Land Conservation for the Protection of Water Quality

Land Conservation for the Protection of Water
Quality
Saco River Water Quality Report 2014
Hannah Kiesler

Upper Saco Valley Land Trust 2
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 3
THE LOSS OF NATURAL LANDS 3
AGRICULTURE LAND USE 4
RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM 4
THE EXPERIMENT 6
HYPOTHESES 6
METHODS 6
RESULTS 10
DISSOLVED OXYGEN 10
PH 13
SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE 14
TURBIDITY 16
WATER TEMPERATURE 17
TOTAL PHOSPHOROUS 19
E. COLI 19
NITROGEN 20
DICUSSION 20
APPENDIX A 22
APPENDIX B 28
APPENDIX C 34

INTRODUCTION:
The Upper Saco Valley watershed remains the largest intact floodplain in New
England and as of 2008 the only major river basin in New Hampshire to meet all the
standards of the Federal Clean Water Acti
. The Upper Saco Valley Watershed
encompasses 427 square miles in New Hampshire, in which 80% of the land is located in
the White Mountains National Forestii
. The headwaters of the Saco River are classified as
Grade A indicating high quality waters optimal for water supply use. The rest of the Saco
River in New Hampshire is classified as Class B, indicating that it is acceptable for
recreational purposes and water supply use after adequate cleaning. The floodplain of the
Upper Saco River is a rich ecosystem able to support a diverse group of plants, animals,
and natural communities & habitat types.
The Upper Saco River watershed benefits from many natural lands and low
percentage of existing development. The White Mountain National Forest constitutes a
majority of the lands in the watershed, and the vast majority of National Forest land
exists in a natural state. Other lands, including those conserved by the Upper Saco
Valley Land Trust, also contribute to the natural state of the watershed. Development
does, however, exist along the Saco, and it includes town centers, parking lots, home
sites, and agricultural lands, all of which contribute to the amount of impervious surfaces
or otherwise affect water quality.
Land conservation is critically important for the preservation of these natural
communities and habitat types, as well as for the maintenance of the excellent water
quality standards that the Saco currently meets. Conservation efforts include the donation
or selling of land to local conservation organizations. One such option involves the
creation of a conservation easement held by a land trust. A conservation easement
involves the selling or donation of the development rights to the land. Conservation
Easements in particular offer a valuable solution allowing the land to still be held
privately while dictating for conservation plans including the creation and protection of
the valuable riparian ecosystems. The land being conserved also prevents the future loss
of natural lands to development.
The elements of conservation, broadly speaking, which are strongly linked to
water quality include the prevention of natural land loss, the use of Best Management
Practices in agriculture, and the maintenance or restoration of riparian ecosystems.
The Loss of Natural Lands
The loss of naturals lands to impervious surfaces (development) causes water
quality issues in the following ways:
1) Increases storm water runoff
2) Prevents groundwater recharging
3) Increases the pollutants and sediments
4) Increases water temperature
Development of land, which can include the creation of impervious surfaces such
as roads, roofs, parking lots, or even landscaped areas, degrades the water quality of
surrounding water bodies. The degradation due to developed lands often arises from
effects of storm water runoff. Undeveloped land allows the water to absorb slowly into
the ground with only a small portion running off into the water bodies (when impervious
surfaces primarily cover land, it results in runoffs of 55% compared to the natural ground

cover which results in storm water runoffs of 10%iii
). Impervious surfaces also prevent
the slow recharge of groundwater. Lower groundwater levels may result in lower stream
levels in dry seasons.iv
Water unable to percolate into the ground picks up fertilizers,
pesticides, herbicides, nutrients, and various other toxins as it flows into waterways,
depositing these chemicals and toxins into rivers and lakes. Additionally, water often
warms as it crosses impervious surfaces, leading to both toxin accumulation and to
thermal discharge in the water bodies. The health of the aquatic ecosystem is directly
linked to water temperature; as water temperature affects other water quality metrics such
as dissolved oxygen, which in turn is a predictor for the survival of many aquatic
organisms.
Agricultural Land Use:
The land along the banks of rivers, due to fertile floodplain soils, is often used for
agriculture, which can negatively affect the water quality if Best Management Practices
(as defined by UNH Cooperative Extension, USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service, or similar professional organization or agency) are not utilized. During flood
events, the river may break over the bank, flooding the adjacent land and leaving behind
a layer of sediment and silt. This layer of sediment and silt produces rich soils, hence its
development for agricultural purposes. During the same flood events, nutrients from
farmlands can enter the river system; thus improper agricultural practices in the
floodplain can seriously affect the water quality of the river and the health of the soil.
Best Management Practice recommend that floodplain soils should be covered at all
times by some form of vegetative cover to prevent rich top soil from being dislodged
during a flood or a heavy rain. These sediments could increase the turbidity and
conductivity of the water along with introducing potential pollutants. Similarly,
chemicals utilized during farming need to be carefully monitored since due to the
proximity of the wetlands; even with other precautions, some agricultural chemicals are
likely to end up in the surface water. Ideally, a riparian corridor (a buffer of shrubs, herbs
and trees that lies between the river and the agricultural lands) would filter sediments and
nutrientsv
(see below).
The Riparian Ecosystem:
The riparian corridor, also known as a forest buffer, acts as an interface between
the land and river. The buffer provides significant benefit for soil conservation,
dissipating the stream’s energy to prevent erosion, and enhancing water quality through
natural bio-filtration.vi
Riparian ecosystems have been proven scientifically to provide
benefits for the water quality along with other environmental benefitsvii
. They provide the
following water quality benefits:
1. Prevent Soil Erosion
2. Protect the river’s natural morphology
3. Removes excessive nutrients and sediments from the surface water runoff
4. Reduces the downstream flooding
5. Provide thermal protection to adjoining streams and water bodies
The Riparian ecosystem also provides vital environmental benefits such as:
1. Provide food and habitat for terrestrial wildlife
2. Provide food and habitat for fish and amphibians

3. Protect surrounding wetlands
The benefits of the riparian ecosystem often depend upon the width, increasing
exponentially the wider the ecosystem. Hawes and Smith of the Yale School Of Forestry
studies have determined the eco-services specific to each width of riparian buffer
summarized in Table 1. The desirable buffer width also depends upon the site,
specifically the slope, the soil type, and the vegetation. The greater the slope and the
“tighter” the soil, then the wider the buffer needed to provide the same ecoservices.viii
Table 1. Riparian Buffer Width Functions ix
Eco-service Specific Width (ft)
Erosion/Sediment
Control
30 – 98
Water Quality
Nutrients 49 – 164
Pesticides 49 – 328
Bicontaminants 30 or more
Aquatic Life
Wildlife 33 – 164
Litter/debris 50 – 100
Temperature 30 – 230
Terrestrial habitat 150 – 330
These ecosystems have been documented to reduce sediments loads by 60 to 90
percent in various areas around United Statesx
. In addition, riparian buffers reduce
excessive nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus; a 68 to 95 percent removal rate by
riparian ecosystem has been documented for nitrogenxi
. The riparian ecosystem through
denitrification processes removes the nitrogen from the ecosystem.1
Specifically, forested
riparian ecosystems offer the greatest number of benefits. Forested riparian ecosystems
have been documented to keep the water temperature more stable as they are cooler from
April to October and warmer from November to March. Water temperature affects the
biotic life in the river often impacting fish’s reproductive and metabolic systems. The
forested zone supplies additional ecoservices including the uptake of groundwater that
intercepts nutrients before entering the river systemxii
, roots that change the soil structure
to promote infiltration and increased biogeochemical processing2
, and trees to provide
shading that modifies the aerobic processing of dissolved organic and inorganic
compounds3
. Riparian forest ecosystems provide essential benefits to the quality of the
water that it borders making them an essential ecosystem to conserve.xiii
1
Denitrification involves the reduction of oxidized forms of nitrogen to produce gaseous
dinitrogen (N2) by depleting the oxygen.
2
Biogeochemical processing refers to the chemical interactions and movements between
the biotic and abiotic compartments of an ecosystem.
3
Shading modifies the extent of photo-oxidation that occurs as less light is available to
penetrate the water. As oxygen is required for aerobic processing, areas with less photo-
oxidation have lower rates of processing of organic and inorganic compounds.

The Saco River has extant riparian ecosystems along most of the first-order
headwaters, which greatly influence its Class A Surface Water Quality ranking. The first-
order streams play the greatest role in the overall health of the river, as they contain the
foundation for the energy flow of the river along with high levels of biodiversity.
Riparian ecosystems in these locations therefore provide the greatest benefits to the water
quality and the environment. In order to increase the water quality of the Saco River
throughout its entirety in New Hampshire, the forested riparian ecosystem should be
created or maintained along a majority of its banks beginning with the second-order and
continuing on. Conserving additional lands along the Saco River can help accomplish this
goal of a continuous forest riparian ecosystem.
THE EXPERIMENT:
Hypotheses:
A possible correlation between land use patterns and the quality of the surface
water on the Saco River is examined by taking water samples at various locations on the
river and its tributaries. These samples along with prior data collected by the Volunteer
River Assessment Program (VRAP) and the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC)
are examined to test the following hypotheses and assess the general water quality of the
Saco River. Firstly, the water quality of the Saco River will deteriorate the further
downstream due to more land within the watershed affecting the given location. This
observes the affect the entire watershed has upon the water quality of the Saco River, and
any developed lands that may be upstream and contributing to a cumulative effect on
water quality. Secondly, land use patterns, specifically the amount of developed lands in
a 1 km radius impact of the sampling location, affects the quality of the water. These
hypotheses will be used to examine the necessity of the conservation of lands for the
protection of water quality.
Methods:
This study was performed following the standards and guidelines set by the
Volunteer River Assessment Program (VRAP) in New Hampshire. The VRAP was
establishing to promote awareness and education regarding the importance of maintaining
the water quality of New Hampshire rivers and streams. The goal is to educate people
about river quality and ecology while improving the monitoring coverage of the New
Hampshire rivers’ water quality. All the equipment used to perform the water quality test
was completed with VRAP loaned equipment. In addition, the samples were taken with
the procedures defined by the VRAP. The collection of the data to these standards allows
for the data to be usable by the VRAP along with the New Hampshire Department of
Environmental Services (NHDES) to further be of use for the assessment of the health of
the Saco River.
A full description of each water quality parameter measured by VRAP is included
in Appendix A. The Sampling and Analysis methods along with the equipment used in
each test performed appears in Table 2. The standard methods are derived from
“Standards Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater”, which are approved
by the EPA for the testing of water.xviii
By defining standard method, all the samples and

data can be utilized for other purposes. The procedures followed for each parameter can
be found in Appendix B.
Table 2. Sampling and Analysis Methods
Parameter Sample Type Standard Method Equipment Used
Temperature In-Situ SM 2550 YSI 85
Dissolved Oxygen In-Situ SM 4500 O G YSI 85
pH In-Situ SM 4500 H+ Oakton pH 11
Turbidity In-Situ EPA 180.1 LaMotte 2020
Specific
Conductance
In-Situ SM 2510 YSI 85
Each sampling day the air temperature and weather and general weather is
recorded. The sampling is completed after 2 pm each sampling day to account for the
dissolved oxygen levels being at their highest. Previous data collected on the Saco River
was collected at this time period, therefore new data continued to be collected in the
afternoon so that it can be inferred that all dissolved oxygen levels collected are at the
highest for the given day.
The correlation of the watershed and the water quality requires the length of the
Saco River and various tributaries to be measured. These distances are measured with the
program ArcGIS using the USGS “blueline” stream data as supplied by NH GRANIT
(the statewide GIS data clearinghouse). The data used is labeled NH Flowline. All rivers
that are upstream of the location and connected to the river system were included in the
total length calculations. The length is measured in kilometers.
In order to determine the possible correlation between land use patterns and the
water quality of the Saco River, the program ArcGIS is utilized. Specifically, a one-
kilometer circular buffer upstream of each site sampled is drawn and then analyzed for
approximate land use patterns. Looking at satellite imagery, each assessor’s parcel of
land is analyzed and characterized as either Developed, Partially Developed, and
Undeveloped. Developed lands include house sites, roads, agricultural lands, landscaping,
parking lots, and buildings. Partially Developed lands are often used to describe an
assessor’s parcel containing a developed feature but with at least half of the land still in a
natural state. Undeveloped lands are parcels that are 100% tree covered. The sum of acres
for each land use type at each location is determined in order to measure the percentage
of total acres developed.
Twelve sampling locations are tested during this study. A GPS coordinate is taken
at each sampling location for accuracy. The sampling locations are chosen for their
accessibility and their ability to represent the Saco River. Two locations, WCB-03 and
WCB-02 are locations on the Wildcat Brook off of the Crawford Notch Road. WCB-03,
located off the Meloon Rd Bridge, provides a site close to the White Mountain National
Forest boundary with very little development surrounding the location. WCB-02 is
further down Crawford Notch Rd in a slightly more developed location. These locations
provide data on one of the major tributaries of the Saco River. SAC-12, SAC-11, and

SAC-08 are sites previously tested in Bartlett and Intervale by VRAP. The site at location
SAC-12 is at the first home site as the Saco River enters Bartlett. SAC-11 is located
across from the Fields at Attitash and SAC-08 is as the Saco River leaves Bartlett. These
locations were chosen to show possible changes in the Saco River as it goes through the
town of Bartlett. Samples are also taken throughout North Conway and Conway to
display changes as the river moves through more developed communities. SAC-07 is
located at the First Bridge, also known as the 4th
Recreation Area, a point adjacent to the
downtown center of North Conway. Two samples are taken at the Dahl Preserve, SAC-06
and SAC-05, chosen for their position after the North Conway town center and across
from agricultural fields. SWI-01 is located in the Albany Town Forest. It represents a
point on the Swift River, a tributary of the Saco before it reaches Center Conway. A
majority of the Swift River is within the White Mountain National Forest. SAC-04, SAC-
03, and SAC-01 are sites previously tested by the SRCC. SAC-04 at Davis Park samples
the Saco River in Center Conway directly after the Swift River flows into the Saco River.
SAC-03 is located behind the Conway Police Station and SAC-01 is located at the
Weston Beach in Fryeburg, Maine. Agricultural lands also surround Weston Beach. The
locations are displayed in the Figure 1.

Results:
All the data collected as part of this experiment as well as prior data collected by
VRAP or SRCC can be found in Appendix C. The following parameters determine the
correlation of the water quality and the state of the land including: dissolved oxygen
(saturation and concentration), pH, specific conductance, turbidity and water temperature.
The average of each parameter at each individual location is compared to length of
upstream river and the percentage of area developed immediately upstream of the
location defined in Table 3. Table 4 displays the linear correlation value (R2
score) of
each parameter against the hypotheses. Only relevant data is further discussed below.
Table 3. Land Use Metric and Upstream Blueline Stream for Sampling Location
WCB-
03
WCB-
02
SAC-
12
SWI-
01
SAC-
11
SAC-
08
SAC-
07
SAC-
06 and
-05
SAC-
04
SAC-
03
SAC-
01
%
Developed
2.7 1.37 0 14.77 20.6 24.8 84.95 68.24 75.12 37.77 79.12
%
Developed
or Partially
Developed
28.41 45.88 26.99 24.97 35.67 26.06 91.01 75.87 90.14 55.45 82.87
Km of
Upstream
Blueline
stream
26.67 27.11 201.12 224.68 312.6 670.34 713.16 777.35 1029.32 1056.6 1083
Table 4. Final Correlation Values
DO sat. DO conc. pH Spec. Cond. Turb. Water Temp.
Watershed 0.52334 0.65205 0.66321 0.7774 0.30486 0.50318
Development 0.39067 0.52681 0.43462 0.66986 0.06344 0.55143
Phosphorous, E.coli, Nitrogen, and Alkalinity measurements were taken at
Weston Beach by the SRCC. This data is discussed for possible effects on the quality of
the water but since no data was found for these parameters for other locations no
correlation is tested.
Dissolved Oxygen:
In order to meet NH standard, the dissolved oxygen saturation must have a daily
average over 75% and the dissolved oxygen concentration must be over 6 mg/L or 5mg/L
for a respective Class A or B ranking. The concentration and saturation values are
dependent upon each other as each saturation value at a given temperature has a

corresponding concentration value.xix
Figure 2 examines the dissolved oxygen saturation
average for each location sampled. At each location the saturation is greater than the NH
standard. The locations are graphed in order of how far downstream they are located in
correspondence to the other sampling locations. As indicated by Figure 2, the points
further upstream have the highest dissolved oxygen saturation averages. Though a linear
correlation is not displayed, the figure clearly indicates a general pattern that the further
downstream, the lower the averages of dissolved oxygen saturation. This can be
attributed to the flow of the river decreasing further downstream along with more
sunlight hitting the water, which increases the water temperature.
The average concentration at each location displayed in Figure 3 shows a similar
trend. In particular, the lowest averages are at SAC-07 and -05. These locations are along
the Saco River as it travels through downtown North Conway. As the land around these
locations is highly developed by agricultural lands, roads, parking lots, and buildings,
with percentage of areas developed or partially developed ranging from 75 to 91%. The
difference between Figure 2 and 3 suggest that the lower concentration values at these
locations are due to water temperature. Dissolved oxygen concentrations depend on the
water temperature and the dissolved oxygen saturation level. The surrounding impervious
surface could be causing thermal discharge, raising the temperature of the water so that a
lower concentration of dissolved oxygen is present. At SAC-05 water was sampled at an
eddy after it crossed a cobble barren immediately adjacent to Route 16, all of which could
contribute to a higher temperature. The difference between SAC-06 and SAC-05,
although located very close to each other, can be attributed to river shading (SAC-06 is
well shaded and prior to the cobble barren) and in-stream temperature variation.
Figure 2. Average Dissolved Oxygen Saturation for Location Sampled
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
90.0
100.0
110.0
120.0
DissolveOxygenSaturation%
Sampling Location
Average DO % for location
Class A and B Standard (%)

Figure 3. Average Dissolved Oxygen Concentration for Location Sampled
The dissolved oxygen concentration moderately correlates with the percentage of area
developed in a 1 km buffer upstream of the point sampled. This correlation of an R2
score
of 0.527 is representative of all the data points besides the SAC-04, SAC-03, and SAC-
01. These points have far more data spanning all the seasons while the other locations
data is representative of only the summer season. Dissolved oxygen concentration
measurements depends upon the temperature, the exclusion of this data creates a more
accurate representation of the correlation between the developed land and the quality of
the water. As observed in Figure 4, higher dissolved oxygen concentrations are associated
with surroundings that are less developed. The error bars refer to the standard deviation
of the dissolved oxygen concentration averages at each location. Additional information
on the importance and factors contributing to the loss of dissolved oxygen can be found
in Appendix A.
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
DissolvedOxygenConcentration(mg/L)
Sampling Location
DO Concentration (mg/L)
Class A Standard (mg/L)
Class B Standard (mg/L)

Figure 4. Linear Correlation between Dissolved Oxygen Concentration and the
Percentage of Area Developed
pH:
The NH standard for pH for both Class A and B rivers falls in the range of 6.5-8.0
or as naturally occurring. The pH is the only surface water quality standard not met by
the Saco River often ranging from 5.5 - 6.0. The pH of the river being lower than
standard can be attributed to both human and natural sources including surrounding
wetlands, the soil geology of New Hampshire, and the occurrence of acid rain. Wetlands
naturally produce tannic and humic acids due to the decaying plants that in proximity to
rivers can naturally cause more acidic water.xx
In addition, New Hampshire’s soil
structure consists of primarily granite bedrock lacking mineral richness. Without the
mineral buffers such as limestone, the granite bedrock often becomes increasingly acidic.
The granite bedrock of New Hampshire is unable to buffer the acidity caused by acid
rain.xxi
Acid rain, prevalent in New England, acts as another source for the low pH in the
Saco River. Acid rains effects water in three ways, it lowers the pH directly, it decrease
the Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC)4
of the water, and increases the aluminum levels.
Aluminum naturally exists in the soil floor of New England forests primarily in the form
of aluminum ions present in the nontoxic, insoluble form of aluminum hydroxide. Acid
Rains can cause for the mobilization of the aluminum ions, eventually causing for the
aluminum ions to be leached into surrounding surface waters.xxii
The acid rain along with
the other factors contributes to the slightly acidic waters found in the Saco River.
4
The ANC refers to a measurement of the overall buffering capacity against
acidification. It is defined by the amount of acid needed to change the pH value from the
sample value to a chosen value.
y = -33.231x + 338.91
R² = 0.52681
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12
%AreaDeveloped
Dissolved Oxygen Concentration (mg/L)

Figure 5. Average pH for Sample Location
Indicated in Figure 5, SAC-04, -03, and -01 are in the NH standard range. Due to the
amount of prior data collected by SRCC, these locations have significantly more data
suggesting that these locations could be an indicator for the average pH on the rest of the
Saco River. Also, as the Saco River flows downstream, the bedrock steadily changes
from a rock base to one consisting of cobbles or even loamy, soft soils. Since the rocks,
especially granite rocks, are often more acidic with less buffering capacity explaining
why the water became less acidic as it continued downstream.
Alkalinity is a separate water quality test that measures the ability of the water to
buffer against acids. Alkalinity refers to the ability of the water to buffer against acid.
The buffer capacity of the water derives from the soil and bedrock. Soils or bedrock
containing carbonate, bicarbonate, or hydroxide compounds contribute to alkalinity.xxiii
Although alkalinity was not separately measured as part of this study, alkalinity has been
measured at Weston beach by the SRCC. An average of 6.9 mg of CaCO3 was required to
bring 1 Liter of sample water to a pH of 4.5. This means that alkalinity is naturally low.
In general though, a pH above 5.0 is still sufficient for sustaining aquatic life therefore
the average pH at each location presents little concern as it can be attributed to natural
causes. Additional information on pH can be found in Appendix A.
Specific Conductance:
The specific conductance, which has no numeric standard, can indicate the
presence of various inorganic materials in the water. Figure 6 displays a correlation
between the amount of kilometers downriver of each sampling location and the average
specific conductance measured. The last three locations are excluded due to the
difference in seasonal data, which due to conductance dependence upon temperature can
skew the correlation value. Specific conductance is contingent upon water temperatures,
due to inverse relationship of viscosity and temperature, and of viscosity and ionic
mobility. An increase in temperature means a decrease in viscosity, causing an increase
4
4.5
5
5.5
6
6.5
7
7.5
8
8.5pH
Smapling Location
Average pH
Class A and B
Minimum
Class A and B
Maximum

in ionic mobility and therefore an increase in conductivity.xxiv
Often salts and other
particulate compounds dissolve at warmer temperatures that in turns can increase the
conductivity of the water. An R2
score of 0.67 indicates a moderately good linear
correlation between the specific conductance and the percentage of land developed
displayed in Figure 7. The specific conductance tends to increase as it goes downriver
which can be attributed to the increase in development along the banks of the river. The
inorganic compounds attributed with conductivity in the water accumulate as the river
continues downstream resulting in higher conductivity values. The locations that were
excluded from Figure 5 and 6 indicate that the average specific conductance on the Saco
River when measuring throughout all seasons ranges from 24-27 µS/cm a range within
the 5 – 50 µS/cm range associated with safe drinking water. Additional information about
the factor and importance of specific conductance can be found below in Appendix A.
Figure 6. Linear Correlation of Specific Conductance and Kilometers of Upstream River
y = 15.48x - 102.78
R² = 0.7774
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Kilometers
Specfic Conductance (µS/cm)

Figure 7. Linear Correlation of Specific Conductance and Percentage of Area Developed
Turbidity:
The NH standard defines the standard for turbidity as naturally occurring. Often
the turbidity measured at each location fell into the range of 0.0 to 1.0 indicating clear
waters with very little particulates or sediment (Figure 8). The error bars display the
standard deviation of the average turbidity for each location. Sampling location SAC-12,
-11, -08, -04, -03, and -01 have previous data spanning multiple years, which accounts
for their large error bars. The large error bars take into account the raised levels due to
storms. Storms cause for substantial increases of turbidity, enhanced as the river travels
downstream. The effect of these storms is heightened when the land along the banks of
the river lack a riparian forest buffer. The riparian forest buffer acts as a natural filter
preventing excessive sediments and particles from reaching the water surface. Additional
information on the factors and causes of turbidity can be found in Appendix A.
y = 1.4911x - 18.085
R² = 0.66968
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
%AreaDeveloped
Specific Conductance (µS/cm)

Figure 8. Average Turbidity for Sampling Location
The turbidity of the Saco River also meets the standard with a low turbidity of the NH
Class B Standard, which states the turbidity must be under 10 NTU. To continue and
determine a correlation between the state of land and the water quality on the Saco River,
one should examine the river from the headwaters continuing downstream after a heavy
storm, especially focusing on locations with and without riparian buffers as that was
observed as the time that turbidity changed significantly.
Water Temperature:
No standard has been defined the New Hampshire DES for the range of
temperature. Water temperature remains a parameter by which DO saturation, DO
concentration, and specific conductance are defined. Temperature also affects the aquatic
life able to live in the river system. The last three locations, SAC-04, -03, and -01 were
not utilized because they have data that spans all the seasons rather than just the summer,
therefore their averages are significantly lower and skew the correlation value. A
moderate linear correlation exists for the percentage of area developed and the kilometers
of upstream river when compared to the average water temperature of each location.
Observed in Figure 9 and 10, as the lands gets more developed and there are more
upstream miles from each location, the river tends to get warmer. The increase in
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Turbidity(NTUs
Sampling Location

temperature can be attributed to the decrease in flow of the river further downstream.
When water is more stagnant the sun can warm it more easily. Also further downriver, a
lack of forested cover on the river allows sunlight to hits a greater area of the surface
water warming the water temperature. Since developed land affects the water temperature
(runoff from impervious surface is often warmer), when it reaches the river it can create a
“thermal hotspot”. Additional information on the significance of water temperature as a
parameter can be found in Appendix A.
Figure 9. The Linear Correlation between the Kilometers of Upstream River and the
Water Temperature
Figure 10. The Linear Correlation between the Percentage of Area Developed and the
Water Temperature
y = 153.69x - 2490.9
R² = 0.50318
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
0 5 10 15 20 25
Kilometers
Water Temperature °C

Total Phosphorus:
Total Phosphorous measures the concentration in milligrams per L (mg/L) of all
forms of phosphorous in the water, organic and inorganic. Phosphorus sources include
natural and human including geology, agricultural and lawn fertilizers, and erosion.xxv
Phosphorous as a nutrient is essential for plants and animals in small concentrations, but
is referred to as a “limiting nutrient” since excess amounts can cause algae blooms
leading to eutrophication. No numeric standard exist for the NH Surface Water Quality
standard. Ideal concentrations are under 0.010 mg/L and concentrations greater than
0.051 mg/L are excessive and capable of causing algae blooms. Total phosphorous
concentrations are measured at Weston Beach. The average concentration at Weston
Beach is 0.66 mg/L with a median concentration of 0.06 mg/L. Both amounts are over the
excessive level suggested by the NH DES. Agricultural lands primarily compose the land
surrounding and closely upstream of Weston Beach. Agricultural lands are a cause for
water pollution due in part to the discharge of pollutants and water runoff containing
fertilizer. Fertilizers often are composed of nitrogen and phosphorous, so excessive
runoff from farms contaminates nearby waterbodies with this nutrients.
Escherichia Coliform Bacteria (E. Coli):
E. coli measured in counts per 100 milliliter (cts/ 100 mL) is an indicator of
potential pathogens in the water. Pathogens are any organism that can cause infection or
disease often excreted in fecal matter. E. coli concentrations over 406 E. coli cts/100 mL
for single sample or 126 E. coli cts/100 mL for an average of at least three samples over
sixty days. E. coli levels can be attributed to rain water, low water flow, or nearby septic
systems. The average E. coli at Weston Beach (SAC-01) measured 67.38 cts/100 mL
with a standard deviation of 187.95 cts/ 100 mL. Over the last 13 years the E.coli counts
have only exceed the standard limit four times.
y = 16.698x - 283.92
R² = 0.55143
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
12 14 16 18 20 22
%AreaDeveloped
Water Temperature °C

Figure 11. E. coli concentrations from 2001 – 2013
Nitrogen:
Three types of nitrogen levels are commonly measured in waterbodies. Total
nitrogen is the total of Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrates, and nitrites.xxvi
Total nitrogen is
measured in milligrams per liter. High nitrogen concentrations similar to phosphorous
can cause algae blooms and eutrophication. Excessive nitrogen levels can be from
various sources including sewage, fertilizers, and erosion. Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen was
measured at Weston Beach at an average of 0.42 mg/L falling into the category of more
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
E.coliconcentration(cts/100ml)
Date
E. coli (colonies/100mL)
Standard(ct/100 ml)

than desirable but not at the point of excess yet. An ideal amount would be less that 0.25
mg/L.
DISCUSSION:
Land conservation provides the necessary means to protect water quality. As
previously stated in “The Loss of Natural Lands”, lands in their natural state are essential
to the protection of water quality for their capacity to manage storm runoff. The
conversion of land from a natural state into developed lands prevents the land from
properly absorbing the excess water from rains. The acquisition of conservation land
surrounding the headwaters and various tributaries, as well as land along the banks, and
lower reaches of the Saco should be prioritized, along with the preservation, restoration,
and maintenance of riparian ecosystems.
Every parameter tested (besides pH) meets the New Hampshire Department of
Environmental Services standards for surface water quality, demonstrating that the Saco
River continues to be healthy river acceptable for recreational purposes and adequate for
drinking supplies. For specific parameters, the water quality diminishes in moderate
correlation to the amount of upstream kilometers of river. This indicates that the entire
area of the watershed has an effect on the water, in addition to verifying the need to
protect the river beginning with the headwaters. Sources of pollution at the headwaters
influence the rest of the downstream river. The watershed area is correlated most strongly
with the dissolved oxygen saturation and concentration, the specific conductance, and the
temperature. Though the turbidity often increases further downriver, an actual correlation
needs to further be tested. The pH also increases as the river flows downstream but can
be correlated specifically to the natural geology of the river previously stated in the
results.
The correlation between the percentage of area developed and the water quality
was also tested. A correlation as tested did not exist for every parameter but did
specifically for dissolved oxygen concentration, specific conductance, and water
temperature. Dissolved oxygen concentration and specific conductance depend upon the
water temperature, suggesting the water temperature may be the major factor changed by
the percentage of the area of surrounding developed lands that in turn results in lower
dissolved oxygen concentrations and higher specific conductance. Impervious surface can
result in warmer temperatures since water runoff warms as it crosses over the surfaces.
Greater percentages of developed area also means less forest cover over the river
allowing more sunlight to hit the water directly in turns creation a warm effect. Higher
water temperatures mean there is less oxygen available and more oxygen is used by
aquatic life due to the increased rate of photo-oxidation. Because of the dependence upon
temperature, data from SAC-04, SAC-03, and SAC-01 were not included in the figures.
Data from these locations were sampled throughout the entire year while the rest of the
locations only included data sampled during the summer months. This seasonal
difference meant that the correlation values of parameters that were contingent upon
temperature would be skewed.
To further test both hypotheses, that is, the correlation between the watershed
length and the water quality and the correlation between the percent area of developed

land and the water quality, it is recommended to test all the sampling locations on the
same day. The water quality can be influenced by a wide margin of specific variables
including stochastic weather, season, and specific abutting land uses on a particular day
(e.g. fertilizer application on farms). By testing each location on the same day it would
compensate for some of these variables, allowing for a more accurate assessment of the
correlation between the land and the water quality on the Saco River.
The conservation of lands, through the prevention of natural land loss, the use of
Best Management Practices in agriculture, and the maintenance or restoration of riparian
ecosystems, does help to protect the water quality. Economically, conservation efforts,
specifically efforts protecting and restoring forest cover (especially riparian forest cover)
would directly decrease the cost of water treatment and indirectly reduce “costs
associated with water quality degradation” (Sweeney and Blaine 2007).xxvii
Future
conservation easements located on the Saco should mandate for the protection or
restoration of the riparian buffers due to the buffers’ natural ability to protect the water
quality against a variety of natural and human impacts.
APPENDIX A
Water Quality Parameters
Chemical Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Measurements Performed: The amount of dissolved oxygen in the water is
measured in terms of the concentration and saturation. The concentration
measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L) represents the amount of oxygen present
in a volume of water. The saturation is a percentage (%) that represents the
amount of oxygen presently in the water compared to the amount of oxygen that
the water can hold at full saturation. These measurements are conducted using a
YSI 85. xxviii
Importance: Life in aquatic ecosystem depends on the oxygen that dissolves in
the water from atmospheric sources. The level of oxygen in a body of water
indicates a key factor in the amount of life that the body of water can support.
Bottom dwelling macro-vertebrates, plankton, and fish consume oxygen from the
water. Aquatic plants often produce oxygen during the day through
photosynthesis but consume it during the night. In addition, bacteria use oxygen
in order to decompose organic waste in the water.
Factors: Oxygen levels depend upon temperature, pressure, and flow levels. Gas
solubility decreases as the temperature increases. The gas solubility also decreases
as the pressure decreases.xxix
Therefore at higher altitudes, since less oxygen is

available in the atmosphere there will be less oxygen dissolved. In addition, the
amount of oxygen depends on the flow of the river. Oxygen is incorporated
throughout the water by the internal currents, in which the oxygen rich water at
the surface recycles down and is replaced by water containing less oxygen.
Oxygen levels depend on sunlight and temperature, with oxygen levels the lowest
in the morning due to respiration and the highest in the late afternoon.
Loss of Oxygen: A major cause of the loss of dissolved oxygen can be attributed
to excess nutrients deposited in the water system. Eutrophication leads to
excessive increase of phytoplankton eventually leading to hypoxia, or the
depletion of oxygen from the water. An increase in temperature can also
contribute to the loss of dissolved oxygen that can be caused by industry or
developments along the river. xxx
pH
Measurement Performed: The pH is a measurement of the acidity of the water.
It measures the acidity by testing for the hydrogen ion activity in the water on a
logarithmic scale of 0 to 14. On the scale 7 refers to neutral, a high number (14)
refers to an alkaline environment, and a low number (0) refers to an acidic
environment. The measurement is performed with Oakton pH 11.xxxi
Importance: pH contributes to the water quality as it affects chemical and
biological functions of the water. Many of these functions therefore affect the
survival of aquatic life. Certain organisms flourish at different pH levels while
levels outside their preferred range can stress the organisms systems limiting
growth and reproduction. The calcium levels in the female fish can decrease to the
point where eggs cannot be produced or successfully fertilized because of the
interference to the reproduction system.xxxii
Fish populations begin to disappear
around a pH of 5 and once below pH 4.5 the waters are often void of any fish. In
addition, low pH can affect the toxicity of ammonia and metals making them
more available for uptake by aquatic life in harmful quantities. xxxiii
Class A NH Surface Water Quality Standard: 6 mg/L at any place or
time, or 75% minimum daily average – (unless naturally occurring).
Class B NH Surface Water Quality Standard: 5mg/L at any place or
time, or 75% minimum daily average – (unless naturally occurring).
The 75 percent daily average saturation standard has to be determined
over several measurements taken over a 24-hour period and averaged.

Factors: pH depends upon the geology and soil of the land in the watershed and
around the banks of the river. Soils can either be acidic or basic depending upon
the minerals and metals that they are composed of. These metals and minerals can
leech into the water during which ultimately affects the pH of the river. Also,
organic acids from the decaying of organic matter and human-induced acids that
often come in the form of acid rain affect the pH of the river.
Specific Conductance:
Measurement Performed: Specific conductance measures the free ion content in
the water determining the ability of the water to carry an electrical current.
Indirectly, conductivity measures the presence of inorganic dissolved solids such
as chloride, nitrate, phosphate, sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and aluminum.
The presences of these inorganic solids will increase the conductivity of the
water. Specific conductance is measured in microsiemens per centimeter (µS/cm)
with YSI 85.xxxiv
Importance: Conductance represents an important measurement in determining
the health of the river for the ability to indicate the presence of various inorganic
solids. These compounds provide necessary building blocks to life but in high
concentrations they are extremely detrimental to aquatic life. Since specific
conductance factors in the specific water temperature, it is a good indicator of
point source pollution. xxxv
pH Units Category
< 5.0 High Impact
5.0 – 5.9 Moderate to High Impact
6.0 – 6.4 Normal; Low Impact
6.5 – 8.0 Normal
Class A/B NH Surface Water Quality Standard: Between 6.5 and
8.0 (unless naturally occurring)
Naturally occurring readings can be due to wetlands near the sampling
station. Wetland lower the pH due to the tannic and humic acids
released by decaying plants.

Factors: Often discharges affect the conductivity of the river. High conductance
readings can often be traced to road salting, septic systems, wastewater treatment
plants, or urban/agricultural runoff. Some natural sources of higher conductance
readings relates to the geology and groundwater.
Unit Category
0-100 Normal
101 - 200 Low Impact
201 - 500 Moderate Impact
> 501 High Impact
> 850 Likely exceeding chronic
chloride standards
Nutrient Parameters
Turbidity:
Measurement Performed: Turbidity is a measurement of the amount of
suspended material in the water. This material can be composed of clay, silt,
algae, suspended sediments, decaying plant material, etc. The material causes the
light from the sun to scatter and absorb in the water instead of transmitting in
straight lines. It often refers to the water’s clarity or cloudiness as it measures the
sunlight’s ability to penetrate to greater depths. Turbidity is measured in
Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTUs) and the measurement is taken with a
LaMotte 2020.
Importance: The amount of suspend material in the water affects the quality
since the particles absorb more heat. Higher turbidity therefore raises the
temperature of the water that in turns reduces the concentration of dissolved
Class A NH Surface Water Quality Standard: No numeric
standard.
Class B NH Surface Water Quality Standard: No numeric
standard.
There is no formal standard for specific conductance. In some cases
though the specific conductance can supplement for chloride levels.

oxygen (DO). The higher turbidity also reduces DO levels since the increased
cloudiness reduces the rate of photosynthesis. Suspended solids also can clog fish
gills which makes them more likely to catch diseases, lowers the growth rate, and
affects the development of eggs and larval. Often the suspend solids will
eventually fall to the rivers bottom where they prevent the growth of fish eggs.
Finally, the suspended particles provided attachment placed for various other
pollutants.xxxvi
Factors: Turbidity has a natural level of variability often increasing during high
flow periods or after rainfalls. This is due to the water flushing organic materials
and sediments from the surrounding land into the surface waters. Human activities
of removal of riparian ecosystems on the side of rivers contribute to an increase in
erosion and therefore more sediment and particles suspend in the surface water.
Physical Parameters
Temperature:
Measurement Performed: Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius (°C) to
determine the surface’s waters relative warmth or coldness. The measurement is
performed with the YSI 85.xxxvii
Importance: The temperature of the water affects many functions within the
water ecosystem. The dissolved oxygen concentrations depend upon the
temperature of the water. In addition, higher temperatures can increase the
amount of bacteria in the water that can be dangerous to humans and aquatic life.
Aquatic life is also sensitive to the water temperature as the relative temperature
controls the metabolic and reproductive systems therefore determining the species
that can survive in the river. xxxviii
Factors: Many conditions affect the water temperature including both natural and
human causes. Natural effects on the temperature include the flow of the river and
the condition of the Riparian ecosystem along the shoreline. The amount of
impervious surface is a human cause for increases in water temperature. As water
Class A NH Surface Water Quality Standard: As naturally
occurs.
Class B NH Surface Water Quality Standard: Shall not
exceed naturally occurring conditions by more than 10 NTU.

travels over impervious surface it warms, so when that water discharges into
surrounding river systems it can raise the overall water temperature.
Class A NH Surface Water Quality Standard: No numeric standard;
as naturally occurring
Class B NH Surface Water Quality Standard: No numeric standard
NHDES is currently in the process of collecting data in order to
contribute to the development of a procedure to assess the river on the
water temperature and to assess the corresponding impact to the
biological condition of the waterbody.

APPENDIX B
Data Procedures
Collection and Data Usage
VRAP produces annual reports assessing and summarizing the data collected by their
volunteers. This provides an overview that can be used to observe the changes in the
condition of the river and help to determine possible restoration of preservations to
benefit the health of the river. Applicable volunteer data is also uses to support NHDES
surface water quality assessments, and ultimately uploaded to the EPA database.
In order for the VRAP data to be used in an assessment by the NHDES, the data must
meet quality control guidelines. These guidelines are outlined in the VRAP Quality
Assurance Project Plan, which was approved by the NHDES and reviewed by the EPA.
The plan is reviewed annually and updated and approved every five years in order to
have a current quality control plan and assure the accuracy of the data. The Quality
Assurance Project Plan is implemented through quality assurance/ quality control (QA/
QC) measures that test both the equipment and the consistency of sampling.
The QA/ QC contains the following measures:
Calibration: Prior to each measurement, the pH and DO meters must be
calibrated. The conductivity and turbidity meters are checked against a known
standard at the beginning and end of the sampling.
Replicate Analysis: A second measurement by each meter is performed on the
original sample at one of the sampling stations during the sampling day, with
replicates measured within 15 minutes of the original measurements. The
replicate analysis should be conducted at different stations throughout the
sampling season.
6.0 pH Standard: At one station during the sampling day, a reading of the 6.0
buffer is performed. This reading should be performed at different stations
throughout the season.
DI (De-Ionized) Turbidity Blank: A reading of the DI blank is record at one of
the stations during the sampling day. The location of the reading should be varied
throughout the season.
End of the Day Conductivity and Turbidity Check: At the end of each
sampling day, the meters are re-checked against a known standard.

Measurement Performance Criteria
In addition to these guidelines followed when sampling, the data of the replicate
analysis must meet measurement performance criteria. The use of the VRAP data
for assessments depends on the data’s compliance with a parameter-specific
relative percent difference (RPD) derived from Equation 1. Any data outside the
limits of the individual measures are disqualified from use in the assessment. The
data will be present with an explanation of why the data is unusable. Each
parameter has there own unique quality control acceptance limit defined in Table
5 along with guidelines in order correct the measurement.
Equation 1. Relative Percent Difference
Table 5. Replicate Analysis Quality Controls
Water Quality
Parameter
QC Check QC
Acceptance
Limit
Corrective
Action
Person
Responsible
for Corrective
Action
Data Quality
Indicator
Temperature Measurement
Replicate
RPD < 10% or
Absolute
Difference
<0.8 °C.
Repeat
Measurement
Volunteer
Monitors
Precision
Measurement
Replicate
Absolute
Difference
<0.3 pH units
Recalibrate
instrument,
Repeat
measurement
Volunteer
Monitors
PrecisionpH
Known Buffer
(pH = 6.0) ± 0.1 std units
Recalibrate
instrument,
Repeat
measurement
Volunteer
Monitors
Accuracy
Dissolved
Oxygen
Measurement
Replicate RPD < 10%
Recalibrate
instrument,
Repeat
measurement
Volunteer
Monitors
Precision
Measurement
Replicate
RPD < 10% or
Absolute
Difference <5
µS/cm
Recalibrate
instrument,
Repeat
measurement
Volunteer
Monitors
PrecisionSpecific
Conductance
Known Buffer
± 20% µS/cm
Recalibrate
instrument,
Repeat
measurement
Volunteer
Monitors
Accuracy
Turbidity Measurement
Replicate
RPD < 10% or
Absolute
Recalibrate
instrument,
Volunteer
Monitors
Precision

Difference
<1.0 NTU
Repeat
measurement
Method Blank
(DI Water) ± 0.1 NTU
Recalibrate
instrument,
Repeat
measurement
Volunteer
Monitors
Accuracy
Table 6 outlines the specification of each meter used for testing. Each meter has a
specific usable range, resolution, and accuracy, which can affect the data.
Table 6. Equipment Specifications
Equipment Measurement Range Resolution Accuracy
YSI 85 Conductivity 0 to 499.9 µS/cm 0.1 µS/cm ± 0.5% FS
Temperature -5 to +65 °C 0.1 °C ±0.1 °C (±1 lsd)
0 to 200 % Air Sat. 0.1% Air Saturation ±2% Air SaturationDissolved
Oxygen
0 to 20 mg/L 0.01 mg/L ±0.3mg/Lxxxix
Oakton
pH 11
pH -2.00 to 16.00 pH 0.01 pH ±0.01 pHxl
LaMotte
2020
Turbidity
0.00 – 1100 NTU
0.01 from 0.00 -
10.99 NTU
0.1 from 11.0 -109.9
NTU
0.05 or ±2% for
readings below 100
NTUxli
Sampling Procedures:
Turbidity:
1. Turn the meter on by pressing the READ button.
2. Carefully wipe the 1.0 NTU standard glass vial off with Kimwipe only.
3. Open the lid to the meter and place the standard in with the etched arrow aligned
to the arrow on the meter. Close the lid.
4. Press the READ button and record the initial value under “Initial Turbidity Meter
Check Value”
5. If the displayed reading of the 1.0 NTU standard is not exactly 1.0 NTU, press
and hold the CAL button until CAL flashes, and adjust the value until it says 1.0
NTU. Press the CAL button at the end.
6. Wash the sample vial first with DI, and then twice with river water.
7. Fill the Sample Vial with river water, carefully and slowly pouring water down
the side to prevent introducing bubbles.
8. Wipe the outside of the vial off with a Kimwipe.

9. Place the vial in the turbidimeter with the arrow on the vial aligned with the arrow
on the meter.
10. Close the lid and press READ.
11. If the turbidity value is greater than 10 NTU, the meter needs to be recalibrated
with the 10 NTU standard before another reading is taken. Remember to
recalibrate the meter back to the 1.0 NTU standard at the next sampling station.
12. Perform a QA/QC meter check by measuring the DI turbidity blank (0.0 NTU) at
one of the stations on the sampling day.
13. Perform a meter check at the end of the day by reading the 1.0 NTU standard.
pH:
1. Unscrew the cap of the electrode storage container to remove the pH probe. Slide
the screw cap up the probe. Rinse the probe with DI water and blot the probe dry
gently with a Kimwipe.
2. Press the ON/OFF button to turn the meter on.
3. Press the CAL/MEAS button to enter the pH calibration mode. When the meter
displays the indicator CAL immerse the probe in the 7.0 pH buffer waiting for the
measured pH value to stabilize. This happens when the READY indicator appears
steadily.
4. Press the HOLD/ENTER key to confirm the calibration.
5. Remove the probe and then rinse the probe with DI water and blot dry with a
Kimwipe.
6. Place the electrode probe in 4.0 pH buffer waiting for the measured pH value to
stabilize. When stabilize press HOLD/ENTER button to confirm to calibration.
7. Remove the probe and then rinse the probe with DI water and blot dry with a
Kimwipe.
8. View the pH Electrode Slope:
a. Press the SETUP button.
b. Press the MI/UP until viewing “ELE P 3.0”
c. Press the HOLD/ENTER button twice. The electrode slope will be
displayed in %. This slope should be in the range of 95 - 105%. If the
slope is out the range the probe should be replaced as soon as possible.
9. Rinse the pH probe with DI water and blot dry with a Kimwipe. Make sure the
meter is MEAS mode.
10. Immerse the pH probe into the sampling container. Agitate slowly by moving the
probe back and forth.
11. A stable reading will be achieved when the meter displays READY indicator.
The READY meter often blinks on and off as the measurement stabilizes, wait
until the reading stops drifting before recording.
12. Rinse the meter off with DI water and blot dry with a Kimwipe.
13. Perform a QA/QC meter check at one of the stations during the sampling day by
measuring and recording the 6.0 pH buffer. The meter does not need to be
recalibrated for this measurement. Rinse the meter off with DI water and blot dry
with a Kimwipe.
14. Return meter to electrode storage solution ensuring the container is filled
halfway. Turn the meter off and return to case.

Dissolved Oxygen:
1. Turn on the meter at least 15 minutes prior to calibration and leave the meter on
for the sampling day.
2. Make sure to calibrate the meter at each station.
3. Press the MODE button until the meter is in the dissolved oxygen percent
saturation mode indicated by a %.
4. Press and release the DOWN and UP arrow buttons simultaneously to enter the
calibration mode.
5. Enter the local altitude in hundreds of feet using the UP and DOWN buttons to
adjust the value. Press ENTER to set.
6. Record the dissolved oxygen calibration value that will vary depending upon the
altitude of the station. Press ENTER again in order to save the calibration value.
Return to the dissolve oxygen saturation % mode.
7. Wait a minute for the dissolved oxygen saturation to stabilize before recording the
value for the dissolved oxygen saturation chamber reading.
8. Remove the probe from the calibration chamber and rinse with DI water. Make
sure the meter is still in the % mode.
9. Immerse the probe into the water sample ensuring the holes at the top of the meter
are underwater. Slowly move the probe back and forth until the water temperature
stabilizes. Record the water temperature (°C) at this time. Once the water
temperature stabilizes, wait for the dissolved oxygen saturation to stabilize and
record.
10. Immediately after stabilizing press the MODE button and record the value for the
dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/L).
11. Rinse the probe with DI water and gently shake to remove water from the
conductivity opening. Return to storage.
Conductance:
1. Press MODE until the flashing °C appears to reach the specific conductance
measurement mode.
2. Rinse the probe with DI water and gently shake to remove water from
conductivity opening.
3. Submerge the entire probe in the 2,000 µS conductivity standard solution. Record
this initial conductivity meter check. Make sure the reading is within the range of
a 20% error so from 1,600 – 2,400 µS. If the reading is outside the range contact
the VRAP staff as soon as possible but can continue to use the meter since the
incorrect reading is most likely due to a contaminated solutions standard.
5. Make sure the meter is still is the temperature specific conductance mode. Take
measurement of the specific conductance making sure the probe is fully immersed
in the sample.

6. If sampling under very cold conditions (<2°C) an error message will appear.
Measure the conductivity instead which can be converted in specific conductance
as long as the water temperature is also measured.
8. At the end of the day, submerge the entire probe into the 2,000 µS conductivity
standard solution and record the value.
conductivity opening. Return to the storage chamber before turning the meter off.

APPENDIX C
Saco River and Tributaries Data
Table 7. Sampling Stations for the Saco River 2014xlii,xliii
Station ID & AUID Waterbody
Name
Town Location
03-WCB
NHRIV600020104-01
Wildcat Brook Jackson Meloon Rd Bridge
02-WCB
NHRIV600020104-01
Wildcat Brook Jackson Harding Property
12- SAC
NHRIV600020106-08
Saco River Bartlett River Road Bridge
01-SWI
NHRIV600020303-06
Swift River Albany Albany Town Forest
11-SAC
NHRIV600020106-08
Saco River Bartlett Near Birch View, Across from the Fields
at Attitash
08-SAC
NHRIV600020302-02-01
Saco River Bartlett End of Intervale Lane
07-SAC
NHRIV600020302-02-02
Saco River North Conway First Bridge Beach
06-SAC
NHRIV600020302-07
Saco River North Conway In the Dahl Preserve, beginning of rock
bank/ cobble barren
05-SAC
NHRIV600020302-07
Saco River North Conway In the Dahl Preserve, end of rock bank/
cobble barren
01-SAC
NHRIV6000205-02
Saco River Fryeburg Weston Beach
04-SAC
NHRIV600020304-01-02
Saco River Center
Conway
Davis Park Beach
03-SAC
NHRIV600020304-10-02
Saco River Conway Conway Police Station
01-SAC
NHRIV6000205-02
Saco River Fryeburg Weston Beach

Note: A specific conductance exceeding 835 indicates exceedance of the chronic chloride standard of 230
mg/L
Wildcat Brook- Jackson, NH (WCB-03)
Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA
7/16/14 PM 10.37 105.5 5.71 1.56 13 16
8/12/14 PM 10.66 109 5.9 0 15 17.1
Wildcat Brook- Jackson, NH (WCB-02)
Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA
7/16/14 PM 10.41 107.1 5.89 0.51 13.8 16.8
8/12/14 PM 10.24 109.5 5.9 0 16.6 18.5
Saco River- Bartlett, NN (SAC-12)
Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA
6/21/07 PM 9.1 93.9 5.4 1.2 25.3 16.7
8/16/07 PM 12.1 134 4.9 30.7 20.5
10/3/07 PM 9.1 93.1 4.38 0 31.2 16.5
7/14/08 PM 8.32 90.1 6.44 0.6 29.8 19.3
8/26/08 PM 9.52 95.9 6.27 0.55 27.6 15.7
6/28/09 PM 9.97 90.1 5.39 0.65 19.4 13.6

8/19/09 PM 9.03 99.9 5.75 0.3 26.7 20.2
9/28/09 PM 9.82 98.2 5.81 0.35 26.4 15.3
6/24/10 PM 8.75 93.7 6.32 0.17 29.6 18.6
8/20/10 PM 8.87 95.7 6.39 0.25 32.3 19.5
10/5/10 PM 10.14 97.4 6.33 0.25 25.6 13.5
5/26/11 PM 10.2 99.4 5.57 0.3 27.4 14.2
8/17/11 PM 8.96 97 5.88 0 29.1 19.3
10/3/11 PM 10.09 95.3 5.4 1.6 20.8 12.9
7/5/12 PM 7.52 88.2 5.97 0.1 23.2 21.4
8/6/12 PM 7.37 85.4 5.6 0.5 13 21.6
9/5/12 PM 8.14 87.6 5.8 0.15 19
6/3/13 PM 8.61 97.3 5.4 0.13 11.1 20.8
8/29/13 PM 8.99 95.3 5.9 0 24.9 18.2
5/21/14 PM 10.17 97.8 5.23 0 22.6 13.2
8/29/14 PM 9.51 97.7 5.12 1.45 17.4 17.1
Swift River- Albany, NH (SWI-01)
Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA
6/28/14 PM 8.89 98.6 5.82 0.0 21.6 19.4
8/6/14 PM 8.85 101 5.87 0 26.7 21.8
Saco River- Bartlett, NH (SAC-11)
Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA
6/21/07 PM 8.9 94.7 4.91 0 30.5 18.2
8/16/07 PM 8.8 98.1 5.15 37.3 20.8
10/3/07 PM 9.5 97 4.89 0 35 16.8
7/14/08 PM 9.22 99.7 6.3 0.6 30.2 19
8/26/08 PM 9.48 98.8 5.54 0.55 34.2 17.4
6/28/09 PM 10.03 98.6 5.09 0.9 17.3 14.1
8/19/09 PM 8.63 98.6 5.51 0.5 31.9 22
9/28/09 PM 9.84 99.7 5.68 0.35 27.3 16.1
6/24/10 PM 8.47 93.5 6.11 0.11 29.8 20.6

8/20/10 PM 8.43 96.8 6.38 0.25 39 22.1
10/5/10 PM 10.11 99 6.01 0.23 29.3 14.3
5/26/11 PM 9.76 96.4 5.44 0 26.5 14.6
8/17/11 PM 8.63 98.5 5.9 0.2 30.8 21.9
10/3/11 PM 10.22 97.1 5.49 3.6 21.2 13.2
7/5/12 PM 4.93 83.6 5.44 0.25 28.2 23.8
8/6/12 PM 7.6 89 6 0 29.2 23.2
9/5/12 PM 8.38 92.9 0 20.6
6/3/13 PM 8.69 93.8 5.58 0 15.5 19.6
8/29/13 PM 8.93 95.2 5.81 0 15 18.6
5/21/14 PM 10.1 97.6 5.47 0.27 29.1 14.9
8/29/14 PM 8 85.7 5.38 1.38 22 18.6
Saco River- Intervale, NH (SAC-08)
Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA
6/21/07 PM 9.2 97.1 4.68 0 36.6 18.9
8/16/07 PM 8.7 98.6 4.93 46.9 20.9
10/3/07 PM 10.3 105.1 5 0 49.1 16.4
7/14/08 PM 8.74 97.4 6.28 0.6 42.9 21
8/26/08 PM 9.23 98.1 5.71 0.6 39.6 18.3
6/28/09 PM 10.19 99.2 5.27 1.5 15.4 14.2
8/19/09 PM 8.58 100.3 5.98 0.34 39.1 23.3
9/28/09 PM 9.98 99.5 6.16 0.55 31.6 15.3
6/24/10 PM 8.48 96.8 6.41 0.2 35.5 21.6
8/20/10 PM 8.72 99.4 6.48 0.55 48.4 22.3
10/5/10 PM 10.09 97.6 6.11 0.21 31.3 13.9
5/26/11 PM 10.26 99.7 5.55 0 27.5 14
8/17/11 PM 8.85 98.6 5.94 0.1 34.9 20.7
10/3/11 PM 10.3 98.8 5.58 20.1 21 13.4
7/5/12 PM 7.02 86.1 6.17 0.6 32.1 23
8/6/12 PM 7 86 6.2 0.57 37.1 24.8
9/5/12 PM 8.36 92 5.8 1.41 N/A 20
6/3/13 PM 8.39 91.8 5.62 0.4 12.1 20
8/29/13 PM 8.99 95.3 6.06 2.15 30 18.6
5/21/14 PM 9.98 95.1 5.4 0.2 26.4 13.4
8/29/14 PM 8.8 97 5.68 3.27* 20.7 20.1
Saco River- North Conway, NH (SAC-07)

Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA
7/1/14 PM 8.2 92.1 6.03 0 36.4 20.8
8/5/14 PM 8.72 95 5.85 0 37.8 19.7
Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA
6/24/14 PM 9.03 94 6.24 0.45 63.6 17.8
8/6/14 PM 9.03 101.2 5.85 0 51.4 21.2
Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA
6/24/14 PM 8.32 95 6.69 0.22 76.5 18.6
8/6/14 PM 8.64 99.5 5.96 0 57.6 22.8
Saco River- Conway, NH (SAC-04)
Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA
4/11/05 12.15 92.9 6.62 2.76 3
4/25/05 12.54 99.3 6.74 14.3 5
5/9/05 12.1 99.9 5.92 0.91 7
5/23/05 11.3 97.9 6.64 1.42 7.5
6/6/05 9.55 94.9 6.64 0.41 14

6/20/05 10.22 98.6 7.29 1.68 15
7/4/05 - - - - -
7/18/05 8.22 93.2 7.07 0.51 21.5
8/1/05 8.53 91.9 6.36 0.42 15
8/15/05 - - - - -
8/29/05 8.68 94.4 6.92 1.02 18
9/12/05 9.52 98.2 - 0.49 17
9/26/05 9.55 95 7.11 0.63 15
10/10/05 - - - - -
10/24/05 - - - - -
4/10/06 12.96 104.8 8.24 0.54 6.3
4/24/06 13.04 108.35 8.93 0.7 7.45
5/22/06 9.42 80.7 7.27 1.57 8.7
6/5/06 10.09 94.6 8.15 0.72 23
6/19/06 8.23 89.3 6.9 0.63 19.3
7/17/06 8.39 94.6 8.6 0.6 21
7/31/06 8.11 88.5 6.8 0.51 19.7
8/14/06 8.76 91.2 7.06 0.75 17.4
8/28/06 9.79 97.9 7.05 0.5 15.6
9/11/06 8.95 88.8 9.16 0.44 15.1
9/25/06 9.73 95.85 0.54 14.7
5/7/07 12.11 101.3 6.47 0.81 6.9
5/21/07 9.86 92.2 7.11 2.24 7.7
6/4/07 9.08 91.35 6.65 0.48 12.4
6/18/07 7 79.2 5.51 0.54 15.7
7/2/07 - - - 0.56 16.3
7/30/07 - - - 0.84 21.45
8/13/07 8.23 88.2 6.7 0.8 18.7
8/27/07 6.7 72.9 6.72 1.08 19.5
9/24/07 7.22 67.7 7.54 0.83 15.9
10/8/07 7.09 80.9 6.87 0.7 14.3
5/18/09 12.1 102.9 0.91 8.5
6/1/09 10.39 93.9 7.04 0.34 10.9
6/15/09 9.95 96.2 6.71 0.85 13.9
6/29/09 9.5 94.4 6.45 3.9 15.05
7/13/09 9.62 94.8 7.15 0.69 14.7
7/27/09 9.29 95.9 6.85 0.73 17
8/10/09 8.32 85.3 6.49 0.4 16.7
9/7/09 9.41 90.9 6.91 0.45 13.8
9/21/09 12.14 111.4 7.8 0.46 11.5
5/17/10 9.95 91.5 6.57 0.48 18.21 10.9
5/31/10 9.9 101.8 6.74 1.42 29.9 15.8
6/14/10 9.99 102.5 6.92 0.72 15.4
6/28/10 9.12 93.9 6.28 1.46 16.8
7/12/10 7.86 88.2 6.02 0.48 21.5

7/26/10 7.19 77.3 6.06 0.4 18.5
8/9/10 - - 5.59 0.45 19.8
8/23/10 9.29 93.3 6.12 1.36 16.7
9/6/10 8.75 91 5.64 0.4 17.3
9/20/10 9.55 88.4 6.77 0.41 11.9
5/23/11 11.23 100.3 6.77 0.83 15.94 9.1
6/6/11 9.29 96.4 6.9 0.52 27.6 16.1
6/20/11 9.17 96.2 6.93 0.9 30.8 16.6
7/4/11 8.55 92.9 7.27 0.44 26.5 18.1
7/19/11 8.24 92.4 6.56 0.64 39.2 19.5
8/29/11 8.9 92.9 7.51 32.5 8.51 16.9
9/13/11 2.08 93.2 6.97 2.48 25.7 15.5
9/27/11 9.16 94.3 6.86 1.52 28.7 15.8
10/10/11 9.79 93.2 7.27 2.36 22.8 12.7
5/15/12 10.01 93.9 6.9 0.88 21.14 11.7
5/29/12 8.83 92.85 6.71 1.87 23.9 16.9
6/26/12 9.18 95.8 6.67 3.08 21.67 16.1
8/7/12 8.52 95.3 6.88 1.06 31.5 20.2
8/21/12 8.47 92.1 6.72 0.93 29.8 18.6
9/4/12 8.95 94.9 6.74 0.7 37.2 17.8
9/18/12 9.6 94.8 6.87 0.9 39 14.3
10/2/12 10.08 96.7 6.89 2.08 19.46 13
5/13/13 11.08 96.05 6.6 1.97 13.8 8.5
5/27/13 10.95 97.1 7.17 0.71 17.45 10.1
6/10/13 9.52 96 7.16 0.51 21.15 15.1
6/24/13 8.88 95.65 7.19 4.3 19.99 18.1
7/8/13 8.5 93.1 6.69 1.6 24.5 19.2
7/22/13 8.26 91.3 7.09 0.75 27.2 19.7
8/6/13 9.09 93.3 7.18 0.45 30.7 16.2
8/19/13 9.18 95.4 6.18 0.54 29.4 16.7
9/2/13 8.85 95.7 7.02 2.59 16.24 18.1
7/1/14 8.9 99 5.9 0.05 46.7 20.6
8/5/14 10.64 119.4 5.82 0.22 47.8 21.4
Saco River- Conway, NH (SAC-03)
Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA
4/11/05 11.64 89.8 6.59 2.34 4
4/25/05 12.34 96.7 8 11.7 4.9

5/9/05 11.83 97.7 6.06 0.89 7
5/23/05 11.53 99 6.68 1.73 7.5
6/6/05 9.7 96.7 6.84 0.55 15
6/20/05 8.67 84.4 7.41 1.55 18.5
7/4/05 - - - - -
7/18/05 8.08 93 7.16 0.43 22.5
8/1/05 8.61 93.4 6.72 1.01 16
8/15/05 - - - - -
8/29/05 9.15 99.8 7.17 0.88 19
9/12/05 9.76 102 - 0.58 17
9/26/05 9.85 97 7.34 0.82 14.2
10/10/05 - - - - -
10/24/05 - - - - -
4/10/06 14.66 115.2 7.72 0.61 5.2
4/24/06 14.2 112.85 8.44 0.6 6.75
5/22/06 9.55 84.15 7.31 1 9.85
6/5/06 10.15 95.5 8.9 0.79 12
6/19/06 8.17 89.6 7.3 0.69 19.9
7/17/06 8.5 96.4 8.4 0.78 21.7
7/31/06 8.88 96.7 7.35 0.46 19.6
8/14/06 9.48 95.6 6.97 1.03 15.8
8/28/06 10.18 101.4 6.99 0.44 15.2
9/11/06 9 91.8 10 0.48 16.35
9/25/06 9.7 96.95 0.43 15.5
5/7/07 0.71
5/21/07 11.39 95.65 7.23 2.57 8.5
6/4/07 10.8 100.9 7.37 0.58 12.3
6/18/07 9.92 104.45 6.49 0.82 18
7/2/07 8.99 91.85 0.45 16.5
7/30/07 7.59 87.95 0.5 22.75
8/13/07 8.82 93.2 6.75 0.88 18.05
8/27/07 8.56 92.7 6.79 0.92 19.2
9/24/07 7.21 72.3 7.59 0.69 17.7
10/8/07 8.09 82.4 7.54 0.79 15.4
5/18/09 10.58 91.9 1.07 9.2
6/1/09 8.95 90.4 0.88 0.62 12
6/15/09 9.82 94.6 6.66 1.07 13.7
6/29/09 9.48 94.4 6.45 2.16 15.05
7/13/09 9.81 98 6.56 0.72 15.4
7/27/09 9.44 97.3 6.78 1.13 17.4
8/10/09 8.44 87 6.57 0.68 16.9
9/7/09 9.62 93.2 6.69 0.61 14.4
9/21/09 12.93 117.6 6.78 1.3 11.9
5/17/10 10.19 94 6.4 0.74 19.05 11.2
5/31/10 6.62 1.37 16

6/14/10 10.36 106.3 6.71 0.55 25.9 15.4
6/28/10 6.17 1.58 17.75
7/12/10 7.63 88.2 5.67 0.61 22.65
7/26/10 7.24 78.5 6.03 0.51 19.3
8/9/10 5.47 1.23
8/23/10 9.37 99.8 6.01 0.49 17.2
9/6/10 8.71 94.5 5.53 0.56 18.3
9/20/10 9.82 92.2 6.78 0.37 12.6
5/23/11 11.23 100.3 6.77 0.83 15.94 9.1
6/6/11 9.74 101 6.88 0.47 26.4 16.1
6/21/11 9.36 99.3 7.03 0.65 29.3 17.2
7/5/11 8.86 96.1 7.24 0.89 25.8 18.1
7/18/11 8.57 96.9 7.11 1.05 36.4 20
8/16/11 9.06 96.3 7.15 1.7 29.7 16.9
8/29/11 7.96 83.6 8.8 16.4
9/13/11 9.45 96.7 6.89 1.54 23.7 15.3
9/27/11 9.43 97.1 7.01 1.27 26.7 15.9
10/10/11 10.1 95.7 7.09 1.97 21.53 12.5
5/15/12 10.17 95.5 6.94 0.86 20.74 11.8
5/29/12 9.06 95.2 6.78 2.56 22.6 16.9
6/25/12 9.3 97.1 6.6 3.06 21.25 16.2
8/7/12 8.67 97.6 6.67 0.85 32.5 20.6
8/21/12 8.79 95.8 6.73 1.07 28.5 18.8
9/4/12 9.21 98.3 6.92 1.17 35 18.2
9/18/12 9.87 97.8 6.89 1.02 36.6 14.5
10/2/12 10.25 98 6.8 1.5 19.52 12.8
5/13/13 10.97 97.5 6.85 2.21 13.96 9.3
5/27/13 10.85 98.15 6.75 0.82 17.48 10.9
6/10/13 9.78 99.6 6.93 0.73 21.03 15.4
6/24/13 9.01 97.4 6.97 1.49 20.75 18.5
7/8/13 8.72 95.75 6.51 0.76 23.4 19.4
7/22/13 8.62 95 6.85 0.64 25 19.6
8/6/13 9.5 97.9 6.89 0.55 28.1 16.4
8/19/13 9.42 98.7 6.43 1 27.8 17.1
9/2/13 8.9 96.8 6.81 2.81 17.11 18.5
Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA
4/11/05 11.64 89.8 6.59 2.34 4
4/25/05 12.34 96.7 8 11.7 4.9

5/9/05 11.83 97.7 6.06 0.89 7
5/23/05 11.53 99 6.68 1.73 7.5
6/6/05 9.7 96.7 6.84 0.55 15
6/20/05 8.67 84.4 7.41 1.55 18.5
7/4/05 - - - - -
7/18/05 8.08 93 7.16 0.43 22.5
8/1/05 8.61 93.4 6.72 1.01 16
8/15/05 - - - - -
8/29/05 9.15 99.8 7.17 0.88 19
9/12/05 9.76 102 - 0.58 17
9/26/05 9.85 97 7.34 0.82 14.2
10/10/05 - - - - -
10/24/05 - - - - -
4/10/06 14.66 115.2 7.72 0.61 5.2
4/24/06 14.2 112.85 8.44 0.6 6.75
5/22/06 9.55 84.15 7.31 1 9.85
6/5/06 10.15 95.5 8.9 0.79 12
6/19/06 8.17 89.6 7.3 0.69 19.9
7/17/06 8.5 96.4 8.4 0.78 21.7
7/31/06 8.88 96.7 7.35 0.46 19.6
8/14/06 9.48 95.6 6.97 1.03 15.8
8/28/06 10.18 101.4 6.99 0.44 15.2
9/11/06 9 91.8 10 0.48 16.35
9/25/06 9.7 96.95 0.43 15.5
5/7/07 0.71
5/21/07 11.39 95.65 7.23 2.57 8.5
6/4/07 10.8 100.9 7.37 0.58 12.3
6/18/07 9.92 104.45 6.49 0.82 18
7/2/07 8.99 91.85 0.45 16.5
7/30/07 7.59 87.95 0.5 22.75
8/13/07 8.82 93.2 6.75 0.88 18.05
8/27/07 8.56 92.7 6.79 0.92 19.2
9/24/07 7.21 72.3 7.59 0.69 17.7
10/8/07 8.09 82.4 7.54 0.79 15.4
5/18/09 10.58 91.9 1.07 9.2
6/1/09 8.95 90.4 0.88 0.62 12
6/15/09 9.82 94.6 6.66 1.07 13.7
6/29/09 9.48 94.4 6.45 2.16 15.05
7/13/09 9.81 98 6.56 0.72 15.4
7/27/09 9.44 97.3 6.78 1.13 17.4
8/10/09 8.44 87 6.57 0.68 16.9
9/7/09 9.62 93.2 6.69 0.61 14.4
9/21/09 12.93 117.6 6.78 1.3 11.9
5/17/10 10.19 94 6.4 0.74 19.05 11.2
5/31/10 6.62 1.37 16

6/14/10 10.36 106.3 6.71 0.55 25.9 15.4
6/28/10 6.17 1.58 17.75
7/12/10 7.63 88.2 5.67 0.61 22.65
7/26/10 7.24 78.5 6.03 0.51 19.3
8/9/10 5.47 1.23
8/23/10 9.37 99.8 6.01 0.49 17.2
9/6/10 8.71 94.5 5.53 0.56 18.3
9/20/10 9.82 92.2 6.78 0.37 12.6
5/23/11 11.23 100.3 6.77 0.83 15.94 9.1
6/6/11 9.74 101 6.88 0.47 26.4 16.1
6/21/11 9.36 99.3 7.03 0.65 29.3 17.2
7/5/11 8.86 96.1 7.24 0.89 25.8 18.1
7/18/11 8.57 96.9 7.11 1.05 36.4 20
8/16/11 9.06 96.3 7.15 1.7 29.7 16.9
8/29/11 7.96 83.6 8.8 16.4
9/13/11 9.45 96.7 6.89 1.54 23.7 15.3
9/27/11 9.43 97.1 7.01 1.27 26.7 15.9
10/10/11 10.1 95.7 7.09 1.97 21.53 12.5
5/15/12 10.17 95.5 6.94 0.86 20.74 11.8
5/29/12 9.06 95.2 6.78 2.56 22.6 16.9
6/25/12 9.3 97.1 6.6 3.06 21.25 16.2
8/7/12 8.67 97.6 6.67 0.85 32.5 20.6
8/21/12 8.79 95.8 6.73 1.07 28.5 18.8
9/4/12 9.21 98.3 6.92 1.17 35 18.2
9/18/12 9.87 97.8 6.89 1.02 36.6 14.5
10/2/12 10.25 98 6.8 1.5 19.52 12.8
5/13/13 10.97 97.5 6.85 2.21 13.96 9.3
5/27/13 10.85 98.15 6.75 0.82 17.48 10.9
6/10/13 9.78 99.6 6.93 0.73 21.03 15.4
6/24/13 9.01 97.4 6.97 1.49 20.75 18.5
7/8/13 8.72 95.75 6.51 0.76 23.4 19.4
7/22/13 8.62 95 6.85 0.64 25 19.6
8/6/13 9.5 97.9 6.89 0.55 28.1 16.4
8/19/13 9.42 98.7 6.43 1 27.8 17.1
9/2/13 8.9 96.8 6.81 2.81 17.11 18.5
Saco River- Fryeburg, ME (SAC-01)
Date Time of
Sample
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
DO (%
Sat) pH Turbidity
(NTU)
Conductance Water
Temp. (°C)
Standard NA >5.0
>75%
Daily
Average
6.5 – 8.0
<10 NTU
above
backgrd
<835 NA

7/3/01 13.53 140.33 1 17
7/17/01 7.9 85.39 1 19
7/31/01 9.35 102.87 7.15 0.44 21.57
8/14/01 9.25 107.76 7.23 0.64 22.8
8/28/01 8.24 91.24 6.95 0.67 20.2
9/11/01 7.41 86.1 0.49 20.5
9/25/01 9.04 97.8 6.85 0.54 17.3
10/9/01 9.89 87.5 7.36 0.84 8.2
10/23/01 10.06 88.3 6.9 0.7 7.8
4/16/02 11.72 95.1 6.5 6.37 6.3
4/30/02 11.84 92.9 6.55 0.89 5
5/14/02 13 104.1 6.92 3.87 5.8
5/28/02 10.32 99.7 5.25 0.38 13.7
6/11/02 8.9 90.4 6.48 0.5 16
6/25/02 8.35 86.2 6.62 0.48 16.8
7/9/02 8.26 93 6.77 0.56 21.05
7/23/02 8.82 104.7 6.83 0.49 23.8
8/6/02 7.81 89.3 7.18 0.43 23.2
8/20/02 6.81 79.6 6.71 0.73 23
9/3/02 8.96 94.5 7.02 0.39 17.8
9/17/02 9.35 96.6 7.01 1.05 16.8
10/1/02 6.95 0.66 14.2
10/15/02 9.59 81.5 7.27 0.66 8.2
10/29/02 12.29 94.9 6.47 0.43 4.4
4/15/03 12.97 105.3 6.69 0.5 5.9
4/29/03 12.29 108.7 6.39 1.1 9.3
5/13/03 12.16 103.4 6.14 0.87 8.3
5/27/03 15.78 141.1 6.72 1.05 10.8
6/10/03 10.12 98.6 6.61 0.43 14.3
6/24/03 8.94 97.3 6.74 0.47 19.5
7/8/03 7.81 90.4 6.88 0.55 22.5
7/22/03 8.61 94.7 7 1.19 20
8/5/03 8.14 92.1 6.83 0.61 21.5
8/19/03 8.81 94.3 6.92 0.58 18.7
9/2/03 8.67 88.3 6.56 0.62 16.3
9/30/03 9.2 91.2 6.66 0.62 13.1
10/14/03 12.61 113.6 7.09 0.61 12
10/28/03 11.29 98.4 6 23.7 9.4
4/13/04 12.07 94.5 7.13 1 5.2
4/27/04 11.49 92 6.8 0.88 5.5
5/11/04 10.14 90 7.17 0.61 10.5
5/25/04 10.87 97.2 6.61 1.41 10
6/8/04 10.44 104.1 6.77 0.41 15
6/22/04 9.32 97.4 6.73 0.93 17
7/6/04 8.99 96.9 6.85 0.55 19.5

7/20/04 7.43 80.6 6.89 0.63 19
8/3/04 7.6 87.8 7.17 0.49 23
8/17/04 10.57 109.8 7.53 0.79 17
8/31/04 8.34 94.4 7.04 2.88 20.5
9/14/04 8.32 81.2 7.06 0.59 14.5
9/28/04 9.26 90.8 7.08 0.63 14.5
10/12/04 10.25 93.5 6.42 0.43 11
10/26/04 11.65 95.2 6.83 0.62 6
4/12/05 8.93 68.05 5.82 1.52 3
4/26/05 11.49 92.9 5.99 5 5
5/10/05 7.13 66.3 6.35 1.42 9.5
5/24/05 11.61 100.8 6.41 7.54 8
6/7/05 9.58 94.45 6.43 0.91 12
6/21/05 9.7 102.2 6.65 0.65 16
7/5/05 10.49 113.3 6.63 0.45 19
7/19/05 7.93 91.4 7.22 0.52 21
8/2/05 7 81 6.57 0.6 20.5
8/16/05 8.32 92.4 6.56 0.52 19
8/30/05 8.8 97.1 6.73 1.47 19
9/13/05 8.26 87.2 6.4 0.54 17
9/27/05 9.85 99.3 8 0.82 15.4
10/11/05 10.4 101.6 6.79 1.59 14
4/11/06 15.64 126.05 8.32 1.17 6.2
4/25/06 12.05 98.95 7.74 1.15 6.8
5/9/06 10.99 99.75 7.8 0.81 10.1
5/23/06 9.16 80.5 8.05 1.13 9.2
6/6/06 10.07 96.35 6.61 0.78 12.9
7/18/06 7.34 86.6 7.4 0.51 23.7
8/1/06 7.06 79.6 6.8 0.63 21.4
8/15/06 8.9 97 7.95 0.43 19.6
8/29/06 6.69 65.7 6.84 0.72 14.6
9/12/06 10.55 103.4 7.25 2.85 13.1
9/26/06 9.22 89.6 6.86 0.53 14.1
10/10/06 8.45 77.4 7.8 3.17 11.5
4/24/07 8.2 10 6.15
5/8/07 10.5 93.95 1.97 10.55
5/22/07 10.74 94.5 8.57 1.55 10
6/5/07 7.92 72.9 6.99 7.41 11.9
6/19/07 7.98 82.45 6.23 1.02 17.2
7/3/07 9.14 99.6 7.25 0.58 19.8
7/17/07 7.34 87.05 0.72 19.8
7/31/07 5.57 63.3 0.48 21.7
8/14/07 7.83 88.3 0.36 21.55
9/11/07 8.58 88.7 6.89 0.98 17
9/25/07 8.56 86.5 6.94 0.62 16

10/9/07 10.37 99.85 7.52 0.8 13.7
5/13/08 11.62 102.85 7.02 0.74 10
5/27/08 12.21 121.6 6.67 0.53 15.2
6/10/08 7.96 89.9 6.69 0.6 21.4
6/24/08 6.82
7/22/08 8.94 95.7 7.02 1.44 18.9
8/5/08 8.61 89.2 6.94 1.66 17.1
8/19/08 8.62 93.7 6.75 0.96 18.6
9/2/08 7.86 78.9 6.85 0.58 15.6
9/16/08 8.68 87.8 7.06 0.64 17.5
9/30/08 9.67 96.3 6.72 1.14 15.4
10/14/08 9.95 92.2 6.9 2.09 12
5/19/09 10.74 93.75 6.52 0.6 9.4
6/2/09 9.85 95.6 0.5 14.1
6/16/09 9.96 95.3 6.65 0.74 13.5
6/30/09 10.3 103.25 6.63 4.31 15.6
7/14/09 9.56 95 6.55 0.87 15
7/28/09 8.89 97.1 6.59 1.31 19.6
8/11/09 9.65 101.6 6.51 0.96 17.9
8/25/09 8.47 95.2 6.66 0.73 20.7
9/8/09 8.87 88.8 6.72 0.73 15.5
9/22/09 9.58 87.2 6.68 0.62 11.2
5/18/10 7.85 73 6.29 1.19 12.5
6/1/10 8.41 85.5 6.5 0.59 16.3
6/10/10 6.56 0.64 16.5
6/29/10 9.41 95.3 6.11 2.2 18
7/13/10 7.21 84.2 5.61 0.92 23.4
7/27/10 6.42 70.5 5.84 0.65 19.8
8/10/10 7.6 85.2 6.74 1.47 20.3
8/24/10 6.32 65.9 5.85 0.57 17.5
9/7/10 8.34 84.5 5.68 1.15 18.5
9/21/10 0.55 88.4 6.67 0.53 12.5
5/24/11 10.99 99.3 6.46 1.09 16.3 9.6
6/7/11 9.21 95.2 6.67 0.98 16.4
6/21/11 8.9 95.7 6.77 0.53 18.3
7/5/11 8.65 93.8 7.01 0.61 18.5
7/19/11 8.09 92.5 6.99 2.11 20.8
8/2/11 7.48 88.9 7.26 0.7 39.7 22.4
8/16/11 8.56 92.1 7.05 0.92 17.9
8/30/11 8.93 91 6.24 39.8 15.9
9/13/11 9.05 93.1 6.74 1.76 23.9 15.6
9/27/11 8.9 93.7 6.9 1.61 26 17
10/11/11 9.88 94 7.01 2.21 21.9 12.6
11/9/11 11.13 95.3 6.55 0.85 22.3 8
11/30/11 11.28 95.8 6.96 158 9.63 7.1

12/20/11 13.44 95.6 6.65 0.91 21.07 1
1/5/12 13.39 94.6 6.79 1.35 22.3 0
1/18/12 12.59 90 6.83 1.23 24.8 0.5
5/15/12 9.98 94.3 6.86 1.43 20.92 12.1
5/29/12 8.65 92.4 6.75 1.27 22.5 17.8
6/12/12 9.45 95.5 6.61 1.03 21.45 15.6
6/26/12 9 95.8 6.76 3.35 23.7 17.1
7/10/12 8.32 91.6 6.57 0.81 31.1 19.6
8/7/12 8.33 95.7 6.86 0.64 33.4 21.6
8/21/12 8.75 91.5 6.67 1.17 28.2 19.7
9/4/12 8.69 93.6 6.9 1.15 35.6 18.7
`9/18/12 9.48 94.7 6.86 0.63 36.9 14.9
10/2/12 10.17 96 6.78 1.4 20.25 12.7
5/14/13 10.39 91.7 6.97 4.55 17 9.5
5/28/13 10.54 97 6.82 1 16.85 11.4
6/11/13 9.54 95.6 6.6 1.01 22.45 14.9
6/25/13 8.29 92.6 6.74 1.23 19.94 20.05
7/9/13 9.09 97.7 6.48 1.95 20.47 18.5
7/23/13 8.62 94.3 6.54 1.02 24.5 18.6
8/6/13 8.87 93.1 6.98 0.75 28.5 17.5
8/20/13 8.44 91.4 6.37 0.86 28.1 18.7
9/3/13 8.59 94.8 6.61 5.61 17.1 19.2
9/18/13 9.64 90.3 7.02 0.93 24.3 12.2
7/8/14 7.04 88 5.86 0 49.6 22.8
8/12/14 7.33 81.1 5.52 0.32 88.9 20.1
CONT.
Date Total Kjeldal
Nitrogen (mg/L)
Total
Phosphorous
(mg/L)
E. coli
(colonies/100mL)
Alkalinity (mg/L
CaCO3)
Standard
7/3/01 17.9
7/17/01 3
7/31/01 17.5
8/14/01 39.2
8/28/01 143
9/11/01 31
9/25/01 53
10/9/01 17
10/23/01 27
4/16/02 9.94
4/30/02 2.6
5/14/02 48
5/28/02 19.2
6/11/02 7.01

6/25/02 56.1
7/9/02 89
7/23/02 58.4
8/6/02 78.6
8/20/02 92
9/3/02 59
9/17/02 23.4
10/1/02 34
10/15/02 1
10/29/02 10.07
4/15/03 0.2 13.55
4/29/03 0.38 0.02 12.02
5/13/03 0.31 0.17 30.06
5/27/03 0.73 0.01 69.82
6/10/03 0.53 0.01 22.7
6/24/03 0.48 0.01 53.7
7/8/03 0.38 0.1 899.5
7/22/03 0.89 0.01 276.69
8/5/03 0.87 0.08 215.77
8/19/03 0.78 0.03 173.78
9/2/03 0.74 0.01 60.81
9/30/03 0.2 0.06 38
10/14/03 0.32 0.04 80
10/28/03 0.74 0.09 68
4/13/04 2 2.1 1
4/27/04 1.1 0.06 12
5/11/04 0.23 0.28 19
5/25/04 3.1 12
6/8/04 0.2 40.5
6/22/04 0.42 10.9
7/6/04 0.2 50.9
7/20/04 0.38 59.1
8/3/04 53.8
8/17/04 0.27 84
8/31/04 0.25 110
9/14/04 0.34 12.7
9/28/04 0.44 11
10/12/04 0.25 5
10/26/04 1
4/12/05 0.25 2 5
4/26/05 0.25 2
5/10/05 0.25 2 6.2
5/24/05 0.25 31 5
6/7/05
6/21/05 0.25 28 6.2

7/5/05 0.25 44
7/19/05
8/2/05 0.25 53.63 7.9
8/16/05 0.25 22.93 8.1
8/30/05 0.25 187.41 7.2
9/13/05 0.25 16 7.2
9/27/05 0.25 62 7.3
10/11/05 0.25 122 5
4/11/06 0.25 2 5.5
4/25/06 0.25 10 5
5/9/06 0.25 2 5
5/23/06 0.25 2 5
6/6/06 0.25 24 7.9
7/18/06 0.25 32 6.5
8/1/06 44 7.1
8/15/06 14
8/29/06 0.29 6.4 9.5
9/12/06 0.25 14 8.9
9/26/06 0.25 66 7.7
10/10/06 0.25 10 12
4/24/07 0.39 78 5
5/8/07 0.92 2 5.7
5/22/07
6/5/07 0.94 579.4 6
6/19/07 0.25 22.6 11
7/3/07 0.25 25.26 9.9
7/17/07 0.26 27.58 9.5
7/31/07 0.35 16.86 9.8
8/14/07 0.51 14.98 9.9
9/11/07 0.25 112.6 9.5
9/25/07 0.25 14.6 9.9
10/9/07 0.25 101.4 8.4
5/13/08 5.4
5/27/08 0.28 14.6
6/10/08 0.25 27.9 7.1
6/24/08 0.25 59.4 5.9
7/22/08 0.25 122.6 6
8/5/08 0.25 54.5 5.7
8/19/08 0.25 20.45 6.5
9/2/08 0.33 14.8 5
9/16/08 0.25 54.6 7.3
9/30/08 40.4
10/14/08 0.25 5.1 9.4
5/19/09 3.1 5
6/2/09 8.6 5.6

6/16/09 52.1 5
6/30/09 127.5 5
7/14/09 14.6 6.7
7/28/09 75.1 5.1
8/11/09 21.22 5.7
8/25/09 90.5 7.2
9/8/09 9.8 10
9/22/09 17.5 7.4
5/18/10 3 5
6/1/10 13.4 7.3
6/10/10 16.9 6.6
6/29/10 394
7/13/10 31.2
7/27/10 34.1
8/10/10 25.2
8/24/10 67.9
9/7/10 22.8
9/21/10 30.9 7.2
5/24/11 7.5 5
6/7/11 15.8
6/21/11 38.4
7/5/11 92.9
7/19/11 29.4
8/2/11 25.5
8/16/11 152.9 7.2
8/30/11 260.3
9/13/11 32.7
9/27/11 41
10/11/11 18.7 5.8
11/9/11
11/30/11
12/20/11
1/5/12
1/18/12
5/15/12 13.5 5
5/29/12
6/12/12 18.9
6/26/12
7/10/12 25
8/7/12 37.1
8/21/12 18.5
9/4/12 15.6
`9/18/12 24.9
10/2/12 8.2 23.61

5/14/13 13.4 5
5/28/13 9.7 5
6/11/13 22.8 5.4
6/25/13 52.9 5.1
7/9/13 120.2 5.8
7/23/13 49.9 6.9
8/6/13 9.7 12.2
8/20/13 17
9/3/13 1986.3
9/18/13 27.5 7
7/8/14
8/12/14
NOTE: Data acquired in previous years from Bartlett from the VRAP Saco information.
The following Saco River volunteers completed the samplings: John Ludgate, Daryl
Mazzaglia, Joe Mazzaglia, and Nancy Oleson. The Saco River Corridor Commission
(SRCC) collected the data prior to 2014 at Davis Park, Weston Beach, and the Conway
Police Station.
i
“Environmental Fact Sheet: The Saco River” New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services,
(2008), accessed in 2014. http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/rl/documents/rl-
11.pdf
ii
“Environmental Fact Sheet: The Saco River”
iii
“Urban Nonpoint Source Fact Sheet” EPA, (Feb 2003), accessed in 2014.
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/urban_facts.cfm
iv
“Urban Nonpoint Source Fact Sheet”
v
“Impacts of Natural land Loss on Water Quality” Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, accessed in 2014.
http://conservationtools.org/guides/show/110-Impacts-of-Natural-Land-Loss-on-Water-Quality
vi
“Impacts of Natural land Loss on Water Quality”
vii
viii
“A Scientific Foundation for Shaping Riparian Buffer Protections Regulations” Pennsylvania Land Trust
Association, accessed in 2014. http://conservationtools.org/guides/show/132-A-Scientific-Foundation-for-
Shaping-Riparian-Buffer-Protection-Regulations
ix
“Riparian Buffer Zones: Functions and Recommended Widths” Ellen Hawes and Markelle Smith, Yale
School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (April 2005), accessed 2014.
http://www.eightmileriver.org/resources/digital_library/appendicies/09c3_Riparian%20Buffer%20Science_
YALE.pdf
x
“A Scientific Foundation for Shaping Riparian Buffer Protections Regulations”
xi
xii
xiii
xviii
Standard Mehods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater”, accessed in 2014.
http://www.standardmethods.org/store/

xix
“Environmental Dissolved Oxygen Values Above 100% Air Saturation” YSI Environmental, accessed in
2014. http://www.ysi.com/media/pdfs/T602-Environmental-Dissolved-Oxygen-Values-Above-100-
percent-Air-Saturation.pdf
xx
“Natural Conditions Assessments for Low pH and Low Dissolved Oxygen for Hornwater Creek”
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, (December 2011), accessed in 2014.
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Portals/0/DEQ/Water/WaterQualityStandards/TriennialReview2013/Swamps/
Hornquater_Creek_King_Wllm_Nat_Cond_pH_DO.pdf
xxi
“Acid Rain Program” The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, accessed in 2014.
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/air/tsb/tps/acidrain/categories/overview.htm
xxii
“Acid Rain- Soil Interactions”, Elmhurst College, accessed in 2014.
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/196soil.html
xxiii
“The Role of Alkalinity Citizen Monitoring” by Brian Oram for the Water Research Center, accessed in
2014. http://www.water-research.net/index.php/the-role-of-alkalinity-citizen-monitoring
xxiv
Fondriest Environmental, Inc. “Water Temperature.” Fundamentals of Environmental Measurements.
Fondriest Environmental, Feb. 2014. http://www.fondriest.com/environmental-
measurements/parameters/water-quality/water-temperature/
xxv
“New Hampshire Volunteer River Assessment Program 2010 Saco River Water Quality Report” VRAP,
accessed in 2014. http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/vrap/saco/documents/sac_data10.pdf
xxvi
“Total Nitrogen” EPA, (revised on June 4, 2013), accessed in 2014.
http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/tribal/training/pdf/TotalNitrogen.pdf
xxvii
xxviii
“New Hampshire Volunteer River Assessment Program 2010 Saco River Water Quality Report”
xxix
“Temperature and Pressures Effects on Solubility” Elmhurst College, accessed in 2014.
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/174temppres.html
xxx
“Monitoring And Assessment: Dissolved Oxygen and Biochemical Oxygen Demand” EPA, accessed in
2014. http://water.epa.gov/type/rsl/monitoring/vms52.cfm
xxxi
xxxii
EPA 1980
xxxiii
http://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-quality/ph/
xxxiv
xxxv
Fondriest Environmental, Inc. “pH of Water.” Fundamentals of Environmental Measurements.
Fondriest Environmental, 19 Nov. 2013. http://www.fondriest.com/environmental-
measurements/parameters/water-quality/conductivity-salinity-tds/
xxxvi
Fondriest Environmental, Inc. “Turbidity, Total Suspended Solids and Water Clarity.” Fundamentals of
Environmental Measurements. Fondriest Environmental, 13 Jun. 2014.
http://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-quality/turbidity-total-
suspended-solids-water-clarity/
xxxvii
xxxviii
“Water Temperature”
xxxix
“YSI Model 85 Operations Manual” YSI incorporated, accessed in 2014.
http://www.ysi.com/media/pdfs/038503-YSI-Model-85-Operations-Manual-RevE.pdf
xl
“pH 11 Economy Meter” Oakton, accessed in 2014.
http://www.4oakton.com/proddetail.asp?prod=313&parent=12&seq=5&TotRec=12
xli
“2020 Turbidimeter Operations Manual” LaMotte, accessed in 2014.
http://www.geotechnical.net/Technical%20PDF%20Files/1799.pdf
xlii
“Final 2008 Attainment Status of All Reviewed Parameters, Saco Rivers” New Hampshire Department
of Environmental Services, accessed in 2014.
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/swqa/2008/documents/appendix_18_river_saco.pdf
xliii
“My WATERS Mapper” EPA, accessed in 2014.
http://watersgeo.epa.gov/mwm/?layer=303D&feature=NHRIV600020304-01-01&extraLayers=null

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