WATER QUALITY 

 Water Quality Methods 



Water quality of German Gulch Creek was monitored on July 18, August 6, 

 and September 4, 1984. Locations sampled were downstream from the confluence 

 with Edward Creek, downstream from the confluence with Beefstraight Creek, and 

 near the mouth. 



Water temperature and electrical conductivity were measured in the field. 

 Surface grab samples were also taken and were later analyzed for calcium, 

 magnesium, bicarbonate, sulfate, nitrate and nitrite (as N) , hardness (as 

 CaCO ) , zinc, iron, and copper. Finally, a depth integrated sample was taken 

 and total suspended solids concentration was later determined. 



Metals samples were acidified in the field with concentrated nitric acid; 

 nutrient samples were preserved with sulfuric acid. Standard procedures were 

 used for all analytical measurements (APHA 1975). The Laboratory Division of 

 the Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, an EPA-certif ied 

 laboratory, performed the laboratory analyses. 



Water Quality Results 



The quality of water in German Gulch Creek is presently excellent (Table 

 13). Calcium is the predominant cation and bicarbonate is the predominant 

 anion. The upper reaches in the vicinity of Edward Creek are relatively low 

 in hardness and alkalinity. Below Beefstraight Creek, both the alkalinity and 

 hardness more than doubled in concentration. Because of the above, pH 

 increased from an average of 7.80 below Edward Creek to 8.30 near the mouth. 



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