Environmental Services Program
Protecting Our Water
The Water Quality Monitoring Section is responsible for assessing the biological health of Missouri’s rivers and streams, and monitoring water and sediment quality throughout the state. The section includes the aquatic biological assessment and water monitoring units. The section works in support of the Water Protection Program to ensure that Missourians will always have clean water for drinking, recreation, tourism and continued economic growth. Staff travel to all areas of the state conducting a variety of investigations. These investigations routinely include wastewater discharge monitoring, groundwater monitoring, electrofishing and stream surveys. The section often assists with special projects such as enforcement actions, environmental risk assessments or damage assessments resulting from chemical spills. The staff collects and evaluates a wide variety of water, sediment and macroinvertebrate samples. The results of these studies are used to make certain that the rivers, streams and lakes of Missouri remain a treasure for all to enjoy.
Aquatic Biological Monitoring Unit
Aquatic biological assessments are evaluations of the conditions of waterbodies using surveys and other direct measurements of residential biological organisms, such as macroinvertebrates, fish and plants. Biological assessment results are used to answer the question of whether waterbodies support the survival and reproduction of desirable fish, shellfish and other aquatic species.
Aquatic Biological Monitoring Unit Accomplishments, Fiscal Year 2011
Biological Assessment Stream Locations, Fiscal Year 2011 
Water Quality Monitoring Unit
The Water Quality Monitoring Unit finished the final phase of the five-year monitoring survey of Lake Ozark for E.coli during the summer recreational season. This project utilized a large group of volunteers from the Lake Ozark Watershed Alliance who conducted the actual water sampling on a monthly basis. Staff provided the training, supplies and analyses. Approximately 300 samples were collected and analyzed in Fiscal Year 2011.
Lake Ozark Monitoring Sites, Fiscal Year 2011
The Water Quality Monitoring Unit provided weekly E.coli analysis of water samples collected from 20 swimming areas located in the department’s state parks during the recreational season. Staff completed more than 580 analyses.
Swimming areas and sampling results, Fiscal Year 2013
Water Quality Monitoring Unit Accomplishments, Fiscal Year 2011
Learn More
Lake of the Ozarks E.coli Monitoring
East Fork Locust Creek/Locust Creek E. coli Study
Hinkson Creek Stream Study
- Phase I study - Executive Summary
- Phase I study - Full Report
- Phase II study - Executive Summary
- Phase II study - Full Report
- Phase III Study - Executive Summary
- Phase III Study - Full Report
Big River Sediment Study
Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program
Water Quality Parameters Quick Reference Guide
