WATER CHEMISTRY MONITORING ON UPPER CATFISH CREEK, MANAGING FOR WATER 
QUALITY.

Bethany Bohnsack1, Oliver deSilva1, Frances Eggers1, Kayleen Keehner1, 
Matthew O’Brien1, William O’Brien1, Tanner Rickertsen1, Andrew Satterlee1, 
Phylicia Schwartz1, Mikaela Tully1, Mark Sinton1, and Eric Schmechel2
1Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dubuque, Dubuque, 
IA 52001.  2Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District, Epworth, IA 52045.  

Over the past few years, local officials have noted an increase in flash 
flooding on Catfish Creek (a tributary that runs through the City of Dubuque, 
and enters the Mississippi) and a decrease in water quality.  The headwaters 
of Catfish Creek, which once supported a naturally reproducing brook trout 
population, (classified as a cold-water stream) has degraded to the point it 
can no longer sustain a healthy population.  Dubuque has grown rapidly over 
the past few decades, thus increasing runoff, sedimentation, and non-point 
source pollution, all believed to be causes of the degrading water quality in 
Catfish Creek.  This past fall, students identified 8 different transects 
along Catfish Creek to start monitoring water quality.  Students would take 
samples of Catfish Creek every other week.  Along with performing IOWATER 
monitoring at each site, students took 2 samples (from each site) and 
returned to the University of Dubuque’s chemistry lab for further analysis.  
Students researched 5 different parameters including: Total Suspended Solids 
(TSS), Water (CaCo) Hardness, Metals, Organics, and Phosphates. After 
identifying and comparing data throughout the watershed, students presented 
on the water quality of Catfish Creek, causes for impairment, and methods or 
practices that could be implemented to help clean and restore the Upper 
Catfish Creek Watershed.     

Keywords:  Catfish Creek, Water-Quality, Chemical Analysis, Trout, Cold-Water

Presenting author’s address information:  

Dr. Mark Sinton
Department of Natural and Applied Sciences
University of Dubuque
2000 University Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Phone:  (563) 589-3153
Fax:  (563) 589-3688
E-mail:  msinton@dbq.edu

Presentation preference:  poster, willing to convert to platform (if 
platform, will need PowerPoint)

All authors except Mark Sinton and Eric Schmechel are students.