This paper was written as part of continuing studies
of bacteria levels in tributaries of the Quinnipiac River, conducted at
the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Samples were collected
from 9 sites on Sodom Brook’s mainstem, and from 2 of its tributaries.
E.coli and fecal coliform data were collected for each site, in addition
to temperature and pH. The sites were sampled during both stormflows and
dryflows. A stream reach was identified with high bacteria levels for
subsampling. This reach was subsampled once during a stormflow and a baseflow.
Analyses of the bacteria data are presented with an emphasis on how flow
relationships affect water quality assessment. Data demonstrate that Sodom
Brook regularly exceeds water quality standards for both E.coli and fecal
coliform throughout its length. A much larger percent of exceedances occur
during wet flows than dry flows. Conversely, a larger percent of the samples
meeting water quality standards were taken during dryflows. This suggests
that an accurate assessment of water quality requires a monitoring strategy
that incorporates samples from a variety of flow conditions.