The data contained in Table 1 comes from Dr. Anna Harding's students in her class H443/543. Environmental Sampling and Analysis. This OSU course covers field sampling methods and lab analyses of drinking water and surface water; physical and chemical parameters of water; microbiological criteria of drinking water. Dr. Harding is the chair of Oregon State Universities Department of Public Health.

The water samples were taken from various sites along the length of Oak Creek. The site descriptions are as follows:

DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE SITES

Site # Description of Site
#1





    This site is located beyond the gate at the Oak Creek Biology Station. Take Harrison Blvd west to intersection with 53rd street. Cross over 53rd and continue west(Harrison has become Oak Creek road). Stay on Oak Creek Road - bear to the right at the intersection with Cardwell Hill Road. Oak Creek Road eventually turns to gravel. Park at the station. The first site is located on County Road #600 near mile post 4.0. The creek run through the culvert under the road. Take samples from the north (upstream) side of the road. The bank is steep, so be careful.
#2


  Follow the road back towards the gate. County Road #6020 (West Fork Oak Creek Road) will come in on your right side as you head back (on your left as you head out to site 1). Walk to the first bridge / culvert on road #6020. Take samples from the upstream side of the culvert.
#2a


  This site is located at the intersection of Tanager Drive and Oak Creek Road, just before where the pavement turns to gravel. Sample on the NE corner of the intersection - the property on the other side of Oak Creek Road is private, please do not trespass.
#2b

  Site is located at the intersection of Cardwell Hill Road and Oak Creek Road. Park at the entrance to the OSU Sheep Research Center. Take samples from the upstream side of the culvert.
#3


  This site is a few hundred yards east of its intersection of 53rd Street. Take the samples from the south side of Harrison (downstream of the road). Be careful of traffic and take care in parking on the side of the road.
#4


  Site is located near covered Bridge on bike path from 53rd Street to 35th Street. Take sample upstream of culvert before Oak Creek goes under the road. (As the creek emerges from the wooded area.)
#5


  This site is located near the corner of 26th and Philomath Blvd. Take Morris Avenue of 26th. Park at the city sewer pump station and walk along the path towards Philomath Blvd. Take samples just before Oak Creek meets the Mary's River.


Table 1. Oak Creek Water Quality Averages of Parameters by Site


Year

Site

Alkalinity

Color

Conductivity
Dissolved
Oxygen
Nitrate
HR
Nitrogen
Ammonia

pH

Phosphorus

Turbidity
Total
Coliform 1
Fecal
Coliform 1

Temp
1993 1 96.27 47.67   12.83 0.33 0.19 8.25 0.70 8.67 5.00 2.67 11.73
1994 1 71.82 16.35 0.25 14.77 1.30 0.37 7.79 0.43 3.33 7.83 173.50 10.27
1995 1 86.79 39.50 0.19 12.86 0.20 0.21 7.71 0.19 7.00 5.15 0.69 11.04
1996 1 95.78 39.88 173.36 8.06 0.33 0.21 7.87 0.26 8.06 4.94 3.19 9.97
1997 1 74.89 34.44 152.58 9.71 0.27 0.19 7.68 0.41 6.33 2.33 1.56 11.63
1993 2 88.00 62.00   9.27 0.30 0.17 8.48 0.24 11.67 342.33 8.00 13.03
1994 2 64.65 43.97 0.23 10.37 2.78 0.27 7.93 0.50 8.67 172.00 11.00 11.48
1995 2 76.60 74.67 0.16 9.50 0.30 0.21 8.22 0.17 12.50 3.67 16.00 11.00
1996 2 82.20 48.33 173.00 9.48 0.33 0.15 7.85 0.13 9.83 8.33 6.17 11.80
1997 2 57.40 47.00 125.00 9.38 0.23 0.27 8.11 0.48 11.50 22.50 33.33 11.27
1993 3 91.60 67.33   8.33 0.33 0.20 8.47 1.09 12.33 370.67 43.33 14.63
1994 3 61.23 29.62 0.23 8.77 0.92 0.27 8.18 0.36 7.33 280.00 37.80 12.78
1995 3 77.15 91.14 0.17 9.59 0.26 0.28 8.06 0.23 13.17 55.08 91.15 12.48
1996 3 90.80 75.56 167.35 8.29 0.38 0.28 7.89 0.16 13.00 170.50 112.42 11.51
1997 3 67.42 63.33 149.63 9.59 0.24 0.24 7.81 0.16 13.22 148.67 90.33 13.48
1993 4 92.93 75.00   8.30 0.33 0.25 8.37 0.32 13.33 306.67 27.00 14.10
1994 4 64.38 24.48 0.23 8.62 0.97 0.26 8.02 0.48 7.33 680.00 195.83 13.25
1995 4 70.17 108.86 0.17 8.94 0.37 0.36 8.08 0.23 13.33 1223.33 226.67 14.16
1996 4 92.18 82.10 153.51 7.55 0.43 0.35 7.87 0.17 15.10 950.00 123.75 11.09
1997 4 89.87 67.33 195.33 9.47 0.33 0.18 7.63 0.16 12.33 206.67 130.00 15.27
1993 5 95.33 75.33   7.83 0.37 0.26 8.28 0.62 13.33 693.33 11.33 15.23
1994 5 53.78 28.32 0.23 9.92 2.47 0.21 8.06 0.41 8.33 1150.00 300.83 13.25
1995 5 77.43 104.57 0.19 9.59 0.34 0.35 7.90 0.21 15.67 3393.46 306.85 12.84
1996 5 86.58 85.75 166.43 7.89 0.39 0.32 7.82 0.19 17.13 640.20 229.50 11.99
1997 5 66.50 55.89 148.24 9.72 0.28 0.26 7.94 0.16 11.67 893.33 446.67 14.74
1995 2a 74.45 68.20 0.17 10.60 0.21 0.25 7.80 0.11 12.44 27.11 65.11 11.23
1996 2a 83.88 63.10 145.08 6.74 0.36 0.28 7.78 0.11 11.50 50.00 28.14 10.15
1997 2a 69.73 61.33 172.20 9.90 0.37 0.12 7.66 0.12 11.00 46.33 83.33 13.43
1995 2b 77.09 75.71 0.16 9.74 0.20 0.25 7.87 0.21 13.17 66.86 90.43 11.13
1996 2b 76.02 84.67 143.49 8.84 0.29 0.18 7.82 0.11 15.56 92.33 57.89 12.44
1997 2b 58.22 57.22 143.57 8.70 0.24 0.24 7.79 0.34 11.44 195.56 52.78 12.60