McSorley Creek
In 2020 the Friends of Saltwater State Park began a monthly program testing the water quality in McSorley Creek, which is the stream that runs through the Saltwater State Park, on to the beach and into Puget Sound.
We want to know whether it is a healthy stream for people, animals and fish. We test the water quality twice a month to measure how clean the water is.
We also need to know the seasonal variation of the water quality. The temperature of the water and the amount of water in the stream change during the year. Naturally, the water is warmer in the summer than the winter, and there is more water in the stream in the spring than in late summer. This affects the minerals and oxygen in the water and its ability to serve as a healthy environment for life.
We are also interested in seeing if the water quality is getting better or worse over time. This will take several years to understand. As we get more information, we can decide whether we need to take any action to improve or preserve the health of the stream.
Harmful occurrences can wash pollutants into streams. This can be a sewage spill or heavy rainfall washing run-off from roads that contains car leaks, particles from normal wear of brakes and tires along with pesticides and pet waste from yards into the stream. If this happens we may see changes in what we test for, such as pH, alkalinity or the bacteria count. We will report our findings to the Washington Department of Ecology Washington State Parks to investigate and take action.
With public education, we hope to keep you informed and aware of the importance of clean natural waters to people and wildlife. There are actions we can all take to keep our streams and the Puget Sound clean and healthy. Everything that we put on the ground, like fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, automobile chemicals (including car washing soap), or waste of any sort, ends up in a local stream and ultimately the Puget Sound.
Glossary:
Bacteria: Certain single cell organisms. They can be beneficial or harmful to humans
(pathogenic bacteria cause disease). This program tests for the pathogenic bacteria E-Coli, which, if present, may indicate the presence of other pathogenic bacteria as well.
pH: pH is a measurement of how acidic or basic the water is. When the pH number is low the water is more acidic. When the pH is high the water is more basic. A pH of about 7 is neutral, and optimal for most aquatic life.
Alkalinity: This is a measure of how quickly the pH of the water will change with the addition of acid or base. Higher alkalinity indicates that more acid or base is needed to change the pH.
Hardness: This is a measure of the calcium carbonate concentration in water. Calcium is needed for aquatic health and can reduce the effects of some harmful materials.
Orthophosphate and Nitrate: These are the forms of phosphorus and nitrogen that can be used by aquatic organisms. Orthophosphate and nitrate are nutrients that are required by all organisms, but too much of these nutrients can cause harmful algae blooms that use up oxygen and may be harmful in other ways.
Dissolved Oxygen: This is the form of oxygen contained in water that is available for respiration (breathing) by aquatic organisms.
Turbidity: Turbidity is a measure of solid particles (like mud and dirt) contained in water that makes the water hard to see through (cloudy!). Excess particles are not good for good quality water.
Suggested water quality ranges for maximum health of aquatic life:
Dissolved oxygen at 9.0 mg/L or above
pH between 6.5 and 9.
Alkalinity between 60 and 150 mg/L
Hardness between 60 and 189 mg/L
Turbidity below 5.0 NTU
E-Coli 3 month mean below 100 for recreational use
Report Date | AirTempC | WaterTempC | pH | Oxygen Saturation % | Total Alkalinity mg/L | Total Hardness mg/L | Turbidity JTU | Turbidity NTU | Nitrate N mg/L | Orthophosphate | E-coli Sample Volume mL | E-coli Plate 1 | E-coli Plate 2 | E-coli Plate 3 | E-coli per 100 mL | Total Coliform, #/100 mL | E-Coli 3 mo. geometric mean | E-Coli max single sample | E-Coli max 3 month mean | E-Coli 3-mon. Highest Single Plate | Dissolved Oxygen mg/L |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11/19/2024 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 82.6 | 60 | 40 | 2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 67 | 2534 | 30 | 320 | 100 | 4400 | 10 | |
11/03/2024 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 68.1 | 80 | 60 | 2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4234 | 39 | 100 | 320 | 4400 | 7.9 | |
10/15/2024 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 75.5 | 100 | 110 | 2 | 5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 100 | 8167 | 87 | 100 | 320 | 4400 | 8.3 |
10/03/2024 | 15 | 10 | 7.5 | 80.5 | 125 | 90 | 2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6068 | 98 | 320 | 100 | 4400 | 9.1 | |
09/24/2024 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 81.9 | 100 | 80 | 2 | 5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 5200 | 267 | 320 | 100 | 4400 | 8.6 |
09/05/2024 | 20 | 15 | 8 | 74.3 | 130 | 70 | 2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1 | 44 | 38 | 9 | 3033 | 19600 | 267 | 320 | 100 | 4400 | 7.5 | |
08/23/2024 | 17.5 | 14.5 | 8 | 83.3 | 85 | 90 | 2 | 5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9166 | 230 | 320 | 100 | 2500 | 8.5 | |
08/02/2024 | 26 | 16 | 8 | 7.1 | 135 | 80 | 2 | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 133 | 13533 | 322 | 320 | 100 | 2700 | 7.1 | ||
07/03/2024 | 19 | 15 | 7.5 | 67.3 | 125 | 100 | 2 | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 10700 | 281 | 320 | 100 | 2700 | 6.8 | |||
06/04/2024 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 79.6 | 60 | 40 | 2 | 5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 25 | 1233 | 17133 | 183 | 320 | 100 | 2700 | 8.6 |
05/04/2024 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 75.2 | 90 | 70 | 2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 2500 | 120 | 320 | 100 | 2700 | 8.5 | ||
04/08/2024 | 10 | 9 | 7.5 | 94 | 85 | 60 | 2 | 5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 67 | 3400 | 35 | 320 | 100 | 300 | 10.9 |
03/19/2024 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 89.7 | 70 | 40 | 2 | 5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3266 | 48 | 320 | 100 | 800 | 10.4 |
03/06/2024 | 6 | 5 | 7.5 | 80.5 | 65 | 60 | 2 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 33 | 3100 | 65 | 320 | 100 | 800 | 10.3 | |
02/21/2024 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 94.1 | 50 | 50 | 2 | 5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 100 | 5433 | 117 | 320 | 100 | 1300 | 11.1 |
02/08/2024 | 7 | 7 | 7.5 | 76 | 65 | 50 | 2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 233 | 4933 | 145 | 320 | 100 | 1300 | 9.2 | |
01/22/2024 | 9 | 5.5 | 7 | 83.3 | 30 | 50 | 2 | 5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4568 | 183 | 320 | 100 | 1300 | 10.5 |
01/06/2024 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 74.2 | 50 | 40 | 5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 500 | 11033 | 588 | 320 | 100 | 1600 | 9.5 | |
12/19/2023 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 76.9 | 55 | 60 | 2 | 8 | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 200 | 8067 | 612 | 320 | 100 | 1600 | 9.3 |
12/07/2023 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 78.8 | 40 | 40 | 5 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 1 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 1100 | 19267 | 888 | 320 | 100 | 2300 | 9.3 | |
11/24/2023 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 81.3 | 65 | 110 | 2 | 8 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 367 | 5467 | 999 | 320 | 100 | 2500 | 10.4 |
11/07/2023 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 67.3 | 45 | 40 | 2 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 933 | 16200 | 1027 | 320 | 100 | 2500 | 7.6 | |
10/18/2023 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 81.9 | 65 | 80 | 2 | 8 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 1100 | 11667 | 1228 | 320 | 100 | 3100 | 8.6 |
10/05/2023 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 68.5 | 85 | 70 | 2 | 0.25 | 0.2 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 633 | 15466 | 1015 | 320 | 100 | 3100 | 7.4 | |
09/19/2023 | 8 | 115 | 110 | 2 | 8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1 | 17 | 16 | 23 | 1867 | 14367 | 896 | 320 | 100 | 3100 | 8.9 | |||
09/08/2023 | 18 | 14 | 8 | 71.8 | 120 | 90 | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 25 | 24 | 18 | 2233 | 22600 | 767 | 320 | 100 | 3100 | 7.4 | ||
08/16/2023 | 24 | 17 | 8 | 82.5 | 120 | 60 | 2 | 8 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 433 | 8766 | 676 | 320 | 100 | 3100 | 8 | |
08/02/2023 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 75.2 | 105 | 90 | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 31 | 27 | 2733 | 27733 | 577 | 320 | 100 | 3100 | 7.9 | |||
07/19/2023 | 18 | 15 | 8.5 | 82.2 | 110 | 70 | 2 | 8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 350 | 3650 | 154 | 320 | 100 | 1200 | 8.3 | |
07/03/2023 | 20 | 14 | 8 | 70.9 | 95 | 80 | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 3 | 300 | 13300 | 141 | 320 | 100 | 1200 | 7.3 | ||||
06/20/2023 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 82.4 | 65 | 50 | 2 | 8 | 0.3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 733 | 16133 | 54 | 320 | 100 | 1200 | 8.9 |
06/07/2023 | 23 | 15 | 7.5 | 66.3 | 110 | 100 | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 1050 | 18550 | 41 | 320 | 100 | 1200 | 6.7 | ||
05/07/2023 | 14 | 11 | 7.5 | 79.1 | 35 | 50 | 2 | 0.25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 167 | 12200 | 15 | 320 | 100 | 500 | 8.7 | ||
04/18/2023 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 95.8 | 60 | 70 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2134 | 7 | 500 | 100 | 500 | 10.3 | ||
04/04/2023 | 8 | 6 | 7.5 | 82.3 | 35 | 60 | 2 | 0.25 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 200 | 2134 | 7 | 500 | 100 | 320 | 10.2 | ||
03/21/2023 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 100 | 70 | 100 | 2 | 8 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1014 | 10 | 400 | 100 | 320 | 11.9 |
03/05/2023 | 8 | 5 | 7.5 | 80.9 | 25 | 40 | 2 | 0.25 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 133 | 4250 | 10 | 400 | 100 | 320 | 10.4 | ||
02/22/2023 | 4 | 5 | 8.5 | 97.7 | 65 | 2 | 8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 1266 | 6 | 320 | 100 | 400 | 12.5 | |
02/07/2023 | 9 | 5 | 7.5 | 74.2 | 35 | 50 | 2 | 0.25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7334 | 6 | 320 | 100 | 400 | 9.5 | ||
01/17/2023 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 90.9 | 45 | 50 | 2 | 8 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3301 | 37 | 320 | 100 | 2700 | 11 |
01/12/2023 | 10 | 6 | 7.5 | 73 | 35 | 50 | 2 | 0.25 | 9.1 | ||||||||||||
12/30/2022 | 8.5 | 6 | 7 | 89.5 | 35 | 60 | 2 | 8 | 1.5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 300 | 18167 | 140 | 320 | 100 | 2700 | 11.1 | |
12/07/2022 | 6 | 5 | 6.5 | 80.1 | 30 | 50 | 2 | 8 | 0.3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4801 | 124 | 320 | 100 | 2700 | 10.3 | |
09/21/2022 | 14 | 8 | 92.6 | 95 | 100 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||
09/06/2022 | 15 | 13 | 8 | 82.9 | 105 | 110 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 133 | 6033 | 334 | 320 | 100 | 1200 | 8.7 | ||
08/23/2022 | 8 | 100 | 90 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 1067 | 13767 | 420 | 320 | 100 | 1200 | 8.6 | ||||||
08/08/2022 | 20 | 15 | 7.5 | 84.2 | 100 | 80 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 567 | 8567 | 306 | 320 | 100 | 1100 | 8.5 | |
07/19/2022 | 16 | 14 | 7.5 | 81.6 | 100 | 70 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 14 | 22 | 10 | 767 | 5500 | 198 | 320 | 100 | 1100 | 8.4 | ||
07/10/2022 | 27 | 15 | 7 | 85 | 60 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 67 | 2000 | 168 | 320 | 100 | 5500 | ||||
06/21/2022 | 15 | 13 | 7 | 83.8 | 75 | 60 | 2 | 8 | 223 | 320 | 100 | 8.8 | |||||||||
05/17/2022 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 80.5 | 70 | 50 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 300 | 3917 | 188 | 320 | 100 | 1050 | 9.1 | ||
04/21/2022 | 13 | 9 | 7.5 | 94.8 | 60 | 60 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 100 | 2950 | 160 | 320 | 100 | 1050 | 11 | |||
04/05/2022 | 15 | 7 | 7.5 | 90.9 | 60 | 50 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 400 | 7617 | 164 | 320 | 100 | 1050 | 11 | |||
03/22/2022 | 15 | 8 | 7.5 | 85.6 | 50 | 50 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 100 | 4233 | 141 | 320 | 100 | 1050 | 10.1 | ||
03/08/2022 | 10 | 7 | 8.5 | 86.8 | 55 | 50 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 133 | 3750 | 188 | 320 | 100 | 1050 | 10.5 | ||
03/01/2022 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 15 | 21 | 767 | 9967 | 199 | 320 | 100 | 1050 | ||||||||||
02/15/2022 | 11 | 7 | 8.5 | 100 | 70 | 60 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 67 | 1417 | 84 | 320 | 100 | 550 | 12.1 | ||
02/01/2022 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 89.1 | 65 | 50 | 2 | 8 | 11.4 | ||||||||||||
01/04/2022 | -1 | 4 | 7.5 | 88.5 | 40 | 60 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 117 | 8050 | 48 | 320 | 100 | 550 | 11.6 | ||||
12/21/2021 | -1 | 5 | 7 | 89.8 | 45 | 60 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 517 | 4067 | 35 | 320 | 100 | 550 | 11.5 | ||
12/07/2021 | 5 | 8 | 7.5 | 84.7 | 50 | 60 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 200 | 6033 | 28 | 320 | 100 | 500 | 10 | ||
11/30/2021 | 6 | 10 | 7.5 | 85 | 55 | 40 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 350 | 2817 | 21 | 320 | 100 | 500 | 9.6 | |||
11/16/2021 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 89.7 | 30 | 60 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3534 | 12 | 320 | 100 | 150 | 10.4 | |||
11/02/2021 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 86.7 | 45 | 50 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2301 | 12 | 320 | 100 | 150 | 9.8 | |||
10/20/2021 | 9 | 12 | 7.5 | 86.1 | 65 | 70 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 50 | 1500 | 28 | 320 | 100 | 150 | 9.3 | |||
10/06/2021 | 16 | 14 | 8 | 88.3 | 60 | 50 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 133 | 7533 | 29 | 320 | 100 | 200 | 9.1 | |||
09/05/2021 | 16 | 15 | 8 | 81.2 | 140 | 90 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 33 | 1616 | 21 | 320 | 100 | 200 | 8.2 | |||
08/18/2021 | 16 | 16 | 8.5 | 82.8 | 100 | 100 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 1284 | 22 | 320 | 100 | 200 | 8.2 | |||
08/02/2021 | 15 | 17 | 8 | 82.5 | 100 | 90 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 701 | 30 | 320 | 100 | 200 | 8 | ||||
07/07/2021 | 14 | 16 | 8 | 80.8 | 110 | 70 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 117 | 300 | 19 | 320 | 100 | 250 | 8 | |||
06/16/2021 | 13 | 15 | 8 | 82.2 | 85 | 50 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 67 | 284 | 14 | 320 | 100 | 200 | 8.3 | |||
06/01/2021 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 82.5 | 100 | 80 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 217 | 8 | 320 | 100 | 250 | 8.5 | |||
05/18/2021 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 87.6 | 95 | 80 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 417 | 9 | 320 | 100 | 250 | 9.9 | |||
05/04/2021 | 11 | 12 | 7.5 | 84.3 | 70 | 60 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 117 | 2484 | 9 | 320 | 100 | 250 | 9.1 | |||
04/20/2021 | 15 | 14 | 8.5 | 101 | 105 | 70 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 184 | 4 | 320 | 100 | 100 | 10.4 | |||
04/06/2021 | 11 | 11 | 8.5 | 99.1 | 55 | 60 | 2 | 10.9 | |||||||||||||
03/16/2021 | 8 | 5 | 8.5 | 100 | 75 | 50 | 2 | 12.8 | |||||||||||||
03/03/2021 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 93.4 | 65 | 50 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 468 | 17 | 320 | 100 | 150 | 11.3 | |||
02/17/2021 | 6 | 4 | 7.5 | 99.2 | 55 | 80 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3033 | 29 | 320 | 100 | 150 | 13 | |||
02/02/2021 | 5 | 8 | 7.5 | 88.1 | 55 | 30 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 2800 | 38 | 320 | 100 | 150 | 10.4 | |||
01/19/2021 | 5 | 7 | 7.5 | 88.4 | 70 | 60 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1601 | 36 | 320 | 100 | 150 | 10.7 | |||
01/04/2021 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 84.7 | 35 | 50 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 7000 | 86 | 320 | 100 | 200 | 10 | |||
12/22/2020 | 6 | 7 | 7.5 | 87.6 | 25 | 30 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
12/04/2020 | 5 | 7.5 | 8 | 85 | 110 | 80 | 2 | 404 | 320 | 100 | 67000 | ||||||||||
11/22/2020 | 6 | 8 | 7.5 | 86.4 | 65 | 60 | 2 | 266 | 320 | 100 | 67000 | ||||||||||
11/06/2020 | 10 | 10 | 7.5 | 83.2 | 70 | 50 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 125 | 8625 | 266 | 320 | 100 | 67000 | |||||
10/06/2020 | 16 | 15 | 7.5 | 80.2 | 80 | 70 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
09/15/2020 | 18 | 19 | 8 | 60.2 | 155 | 120 | 2 | 1 | 484 | 504 | 670 | 55267 | 281 | 320 | 100 | 67000 | |||||
09/10/2020 | 17 | 18 | 7.5 | 86.3 | 125 | 90 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
08/04/2020 | 20 | 19.5 | 8 | 82.8 | 95 | 100 | 2 | 50 | 6400 | 23 | 320 | 100 | |||||||||
07/10/2020 | 18 | 18 | 7.5 | 86.3 | 90 | 80 | 2 | 165 | 4309 | 17 | 320 | 100 | |||||||||
06/10/2020 | 17 | 18 | 8 | 95.8 | 70 | 60 | 2 | 33 | 454 | 5 | 320 | 100 | |||||||||
05/07/2020 | 16 | 16 | 6.5 | 98 | 100 | 80 | 2 | 1 | 667 | 3 | 320 | 100 | |||||||||
04/07/2020 | 10 | 9.8 | 7.5 | 88.5 | 65 | 60 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 4 | 320 | 100 | |||||||||
03/03/2020 | 10 | 8 | 8.5 | 91.5 | 80 | 60 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 320 | 100 |