Georgetown Water Quality Data and our September Trip

September, 2013

Two weeks ago, we made our way out to Georgetown for our water quality sampling trip.  While we are there, we collect field measurements with a YSI 556 meter, and also bring some water samples back for laboratory testing. 

The YSI allows us to collect on site information such as temperature, pH, DO (dissolved oxygen), conductivity & ORP.  With the results from our lab tests, we gain information about metals, organic pollutants (DRO & GRO), and bacteria (E coli).

Check out our website for the results from our field data collections here.



Monitoring Well Site 2

We gather data from four locations: two monitoring wells in Georgetown, the mouth of the George River, and a point in the Kuskokwim up river from the George.  To view the results of our data spatially, you can visit the Kuskokwim River Water Quality webmapper here.

Along with Georgetown data, the webmapper also houses water quality data for the native villages of Napaimute and Sleetmute.  Our goal is to collect baseline data all along the Kuskokwim River so that we can view trends in data, which will make it possible to identify any abrupt changes, and hopefully determine their source.  Changes in water quality can occur from natural processes such as rising temperatures or flooding tributaries, but could also be caused by development in the area or human disturbances.  The Red Devil mercury mine is an example of development that caused changes to occur in water quality in the area of Georgetown.  With the EIS process already underway for the Donlin Gold mine, it is only a matter of time before construction could begin.  It is our hope that the EIS process will help to prevent any major changes in water quality on the Kuskokwim, but it is good to be prepared for the worst case scenario.

If you are interested in submitting your water quality data to be included in the Kuskokwim River WQ Database, contact me at kate.schaberg@georgetowntc.com or by phone at 907-274-2195.

GTC will be presenting information on this project at the 6th Annual NW Tribal Water Rights conference to be held in Anchorage, AK on October 9-10th.  Follow this link for more information.