Appearance

1. (CSMP) Each day that you sample, please record the one number that best describes the appearance of stream water within one meter of your sampling site.

1A = Clear – crystal clear, transparent water
1B = Tea-colored – transparent water, which has been colored by dissolved organic matter from upstream bogs or wetlands
2 = Cloudy – not quite crystal clear; cloudy white, gray or light brown
3 = Muddy – cloudy brown due to high sediment levels
4 = Green – due to algae growth; indicative of excess nutrients released into the stream
5 = Muddy AND Green – a combination of cloudy brown from high sediment levels and green from algae growth
SOURCE: MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY