Baseline Water Quality Testing Exit Glacier study area

Wright, Ami

Surface water quality testing was performed in the study area in conjunction with macroinvertebrate sampling and stream bioassessment during the 2001 field season. Water quality testing was determined by Resource Management as an important element in establishing a baseline picture of existing surface water conditions. The importance of obtaining baseline data is not limited to the VERP study, but extends to other aspects of resource management. The data can be incorporated into National Park Service programs such as the Natural Resource Challenge and the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program in National Parks, ultimately aiding long-term monitoring efforts. The main goal of this project was to collect baseline water quality data from representative study area streams. In addition to collecting baseline data , we want to answer the following questions: º Are vehicular pollutants entering streams? º Are human pollutants entering streams?