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Wilderness Stream Sampling in the Green Mountain National Forest by Heather Pembrook Photos by Jim Deshler Grindstone Brook

Wilderness Stream Sampling in the Green Mountain National Forest by Heather Pembrook Photos by Jim Deshler Grindstone Brook

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Wilderness Stream Sampling

in the Green Mountain National Forest

by Heather Pembrook

Photos by Jim Deshler

Grindstone Brook

Why Sample Wilderness Streams?

1964 Wilderness Act description: “untrammeled by man”… yet air pollution knows no boundaries

2004 Wilderness Stewardship Challenge goal: to manage lands to be unimpaired for present and future generations

1 of 10 elements: Air Quality Trends, measured through a of sensitive receptor (AQV): GMNF choose streams as that receptor

Question: Have wilderness streams been adversely affected by air pollution? If so, how much?

What was measured and when: 10 Streams sampled 3 times

Spring, Summer, Fall

5 Wilderness Areas Aiken, Big Branch, Battell, Bristol, Breadloaf

Water chemistry analyzed Alkalinity, pH, conductivity, color (Acid status)

Ca, Mg, Na, K, Al (Earth metals/Base Cations)

SO4, NO3, Cl (Anions)

TN, TP (Nutrients)

Fish surveys conducted

Temperature probes installed

What did we learn?

In 2014, Spring was most acidic event:

o lowest alk, pH, cond, hardness and base cations, but > Al, NO3,

o However, sulfate highest in summer

Nutrients low all year round, highest in summer and spring

All streams were sensitive to acid rain except for McGinn (calcareous area of VT)

Recommend:

o characterize streams by sampling over 3 years

o macroinvertebrate sampling to compliment water chemistry. McGinn, Smith, West Branch Deerfield have already been samples.

GMNF Wilderness Areas

North& Gilmore Pond Outlets

Bear Wallow & George Brooks

Grindstone, Goshen and Smith Brooks

Lost Pond Outlet& McGinn Brook

West Branch of the Deerfield River

North Pond OutletBristolBristol Cliff Wilderness Area

Gilmore Pond Outlet, Bristol, Bristol Cliff Wilderness Area

Bear WallowWarrenBreadloaf Wilderness

George Brook, Hancock, Breadloaf Wilderness

Grindstone Brook, Hancock,Battell Wilderness

Goshen Brook Trib, Ripton, Battell Wilderness

Smith Brook, Rochester,Battell Wilderness

Lost Pond Brook, Danby, Big Branch Wilderness

McGinn Brook, Danby, Big Branch Wilderness

West Branch Deerfield RiverWoodfordAiken Wilderness