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Water Monitoring

Biological Monitoring

Chemical Monitoring

Physical Monitoring

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Common Chemical Tests

Nitrogen Phosphorus
Sulfates Turbidity

Turbidity

Turbidity refers to the dissolved solids in the water, which you can see.  Cloudy water is said to have a high turbidity level.  Common causes of turbidity are erosion, runoff, waste discharge and algal growth.  Turbidity is usually determined using a black and white disk, lowered into the water until the white is no longer visible.  The depth at which the disk can no longer be seen is indicative of the turbidity. 

Other tests, including and/or in addition to those described above, may be appropriate for the watershed in your area.  The indicators the were chosen as points of study while making your monitoring plan are a good way to decide what tests need to be performed.
 

Turbidity from Water on the Web

Turbidity from Water SHEDDS

Water Quality Monitoring: Turbidity from Friends of Five Creeks

USGS Water Resources--Office of Water Quality National Field Manual Chapter 6.7 Turbidity (pdf)