Seasonal Quality

Seasonal Water Quality

This table gives a season-by-season rating of Red River water quality by parameter using the informal rating scale developed by FM River. Learn more about the informal FM River rating scale for Red River water quality parameters, including the ranges for Good (blue circle), Fair (yellow circle) and Poor (red circle) set for each parameter.

Water Quality Parameter Why Is It Important? Winter Spring Summer Fall

Alkalinity Affects stability of pH Blue Dot

Ammonia Affects plant growth; source of ammonia gas (toxic to fish) Yellow Dot

Dissolved Oxygen Affects health of fish and other aquatic animals

Fecal Bacteria Indicates microbes that can harm humans

Hardness Can cause mineral deposits in plumbing;
affects detergent use Red Dot Red Dot Red Dot Red Dot

Nitrate-Nitrite Affects plant growth Blue Dot Red Dot

pH Affects health of fish

Phosphorus Affects plant growth Red Dot Red Dot Red Dot Red Dot

Total Organic Carbon Measures potential for harmful by-products during water treatment Red Dot Red Dot Red Dot Red Dot

Total Dissolved Solids Affects hardness

Total Suspended Solids Affects light penetration; plant growth Blue Dot Yellow Dot Red Dot

Transparency Measure of light penetration Red Dot

Turbidity Affects light penetration; plant growth Red Dot

Water Temperature Affects levels of dissolved gases like oxygen and ammonia