Box plot of Sensitive EPT Index by FoDC macroinvertebrate monitoring site. Sensitive EPT Index is the percent of a sample composed of Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, and Plecoptera (mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies) families that are highly sensitive to pollution, with tolerance values of 0-3. Sensitive EPT Index incorporates only the most sensitive EPT families, removing the more tolerant Ephemeroptera of the families Baetidae and Heptageniidae (tolerance value 4) and Trichoptera of the family Hydropsychidae (tolerance value 4). This makes the Sensitive EPT Index a great tool for assessing creek health. Shown in the plot is the inter-quartile range (25th, 75th percentiles), median, whiskers on the boxes correspond to the 10th/90th percentiles, with the black dots representing the 5th/95th percentiles.

Bar graph of Sensitive EPT Index by FoDC macroinvertebrate monitoring site, with each bar representing a separate sample and date. Sensitive EPT Index is the percent of a sample composed of Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, and Plecoptera (mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies) that are highly sensitive to pollution, with tolerance values of 0-3. Sensitive EPT Index incorporates only the most sensitive EPT families, removing the more tolerant Ephemeroptera of the families Baetidae and Heptageniidae (tolerance value 4) and Trichoptera of the family Hydropsychidae (tolerance value 4). This makes the Sensitive EPT Index a great tool for assessing creek health. Viewing data in this manner allows for trends in the dataset to be evaluated, such as the response of macroinvertebrate populations to restoration projects on the creek.

Box plot of Shredder Index by FoDC macroinvertebrate monitoring site. Shredder Index is the percent of a sample that is composed of shredders, organisms that consume coarse organic matter such as leaves. Shredders are one of many macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups that can be used to evaluate food web relationships and the health of the surrounding aquatic, riparian, and upland ecosystems. These specialized feeders, also including scrapers and piercers, are sensitive organisms and are typically well represented in healthy streams. Generalists, such as collectors and filterers, have a broader range of acceptable food materials than specialists and thus are more tolerant to pollution that might alter availability of food resources. Shown in the plot is the inter-quartile range (25th, 75th percentiles), median, whiskers on the boxes correspond to the 10th/90th percentiles, with the black dots representing the 5th/95th percentiles.

Bar graph of Shredder Index by FoDC macroinvertebrate monitoring site. Shredder Index is the percent of the sample that is composed of shredders, organisms that consume coarse organic matter such as leaves. Shredders are one of many macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups that can be used to evaluate food web relationships and the health of the surrounding aquatic, riparian, and upland ecosystems. These specialized feeders, also including scrapers and piercers, are sensitive organisms and are typically well represented in healthy streams. Generalists, such as collectors and filterers, have a broader range of acceptable food materials than specialists and thus are more tolerant to pollution that might alter availability of certain food. The graph shows the Shredder Index, with bars representing individual macroinvertebrate sampling dates. Viewing data in this manner allows for trends in data to be evaluated, such as the response of macroinvertebrate populations to restoration projects on the creek.

Box plot of Algae biomass, sampled at FoDC monitoring sites from April-October, 2005-2008. Algae biomass can be used as an indicator of creek health and is a measure of stream productivity. Site 4 is below the Nevada City Wastewater Treatment Plant and Sites 8 and 9 are below the Lake Wildwood Reservoir Wastewater Treatment Plant. Effluent discharged from the Wastewater Treatment Plants can have high concentrations of the nutrients phosphate and nitrate, which contribute to algae blooms in the creek. Shown in the plot is the inter-quartile range (25th, 75th percentiles), median, whiskers on the boxes correspond to the 10th/90th percentiles, with the green dots representing the 5th/95th percentiles.

Box plot of Specific Conductivity, sampled at FoDC monitoring sites since December 2000. This plot includes all data collected since December 2000. Specific conductivity is a measurement based upon estimates of the dissolved solid content of a water body, determined by testing its conductivity. Shown in the plot is the inter-quartile range (25th, 75th percentiles), median, whiskers on the boxes correspond to the 10th/90th percentiles, with the green dots representing the 5th/95th percentiles.

Box plot of Dissolved Oxygen, sampled at FoDC monitoring sites since December 2000. This plot includes all data collected since December 2000. Dissolved oxygen is a measure of the amount of gaseous oxygen (O2) dissolved in an aqueous solution. Oxygen gets into water by diffusion from the surrounding air, by aeration (rapid movement), and as a waste product of photosynthesis. Shown in the plot is the inter-quartile range (25th, 75th percentiles), median, whiskers on the boxes correspond to the 10th/90th percentiles, with the green dots representing the 5th/95th percentiles.

Box plot of nitrate (NO₃), sampled at FoDC monitoring sites since March 2004. Nutrients such as nitrate enter the creek through point and non-point sources. Point sources along Deer Creek include the Nevada City Wastewater Treatment Plant, upstream of site 4, and the Lake Wildwood Wastewater Treatment Plant, upstream of site 7. Runoff, a non-point pollution source, can also carry nutrients into the creek. Runoff from urban, agricultural, and ranching lands contains nutrients, which can enter local creeks when it rains. Shown in the plot is the inter-quartile range (25th, 75th percentiles), median, whiskers on the boxes correspond to the 10th/90th percentiles, with the green dots representing the 5th/95th percentiles.

Box plot of pH, sampled at FoDC monitoring sites since December 2000. This plot includes all data collected since December 2000. pH is the value that determines if a substance is acid, neutral or basic, calculated from the number of hydrogen ions present in solution. It is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, on which 7 indicates the substance is neutral. pH values below 7 indicate that a substance is acidic and pH values above 7 indicate that it is basic. Shown in the plot is the inter-quartile range (25th, 75th percentiles), median, whiskers on the boxes correspond to the 10th/90th percentiles, with the green dots representing the 5th/95th percentiles.

Box plot of phosphate (PO₄), sampled at FoDC monitoring sites since March 2004. Nutrients such as phosphate enter the creek through point and non-point sources. Point sources along Deer Creek include the Nevada City Wastewater Treatment Plant, upstream of site 4, and the Lake Wildwood Wastewater Treatment Plant, upstream of site 7. Runoff, a non-point pollution source, can also carry nutrients into the creek. Runoff from urban, agricultural, and ranching lands contains nutrients, which can enter local creeks when it rains. Shown in the plot is the inter-quartile range (25th, 75th percentiles), median, whiskers on the boxes correspond to the 10th/90th percentiles, with the green dots representing the 5th/95th percentiles.

Box plot of Dissolved Oxygen, sampled at FoDC monitoring sites since December 2000. This plot includes all data collected since December 2000. Dissolved oxygen is a measure of the amount of gaseous oxygen (O2) dissolved in an aqueous solution. Oxygen gets into water by diffusion from the surrounding air, by aeration (rapid movement), and as a waste product of photosynthesis. Shown in the plot is the inter-quartile range (25th, 75th percentiles), median, whiskers on the boxes correspond to the 10th/90th percentiles, with the green dots representing the 5th/95th percentiles.