Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary Aquaculture Water Quality

All the information on this page has been referenced from studies done by
Dr. George Allen in 1990 and 1991

Water Quality Index

Page Overview

The information below is from studies by Dr. George Allen to determine the ponds' average contents of various substances, temperatures etc.. To determine the best possible environment for the fish to thrive in.

Water Quality for Yearling Ponds 1 and 2

Both the temperatures during winter never fall below 7 degrees Celcius
Effluent entering the ponds is secondary-level treated water that has been disinfected with chlorine and dechlorinated with sulfur dioxide
The water in Yearling Pond 1 is generally clearer than in Yearling Pond 2 because of the higher population of phytoplankton in Pond 2

These statistics are mean values from a study done by Dr. George Allen, of HSU's Fisheries dept., in 1990.

Yearling Pond 1

Mean Temperature (C):10.5 C
Salinity (ppt):12.7
pH: 7.7
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l): 8.8
Clarity (secchi disc in cms): 90+

Yearling Pond2

Mean Temperature (C):10.5 C
Salinity (ppt):13.6
pH: 8.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l): 10.7
Clarity (secchi disc in cms): 70+

Water Quality Index

Water Quality of Imprinting Ponds

Dr. Allen used the imprinting pond, or South Pond, to determine what ratio of wastewater to saltwater were the best for the fish to survive and thrive in. The STP that was originally pumped into the South Pond was mostly wastewater with low percentage of saltwater. The ammonia levels and disolved oxygen levels were 9 to 15 mg/l and 6 mg/l respectively. With undiluted STP effluent the mortality for the coho was total, and the same was true for a waste/saltwater mixture of 85 percent waste water and 15 percent saltwater. A mixture of 80 percent wastewater to 20 percent saltwater caused no mortalities and was thus used in the imprinting of the fish.

Aquaculture

Water Quality Index

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