Preliminary water-quality assessment of the upper White River near Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Abstract

The White River Park Commission is planning the development of park facilities along the White River through Indianapolis. A key element in the planning is the determination of whether water quality of the river is suitable for recreation. A preliminary water-quality assessment of the river in Indianapolis on August 4-5, 1980, indicates that, during low-flow steady-state conditions, water quality of the river is suitable for partial body contact recreation (any contact with water up to, but not including, complete submergence). Dissolved-oxygen concentrations varied but were higher than the Indiana water-quality standards established to ensure conditions for the maintenance of a well-balanced, warm-water fish community. High fecal-coliform densities that have been observed in the White River during high stream-flow are probably caused by stormwater runoff from combined sewers. However, during the low-flow steady-state conditions on August 4-5, 1980, fecal coliform densities were within the Indiana standards for partial body contact recreation. Concentrations of organic matter (based on biochemical-oxygen demand and dissolved- and suspended-organic carbon concentrations), nutrients, and heavy metals in the White River were generally within the limits recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and were generally similar to values for other Indiana rivers. Chromium, copper, lead, zinc, and mercury are accumulating in bottom materials downstream from 30th Street (river mile 235.58). The source of these metals is probably stormwater runoff from combined sewer overflows. The phytoplankton densities of the White River were high (>500 cells per milliliter). The dominant phytoplankton species are indicative of rivers moderately affected by organic wastes. The highest cell concentrations, upstream from dams on the White River, significantly affected dissolved-oxygen concentration and pH.