Quality of water in Wilson and Pickwick reservoirs

The bacteriological, sanitary-chemical, mineral, and radiological qualities of water flowing into and through Wilson and Pickwick reservoirs were determined from results of an intensive 12-mo water quality survey from May 1965 through Apr. 1966. The bacteriological quality was impaired downstream from Wilson Dam by the addition of municipal and industrial wastes from the cities of Florence, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals, and Tuscumbia. The area was classified unsuitable for water-contact recreation because TVA fecal coliform criteria were exceeded. The main stream areas on Pickwick Reservoir were suitable for all recreational uses, and the bacteriological quality of water from all of the sampling locations, except 1 on Yellow Creek embayment, was satisfactory to excellent. Radioactivity, color, odor, and organic contents of the reservoir waters were low. Water hardness was soft to moderately hard