Water Quality Test Data

 

 

Name of Tester:  Joel and Jacki Clark        Date:  8/03/08    Time:   11:50 AM                

 

 

Location :  Eagle’s Nest @ Super Room

         

Recent and Current Weather

 

It’s sunny this morning.  We’ve had recent heavy rain.  The water level in the basin at high tide is about 6-8 inches higher than normal. 

 

 

Description of Area (Include plant and animal/insect life)

 

Eagle’s Nest is situated within the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area.  The landscape is typical of sandhill scrub with some swampy areas around the various sinks.  Many longleaf pines and scrub oaks surround the Nest.  Much saw palmetto and very dense scrub underbrush make exploring around the Nest ill-advised.  Deer, hogs, alligators, snakes, lizards, and various raptors make this area their home.  Mosquito repellent is an essential item for setting up and breaking down gear.

 

 

Description of Water (Include aquatic plant and animal/fish life)

 

The basin is tannic with typical August algae bloom.  Many bluegill are present near the surface.  In the cave, many catfish and cave crayfish are evident.

 

pH: 6.8   (6.5-8.5)                                Temperature:  29.8 C @ time of test

 

TDS:  259 ppm  ( <500 ppm)          Nitrate:  .5 ppm  (< 10 ppm)            Nitrite: 0 ppm (< 1 ppm)

 

DO:  4 ppm  ( >2 ppm)                       Phosphate:  .125 ppm  (<0.1 ppm)        Turbidity:  30+ feet

 

BOD:  unavailable                           Flow:  not measured                                  WQI:  50.94-69.32 which

                                                                                                                                                 is fair to average

 *Numbers in parenthesis are acceptable limits.

 

Cave Species Counts: 

 

No true count was conducted, but many cave shrimp, isopods and amphipods were present, as were the typical cave crayfish.

 

 

Date and Time of E. Coli Count: 8/05/08 @ 6:30 PM               E. Coli (purple w/wo pink halo): 120/100 ml

 

Non-Fecal Coli (pink, light pink): 1280/100 ml     Other Bacteria (teal/pale/yellow/clear):  1100/100 ml

 

Implications and questions:  Because we currently lack enough results to track trends, no true conclusions can be wrought from the data.  As more tests are completed, trends should become visible.