Table Wq02. Water quality data for selected stations and parameters within the Big Piney Watershed (MDNR 2001, USGS 2003c). Applicable of state standards used for comparison of values at each site are in italics and may include one or more of the following: AQL Protection of aquatic life, CLF cool water fishery, CDF cold water fishery, DWS Drinking Water Supply, IRR Irrigation, LWW Livestock and Wildlife Watering, WBC Whole-body-contact recreation, and BTG Boating.
Station 06929315 (Paddy Creek above Slabtown Spring)
Parameter AQL IRR CLF CDF DWS LWW BTG WBC Min-Max Exceed
Temperature (oF) (warm water fishery) 90.0 Max 84 68 35.6-75.9 0/41
pH 6.5-9.0 7.1-8.4 0/41
Oxygen, dissolved (mg/l) (warm water fishery) 5.0 Min 5.0 6.0 5.6-13.5 0/41
Coliform, fecal (colonies / 100 ml) 200 1-4500 N/A
Nitrogen, Total Ammonia (mg/l as N) 0.1-2.5 0.2-3.9 0.1-2.8 0.01-0.08 0/41
Phosophorus, Total3 (mg/l as P) 0.01-0.1 0/41
Sulfate (mg/l) 250 2.4-5.3 0/41
Chloride(mg/l) 230/360 250 0.7-2.6 0
Nitrate (mg/l) 10 0.0-0.56 0
Station 06930000 (Big Piney River near Big Piney)
Parameter AQL IRR CLF CDF DWS LWW BTG WBC Min-Max Exceed
Temperature (oF) (warm water fishery) 90.0 Max 84 68 46.4-79.3 0/7
pH 6.5-9.0 7.2-8.3 0/7
Oxygen, dissolved (mg/l) (warm water fishery) 5.0 Min 5.0 6.0 6.8-10.9 0/7
Coliform, fecal (colonies / 100 ml) 200 32-230 1/4
Nitrogen, Total Ammonia (mg/l as N) 0.1-2.5 0.2-3.9 0.1-2.8 0.012- <0.048E 0/6
Phosophorus, Total3 (mg/l as P) 0.01-0.12< 1/6
Sulfate (mg/l) 250 3.6-5.1 0/5
Chloride (mg/l) 230/360 250 2.9-4.7 0/5
Nitrate (mg/l) 10 N/O
Station 06930450 (Big Piney River at Devils Elbow)
Parameter AQL IRR CLF CDF DWS LWW BTG WBC Min-Max Exceed
Temperature (oF)(warm water fishery) 90.0 Max 84 68 36.5-80.4 0/28
pH 6.5-9.0 7.3-8.4 0/28
Oxygen, dissolved (mg/l) (warm water fishery) 5.0 Min 5.0 6.0 6.2-13.5 0/28
Coliform, fecal (colonies / 100 ml) 200 2e-650 2/28
Nitrogen, Total Ammonia (mg/l as N) 0.1-2.5 0.2-3.9 0.1-2.8 <0.024-0.06e 0/27
Phosophorus, Total3 (mg/l as P) 0.03-<0.06e 0/23
Sulfate (mg/l) 250 4.1-6.7 0/9
Chloride(mg/l) 230/360 250 3.1-6.9 0/9
Nitrate (mg/l) 10 N/A
Station 374749092051901 (Shanghai Spring)
Parameter AQL IRR CLF CDF DWS LWW BTG WBC Min-Max Exceed
Temperature (oF) (warm water fishery) 90.0 Max 84 68 56.3-65.1 0/45
pH 6.5-9.0 6.9-7.6 0/13
Oxygen, dissolved (mg/l) (warm water fishery) 5.0 Min 5.0 6.0 3.0-9.0 0/9
Coliform, fecal (colonies / 100 ml) 200 200e 1/1
Nitrogen, Total Ammonia (mg/l as N) 0.1-2.5 0.2-3.9 0.1-2.8 0.0024- <0.018 0/5
Phosophorus, Total3 (mg/l as P) 0.06-0.59e 13/35
Sulfate (mg/l) 250 6.8-10.4E 0/42
Chloride (mg/l) 230/360 250 4.4-24.8 0/42
Nitrate (mg/l) 10 N/O
374203092041601 (Miller Spring)
Parameter AQL IRR CLF CDF DWS LWW BTG WBC Min-Max Exceed
Temperature (oF) (warm water fishery) 90.0 Max 84 68 56.3-57.6 0/3
pH 6.5-9.0 6.9-7.6 0/3
Oxygen, dissolved (mg/l) (warm water fishery) 5.0 Min 5.0 6.0 2.2-8.3 0/2
Coliform, fecal (colonies / 100 ml) 200 20e 0/1
Nitrogen, Total Ammonia (mg/l as N) 0.1-2.5 0.2-3.9 0.1-2.8 0.019-0.006 0/2
Phosophorus, Total3 mg/l as P) 0.008-0.190 1/2
Sulfate (mg/l) 250 3.6-5.7 0/2
Chloride(mg/l) 230/360 250 1.7-2.5 0/2
Nitrate (mg/l) 10 N/O
374418092045101 (Sandstone Spring)
Parameter AQL IRR CLF CDF DWS LWW BTG WBC Min-Max Exceed
Temperature (oF) (warm water fishery) 90.0 Max 84 68 55.2-64.6 0/8
pH 6.5-9.0 7.2-8.2 0/8
Oxygen, dissolved (mg/l) (warm water fishery) 5.0 Min 5.0 6.0 3.0-9.8 2/6
Coliform, fecal (colonies / 100 ml) 200 38-104e 0/2
Nitrogen, Total Ammonia (mg/l as N) 0.1-2.5 0.2-3.9 0.1-2.8 <0.0024- 0.018 0/7
Phosophorus, Total3 (mg/l as P) <0.02-0.04 0/6
Sulfate (mg/l) 250 4.8-17.1 0/6
Chloride(mg/l) 230/360 250 3.1-8.96 0/6
Nitrate (mg/l) 10 N/O

1 Based on maximum chronic and acute standards for cold-water fishery. Levels are pH and temperature dependent. For specific criteria at varying pH and temperatures consult Table B of the Rules of the Department of Natural Resources Division 20-Clean Water Commission Chapter 7-Water Quality.

2 Based on maximum chronic and acute standards for general warm-water fishery. Levels are pH and temperature dependent. For specific criteria at varying pH and temperatures consult Table B of the Rules of the Department of Natural Resources Division 20-Clean Water Commission Chapter 7-Water Quality.

3 State standard for phosphorus is currently unavailable. The Environmental Protection Agency currently recommends a maximum of 0.1mg/L for rivers (Christensen and Pope 1997).

4 Based on maximum chronic and acute standards for all waters. Levels are hardness dependent. For specific criteria at varying hardness consult Table A of the Rules of the Department of Natural Resources Division 20-Clean Water Commission Chapter 7-Water Quality.

5 Based on maximum chronic and acute standards for cold water fishery. Levels are hardness dependent. For specific criteria at varying hardness consult Table A of the Rules of the Department of Natural Resources Division 20-Clean Water Commission Chapter 7-Water Quality.

Return to Water Quality Text