INPUT OF FECAL-COLIFORM BACTERIA TO AN UPLAND STREAM CHANNEL IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES

The input of fecal coliform bacteria to the River Skell stream from a small, approximately 0.5 ha, instrumented research site on Pateley Moor in the Yorkshire Dales was investigated. Bacterial concentrations were determined for a total of 433 water samples collected between October and December 1984 from 31 stream bank sites representing three types of near-surface water flow: matrix through flow, nonmatrix through flow, and overland flow. Bacterial concentrations in matrix through flow were found to be very low, but much higher input rates were found in both nonmatrix through flow and overland flow. Overland flow sites were the most important group for the input of bacteria to the channel, both between and during storm events. The rate of fecal coliform input was found to increase during storm events, and there was a strong, positive correlation between bacterial input rate and stream stage height.