State of Alaska > DEC > Division of Water > Non-Point Source Water Pollution Control

Kenai River Water Quality Monitoring, 2009

Introduction
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has tasked the Kenai Watershed Forum with conducting water quality monitoring on the Kenai River.  The monitoring programs will assess the concentrations of dissolved-phased petroleum hydrocarbons present in the water column, conduct aerial and on the ground counts of watercraft operating on the river, and establish turbidity levels in the lower river.  The purpose of gathering this data is to determine the following about the Kenai River:

• the level of petroleum hydrocarbon in the river during high use periods

• improve our understanding of how the number of motorboats operating on the water influences the level of petroleum hydrocarbon found in the water column

• the natural turbidity conditions, and

• whether the river is impaired

Intensive sampling for petroleum hydrocarbons was conducted July 18- July 21st.

For more information please contact:
Tim Stevens
555 Cordova St
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 269-7515
Email: tim.stevens@alaska.gov