english coulee watershed assessment:
The English Coulee Watershed Assessment Project is a cooperative effort between the Grand Forks Soil Conservation District, North Dakota Department of Health, City of Grand Forks, Grand Forks Water Resource District and U.S. Geological Survey. The assessment began in April, 2008 and is projected to last two years. The first year of the assessment focused on collecting stream water data from six locations along Coulee. Laboratory analysis were collected for three rural sites, one rural/ urban interface site, and two urban sites. Water temperature, amount of oxygen dissolved in the water, and stream stage (height of the water in the stream) were measured in the field at each site water samples. The North Dakota Department of Health Chemistry Lab is analyzing the water samples for fecal coliform, e.coli, trace metals (such as Arsenic or Selenium), nutrients (such as Phosphorus and Nitrogen), and suspended solids. The City of Grand Forks Water Treatment Lab is analyzing samples for BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand, or amount of biologically oxidizable organic carbons in the water) and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand, or all oxidizable chemicals that are in the water). The USGS is collecting stream flow data at each of the six sites over the two year projected length.
The second year of the English Coulee Assessment Project will focus on storm water runoff sample analysis within the City of Grand Forks. Several storm drain outfall locations will be chosen throughout the city that empty into the English Coulee. Water samples will be collected at these sites during rain events and sent to the ND Dept. of Health Chemistry Lab for analysis. The field work component of the assessment will conclude with insect samples (macro invertebrates) and riparian assessments (Stream Visual Assessment Protocol and Rapid Geomorphic Assessment) of several locations along the English Coulee.
Last updated: November 22, 2011