The turbidity of a water body is a measure of the presence of soluble, suspended and colloidal particles that hinder the transmission of light through water.
Turbidity can potentially affect the rate of photosynthesis, and therefore the growth of plants or algae in the water body.
Turbidity can be measured directly using probes or Turbidity Tubes and is typically expressed using Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU).
Elevated turbidity will also raise water temperature, lower dissolved oxygen, prevent light from reaching aquatic plants which reduces their ability to photosynthesise, and harm fish gills and eggs.
Typically turbidity will increase sharply during and after a rainfall, which causes sediment to be carried into the creek. Mud, silt, sand, small pieces of dead plants, bacteria, aquatic organisms, algae, and chemical precipitates all contribute to turbidity.