What this tracks
This dataset identifies Kansas waterways that fail to meet water quality standards due to pollutants like chemicals, bacteria, or sedimentation.
Why it matters to you
If you fish in Kansas streams, this data reveals which waters may contain unsafe levels of mercury or other contaminants in their fish populations. Farmers can check for nitrate or atrazine levels before drawing irrigation water. Parents might reconsider letting children play in unnamed streams (like the sample record shows) where E. coli or lead contamination exists.
How to read this data
STREAM_NAME — Identifies affected waterways, with “Unnamed Stream” appearing when no official name exists.
ATRAZINE — Shows herbicide levels (sample value “2025” indicates concentration measurements).
E_COLI — Blank in samples means no current contamination, but populated fields would signal unsafe bacteria levels.
MERCURY — Empty here, but if populated, would warn anglers about fish consumption risks.
Try it yourself
Search for your local fishing spot by stream name at Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Water Portal to check active contamination warnings before your next trip.