Early results from a water quality study, the first of its kind to utilize traditional hand-carved canoes pulled by American Indians, are now available online.
Water quality experts are expected to review the data in the coming months, but the data that are now online show the unique nature of the study.
American Indian canoe pullers traveling on the annual Coast Salish Canoe Journey were asked to carry water-quality testing systems worth $20,000 in their canoes. The U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with the Yukon River Inter-tribal Watershed Council, told tribal leaders earlier this year that by gathering the data from canoes, the samples will be the most accurate.
Motorized boats pollute the water and disrupt oxygen levels, among other shortcomings, Jon Waterhouse of the Yukon council said then.
The samples collected on the canoe journey will provide a snapshot of the water’s health at hundreds of points along the way, Waterhouse said. The study will provide more continuous data of the Puget Sound region’s aquatic health than experts have had in the past, he said.
Four canoes traveling along Snohomish County’s coastline on their way to the Coast Salish gathering on Vancouver Island were given water testing kits. To see data collected on the way to the gathering and daily updates of the journey, go to http://wa.water.usgs.gov/projects/coastsalish.
Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.
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