The Ohio River near Monaca, PA.
The Ohio River is formed by the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers in Pittsburgh, PA. The river is 981 miles long and flows to the Mississippi River at Cairo, IL then, ultimately, the Gulf of Mexico. For the 3RQ program, our geographical focus is on the Upper Ohio River from the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers to the Ohio's confluence with the Kanawha River. West Liberty University is responsible for the water quality monitoring and reporting in the Upper Ohio River Basin.
3RQ Targeted Studies in the Upper Ohio River Basin
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Analysis of E. Coli in Orchard Run
This study assesses E. coli in Orchard Run, an urbanized headwater stream in the Wheeling Creek Watershed.
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E. Coli in Tributaries to Wheeling Creek
This study aims to determine if tributaries to Wheeling Creek exceed safe limits for E. Coli and to what degree they contribute to E. coli loading in Wheeling Creek, in Wheeling, WV.
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Invasive Japanese Knotweed and Aquatic Insects in Appalachia
The introduction of invasive species through the route of urbanization can have a negative impact on even the smallest of organisms. This study researched how the invasive Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) affected the richness and abundance of macroinvertebrates by analyzing leaf packs.
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Analysis of E. Coli Concentrations Along the Ohio River
In older cities where stormwater mixes with sewage pipes, there can be increased amounts of pathogens like Escherichia coli (E. coli). This study analyzes E. coli levels along the Ohio River mainstem between New Cumberland and Moundsville, West Virginia from May to June 2024.Learn more: View StoryMap, View Report
E. Coli Monitoring in Upper Ohio River Valley Streams
Assistant Professor James Wood and graduate student Emily Huff at West Liberty University study E. coli levels in Big Wheeling Creek, Little Wheeling Creek, & Long Run from September 2021 through April 2023.
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Seasonal Differences in Chloride, Conductivity, & Temperature within Upper Ohio River Basin
Assistant Professor James Wood and graduate student Emily Huff at West Liberty University study chloride, conductivity, and temperature trends over two winters and summers within the Upper Ohio River Watershed to explore impacts of road salt application.
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Summer Trends in Temperature & Specific Conductance within Upper Ohio River Basin
Assistant Professor James Wood and undergraduate research student Emily Huff in the Ecology and Ecosystems Study (EES) lab at West Liberty University set out to determine if the hot, dry summer of 2020 showed significantly different water chemistry than that of 2019. To find out, they chose to focus on two water chemistry parameters, water temperature and specific conductance (SpC), at 24 sites throughout the Upper Ohio River Watershed.
Learn more: View StoryMap, View Fact Sheet, View West Virginia Academy of Science article
Captina Creek
After years of 3RQ monitoring, trends of rising bromide and total dissolved solids (TDS) have been observed in Captina Creek, a tributary to the Ohio River near the town of Armstrong Mills, OH. By analyzing monthly data from 2012 through the present, we learn more about these trends as we continue to monitor this site in the future.
Learn more: View StoryMap, View Fact Sheet
Contact
James Wood
West Liberty University
(304) 336-8884
james.wood@westliberty.edu