Water Quality in the Cranberry Run Wetland

Abstract

The Cranberry Run Wetland is a ten-hectare (24.6 acres) palustrine wetland located within the Mill Creek watershed in Boardman Township, Mahoning County, Ohio. The wetland is situated between Tanglewood Drive and Southern Boulevard, near the intersection of State Route 224. The uplands and area adjacent to the wetland, along the State Route 224 corridor, have seen an increase in the construction of retail stores, restaurants, and parking lots. With this loss of green space, Cranberry Run has become an even more important component to the community by altering water flow after seasonal rain events and filtering non-point water sources and direct sources of water input. The objective of this research was to independently conduct analysis on the water quality of the Cranberry Run Wetland in order to establish trends. The analysis will assist with future research by providing a record of changes that occur because of weather (seasonal flooding or drought) and in identifying the potential impacts of non-point and point sources on the wetland. Surface and subsurface (well) water samples were taken over several months from 2006-2007 and analyzed by on-site and laboratory methods for various water quality parameters. The parameters for on site analysis included pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, and conductivity, while laboratory analysis incorporated tests for ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), fecal coliform, soluble reactive phosphorus, and soluble trace metals. The results determined for the surface and well sampling sites show that the water quality of the wetland is directly influenced by location. These influences include the sources of input that the wetland receives from runoff and drainage systems, types of property that surround the wetland, and weather of Northeast Ohio. The water sources and surrounding properties govern what the wetland receives in terms of pollution, while weather affects the amount of precipitation received, water flow, and water