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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 ParameterWhy Is It Important?WinterSpringSummerFall
AlkalinityAffects stability of pH Blue DotBlue DotBlue DotBlue Dot
AmmoniaAffects plant growth; source of ammonia gas (toxic to fish) Blue DotBlue DotYellow DotBlue Dot
Dissolved Oxygen Affects health of fish and other aquatic animalsBlue DotBlue DotYellow DotBlue Dot
Fecal BacteriaIndicates microbes that can harm humansBlue DotBlue DotYellow DotBlue Dot
HardnessCan cause mineral deposits in plumbing;
affects detergent use
Red DotRed DotRed DotRed Dot
Nitrate-NitriteAffects plant growthBlue DotBlue DotBlue DotRed Dot
pH Affects health of fishBlue DotBlue DotBlue DotBlue Dot
PhosphorusAffects plant growth Red DotRed DotRed DotRed Dot
Total Organic Carbon Measures potential for harmful by-products during water treatment Red DotRed DotRed DotRed Dot
Total Dissolved SolidsAffects hardnessBlue DotBlue DotBlue DotBlue Dot
Total Suspended SolidsAffects light penetration; plant growthBlue DotYellow DotRed DotYellow Dot
TransparencyMeasure of light penetrationBlue DotYellow DotRed DotYellow Dot
TurbidityAffects light penetration; plant growthBlue DotYellow DotRed DotYellow Dot
Water Temperature Affects levels of dissolved gases like oxygen and ammonia Blue DotBlue DotYellow DotBlue Dot