Bay Mills Biological Services
WATER QUALITY MONITORING AT BAY MILLS INDIAN COMMUNITY 

Since 2005, Bay Mills Biological Services Department has been monitoring the Tribe’s surface waters and those waters adjacent to the Reservation that directly affect Tribal aquatic resources.  Specifically, the Biology Department monitors:
•   10 sites in Back Bay, Whitefish Bay, and the St. Marys River
•   10 stream sites
•    6 sites on ponds and wetlands
•   12 sites within the Waishkey River Watershed                
 
These sites are sampled monthly for physical, chemical, and biological parameters.  Staff collect data including water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, turbidity, stream habitat and discharge. Chemical analyses include total nitrogen and total phosphorus, E. coli, alkalinity, and anions.  The Biology Department also monitors the biological communities at all sites.  Algae and zooplankton are collected seasonally (May, August, and October).  Macroinvertebrates are collected in the spring and fall.  Stream fish are surveyed every fall.