San Juan Island Watersheds Water Quality

The San Juan Islands Watershed Project was initiated in 2002 in partnership with the San Juan Islands Conservation District, with the purpose of collecting baseline watershed water quality data and educating local students about watershed health. Students from Friday Harbor High School, Spring Street International School, Lopez School, and Griffin Bay High School have been involved in the study. The water quality of 12 major watersheds was monitored on San Juan, Lopez and Orcas Islands every 6-8 weeks. Seven parameters were assessed at most sites: dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform, turbidity, pH and temperature, nutrients (nitrates, orthophosphates), and flow. Classroom sessions, field trips and activities introducing the importance of watersheds and water quality monitoring still occur to enhance present high school science curriculum. Sampling and lab protocols were developed to meet the Washington State Department of Ecology's (WSDOE) quality assurance standards. All of the sampling equipment (DO/pH/temperature probes, incubators, fecal coliform filter dishes) meet EPA standards to ensure reliable, accurate data. The surface waters of the San Juan Islands are designated as Class AA or Extraordinary Primary Conact waters and are to meet the criteria outlined in WAC 173-201A-030 (2002). To learn more about present watershed water quality standards in Washington visit WSDOE. NOTE data presented here are only form San Juan Island. Other data may be available here https://depts.washington.edu/fhlk12/monitor/monitor.html#sjiws this is a test