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Microbial Source Tracking and Escherichia coli Monitoring in the Rio Grande in the South Valley, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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By New Mexico Water Science Center June 15, 2020

The Rio Grande, in southern Albuquerque, is an impaired reach for bacteria. Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are elevated in this reach of the Rio Grande even without stormwater present, during what is referred to as “dry season”. Samples will be collected over a range of flows including during the dry season (November 1st-June30th). Water samples will be analyzed for E. coli and microbial source-tracking markers, and bottom sediments will be analyzed for E.coli and markers.

Kim Beisner, Hydrologist, collecting bacteria samples in the Rio Grande during the dry season in April 2020
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Photo of Kim Beisner, Hydrologist, collecting bacteria samples in the Rio Grande during the dry season in April 2020

 

Water and sediment samples for bacterial analysis will be collected from five locations along the Rio Grande between the USGS gages at Central Avenue, in Albuquerque, to the northern border of the Isleta Pueblo at the I-25 bridge. Sampling will continue through September 30, 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kate Wilkins, Hydrologic Technician, floating the Rio Grande in July 2019 during a preliminary sampling trip.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
 Photo of Kate Wilkins, Hydrologic Technician, floating the Rio Grande in July 2019 during a preliminary sampling trip(Public domain.)

 

 

 

 

350403106393210 Rio Grande Below Bridge Blvd

350135106402210 Rio Grande Below Rio Bravo

350049106402510 Rio Grande Above Tijeras Arroyo

350028106404610 Rio Grande Below Tijeras Arroyo

08330830 Rio Grande at Valle de Oro  

 

The Rio Grande, in southern Albuquerque, is an impaired reach for bacteria. Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are elevated in this reach of the Rio Grande even without stormwater present, during what is referred to as “dry season”. Samples will be collected over a range of flows including during the dry season (November 1st-June30th). Water samples will be analyzed for E. coli and microbial source-tracking markers, and bottom sediments will be analyzed for E.coli and markers.

Kim Beisner, Hydrologist, collecting bacteria samples in the Rio Grande during the dry season in April 2020
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Photo of Kim Beisner, Hydrologist, collecting bacteria samples in the Rio Grande during the dry season in April 2020

 

Water and sediment samples for bacterial analysis will be collected from five locations along the Rio Grande between the USGS gages at Central Avenue, in Albuquerque, to the northern border of the Isleta Pueblo at the I-25 bridge. Sampling will continue through September 30, 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kate Wilkins, Hydrologic Technician, floating the Rio Grande in July 2019 during a preliminary sampling trip.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
 Photo of Kate Wilkins, Hydrologic Technician, floating the Rio Grande in July 2019 during a preliminary sampling trip(Public domain.)

 

 

 

 

350403106393210 Rio Grande Below Bridge Blvd

350135106402210 Rio Grande Below Rio Bravo

350049106402510 Rio Grande Above Tijeras Arroyo

350028106404610 Rio Grande Below Tijeras Arroyo

08330830 Rio Grande at Valle de Oro  

 

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