Rivers & Streams | Coon Lake Inlet Chemical Monitoring

Monitoring Location	at Highway 22, East Bethel STORET SiteID = Ditch56_Hwy22
Monitored By	ACD Staff
Years Monitored	2001 and 2003
Background: This ditch, also known as County Ditch 56, flows about 0.3 miles from a large wetland south to Coon Lake Upstream from that wetland there is an extensive system of ditches through wetlands and scattered residential. The ditch enters Coon Lake on the north end of the southern lobe of the lake. The water from this ditch accounts for only a small percentage of Coon Lake's water budget. During dry periods of even modest length the ditch water becomes stagnant. Flows range from zero to two cfs.

Results: Water quality of this stream in 2003 was similar to 2001 and is generally good,with the exception of low dissolved oxygen. Conductivity, salinity, and chloride readings are all below the county median and ecoregion mean, suggesting little pollution from road runoff, failing septics, or industrial chemicals. Sediment levels are acceptable, and most turbidity is from unconsolidated organic matter from the wetlands. Phosphorus levels are relatively low, and well within acceptable levels. Dissolved oxygen (DO) is chronically low and often drops below levels acceptable to many fishes and other aquatic organisms. This is probably due to the low flows and relatively stagnant wetland headwaters where oxygen demand for decomposition is high and inputs are few. It is considered natural.