Additionally, toxicity of pollutants (ammonia, metals) increases as pH levels increase. pH levels above 9.0, particularly for prolonged periods, are harmful to salmonids and cause damage to skin, gills, olfactory organs and eyes in addition to decreased reproduction and growth. It is detrimental to aquatic organisms’ biological functions if pH is excessively low or high. The optimal pH range for most aquatic organisms is within a couple of units above and below 7 (neutral) pH. This means that a pH level of 9 has a hydrogen ion concentration 10 times less than a pH level of 8. pH is the expression of the concentration of hydrogen ions and it is measured on a negative logarithmic scale of 0-14. A pH level of 7 is neutral, a pH less than 7 is acidic, and a pH greater than 7 is basic (or alkaline). What is pH, and what does it mean to be “acidic” or “basic”? As an example, things with a lower pH, like grapefruit juice and vinegar, are acidic, while things with a higher pH, like bleach and drain cleaner, are basic (alkaline). On the contrary, pH levels in the lower Deschutes tells the story of how river conditions have declined following tower operations. A look at the available pH data does not support this claim. The statement has often been made that the selective water withdrawal (SWW) tower has created “natural” conditions on the lower Deschutes River. Round Butte Dam and the Selective Withdrawal Tower.
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