National Capital Region Network Inventory and Monitoring Program Water Chemistry and Quantity Monitoring Protocol Version 2.0: Water chemistry, nutrient dynamics, and surface water dynamics vital signs
Norris M, Pieper J, Watts T, Cattani A. 2011. National Capital Region Network Inventory and Monitoring Program Water Chemistry and Quantity Monitoring Protocol Version 2.0: Water chemistry, nutrient dynamics, and surface water dynamics vital signs. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NCRN/NRR—2011/423. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
The vital sign selection process of the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program (I&M) identified water chemistry, nutrient dynamics, and surface water dynamics as a critical need for the parks of the National Capital Region Network (NCRN). In 2005, the National Capital Region Inventory and Monitoring Network (NCRN) initiated a long-term water quality and quantity monitoring program, funded in part by the Water Resources Division. The water monitoring portion of the program is carried out through monthly sampling at more than 38 sites within 10 of the NCRN‘s parks. The data collected using this protocol will provide much needed baseline information on stream water chemistry and quantity in the NCRN. The information will also be used to determine long term trends. Parks monitored with this protocol include Antietam National Battlefield (ANTI), Catoctin Mountain Park (CATO), Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (HAFE), George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP), Manassas National Battlefield Park (MANA), Monocacy National Battlefield (MONO), National Capital Parks – East (NACE), Prince William Forest Park(PRWI), Rock Creek Park (ROCR), and Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts(WOTR). The streams monitored are all part of the Potomac River watershed. The Potomac is the second largest drainage of the nine river basins that form the 64,000 square mile Chesapeake Bay watershed. This protocol includes monitoring of three related vital signs: water chemistry, nutrient dynamics, and surface water dynamics. The protocol is based on guidance from National Park Service Water Resources Division (National Park Service 2002, Penoyer 2003, Tucker 2007,Irwin 2008) and 19 years of field experience on the part of the primary author. The protocol was revised and expanded in 2010 to include revisions made to the program over the first 5 years as well as respond to review comments from the WRD review panel. Water chemistry is important to maintaining a healthy habitat for many aquatic organisms,wildlife, and humans. Water quality can provide insights into overall system productivity, shift species abundances and distributions, and alter nutrient cycles. Water quality parameters such as pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and temperature are good measurements that provide an overview of water quality. Water quality monitoring is required to comply with relevant environmental legislation and NPS mandates and to evaluate potential stressors in NCRN waters.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Norris, Marian; Pieper, James; Watts, Tonya; Cattani, Ali
- Date of Issue
- 2011-07
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- ANTI , CATO , CHOH , GLEC , GREE , GRFA , GWMP , HAFE , IMDP , MANA , MONO , NACE , NCR , NCRN , NRSS , OXHI , PISC , PRWI , ROCR , SUIT , WOTR
- Keywords
- Acid Neutralizing Capacity, Algae, Ammonia, chloramine, Chlorine, Conductivity, Depth, Discharge, Dissolved Oxygen, Flow, NCRN Protocol, NCRN Water Protocol, Nitrate, pH, River, Salinity, specific conductance, Stream Flow, surface water dynamics, Temperature, total phosphorus, Water, Water Chemistry, Water Quality, Water Quality monitor, Water Quality Monitoring, Water Resources, width
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Surface Water Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Water | Water Quality | Water Chemistry , Ecological Framework: Water | Water Quality | Nutrient Dynamics