Field Guide for Collecting and Processing Stream-Water Samples for the National Water-Quality Assessment Program

The U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program includes extensive data-collection efforts to assess the quality of the Nation's streams. These studies require analyses of stream samples for major ions, nutrients, sediments, and organic contaminants. This field guide describes the standard procedures for collecting and processing the previously mentioned samples as well as field analyses of conductivity, pH, alkalinity, and dissolved oxygen.

Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance: Rivers and Streams

Rivers & Streams: Presents an overview of nutrient enrichment problems in rivers and streams. Explains stream system classification, how to select variables, sampling design strategies for new monitoring programs, how to build a database of nutrients and algae-related water quality information and analyze any of that data, as well as the different management programs created to deal with excessive nutrients in streams.

Nutrient Concentrations & Their Relations to Biotic Integrity of Wadeable Streams in Wisconsin

This study focused on demonstrating that nutrient concentrations are correlated with the health of wadeable streams, that specific responses exist and in some case differ geographically, and that specific nutrients are more related to changes in stream health than other nutrients.  The report includes a final regionalization scheme for Wisconsin streams, reference conditions, responses of water quality to changes in land use, responses of biotic indices to changes in nutrient concentrations, and multiparameter biotic indices to estimate nutrient concentrations in wadeable streams.

Nutrients in Streams and Rivers Across the Nation — 1992–2001

Nutrient compounds of nitrogen and phosphorus were investigated in streams and rivers sampled as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. Nutrient data were collected in 20 NAWQA study units during 1992-95, 16 study units during 1996-98, and 15 study units during 1999-2001.  This report details the findings during the span of the study.

Present and Reference Concentrations and Yields of Suspended Sediment in Streams in the Great Lakes Region and Adjacent Areas

In-stream suspended sediment and siltation, as well as downstream sedimentation are widespread problems in surface waters throughout the United States.  The most effective way to improve surface water quality impaired by suspended sediments or solids (TSS, total suspended sediments) is to reduce the contributions from human activities, instead of those from natural sources.  This report explains how SPARTA (SPAtial Regression-Tree Analysis) was applied to land-use adjusted TSS data and environmental characteristics to determine the natural factors affecting median and flow weighted TSS concentrations and yields and to delineate zones with similar natural factors affecting TSS.

Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual: Lakes and Reservoirs

This document explains the US EPA National Nutrient Strategy, as it relates to Lake and Reservoirs. There is also information on the preliminary steps for criteria development, establishing an appropriate database, reference conditions, candidate variables for setting criteria, as well as modeling tools.

Water Quality, Hydrology, and Response to Changes in Phosphorus Loading of Nagawicka Lake, a Calcareous Lake in Waukesha County, Wisconsin

A study was conducted by the USGS, City of Delafield, and the WDNR from 2002 to 2006 to describe water quality and hydrology, quantify sources of phosphorus (including those associated with urban development), and determine the effects of past and future changes in phosphorus loading on water quality of Lake Nagawicka, in southeastern Wisconsin.  This report details the rapid response of phosphorus concentration to the reduction of phosphorus loading between the late 1970s and early 1980s.  It also explains the hydrology and land-use around the lake, as well as sources of phosphorus and simulated responses to water quality changes in phosphorus loadings.

Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual: Estuarine and Coastal Marine Waters

Estuarine & Coastal Marine Waters: This document provides and overview of the nature of the nutrient overenrichment problem in estuarine and coastal marine waters. It also provides US EPA’s strategy for reducing human-based eutrophication. Case studies from around the country are also included as example programs.

Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Dissolved Oxygen, Water Clarity and Chlorophyll a for the Chesapeake Bay and Its Tidal Tributaries:

This document presents EPA Region III’s proposed regional-based nutrient and sediment enrichment criteria expressed as dissolved oxygen, water clarity and chlorophyll a criteria, applicable to the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries.

DRAFT Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual: Wetlands

Wetlands is one in a series of waterbody-specific documents that support the National Nutrient Strategy. The intent of this document is to provide States and Tribes with methods to assess waterbody nutrient impairment and develop ecoregion-specific nutrient criteria. The Wetlands document provides background information on classifying Wetlands, selecting criteria variables, designing monitoring programs, building a database analyzing nutrient and algal data, deriving regional criteria, and implementing management practices.

EPA Wetlands Modules