A Water Quality Survey of Furnace Branch

Abstract

The ecological survey combines selected chemical, physical, and biological parameters to provide an overall picture of water quality in a given watershed Macroinvertebrates, specificially aquatic insects, indicate water quality by their presence or absence, since they are variably tolerant to different levels of pollution or babitat degredation. Furnace Branch was selected for this baseline study because of its geological uniqueness and its proximity to major metropolitan areas which as yet have had little effect on its structure. Attempts to insure the future of the Furnace Branch watershed as a quality recreational habitat may depend, to a considerable extent, on its future use by man. By determining the baseline structure of the Furnace Branch watershed now, future comparisons will provide clues to any improvement or degradation caused by man's various encroachments. Aquatic insects collected through the use of a Surber Sampler provide information for gross qualitative evaluation of water quality. Insect samples collected by means of a kick screen provide information on a quantitative level. The combination of qualitative and quantitive information can be used to establish the species diversity, mean diversity and biotic index of the watershed and serves as an excellent indication of overall water quality. Combining the physical and chemical test results with these biological indices shows the effectiveness of an ecological survey. The results of this particular ecological survey have proven the Furnace Branch drainage system to be an aquatic habitat of high quality.