Water Quality

Instream Water Quality Sampling

Fish and other aquatic animals obtain their oxygen from the dissolved oxygen in the water. If dissolved oxygen is low than life cannot be supported. Nutrients are elements needed for growth in all living plants and animals. Excessive amounts of two types of nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus, are found in the Rouge River. High nutrient levels increase the amount of plant and algae growth, often causing algal "blooms". This increased plant and algae growth robs the water of oxygen that fish and other aquatic life depend on to survive.

Suspended solids are sediments (dirt) that stay suspended in the water and do not settle out. If there are too many suspended solids in the water the water appears cloudy. This cloudiness is call turbidity. When the water has a high turbidity the sunlight that plants need to grow is blocked out, reducing the amount of plants. Plants are important for they add oxygen through photosynthesis and provide food for other organisms.

Throughout the course of the project, a number of endeavors to improve water quality have been undertaken including: Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) control programs (sewer separation and retention basin construction), illicit discharge elimination, storm water management activities and developing better public, industry and community awareness of pollution control and prevention.

A comprehensive sampling and monitoring program has been undertaken since the inception of the project in an effort to monitor the effects that these various improvement projects have had on the water quality of the Rouge River. The goal of this program is to maintain an historical water quality database; track trends in the River; track progress on Rouge restoration efforts; and provide data to assist in implementing other Rouge restoration efforts.

For more information on water quality, click on the links below: