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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