Water Quality Data and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project

As required by Federal and State permits, the Project continuously monitors water quality at six fixed stations and collects comparative water quality data from various locations throughout the area of construction activity. Initially, three of the fixed stations were located in the main channel of the Potomac River and the remaining fixed stations were located in the adjacent tributaries of Hunting Creek and Cameron Run in Virginia. Bi-annual updates are produced by the environmental team and submitted to the agency for review. Beginning in September 2000, the six meters take readings of pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and conductivity EVERY 15 MINUTES. Except for icy river conditions, these meters remain in place day and night. Between January 1, 2005 and March 31, 2005 JUST ONE METER will have taken 8640 readings.

However, on many occasions, the Potomac River and its tributaries ambient conditions are outside of the state water quality specifications, at those times Maryland law states, if “the natural water quality of a stream segment is not consistent with the criteria established for the stream then the natural conditions do not constitute a violation of the water quality standards.” Regardless, our monitoring program consistently indicates that construction impacts have NOT negatively impacted local water quality.