Title
An Overview of Champion International's Benthological Water Quality Studies of the Clark Fork River
Abstract
Benthological studies to define effluent impact have been conducted since 1956 at the pulp mill of Champion International Corporation near Missoula, Montana. The macroinvertebrates inhabiting riffle environments of the Clark Fork River are used to indicate water quality. The present study design uses the collection of replicate Surber samples from nine sites (three control plus six experimental) in a 20-mile river reach to characterize the fauna. Impact is determined by community analysis.
Present and historical data show no significant mill impact upon taxa occurrence within the study area. Plecoptera, Ephemoroptera, Trichoptera and Diptera constitute the dominant groups at all study sites. Study data as recent as 1984 document a limited and localized increase in organism abundance relative to the mill. Stream enrichment is indicated. Overall water quality is altered only slightly by treatment wastewater from the mill.
Start Date
19-4-1985 12:00 AM
End Date
19-4-1985 12:00 AM
Document Type
Presentation
An Overview of Champion International's Benthological Water Quality Studies of the Clark Fork River
Benthological studies to define effluent impact have been conducted since 1956 at the pulp mill of Champion International Corporation near Missoula, Montana. The macroinvertebrates inhabiting riffle environments of the Clark Fork River are used to indicate water quality. The present study design uses the collection of replicate Surber samples from nine sites (three control plus six experimental) in a 20-mile river reach to characterize the fauna. Impact is determined by community analysis.
Present and historical data show no significant mill impact upon taxa occurrence within the study area. Plecoptera, Ephemoroptera, Trichoptera and Diptera constitute the dominant groups at all study sites. Study data as recent as 1984 document a limited and localized increase in organism abundance relative to the mill. Stream enrichment is indicated. Overall water quality is altered only slightly by treatment wastewater from the mill.