Physical and chemical changes in water are the primary cause and leading factor for the health and long term stability of aquatic ecosystems. Water quality is primarily determined by chemical and physical parameters. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the water quality and biological health of Silver Lake in Salt Lake City, Utah. Two sampling sites with differing spatial depths were selected to analyze potential effects of depth on water quality. From the onset of the project in June 2018, water samples were collected from the two sites. For a true understanding of the chemical and physical properties of the lake water quality, 6 water quality standards were evaluated: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH at various depths, total nitrogen concentrations, chlorophyll-a concentrations and zooplankton species density and diversity were analyzed. These results indicated that the water quality of Silver Lake is healthy as defined by NLA and EPA standards which indicates that the lake is within permissible levels. While the current set of parameters indicates that the lake is sufficiently productive, this does not account for fluctuations in seasonality of Silver Lake or the long term stability of the lake with pressures from urbanization and global climate destabilization. Thus, this study provides the necessary evidence and insight for continued monitoring of Silver Lake.

Quantitative evaluation of the ecological and biological makeup of Silver Lake in light of increase urban development pressures and climatic shifts

2019 Spring National Meeting

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