ABSTRACT
High levels of sodium content in soil, resulting from salt being spread on roadways as a winter road maintenance method, are a danger to surrounding natural life, and have the ability to cause destruction to any affected area. For this reason research has been done to document the salt content in soil from various areas within the Wingra Watershed. We have collected samples from various locations and measured the sodium and chloride content. We have also measured the sodium and chloride content in the sand that is distributed as a method of winter road maintenance. We have found potentially destructive levels of sodium and chloride in soil samples taken on the Edgewood College campus, and increased levels of sodium and chloride in every other soil sample. The sand sample collected also contains an extreme amount of sodium. In conclusion, salt is becoming a threat to our watershed, and alternative materials and procedures need be considered.