Water Quality and Quantity Monitoring Protocol

Vital Signs: Water Chemistry – Core Parameters, Water Chemistry – Expanded Parameters; Surface Water Hydrology.
Protocol will be implemented: all ERMN parks

Justification/Issue being addressed:
Surface water hydrology and chemical/physical water quality monitoring was recognized as a top priority at the network level during the vital signs prioritization process. The significance of water resources within ERMN (including roughly 211 miles of river and more than 425 miles of stream) is reflected in the network’s ranking of river and stream hydrology and chemical/physical water quality as 2nd among all of the potential vital signs identified and prioritized by the ERMN. Flowing freshwater quality and quantity has direct impact on several other vital signs and park resources including fishes, crayfish, mussels, and salamander assemblages, several threatened and endangered (T&E) aquatic species, riparian and floodplain vegetation and bird communities, and aquatic macroinvertebrates (these last three are also top priorities for network monitoring). Freshwater quality and quantity has indirect impacts on all plant and animal life as well as human consumption, recreation, and enjoyment (i.e., the intrinsic value of water). Much of what is on the land is transferred to water via surface runoff, subsurface flow, and base flow (ground and soil water). Therefore, not only is water quality an indicator of the integrity of aquatic systems, but it is an important indicator of overall ecosystem integrity.

Monitoring objectives: The primary objectives of this monitoring program are to:

1. Document long-term trends in the concentration of the “core” water quality parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature, and specific conductance) at selected sites.
2. Document long-term trends in the flow regime (e.g., annual hydrograph) at selected sites.
3. Document long-term trends in the concentration of several “expanded” water quality parameters [e.g., sediment (total suspended sediment, turbidity), acid neutralizing capacity, plant nutrients (total phosphorous, total nitrogen, nitrate + nitrogen), and human indicators (boron, chloride)] at selected sites.
4. Document long-term trends in chemical loadings at selected sites.
5. Document how park/network status and trends compare to regional and national trends.

Principal investigators and NPS lead: Peter Murdoch, USGS Research Hydrologist, will be the lead PI for this project. Dr. Matt Marshall, ERMN Coordinator, will be the lead NPS contact.