Non-tidal Status and Trends 1986 - 2004

Water quality samples from major streams in Maryland (fourth order and larger) have been collected monthly since 1986. Status and trends are determined annually for  total chlorophyll (CHLA), specific conductance (COND), dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia (NH4), nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO2), nitrite plus nitrate (NO23), total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration (pH), orthophosphate (PO4), sulfate (SO4),  total alkalinity (TALK), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total suspended solids (TSS),  turbidity (TURB),  and water temperature (WATEMP) at 54 locations.

Determination of status is based upon the median concentration for the most recent three years (2001-2004) compared to a benchmark data set of all measured concentrations in the non-tidal Core/Trends data base from 1986-1996. Trends for the entire sampling period (1986-2004) were determined using the Seasonal Kendall Tau test and correlations are based upon Spearman Rank Correlations with a p<0.01 level of significance. Box and whisker plots using all the data from 1986 – 2002 are plotted for each water quality parameter listed above.

To view this information by Tributary Strategy Region:
/bay/monitoring/water/index.html
To obtain these non-tidal tributary data sets:
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/wquality.htm

CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:

The ambient fixed station water quality monitoring program is used primarily to determine trends in water use areas, problem areas, land use areas and in areas where future development may impact water quality.Water quality data collected by this fixed station network are incorporated into the 305 (b) reporting process. This document provides an outline of data collection and handling for this program. QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL PLAN; Section 106 Ambient Water Quality Monitoring (CORE/TREND MONITORING). 164 KB pdf file. (Updated as of 5/15/09)

Maryland’s Non-tidal Water Quality Monitoring Network began in July 2004 with funding from EPA Section 117(d). The network, presently, is composed of 10 sites where nutrient and sediment concentrations are sampled on a fixed monthly basis and 8 times during high flow events. Monthly sampling only is performed at an additional 4 locations. All sampling sites are located near a USGS stream gage, have a nearby bridge from which high flow samples may be obtained, are located at the outlet of major basins and represent watersheds with relatively high loads of nutrients and sediments. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Non-tidal Network Nutrient and Sediment Load Trend Monitoring Quality Assurance Project Plan July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006 Section 117(d). 376 KB pdf file.

Support for this program was provided by the USEPA Section 106 Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Grant. Sarah Bowen/Project Officer. Elgin Perry provided statistical support.

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This page was updated on 05/15/2009