Natural History. Stewardship. Sustainablility.
CONDUCTIVITIES ARE ARE A MEASURE OF A TOTAL OF ALL THE DISSOLVED IONS (SODIUM, CALCIUM, AMMONIA, PHOSPHATE, CHLORIDE, ETC.) IN THE WATER. EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS COME USUALLY FROM HUMAN CREATED SOURCES AND ARE HARMFUL TO FISH AND OTHER AQUATIC CRITTERS.
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The most likely source and nature of the pollution in the drainage ditch is the fast melting of snow piles containing large quantities of street salt left over from the winter in the residential area just north of the park. The map shows the location of significant ion pollution in the waters of the park.
As of May 10, 2007 tests for phosphate ions were all negative, and their are no biological signs of excess nutrients in any of the waters. Tests for conductivities and chloride ions continue to be high. As is the usual case in many areas, winter de-icing salt creates a great reservoir of salty subsurface water that continues to feed into water bodies throughout the summer and year. Fortunately, North Beaver Pond receives little or none of these salts, even though it is right next to the drainage ditch, apparently because its water level is about 10' above the drainage ditch water level; its water is likely to be seeping underground into the drainage ditch instead.
As of May 10, 2007 tests for phosphate ions were all negative, and their are no biological signs of excess nutrients in any of the waters. Tests for conductivities and chloride ions continue to be high. As is the usual case in many areas, winter de-icing salt creates a great reservoir of salty subsurface water that continues to feed into water bodies throughout the summer and year. Fortunately, North Beaver Pond receives little or none of these salts, even though it is right next to the drainage ditch, apparently because its water level is about 10' above the drainage ditch water level; its water is likely to be seeping underground into the drainage ditch instead.
Take a look at Pollution Conductivities and Normal Conductivities of Hartley Ponds and Stream.