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Rivers Project: Little Vermilion tests 'fair'

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 By Marla Buchanan

Water quality in the Little Vermillion is "fair," according to recent testing conducted by IVCC’s Rivers Project.

Testing was done at Snyder’s Grove on Sept. 22 and Oct. 13 by students under the guidance of retired chemistry instructor Bob Byrne, who directs the project, and a number of other instructors.

The IVCC Student Affiliate Chapter of the American Chemical Society, or Chem Club, began testing the Little Vermilion for chemical and biological levels about seven years ago.

"By picking a stream, we watch how the conditions are changing over time," Byrne said.

Various sites along the Little Vermilion, starting from Troy Grove, or Snyder’s Grove, and along the Illinois Canal have been tested. River testing is scheduled four times a year, typically in March, April, September and October.

"Some sites are very nice, with lots of room to work and nice rock formations," Byrne said.

When weather permits, an optional canoe trip down the Fox River is scheduled to follow the testing.

Anyone can participate in river testing outings, "The more the better," said Byrne.

Byrne said the results of the September and October tests were similar, but "fecal coliform levels were a little higher" in October.

Fecal coliform is a group of bacteria common to human and animal intestines, according to Sue Caley Opsal, life science instructor.

Results were better on Nov. 2 when Byrne went out again.

"A lot of the readings were better," Byrne said of the latest tests. "The water level was higher. Oxygen and phosphate levels were better."

The chemical, physical and biological tests reveal such things as levels of nitrates and phosphates, flow rate, and identification of macroinvertebrates. The equipment used includes HACH equipment, DR 2000, kick nets and D nets.

Student Sunny Tunget, who participated in the September and October tests, described her experience: "We tested the width of the stream along with the flow velocity and the depth. Every two feet that we measured the depth, we had to set and reset the flow-meter and slowly lift and lower it. After a few seconds, the meter would average out the velocity to give us a reading. Each time for depth and velocity, the numbers had to be recorded."

The IVCC river testing is a part of a national Rivers Project that began in 1990. Headquartered at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, the national project includes teacher training and analysis of water samples from across the country.

SIU-E sends adverse test results to state agencies or local environmental groups for further testing and possible action by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Bob Williams, retired SIU-E instructor, has been at IVCC a number of times for teacher training and to work with children from area schools in Rivers Project workshops held in February.

CF Industries in Peru, a company which runs a fertilizer terminal, has donated money to the IVCC project for the last two years. Byrne said a lot of chemical companies are supporters of the Rivers Project.

Scott Wollack is the student leader of the Rivers Project. Other instructors participating in the testing are: Tim Horger in biology, Larry Ault and Jeff Carver in chemistry, Lee Ann Johnson from the Natural Science Lab, and Mike Phillips in geology.