Northern Colorado Plateau Network Water Quality Monitoring
Weissinger R. Northern Colorado Plateau Network Water Quality Monitoring. 2000. National Park Service
Most Northern Colorado Plateau Network (NCPN) parks are located in semi-arid to arid environments where water is a major factor in determining the distribution of flora, fauna, and historic human habitation. Additionally, the abundance and quality of water resources reflect human activities and land use in and near parks, and are a primary factor influencing park visitation and recreational activities. Water bodies in national parks are protected by the Clean Water Act and other policies that prevent unacceptable levels of pollution and establish acceptable values for other water quality measures. Park managers need information on status and trends in surface-water quality and quantity to comply with the Clean Water Act and to mitigate historic and future impacts to park water resources that may have ecological and social significance. Water quality monitoring sites are selected based on historic impacts, perceived threat, current monitoring by others, or to determine baseline status as a starting point for long-term trend detection. As many as 30 water quality parameters are measured at each site visit. At every site, portable sensors are used to measure core parameters (specific conductivity, flow, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen) as basic indicators of water quality. Field and laboratory measurements are then compared to state water quality standards to determine if acceptable concentrations are present and if, over time, conditions are changing beyond acceptable normal ranges. NCPN water quality monitoring is a coordinated effort between the network, individual park units, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the State of Utah.
- Type
- Project
- Authors
- Weissinger, Rebecca
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- ARCH , BLCA , BRCA , CANY , CARE , CURE , DINO , GOSP , HOVE , NABR , NCPN , TICA , ZION
- Keywords
- Aquatic Studies, Monitoring, Water Quality
Program
Products
- Water quality monitoring in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2005–2007
- Water quality in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2006–2009
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network monitoring brief: water quality monitoring
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network monitoring brief: water quality monitoring
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network monitoring brief: water quality monitoring
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network information brief: aquatic invasive species
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network monitoring brief: water quality monitoring
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network monitoring brief: water quality monitoring
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network monitoring brief: water quality monitoring
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network monitoring brief: water quality monitoring
- Water quality in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, water years 2010–2012
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network monitoring brief: water quality monitoring
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network monitoring brief: water quality monitoring
- Evaluation of quality-control data and quality assurance for routine water quality monitoring: Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Zion national parks, water years 2006–2013
- Water quality in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network: water years 2013–2015
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network monitoring brief: water quality monitoring
- Status and trends of water quality at Zion National Park: Water years 2006–2016 (rev. June 2018)
- Escherichia coli concentrations in Fremont River tributaries at Capitol Reef National Park, 2008–2017
- Status and trends in water quality at Curecanti National Recreation Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, 2001–2014
- Water Quality in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network: Water Years 2019-2022
- Water quality in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network: Water years 2019–2022
- Trends in water quality at Bryce Canyon National Park, water years 2006–2021
- Trends in Water Quality at Bryce Canyon National Park, Water Years 2006–2021
- Keeping Up with the Contaminants: Monitoring the Impact of Improved Wastewater Technology on the Colorado River Near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
- Water quality in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network: Water years 2016–2018 (revised with cost estimate)
- Trends in water quality of cave pools at Timpanogos Cave National Monument, July 2008–September 2018
- Trends in Water Quality of Cave Pools at Timpanogos Cave National Monument, 2008–2018
- Water Quality in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network: Water Years 2016–2018
- Water quality trends in Curecanti National Recreation Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, 2001–2014
- Monitoring Bacterial Contamination in Streams at Capitol Reef National Park
- Water quality trends in Zion National Park, 2006–2016
- Appendix B. Timeseries for Sites and Parameters with <50% censored data
- Bioactive contaminants of emerging concern in national park waters of the northern Colorado Plateau, USA
- Water quality vital signs monitoring protocol for park units in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network: version 1.03
- Water quality monitoring protocol for streams and springs in the Southern Colorado Plateau Network
- Screening for contaminants of emerging concern in waters of the Northern Colorado Plateau Network: 2015 surface water data
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network water quality monitoring SOPs: 4/29/2016 - present
- Screening for contaminants of emerging concern in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2013
- Screening for contaminants of emerging concern in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2010 and 2012
- Assessment of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in selected surface water of the National Park Service Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, from 1972 through 2007
- Documenting measurement sensitivity and bias of field-measured parameters in water quality monitoring programs
- Summary document prepared for the Vital Signs Workshop: Water quality vital signs