Pilot study to evaluate an inexpensive, portable device to continuously monitor dissolved oxygen, water temperature, and photosynthetically active radiation in Upper Mississippi River System backwaters

During the fall of 1989, a pilot study was conducted to evaluate
the potential of a submersible water quality monitoring system for
use in backwater areas of the Upper Mississippi River.  Between
September 8 and October 27, 1989 continuous monitoring units
developed by W. G. Crumpton and associates at Iowa State
University were deployed at a single Long Term Resource Monitoring
Program water and sediment monitoring site on Pool 8, of the Upper
Mississippi River.  The units were used to monitor dissolved
oxygen and temperature at a single depth and light at the surface
and two subsurface depths throughout this period.  Dissolved
oxygen and temperature measurements were taken twice weekly at
this site by Long Term Resource Monitoring Program personnel for
comparison.  The continuous monitoring units proved capable of
collecting water quality data for extended periods of time in
accordance with Long Term Resource Monitoring Program goals, and a
more extensive evaluation study is recommended for the summer of
1990.