Stream Restoration & Water Quality
The Science and Analysis section conducts water quality monitoring at restoration sites across North Carolina to quantify changes resulting from the restoration. Restoration is a means to improve stream and wetland function, and monitoring helps ensure that projects are having the desired effects on water quality and the aquatic habitat. Water quality assessments specifically measure nutrients, suspended solids, and fecal coliform before and after restoration.
Detecting and Quantifying Change
Can industry mitigation practices demonstrate improvement in physico-chemical water quality or biological parameters within mitigation timeframes?
Methods & Guidance
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Can the collection of water quality data be simplified to a discrete grab (collected by dipping a bottle) sampling regime?
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What duration and frequency are required to capture water quality and hydrologic variability?
Analysis & Trends
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What effect do industry mitigation practices have on stream reach hydrology residence time?
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Are there any trends or consistencies in the change observed between water quality parameters?
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What are the differences in the magnitude of the variance observed in water quality parameters between pre- and post-restoration?
Current data can be viewed on the DMS Water Quality Data Dashboard
For water quality data please contact Danielle Mir. Disclaimer: DMS can provide available raw data for any of the water quality projects listed in the DMS Water Quality Data dashboard upon request. In the absence of analytical collaboration and coordination, DMS is not responsible for conclusions or outcomes made by third-party users of this data.