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Turbidity
Turbidity is a measure of how clear the water
is. Water clarity can change depending on
the amount of floating or suspended materials, such
as mud, silt and algae in the water.
Why is turbidity important?
Turbidity influences water temperature, affects
the amount of light reaching aquatic plants and
affects dissolved oxygen levels. High turbidity
can also influence the health of aquatic organisms
by suffocating eggs and clogging gills.
What influences turbidity?
Turbid water can be caused by: soil erosion,
urban runoff, algae growth, increased water movement
and bottom sediment disturbances (such as bottom
feeding fish, boat traffic and wading dogs).
What is considered healthy?
Every waterbody has a natural level of water
clarity that is partly dictated by where it is located
on the landscape, e.g. a clear mountain stream versus
a muddy lowland river. What is considered
healthy is dependent upon the type of waterbody
and its location.
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