Ross Barnett Reservoir

The water level seemed far below last sampling. Given the rock wall and the lower depths, getting a sample was difficult. Sampling is usually obtained about a foot off shore, but it was impossible to reach that far given the conditions, so it was obtained a few inches from the shore. Also, incubation temperature was below the recommended level, so this observation is likely inaccurate. The temperature issue was not discovered until the incubation period was over.

Sampling at this site is more challenging on days when the water is choppy since the placement of rocks along the shore. It’s more difficult to get close enough to the water for a sample at least a foot from the shore. Not sure if this may have contributed to the variance in coliform counts for these samples?

Beautiful day at Old Trace Park. Had a conversation with a man and his young sons at the sampling site about the purpose of the sampling being done and the mission of the Water Stewards as well as Pearl Riverkeeper. Discussed where to learn results of the water testing being done. Also discussed the upcoming Pearl River Clean Sweep, encouraging them to volunteer.

Windy with rainstorm nearby during sampling. A few days of afternoon storms this week.
The rocks stacked by the shoreline are getting overrun with mud during rainstorms at the sampling site. Not sure if this may impact water quality results as it runs into the water right at the sampling site.

Quiet day at Old Trace Park other than disc golf players and a couple of walkers. Warm, pleasant day.

Temperature drop at sampling time due to rains in the vicinity. Recent days have been extremely hot.
The only people in the park were a group of disc golfers. One asked if I was a storm chaser. I explained I was part of an effort sampling water quality along the Pearl River watershed and he said, “so in a way you are a storm chaser.” I had to agree!

Very few people in the park despite the nice weather. Great Blue Heron spotted in the same location as last week.

Very hot day with few people in the park. Several people out on the water. Entire shore of Old Trace Park now lined with rocks instead of the sidewalk along the top of the retaining wall

Delayed in sampling due to several rainy days. Several people observed enjoying the park today. It appears as though the entire upper part of the retaining wall that functioned as a kind of sidewalk across the shore of Old Trace Park is being replaced with loose rocks

The retaining wall where sampling is done has been replaced with uneven rocks, making collection of samples a little more difficult without a flat surface. Results of samples don’t seem consistent with past results. The R-cards got wet on top during sampling due to the uneven terrain. Uncertain if this may have interfered with results.