Turbidity results from particles and debris suspended or dissolved in water that scatter light making the water appear cloudy or murky.
Numerous human activities have an impact on river turbidity.
1) Construction activities normally strip the land of vegetation. Despite preventative measures, storm water tends to carry sediment off the site and into surrounding streams and rivers, thereby increasing the turbidity. Once the construction is completed, the smooth paved surfaces allow runoff water to gain more energy thus causing the water to become more erosive and carry sediment farther into streams and rivers.
2) Agricultural activities also have a similar effect in that when the land is cleared of native vegetation, the storm water is able to carry sediment away.
