- Measurements of nine chemical constituents and properties indicate that median concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite and total phosphorus and levels of fecal coliform bacteria were lower, and median concentrations of dissolved oxygen were higher, in samples from streams in the Upper Delaware River watershed than in samples from randomly selected streams across New Jersey.
- Concentrations of nutrients and dissolved and suspended solids, levels of fecal coliform bacteria, and water temperatures were lowest, and concentrations of dissolved oxygen were highest at sites on Dunnfield Creek, Flat Brook, and Vancampens Brook.
- Concentrations of nutrients and dissolved and suspended solids, fecal coliform bacteria levels, pH, and water temperatures generally were highest at sites on the Musconetcong River, Pohatcong Creek, the Pequest River, and the Paulins Kill.
- Fecal coliform bacteria, total phosphorus concentration, and water temperature are the water-quality measures that most frequently failed to meet water-quality reference levels.
- Concentrations of most chemical constituents studied and levels of fecal coliform bacteria were lowest, and concentrations of dissolved oxygen were highest, in streams whose watersheds contain the most forested or most undeveloped land.
- No significant trend over time was found for most of the constituents and properties at most of the 10 sites for which a trend test was conducted; however, concentrations of total phosphorus and un-ionized ammonia decreased at 5 or more of these sites. Water temperature and pH decreased, but concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite, dissolved oxygen, and dissolved-solids increased, at fewer than half of these sites.
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