Environmental Monitoring Commons^™

A Watershed-Based Classification System For Lakes In Agriculturally-Dominated Ecosystems: A Case Study Of Nebraska Reservoirs, Henry N. N. Bulley

Department of Geography: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In recent decades substantial progress has been made in improving the quality of surface waters in the United States (Hawkins et al., 2000; EPA, 2000; EPA, 2001); nevertheless, much work remains to be done in assessing the state of impairment of lake waters. Impairment implies that the existing water quality of a lake, as measured by selected criteria (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, Secchi depth), exceeds a threshold value or standard that presumably reflects optimal attainable lake water quality conditions (or "reference" conditions) (Hughes, 1995; EPA, 2000; EPA, 2001). Such impaired waters are not suitable for designated uses such as drinking, …

Benthic Biological Monitoring Program Of The Elizabeth River Watershed (2003), Daniel M. Dauer

Elizabeth River Reports

Executive Summary

Macrobenthic communities of the Elizabeth River watershed have been quantitatively sampled since summer 1999. This report presents the data from the fifth year of sampling in 2003. The three objectives of the Benthic Biological Monitoring Program of the Elizabeth River watershed are: (1) To characterize the health of the tidal waters of the Elizabeth River watershed as indicated by the structure of the benthic communities. ( 2) To conduct trend analyses on long-term data at 14 fixed-point stations to relate temporal trends in the benthic communities to changes in water and/or sediment quality. Trend analyses will be updated …

Annual Report To The Pastoral Lands Board Of Western Australia: 2003 / 2004 Financial Year, Rod Williams, Philip Thomas

Natural resources published reports

The Department of Agriculture has prepared this Annual Report for the Pastoral Lands Board of Western Australia for the financial year 2003 – 2004. This is the second report incorporating this framework and provides expanded information on issues and trends for a number of indicators of importance to Western Australia’s rangelands.

The Department of Agriculture’s services to the Board are outlined and environmental indicators based on scientific analysis of range condition trend are presented at the regional and property scales. Seasonal conditions at the state level with more specific information at the regional level and information relating to the assistance …

Cooperative Conservation - Interagency Volunteer Program Quarterly Progress Report: Period Ending September 30, 2004, Margaret N. Rees

Get Outdoors Nevada

Collaboration with Interagency Team

Although the task agreement formally commenced June 30, 2004, the agreement was not fully executed by both parties until July 29, 2004. In the first three months of this agreement, UNLV representatives have met with or communicated via email with the Interagency Volunteer Team on numerous occasions. At the first meeting on July 13, 2004, Government Technical Representative Bobbie Antonich and UNLV Public Lands Initiative Director Nancy Flagg met with the interagency team to discuss the overall goals for the Interagency Volunteer Program (IVP). The team was brought up-to-date on the status of the task agreement, …

2003 Pollutant Loads Kings River Near Berryville, Arkansas, Marc A. Nelson, L. Wade Cash

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

An automatic sampler and a USGS gauging station were established in 1998 and water quality sampling was begun in 1999 on the Kings River near Berryville, Arkansas. Continuous stage and discharge measurements and frequent water quality sampling have been used to determine pollutant concentrations and loads in the river. This report presents the results from the sampling and analysis for January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003.

Internal Phosphorus Loading In Spring Lake: Year 2, Dr. Alan Steinman, Dr. Rick Rediske, Mrs. Lori Nemeth

Scientific Technical Reports

Experimental and desktop studies were conducted during 2004 to better understand the factors affecting internal phosphorus (P) loading in Spring Lake, Michigan. A prior study in 2003 resulted in estimates that between 55 and 65% of the total phosphorus entering the water column of Spring Lake, on an annual basis, originated via internal loading from the sediments. The results from the current study indicated the following:

Phosphorus release rates were no different at alum concentrations of ≥ 15 mg alum/L compared to 24 mg/L. However, the higher alum concentration is likely to provide greater spatial coverage over the sediments in …

An Audit Of The Uptake Of Agricultural Nutrient Management Practices In The Peel-Harvey Catchment, Kelly Lavell, Robert Summers, David Weaver, Martin Clarke, John Grant, Simon Neville

Conference papers and presentations

Recent funding through the Coastal Catchments Initiative aims to significantly reduce the discharge of nutrients to the waterways of the eutrophic Peel-Harvey catchment. A range of projects within this initiative have been developed, which include activities designed to develop, test and implement point and non-point source best management practices (BMP) for the control of nutrient export, and to audit the current levels of adoption of these practices. Landholders who manage approximately 30% of the catchment area have been interviewed under major BMP themes of fertiliser management, soil amendment, perennial pastures, riparian and water management, revegetation, irrigation management and effluent management. …

Fisheries Research Report No. 145 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1999/2000 To 2000/2001, C F. Chubb, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

Season 1999/2000 produced the highest catch in the history of the fishery of 14,500 tonnes following a high catch of about 13,000 tonnes in 1998/1999. The record season led to the highest ever catch in B & C zones of 4,500 and 8,300 tonnes respectively. The Abrolhos Islands fishery produced a catch of 1,800 tonnes, somewhat down on the previous seasons catch of 2,000 tonnes. The record catch was taken by a total of 594 vessels. Nominal fishing effort in 1999/2000 was 10,724 million pot lifts, slightly down on the previous season, which was 10,745 million pot lifts. The 2000/2001 …

Accuracy Of Neural Network Classifiers In Humid Tropical Areas, Genong Yu

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research develops a better understanding of the use of neural networks in the context of tropical land cover characterization using multiple scale remotely sensed data. Results of the research contributed to developing a robust neural network classifier suitable to use for humid tropical land cover classification in areas such as Altamira, Brazil. Research was focused upon the following: (1) performance ofneural networks with different ancillary data- such as DEM (digital elevation model) and its derivatives; (2) effect of spatial scale on neural network classifiers using remote sensing data from IKONOS, Landsat TM, ASTER, and MODIS; (3) accuracy of neural …

Vegetation Characteristics Associated With Small Mammal Populations In The Las Vegas Wash, Christine Therese Herndon

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Percent litter, average litter depth, percent bare ground, vegetation density, vegetation canopy, and distance to an ecotone boundary were measured and compared to small mammal capture locations in the Las Vegas Wash. Neotoma lepida appear to be greatly dependent upon the foliage litter of T. ramosissima. Alternatively, ecotone boundaries appear to be the most important factor affecting Dipodomys merriami distributions. Peromyscus eremicus distributions may be predicted based on vegetation density and increased canopy during shorter, winter torpor periods. Chaetodipus penicillatus were consistently associated with dense, seed-bearing vegetation, although C. penicillatus is extremely opportunistic and vegetation density should not limit their …

Karst Of Western Cuba: Observations, Geomorphology, And Diagenesis, Larry D. Seale, Limaris R. Soto, Lee J. Florea, Beth Fratesi

Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Publications

In Cuba, we observed many karst features in a variety of hydrogeologic settings. These hy-drogeologic settings occur in close proximity only because of the complex tectonic history of the is-land. We observed caves within rocks ranging from Pleistocene to Jurassic, and representing a range of diagenetic ages from eogenetic to teloge-netic. Our observations are from the western one-third of the island of Cuba; however, we believe they are representative of hydrogeologic settings found throughout the island.

Sediment Nutrient Accumulation And Nutrient Availability In Two Tidal Freshwater Marshes Along The Mattaponi River, Virginia, Usa, Jennifer L. Morse, J. Patrick Megonigal, Mark R. Walbridge

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Sediment deposition is the main mechanism of nutrient delivery to tidal freshwater marshes (TFMs). We quantified sediment nutrient accumulation in TFMs upstream and downstream of a proposed water withdrawal project on the Mattaponi River, Virginia. Our goal was to assess nutrient availability by comparing relative rates of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) accumulated in sediments with the C, N, and P stoichiometries of surface soils and above ground plant tissues. Surface soil nutrient contents (0.60–0.92% N and 0.09–0.13% P) were low but within reported ranges for TFMs in the eastern US. In both marshes, soil nutrient pools and …

The Impact Of Urbanization On Macroinvertebrate Communities Of Creeks Within Western Georgia, Jeniffer Susan Lang

Theses and Dissertations

Urbanization is a major cause of stream impairment in the United States, altering stream ecological integrity in a variety of ways. While control of point source pollution has largely improved over the last twenty years, the control of non-point source pollution has proved to be more of a challenge. Urbanization in the area surrounding streams has been linked with elevated levels of sediment, heavy metals, organic matter, and nutrients within streams, as well as with other negative effects. Examining the macroinvertebrate communities within streams has proven to be an effective indicator of the effects of urbanization on water quality. This …

Groundwater Trends In The North Stirling Pallinup Sub-Region, Ruhi Ferdowsian, Lisa Crossing

Natural resources published reports

The South Coast Regional Initiative Planning Team (SCRIPT) has divided the South Coast region of Western Australia into six sub-regions. This publication describes the groundwater trends, risk of shallow watertables, and technical feasibility of salinity management in the agricultural district of the North Stirling Pallinup sub-region.

This sub-region encompasses the Stirling Range National Park, the North Stirling Basin to the north-east of the Park, and the middle and upper catchments of the Pallinup River. Almost 90% (500,000 ha) of the sub-region's alienated land has been cleared for agriculture, and salinity has been identified as an important issue.

Soil-landscape zones are …

Groundwater Trends In The Fitzgerald Biosphere Sub-Region, Adam Lillicrap

Natural resources published reports

The South Coast Regional Initiative Planning Team (SCRIPT) has divided the South Coast region into six sub-regions. The Fitzgerald Biosphere sub-region is located in the centre of the South Coast region of Western Australia (Figure 1). It is bounded by the Pallinup River to the east, Jerdacuttup River to the west, and includes the catchments of the Gairdner, Fitzgerald and Phillips Rivers. The sub-region encompasses the Fitzgerald Biosphere Reserve and just over half (730,000 ha) has been cleared for agriculture.

This publication describes the groundwater trends, risk of shallow watertables, and technical feasibility of salinity management in the soil landscape …

Survey Of Anuran Populations Within Minnesota, Chris Thorman

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

An Initial Study Of Town Brook, West Yarmouth, Ma

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Students from the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School began a study this year of Town Brook in West Yarmouth, MA. This year’s activity was the start of what is intended to be a multi-year study of the brook and its associated ponds. The focus of the study was to examine the physical and biological characteristics of the brook as a means of helping to determine the fitness of the brook for the re-introduction of herring to the system.

Town Brook lies within a town conservation area and is supplied water from Little Sandy Pond. The pond is a kettle pond with …

Effects Of Runoff From Downtown Middleboro On The Nemasket River

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The Nemasket River Watershed has an area of approximately 7.5 square miles. Historically this river has been used for commerce and transportation, fishing and recreation and, more recently, as a sink for wastewater effluent and urban runoff.

Our investigation was to determine what effects, if any, the runoff from “urban” Middleboro was having on the water quality just downstream from the town center and it’s aquatic life.

Our hypothesis was that the downstream location would be impacted from the increased runoff from the urban setting. The increase in pollution would be due to the increase in imperviousness of the urban …

A Water Quality Study Of The Braintree Farm River

Watershed Access Lab Projects

This water quality study was conducted on the Farm River in Braintree, Massachusetts. The Farm River is classified as a Class B, Warm Water Fisheries River. The river drains an area of 7.9 square miles and is part of the Fore River Watershed (a sub watershed of the Boston Basin), which includes parts of eight surrounding cities and towns. It is a 2.7 mile segment that originates from an outlet of the Great Pond in the Blue Hills of Braintree. At the Braintree Golf Course, it joins with the Cochato River to form the headwaters of the Monatiquot.

During the …

Marina Bay: A Glimpse At The Neponset River Watershed

Watershed Access Lab Projects

This presentation was prepared as an overview of a six-month study conducted by the eighth-grade Girls’ Environmental Group at Atlantic Middle School in North Quincy. Due to lack of additional staff and large numbers of students, this smaller group of 15 girls was formed as an after school group which also sometimes met on Saturdays for the purpose of sampling. The girls decided that their goal for the group was to learn how to monitor a specific environmental site, and to learn more about their own neighborhood. This included acquiring an understanding of history of the area, both in terms …

Ten Mile River Study

Watershed Access Lab Projects

In the past year, North Attleboro High School’s environmental science class has been conducting an intense study of the Ten Mile River. The focus of our study is to find out detailed information regarding the biological, physical, and chemical state of the river.

The Ten Mile River is the main river within North Attleboro. It runs down to Narragansett Bay and flows through many other local towns. The watersheds are located in North Attleboro and Plainville. The river begins at Cargill Pond in Plainville and flows 61 miles through North Attleboro, Attleboro, Plainville, and Seekonk before going into Rhode Island. …

Third Herring Brook Watershed

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Six freshman students from Norwell High School examined the Third Herring Brook Watershed during the spring of 2004. The students were split into three groups, each group taking a different topic. One set studied Nitrate and Phosphorus levels, another studied temperature, pH and physical characteristics of the watershed, while the third performed Fecal coliform tests. All levels were determined to be acceptable, although there is evidence that the contamination levels between site 1 (upstream) and site 2 (downstream) increase, possibly due to the stream passing by athletic fields, high school sewage treatment and a commercial use property.

Samples were sent …

How Does Land Use Affect The Chemistry Of The Water Of Fall Brook

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The purpose of this study was to find out how land use affects the water quality of Fall Brook. Fall Brook runs from Tispaquin Pond to the Nemasket River, and we tested two sites for NO₃ –N, Nitrate, and PO₄-P, Reactive Phosphorous. Fall Brook begins at Gibbs Road, and samples of the water were taken from Wareham Street, and Old Bridge Street. Residential areas, a farm, and an active cranberry bog are some of the surroundings at the Wareham Street site. The site at Old Bridge Street runs through agricultural areas and an Ocean Spray Plant.

Our …

Eel River Examination

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The purpose of our study was to observe the changes in the Eel River over the course of a school year. These changes were to include the river’s profile, depth, flow, phosphorus and nitrogen compound loads, temperature, pH, and levels of oxygen. This examination was conducted by an after school group comprised of a dozen 7th and 8th grade students of Judy Bradley and Sharon Jeffery from Plymouth South Middle School.

Eel River has been the site of human habitation and use since ancient times. Native Americans used the area as a seasonal village. Artifacts and human remains have been …

A Closer Look: Second Herring Brook

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Turbidity: An In-Depth Look At Long Pond

Watershed Access Lab Projects

In the summer of 2003, I noticed that the clarity of the water of Long Pond seemed murky with a brownish hue. I remembered as a kid being able to travel around the pond and see the bottom. Back then the water seemed much clearer, which is what provoked me to look further into the causes of the increase of turbidity of Long Pond.

To measure turbidity I used a simple Secchi disk that I made out of the bottom of a bucket and some rope. The rope was marked every six inches and was fourteen feet in overall length. …

The Agawam River Study

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Do We See Feces?: Loon Pond 2003-2004

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Loon Pond is a small spring fed pond about thirty-two feet deep. The pond’s surface area is 0.69 square miles and the sub-basin is 3.10 square miles. The deepest point is thirty-eight feet. The pond provides the residents with recreational opportunities, such as swimming, fishing, and canoeing. Loon Pond’s shore is a mixture of forest and low density residential. There are 35 homes around the pond, the majority being summer residences.

This past summer (2003) the pond was closed to swimming due to an enterococci count of 121 colonies/100ml as reported in the New Bedford Department Laboratory Division Recreational Water …

Friedman's Bugwatch Water Quality Study - An Update

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Bugwatch is a water quality study program that has been conducted at Friedman and Martin Middle Schools in Taunton since 2000. Friedman volunteered to participate in this previously federally-funded water quality study of two local tributaries that discharge into the Taunton River. These tributaries are Church Brook and the Cotley River located in the eastern portion of Taunton. We may add the Three Mile River; which is located behind Friedman, to our study program at a later date.

Bugwatch is one major educational activity conducted in our Outdoor Education Program each year. During the fall, our Outdoor Education students capture …

Milfoil: Man's Best Friend

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Fall Brook is located off of Route 140 in Lakeville, about two miles away from Apponequet High School. It is a third order stream with a sub-basin area of 10.31 square miles and flows into Long Pond. Fall Brook has been studied previously due to a milfoil infestation along some of its reaches. We chose to study whether this infestation has progressed further downstream and if there is any effect on the water quality.

Data collected for nutrients, pH, DO and temperature do not indicate that conditions have changed appreciably since 2002-2003 (year of last study). Nutrient data showed overall …