Cobbs Creek Water Quality Monitoring & Visualization
Our water quality monitoring data
Our water quality monitoring data provides a detailed look at the health of Cobbs Creek. By regularly measuring key indicators like pH, water temperature, turbidity, and conductivity, we track changes in the creek over time. This data helps the community understand current water conditions, identify potential issues, and support efforts to improve water quality. Explore the interactive dashboards for detailed data and analysis.
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Please note that this section is a demo of the final product and currently only contains data from Nov 2024 to Feb 2025 due to technical issues that happened at our sampling site.
Water Temperature​
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Water temperature affects oxygen levels and aquatic ecosystems. Colder water holds more oxygen, while sudden temperature changes can stress aquatic life.
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The water temperature in Cobbs Creek dropped from late November 2024 to early February 2025, following the winter season. There are daily ups and downs, likely due to changes in sunlight, weather, or runoff. The coldest temperatures, around 2°C, happened in late December and early January, while a slight warming started in February. Water temperature affects water quality because it influences oxygen levels and aquatic life—colder water holds more oxygen, while sudden changes can stress fish and other organisms.
pH Level​
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pH measures water acidity or alkalinity, ranging from 0 to 14 (with 7 being neutral). Extreme pH levels can affect aquatic life and chemical reactions in the water.
The pH levels in Cobbs Creek ranged between 7.0 and 8.4, showing some fluctuation over time. In December, the pH was lower, staying closer to neutral, but it gradually increased through January and February, becoming more alkaline. The increase in pH might be influenced by factors like runoff, algae growth, or changes in water temperature. pH is important for water quality because extreme levels can harm aquatic life and affect chemical reactions in the water, impacting the availability of nutrients and pollutants.
Turbidity​
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Turbidity indicates water clarity. High turbidity can reduce sunlight penetration, affect aquatic plants, and indicate pollution from stormwater runoff.
The data shows that turbidity had multiple sharp spikes, with a significant peak around early January, followed by lower and more stable levels in February. These sudden increases could be caused by heavy rainfall, runoff, or disturbances in the creek bed. High turbidity can reduce sunlight penetration, affecting aquatic plants and organisms, and may also indicate pollution from soil erosion or stormwater runoff, which can harm water quality.​
Conductivity
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Conductivity measures dissolved salts and minerals in the water. High conductivity often indicates urban runoff, wastewater discharge, or pollution.
The data shows that conductivity was relatively low in early December but started increasing in January, with sharp spikes and a continuing upward trend into February. This rise suggests that more dissolved substances, like salts or pollutants, entered the water over time, possibly due to road salt runoff or other human activities. High conductivity can indicate pollution from urban runoff, wastewater discharge, or soil erosion, which may affect aquatic life and overall water quality.