Fox River Watershed Investigation - Publication Details

Report Type: fulltext    Format: Paper Copy    

Abstract:
A survey of the Fox River was accomplished during 1982 by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Conservation. Sampling was accomplished at 23 tributary stations for water quality (seasonal), habitat, sediment chemistry, macroinvertebrates and fish. Stations were established on the major tributaries of the Fox River including the N. Branch Nippersink, Nippersink (2), Boone, Flint, Tyler, Poplar, Ferson, Mill (2), Waubansee, Blackberry (2), Big Rock (2), Little Rock, Somonauk (2), Little Indian, Indian (3), and Buck Creeks. Habitat, sediment chemistry, macroinvertebrate, and fish samples were collected in August 1982 and water sampling extended from May 1982 to February 1983. From these data, environmental quality was summarized utilizing various indices including water quality (WQI), macroinvertebrates (MBI), fish (IBI), and habitat (PIBI). Individual stations were evaluated for degree of support of aquatic (PIBI). Individual stations were evaluated for degree of support of aquatic life and classified according to the biological stream classification system used for Illinois streams. Overall environmental quality was very good providing full aquatic life use at 21 of the 23 stations (91%). According to the biological stream classification system, most stream segments were classified as Class C (11 of 23 stations - 48%) or as Class B (9 of 23 stations - 39%). The remaining stream segments were classified as Class D (2 of 23 stations - 9%) or Class A at one of the 23 stations - 4%). All mean index values indicated good to very good water quality conditions. Mean index values were 11.6 (WQI) for water, 5.4 (MBI) for macroinvertebrates, 40.3 (IBI) for fish, and 43.6 (PIBI) for habitat.

Data Record Period: 1982-1983
Data Record Notes: May 1982 - Feb. 1983

Data Sources: IEPA

Features: Biota, River/Stream, Sediment

Parameters: Arsenic, As; Cadmium, Cd; Chromium, total; COD; Copper, Cu; Iron, Fe; Kjeldahl N; Lead, Pb; Manganese, Mn; Mercury, Hg; PCBs in Bottom Deposits; Phosphorus, total; Zinc, Zn

Sites - IEPA Station(USGS Station): DTAB01(), DTB01(5552000), DTD02(551700), DTF01(5551210), DTG02(5550500), DTK04(5548280), DTKA03(5548200), DTZP01(), DTZS01(5549850), DTZT01()