ANALYSIS AND DATA
 
SITES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
DESCRIPTION OF SITE

The Springdale Golf Club provided an opportunity to look at both non-point and point sources. (fn 2) The golf course itself was a non point source. Possible point sources were identified in the stream where pipes were found. They were confirmed as point sources only if the nitrate content showed an increase where these sources fed in. Sites were selected because they were possible point sources, or because of accessibility.

The map of the water tested indicates a man made pool. ( map) The outlet of the pool is dammed by the use of a piece of ply wood that covers from the bottom to approximately three quarters of the way up. This structure always allows some water to escape so that the stream is never completely stopped.

The vegetation along the stream is plentiful and is confined more to the banks where the water is free running. In the pond, algal growth can be seen covering the bottom. There are large clumps of algae which can be found in places near the banks and a film of algal growth where the water has the least turbulence.

At sites 1-3, water is free flowing. Between sites 1 and 2 the first possible point source is found. Sites 4-6, 8 and 9 are in the pond, 4- and 5 being on the least turbulent side,  site 6 being at the outlet and sites 8 and 9 on the most turbulent side. Site 7 is located at the outlet tube where the continuation of the stream is found. Site 10 is at the end of  a drainage pipe. There is a good deal of vegetation between sites 10 and 12. Site 12 is a small pool of water lined by flat rocks. No vegetation is visible in this pool. Site 13 is at the end of a storm drainage pipe. Site 14 is where a constant mass of suds has been found. site 15 is at another pipe end.

Minnows were seen in the free flowing stream, but there were very few carp. Carp were more abundant in the pond and were seen jumping to catch insects. Snail could be seen on almost every visible portion of the pond bottom. There were not many found in the free flowing stream. Small frogs were found at all sights but were more prevalent in the pond.

The level of the water int he pond was low on 7/15. Several layers of flat stone along the side could be seen (approximately 4). On 7/17 the water level had decreased by three more layers of stone. On 7/18, the level of the water was higher. Only three levels of stone were visible. Pond water is used to irrigate the golf course and the golf course was being water each day during sampling. There was no notable precipitation from 7/15 through 7/18. The increase in water was due to water being pumped in. The origin and entry point were not determined.

ANALYSIS
The samples were tested for inorganic nitrates such as those found in fertilizers. From the data obtained, definite patterns could be seen. The readings from the first three sites were the highest each day. The daily water from the pond, sites 4-6, 8 and 9, tested much lower than sites 1-3. The nitrate concentrations from sites 10 and 12 concurred each day. There was quite a bit of growth along the stream between these two points, but the water flowed rapidly and perhaps prevented uptake by the plants. At site 13, there was standing water at the mouth of the drainage pipe, but it was not flowing into the stream at the time of sampling. The ground was saturated and the site was less than a meter from the stream flow. Immediately after this site is the location of the permanent suds, site 14, in the stream. This distance is less than a meter. It was not determined whether there was runoff from site 13 during the night. Samples collected at site 14 were always higher than site 13 and higher than 12 on the first trial. Site 15 always showed lower concentrations than site 14.

A general observation was that if the site had a slow flow and a good amount of vegetation, the nitrate concentration was low. If the amount of vegetation in the water was low or the flow was fast, the nitrogen concentration was higher.

Of the possible point sources, the point between sites 1 and 2, and sites 11 and 13, none can be confirmed as a constant point source. Site 2 showed an increase when compared to site 1 in the second trial. Site 11 showed an increase in the first and second trials which indicates it is a possible point source. Site 13 always showed a decrease, but site 14 showed an increase with no observable point source. These two sites should be investigated further to determine the reason for these readings.

 
 
 
 
 
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