.8 -0.1 530 300 1.115

Site 3 8.0 0.2 470 800 7.93

Site 4 8.0 -0.1 450 1100 6.306

Site 5 8.4 0.4 530 400 28.756

June 13 & 14

Site 1 7.8 0.7 570 2750 4.839

Site 2 7.1 0.5 430 450 2.243

Site 3 7.9 -0.2 570 2100 7.455

Site 4 7.7 0.0 550 1400 11.547

Site 5 7.8 0.1 1020 3950 41.139

15

Turbidity (JTU’s)

Dissolved Oxygen (% Saturation)

Dissolved Oxygen (ppm)

5 Day B.O.D.

Nitrates(ppm)

Phosphates

(ppm)

May 31Site

1 20 65% 6.6 4.8 19.976 0.22

Site 2 30 41% 4.1 5.1 13.068 1.58

Site 3 30 79% 7.8 3.1 13.376 0.30

Site 4 20 74% 7.3 1.7 14.08 1.92

Site 5 40 79% 7.9 5.6 17.336 0.62

June 13 & 14

Site 1 35 57% 5.7 0.8 19.976 0.85

Site 2 50 46% 4.4 0 12.892 0.65

Site 3 90 47% 4.4 0 8.492 0.70

Site 4 85 51% 4.9 0.7 9.218 0.52

Site 5 200 24% 2.3 0 5.918 0.95

16

pH Change in Water Temp.

Degrees Celsius

Total Solids mg/L

Fecal ColiformCol./100

mL

Discharge cubic

ft./sec.

July 14 & 15

Site 1 7.8 1.3 580 350 2.75

Site 2 7.7 1.5 560 50 1.187

Site 3 8.0 -0.1 560 400 5.568

Site 4 7.9 0 600 350 6.65

Site 5 8.1 1.2 870 600 12.028

August 5 Site 1 7.8 0 510 250 0.62

Site 2 7.8 -1.3 550 50 0.36

Site 3 7.1 0.6 250 100 2.66

Site 4 8.2 0.6 300 350 1.1

Site 5 8.2 1.7 280 450 10.2

17

Turbidity JTU’s

Dissolved Oxygen % Saturation

Dissolved Oxygen

ppm

5 Day B.O.D.

Nitrates(ppm)

Phosphates(mg/L)

July 14 & 15

Site 1 10 75% 6.5 5.1 9.096 0.65

Site 2 5 33% 2.9 0.6 10.208 0.41

Site 3 15 45% 3.7 1.7 7.788 0.26

Site 4 135 38% 3.1 0 3.564 1.17

Site 5 150 46% 3.8 4.5 4.84 0.23

August 5

Site 1 10 85% 7.7 4.3 13.068 0.29

Site 2 5 57% 5.3 0.6 2.28 0

Site 3 20 60% 5.2 4.3 0 0.06

Site 4 20 55% 4.8 3.4 0.088 0.16

Site 5 30 38% 3.3 2.8 10.208 0.3

18

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 62 0.17 10.54Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 23 0.16 3.68pH Units 82 0.11 9.02B.O.D. Mg/L 56 0.11 6.16Temp. Change in o C 93 0.10 9.3Phosphates Mg/L 92 0.10 9.2Nitrates Mg/L 38 0.10 3.8Turbidity JTU 61 0.08 4.88Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 57.98 (medium)

May 31 Site 1

19

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 31 0.17 5.27Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 33 0.16 5.28pH Units 86 0.11 9.46B.O.D. Mg/L 54 0.11 5.94Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2Phosphates Mg/L 31 0.10 3.1Nitrates Mg/L 47 0.10 4.7Turbidity JTU 52 0.08 4.16Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 48.51 (bad)

May 31 Site 2

20

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor TotalD.O. % Sat. 86 0.17 14.62Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 24 0.16 3.84pH Units 82 0.11 9.02B.O.D. Mg/L 65 0.11 7.15Temp. Change in o C 93 0.10 9.3Phosphates Mg/L 89 0.10 8.9Nitrates Mg/L 45 0.10 4.5Turbidity JTU 52 0.08 4.16Total Solids Mg/L 37 0.07 2.59

Overall Water Quality Index 64.08 (medium)

May 31 Site 3

21

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 82 0.17 13.94Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 22 0.16 3.52pH Units 82 0.11 9.02B.O.D. Mg/L 88 0.11 9.68Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2Phosphates Mg/L 27 0.10 2.7Nitrates Mg/L 43 0.10 4.3Turbidity JTU 61 0.08 4.88Total Solids Mg/L 40 0.07 2.8

Overall Water Quality Index 60.04 (medium)

May 31 Site 4

22

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 86 0.17 14.62Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 27 0.16 4.32pH Units 65 0.11 7.15B.O.D. Mg/L 50 0.11 5.5Temp. Change in o C 93 0.10 9.3Phosphates Mg/L 51 0.10 5.1Nitrates Mg/L 40 0.10 4Turbidity JTU 45 0.08 3.6Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 54.99 (medium)

May 31 Site 5

23

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 54 0.17 9.18Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 16 0.16 2.56pH Units 90 0.11 9.9B.O.D. Mg/L 96 0.11 10.56Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1Phosphates Mg/L 43 0.10 4.3Nitrates Mg/L 38 0.10 3.8Turbidity JTU 49 0.08 3.92Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 54.72 (medium)

June 13 & 14 Site 1

24

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 36 0.17 6.12Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 27 0.16 4.32pH Units 90 0.11 9.9B.O.D. Mg/L 97 0.11 10.67Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2Phosphates Mg/L 51 0.10 5.1Nitrates Mg/L 48 0.10 4.8Turbidity JTU 39 0.08 3.12Total Solids Mg/L 42 0.07 2.94

Overall Water Quality Index 56.17 (medium)

June 13 & 14 Site 2

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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 37 0.17 6.29Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 18 0.16 2.88pH Units 84 0.11 9.24B.O.D. Mg/L 97 0.11 10.67Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2Phosphates Mg/L 51 0.10 5.1Nitrates Mg/L 54 0.10 5.4Turbidity JTU 21 0.08 1.68Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 51.86 (medium)

June 13 & 14 Site 3

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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 45 0.17 7.65Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 20 0.16 3.2pH Units 91 0.11 10.01B.O.D. Mg/L 96 0.11 10.56Temp. Change in o C 93 0.10 9.3Phosphates Mg/L 60 0.10 6.0Nitrates Mg/L 51 0.10 5.1Turbidity JTU 23 0.08 1.84Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 55.06 (medium)

June 13 & 14 Site 4

27

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 14 0.17 2.38Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 14 0.16 2.24pH Units 90 0.11 9.9B.O.D. Mg/L 97 0.11 10.67Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2Phosphates Mg/L 40 0.10 4.0Nitrates Mg/L 61 0.10 6.1Turbidity JTU 5 0.08 0.4Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 46.29 (bad)

June 13 & 14 Site 5

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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 84 0.17 14.28Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 35 0.16 5.6pH Units 90 0.11 9.9B.O.D. Mg/L 52 0.11 5.72Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9.0Phosphates Mg/L 51 0.10 5.1Nitrates Mg/L 52 0.10 5.2Turbidity JTU 77 0.08 6.16Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 62.36 (medium)

July 14 & 15 Site 1

29

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 21 0.17 3.57Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 53 0.16 8.48pH Units 90 0.11 9.9B.O.D. Mg/L 95 0.11 10.45Temp. Change in o C 89 0.10 8.9Phosphates Mg/L 62 0.10 6.2Nitrates Mg/L 50 0.10 5.0Turbidity JTU 85 0.08 6.8Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 60.70(medium)

July 14 & 15 Site 2

30

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 32 0.17 5.44Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 28 0.16 4.48pH Units 82 0.11 9.02B.O.D. Mg/L 91 0.11 10.01Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1Phosphates Mg/L 82 0.10 8.2Nitrates Mg/L 53 0.10 5.3Turbidity JTU 66 0.08 5.28Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 58.23 (medium)

July 14 & 15 Site 3

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Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 29 0.17 4.93Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 35 0.16 5.6pH Units 85 0.11 9.35B.O.D. Mg/L 98 0.11 10.78Temp. Change in o C 92 0.10 9.2Phosphates Mg/L 37 0.10 3.7Nitrates Mg/L 93 0.10 9.3Turbidity JTU 5 0.08 0.4Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 54.66 (medium)

July 14 & 15 Site 4

32

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 33 0.17 5.61Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 27 0.16 4.32pH Units 80 0.11 8.8B.O.D. Mg/L 58 0.11 6.38Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1Phosphates Mg/L 84 0.10 8.4Nitrates Mg/L 90 0.10 9.0Turbidity JTU 5 0.08 0.4Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 53.41(medium)

July 14 & 15 Site 5

33

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 90 0.17 15.30Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 30 0.16 4.8pH Units 90 0.11 9.9B.O.D. Mg/L 59 0.11 6.49Temp. Change in o C 93 0.10 9.3Phosphates Mg/L 90 0.10 9.0Nitrates Mg/L 46 0.10 4.6Turbidity JTU 76 0.08 6.08Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 66.87 (meduim)

August 5 Site 1

34

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 52 0.17 8.84Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 53 0.16 8.48pH Units 90 0.11 9.9B.O.D. Mg/L 93 0.11 10.23Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9.0Phosphates Mg/L 100 0.10 10.0Nitrates Mg/L 97 0.10 9.7Turbidity JTU 85 0.08 6.8Total Solids Mg/L 20 0.07 1.4

Overall Water Quality Index 74.35 (good)

August 5 Site 2

35

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 58 0.17 9.86Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 44 0.16 7.04pH Units 90 0.11 9.9B.O.D. Mg/L 59 0.11 6.49Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1Phosphates Mg/L 97 0.10 9.7Nitrates Mg/L 98 0.10 9.8Turbidity JTU 62 0.08 4.96Total Solids Mg/L 66 0.07 4.62

Overall Water Quality Index 71.47 (good)

August 5 Site 3

36

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 50 0.17 8.5Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 29 0.16 4.64pH Units 77 0.11 8.47B.O.D. Mg/L 65 0.11 7.15Temp. Change in o C 91 0.10 9.1Phosphates Mg/L 94 0.10 9.4Nitrates Mg/L 98 0.10 9.8Turbidity JTU 62 0.08 4.96Total Solids Mg/L 59 0.07 4.13

Overall Water Quality Index 66.15 (medium)

August 5 Site 4

37

Test Results Q-Value Weighting Factor Total

D.O. % Sat. 27 0.17 4.59Fecal Coliform

Col./100mL 27 0.16 4.32pH Units 77 0.11 8.47B.O.D. Mg/L 68 0.11 7.48Temp. Change in o C 90 0.10 9.0Phosphates Mg/L 85 0.10 8.5Nitrates Mg/L 50 0.10 5.0Turbidity JTU 53 0.08 4.24Total Solids Mg/L 62 0.07 4.34

Overall Water Quality Index 55.94 (medium)

August 5 Site 5

38

2005 Precipitation

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

May June July August

Inch

es

Rainfall

39

pH

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

8.5

May 31 June13 & 14

July 14& 15

Aug 5

Date

pH

Le

vel

Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Site 5

40

Change in Temperature

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

Date

Ch

ang

e (i

n d

egre

es c

elsi

us)

Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Site 5

May 31 June 13 & 14

July 14 & 15

August 5

41

Total Solids

0200400600800

10001200

May 31 June13 &14

July 14& 15

Aug 5

Dates

mg

/L Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Site 5

42

Fecal Coliform

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

May31

June13 &14

July14 &15

Aug 5

Dates

Co

lon

ies

/ 1

00

mL

Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Site 5

43

Fecal Coliform

44

Flow

0

10

20

30

40

50

May 31 June 13& 14

July 14& 15

Aug 5

Dates

Cu

bic

Fe

et

/ Se

co

nd Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Site 5

45

Turbidity

0

50

100

150

200

250

May 31 June 13& 14

July 14 &15

Aug 5

Dates

JTU

's Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Site 5

46

Dissolved Oxygen

0

2

4

6

8

10

May 31 June 13& 14

July 14 &15

Aug 5

Date

ppm

Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Site 5

47

Dissolved Oxygen

0

20

40

60

80

100

May 31 June13&14

July 14& 15

Aug 5

Dates

Per

cen

t S

atu

rati

on

Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Site 5

48

5 Day Biological Oxygen Demand

0123456

May 31 June13 &14

July 14& 15

Aug 5

Date

pp

m Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Site 5

49

Nitrates

0

5

10

15

20

25

May 31 June 13 &14

July 14 &15

Aug 5

Date

ppm

Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Site 5

50

Phosphates

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

May 31 June 13& 14

July 14& 15

Aug 5

Date

pp

m Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Site 5

51

Chemical Test Conclusion• All W.Q.I. numbers were within the medium range,

except:- August 5-Sites 2 and 3 (Good) - May 31- Site 2 (Bad)- June 13 and 14-Site 5 (Bad)

• Best overall date: August 5• Best overall site: Site 3• Consistent pH readings• Dissolved oxygen was consistently low over the summer• Turbidity decreased over the summer• Very high nitrate readings, but did decrease over the

summer• High precipitation amounts in June affected testing

because of increase in runoff

52

Site 1 60.48

Site 2 59.93Site 3 61.41Site 4 58.98Site 5 52.66

May 31 57.12June 13 & 14 52.82July 14 & 15 57.87August 5 66.96

WQI Averages by Site

WQI Averages by Date

53

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5

Site

WQI Averages by Site

2003 Averages2004 Averages2005 Averages

54

WQI Averages by Date

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

May June July August

Month

2003 Averages

2004 Averages

2005 Averages

55

2003 to 2005 Chemical Test Average Comparisons

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Disch

arge pH

Nitate

s

Phosphat

es

B.O.D

.

Change

in T

emp.

Chemical Test

2003 Averages

2004 Averages

2005 Averages

56

2003 to 2005 Chemical Test Average Comparisons

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

D.O. % Sat. Turbidity Fecal Coliform Total Solids

Chemical Test

2003 Averages2004 Averages2005 Averages

57

Macro Invertebrates

TolerantSomewhat SensitiveSensitive

58

Sample Bio-Indicator Data Form

59

Bio-Indicator Comparison Chart 2002, 2004 and 2005

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5

Summer 2002

Summer 2004

Summer 2005

60

Bio-Indicator Ratings

0

5

10

15

20

May June July August

Month

Ratin

gs

si te 1si te 2

si te 3

si te 4

si te 5

61

Bio-Indicators Test Conclusions• Diversity decreased over the summer• Best overall date: May 31• Best overall site: Site 3 (same as last year)• Diversity slightly declined compared to last

year• Bio-Indicator scale ranked the Shell Creek

slightly below the W.Q.I. rankings– Bio-Indicators-poor to fair– W.Q.I.-medium to good

62

Algae at Site 1

63

Using the Equipment

64

Bio-Indicators

65

Lab Work

66

Look!...There’s a frog,, Cody!...Get it!

67

Oops!...I dropped the bottle!

68

Mr. Seier at Site 3

69

Flood Study

70

Width of Shell Creek

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

6/3 6:00 PM 6/4 5:45 PM 6/10 9:40 AM 6/11 8:00 AM 6/11 12:00 PM 6/11 7:00 PM 6/21 6:00 PM

Fee

t

71

Flow Rates

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

6/3 6:00 PM 6/4 5:45 PM 6/10 9:40 AM 6/11 8:00 AM 6/11 12:00 PM 6/11 7:00 PM 6/21 6:00 PM

Cu

bic

Fee

t p

er S

eco

nd

72

Fecal Coliform

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

6/3 6:00 PM 6/4 5:45 PM 6/10 9:40 AM 6/11 8:00 AM 6/11 12:00 PM 6/11 7:00 PM 6/21 6:00 PM

Co

lon

ies

per

100

mL

96 cfs

130 cfs

160 cfs

475 cfs 248 cfs

483 cfs

508 cfs

73

Nitrates

0

5

10

15

20

25

6/3 6:00 PM 6/4 5:45 PM 6/10 9:40 AM 6/11 8:00 AM 6/11 12:00 PM 6/11 7:00 PM 6/21 6:00 PM

Par

ts p

er M

illio

n

96 cfs

130 cfs

160 cfs

475 cfs 248 cfs

483 cfs

508 cfs

74

Total Solids

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

6/3 6:00 PM 6/4 5:45 PM 6/10 9:40 AM 6/11 8:00 AM 6/11 12:00 PM 6/11 7:00 PM 6/21 6:00 PM

Ton

s pe

r H

our

96 cfs 130 cfs

160 cfs

475 cfs

248 cfs 483 cfs

508 cfs

75

76

THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE THE T

END END END END END END END END END END END END END END END END END EN

77

Thank You To:• Lower Platte North Natural Resource

District

• PrairieLand RC&D

• Natural Resource Conservation Service

• Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality

• Shell Creek Watershed Improvement

Group

• Area Land Owners

The End

78

Website

• http://newman.esu8.org/project.htmlOR

• http://newman.esu8.org/ • Click “Our Students”

• Click “Student Projects”• Click “Watershed Project”

• You can see our data and further information concerning this project,

including pictures.