SIMPLE TROPHIC STATE CLASSIFICATION OF THE CANADIAN NEARSHORE WATERS OF THE GREAT LAKES1

ABSTRACT: Trophic classification of the Canadian nearshore waters of the Great Lakes is attempted using summer, surface water quality data for the early 1970's. A generalized Composite Trophic Index is developed using paired linear relationships for total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, and Secchi depth data for 66 defined nearshore regions. The chlorophyll a and total phosphorus relationship indicates that the nearshore waters contain a low chlorophyll a concentration for a given total phosphorus concentration than observed for the open waters of the Great Lakes or for smaller Canadian lakes. The most eutrophic nearshore regions occur in areas of relatively restricted circulation and/or high nutrient loadings. These include the Bay of Quinte, Toronto and Hamilton harbours, and portions of Lake We's Western Basin. Lakes Huron and Superior are generally oligotrophic, except for some embayments. Although nearshore water quality is highly variable, this apprach represents a reasonable compromise with respect to analytical complexity. The Composite Trophic Index removes biases introduced through the use of a single trophic state indicator and uniquely describes the nearshore water quality in terms generally comparable to other water bodies.     

THE GROUND WATER FLUX OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS TO BERMUDA'S COASTAL WATERS1

ABSTRACT: The concentrations of dissolved fixed inorganic nitrogen (ΣN) in Bermuda ground waters can be very high due to both natural and anthropogenic processes. The high anthropogenic flux is due to domestic cesspit operation. Mass balance calculations indicate that ground water seepage, especially rich in ΣN, is a major source of nutrients into the near shore coastal zone of Bermuda. The ground water flux of ΣN is approximately 1.5 to 4 times that of the sewage flux of ΣN to Bermuda's nearshore waters. This input of ΣN may be important in the development of algal blooms in these waters. Our work, coupled with other recent investigations, suggests that the ground water input of nutrients into nearshore marine waters is an important process globally.     

OFFSITE MEASUREMENT OF THE VISUAL CLARITY OF WATERS1

ABSTRACT: The black disk method for measuring visual water clarity in situ is becoming established as a simple but robust method for optically characterizing natural waters. However, in spite of its virtues, the method is limited by a practical visibility minimum of around 0.1 m and the requirement for direct access to the water body at a point where there is adequate lighting for the visual observations. A method has been devised for measuring black disk clarity off-site on samples of waters, diluted if necessary, and contained in a trough constructed of galvanized steel. In 23 streams, rivers, and lakes of diverse optical and physical character, measurements of visual clarity of water samples contained in troughs agreed closely with in situ measurements and correlated well (inversely) with the beam attenuation coefficient measured by transmissometer. Therefore, at sites where in situ measurement is difficult, visual clarity of waters can be measured offsite on a water sample. Furthermore, the visibility of samples diluted with tap water of known clarity was predictable from a simple balance on light attenuation. This means that useful visual clarity measurements on very turbid waters and effluents can be made in a trough containing volumetrically diluted samples, so extending application of the black disk method to very low visual ranges.     

GROUND WATER OF THE ISLAND OF MONTREAL,CANADA1

ABSTRACT: The geochemistry and nature of the flow of ground water not only control the supply potential but constitute clues to the whole geology of an area. A study has been made of the largest available assemblage of data from 161 wells for the Island of Montreal collected by the Geological Survey of Canada in 1951–53. Data indicated that the system is generally subartesian, flowing from the principal topographically high areas towards the shores of the Island. As the probable use is about 13% of the estimated recharge of 140 million liters per day, most wells could be supplied by local recharge. The study has confirmed the predominance of calcium bicarbonate ground water from the carbonate sequence. The waters appeared to be saturated with respect to CaCO₃ in all but 10 wells. The presence of other types of waters suggests the effects of the igneous intrusions of the area, the post-glacial marine submergence and the upward movement of waters from deep sources through fault and other structural zones. Confirmation of the significant variations in chemical composition in some neighboring wells indicated the future need for repetitive sampling from specific horizons for chemical and isotopic analyses.     

WATER SUPPLY DILEMMAS OF GEOTHERMAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA1

Abstract: There are four known geothermal resource areas in the Imperial Valley that have a combined potential of over 4,000 megawatts of electrical energy for 25 years. Water resources available to support geothermal enerfy development are imprted Colorado River water, agricultural waste waters, Salton Sea water, and groundwater. In addtion, geothermal power plants can produce their own cooling water from steam condensate. Nevertheless, the relatively high water requirements of geothermal facilities along with a series of real and potential constraints may cause water supply dilemmas involving both the acquistion and use of cooling water. Important constraints are institutional policies, water supply costs, technical problems, and impacts upon the Salton Sea. These constranits and related dilemmas are examined in light of relevanty information on the valley's water resources, geothermal resources and energy technologies, cooling water requrements, and water supply options.     

ALTERNATIVES TO THE USE OF AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE WELLS1

ABSTRACT: A large number of agricultural drainage wells (ADWs) are located in north-central Iowa. These wells permit sediments, pesticides, nitrate, and bacteria in surface and subsurface drainage water to enter regional aquifers that are currently being used for drinking-water supplies, mostly by rural families and communities. This paper reports some possible alternatives to control the entry of surface and subsurface drainage waters into groundwater systems, and describes a methodology to make comprehensive economic feasibility studies of alternative drainage outlets. The estimated cost of providing main subsurface drains varied from $220 to $960 per hectare. If the use of ADWs was completely eliminated without providing alternative drainage, it is estimated that the average annual loss to the farmers of the area would be at least $270 per hectare in reduced crop yields. Of course, losses would be weather dependent and highly variable. Management practices to reduce the pollutant load in water draining to ADWs are also discussed.     

EFFECT OF TWO IMPOUNDMENTS ON THE SALINITY AND QUANTITY OF STORED WATERS1

ABSTRACT The effect of hydrologic and chemical processes on salinization of stored waters was determined for two small floodwater-retarding structures located in western Oklahoma. One structure, already designed to accommodate a large influx of sediment, was further overdesigned hydrologically by upstream diversion of approximately one-half the inflow. Over a 2-year period, the total salinity of stored waters increased approximately 22 times and the stored water volume decreased to 1/33 its initial volume in the overdesigned structure, while both volume and salinity of stored waters remained comparatively stable in the other structure. The lack of sufficient dilution by better quality surface runoff and the increased residence time of water in the impoundment apparently caused most of the salinity increase. The bulk of the salt load entering the over-designed structure, to be concentrated later by evaporation, was associated with base rather than storm inflow. After base inflow ceased, substantial losses of salt load and stored water occurred concurrently. The loss was not adequately explained by chemical precipitation in association with evaporation. Seepage and evaporation-associated variables appeared to account for much of the hydrologically unexplained loss of stored waters.     

INTERDISCIPLINARY MODELING IN THE ANALYSIS OF THE SALINITY PROBLEMS OF THE SAFFORD VALLEY1

ABSTRACT: A groundwater quality change of +0.13 millimhos electrical conductivity was documented between 1940 and 1 972 in the Safford Valley. The change is attributable to four principal mechanisms: pumping-encouraged saline artesian aquifer leakage, natural recharge of the water table aquifer by saline waters, leaching of agricultural waters into the aquifer and the lateral flow of groundwater through saline lacustrine beds. A hydrologic study of the area has shown the first of these mechanisms to be predominant. Salinity modeling has shown three regions of salinity change, and salinity increase projections for each are determined. An economic analysis and an economic model are then combined with the physical model, yielding information as to when certain economic conditions are reached with respect to the salinity increase. This combined model shows that, based on projected salinity trends, cotton, the principal agricultural crop of the valley, will remain economical to cultivate for a significant time beyond the model's limit of prediction. Alfalfa, on the other hand, should go out of production in large areas of the valley by 1990, and not be under economical cultivation by 2040. A sociologic model, based on the cluster analysis of questionnaire data, shows an awareness of the salinity problems of the area but little concern over them. Interdisciplinary model based salinity control regulations are made.     

THE EFFECTS OF ARTIFICIAL CIRCULATION ON A SMALL NORTHEASTERN IMPOUNDMENT1

ABSTRACT: Artificial circulation was applied at East Sidney Lake, a small, eutrophic impoundment in New York, to improve the water quality of the reservoir and tailwater. Treatment was successful at both reducing the stability of the reservoir and maintaining higher mean oxygen concentrations in the bottom waters. Discharge waters had lower metals and phosphorus concentrations during treatment years. However, vertical temperature differences, although minimal, were still sufficient to permit chemical stratification and some phosphorus release from the sediments. Frequent mixing events during periods of low stability, and runoff from storm events, also appeared to increase transport of phosphorus into the epilimnion. Overall, treatment did not result in decreases in algal populations or improvements in water clarity.     

THE IMPACT OF HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ON A NORTH FLORIDA WATERSHED1

ABSTRACT A 20 month study of some effects of highway construction on water quality was conducted during construction of Interstate 10 at Tallahassee, Florida. Highway construction resulted in significant increases in turbidity, suspended solids, total phosphorus, and dissolved silicon in downstream waters despite use of recommended procedures for erosion control. Highway construction did not result in significant increases in dissolved phosphorus or nitrogen.     

OPTIMAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN THE EXPANSION OF AN EXISTING WATER RESOURCES SYSTEMS1

The study of the optimal expansion of existing water resources systems is of continuing importance because of the rising demand and limited supply of water in many areas of the world, particularly in the southwestern part of the United States of America. This study is concerned with the investigation of the optimal expansion of a realistic water resources system to meet an increasing demand for municipal and industrial use, irrigation, energy, and recreation over a planning horizon of T years. A number of possible dam sites are available for the further regulation of river (canal) flows in the basin and/or the regulation of imported waters into the basin. To maximize, over the set of alternative projects, the sum of discounted present value of net earnings subject to the demands and various institutional, physical and budgetary limits, an optimization problem (Problem I) was formed as a 0-1 mixed integer programming problem and was decomposed into the set of all feasible combinations (Problem II). The economic return was determined for each combination (Problem III). Problem II was solved by a branch and bound procedure which selected each feasible combination of dams while the optimal return for each such combination (Problem III) was found by a network analysis code.     

THE EFFECT OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON GROUND‐WATER QUALITY NEAR DETROIT,MICHIGAN1

ABSTRACT: Two water‐quality studies were done on the outskirts of the Detroit metropolitan area to determine how recent residential development has affected ground‐water quality. Pairs of monitor and domestic wells were sampled in areas where residential land use overlies glacial outwash deposits. Young, shallow waters had significantly higher median concentrations of nitrate, chloride, and dissolved solids than older, deeper waters. Analysis of chloride/bromide ratios indicates that elevated salinities are due to human activities rather than natural factors, such as upward migration of brine. Trace concentrations of volatile organic compounds were detected in samples from 97 percent of the monitor wells. Pesticides were detected infrequently even though they are routinely applied to lawns and roadways in the study area. The greatest influence on ground‐water quality appears to be from septic‐system effluent (domestic sewage, household solvents, water‐softener backwash) and infiltration of storm‐water runoff from paved surfaces (road salt, fuel residue). No health‐related drinking‐water standards were exceeded in samples from domestic wells. However, the effects of human activities are apparent in 76 percent of young waters, and at depths far below 25 feet, which is the current minimum well‐depth requirement.     

A PRELIMINARY STUDY FOR EVALUATING THE CAPACITY OF WATERS FOR RECREATIONAL BOATING1

ABSTRACT The tremendous growth of participation in recreational boating has focused attention on the ability of surface waters to support different types of water-based recreation under intensive use. An important factor in determining the capacity of recreational waters for boating is the satisfaction boaters derive from an area and its use. The recreational experiences of two groups of users as they were affected by levels of use were examined on three intensively used lakes in southeastern Michigan during the summer of 1969. The reactions toward levels of use were obtained from personal interviews with users at the access sites following participation and by self-administered questionnaires distributed to shoreline property owner users. The level of use was recorded by aerial photography at hour intervals. The dispersion of boats and area consumed by boats on the water surface areas over time were quantified and investigated individually and in combination for possible relationships describing the level of use. The satisfaction of users was defined in terms of an index calculated by dividing the number of unfavorable boater responses by the total number of responses for a given time and place. Definite mathematical relationships between levels of use and user satisfaction were established. Based on these relationships, a range of levels of satisfaction for various numbers and groupings of boaters was used to develop boating carrying capacity limits.     

COLD WATER PATCHES IN WARM STREAMS: PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND THE INFLUENCE OF SHADING1

ABSTRACT: Discrete cold water patches within the surface waters of summer warm streams afford potential thermal refuge for cold water fishes during periods of heat stress. This analysis focused on reach scale heterogeneity in water temperatures as influenced by local influx of cooler subsurface waters. Using field thermal probes and recording thermistors, we identified and characterized cold water patches (at least 3°C colder than ambient streamflow temperatures) potentially serving as thermal refugia for cold water fishes. Among 37 study sites within alluvial valleys of the Grande Ronde basin in northeastern Oregon, we identified cold water patches associated with side channels, alcoves, lateral seeps, and floodplain spring brooks. These types differed with regard to within floodplain position, area, spatial thermal range, substrate, and availability of cover for fish. Experimental shading cooled daily maximum temperatures of surface waters within cold water patches 2 to 4°C, indicating a strong influence of riparian vegetation on the expression of cold water patch thermal characteristics. Strong vertical temperature gradients associated with heating of surface layers of cold water patches exposed to solar radiation, superimposed upon vertical gradients in dissolved oxygen, can partially restrict suitable refuge volumes for stream salmonids within cold water patches.     

RESIDENCE TIME OF WATER DISCHARGING FROM THE HANGING GARDENS OF ZION PARK1

ABSTRACT: The Hanging Gardens are a unique feature of Zion National Park. Knowledge of the source and residence time of water discharging from the Hanging Gardens is necessary to help preserve these features. Ground-water chemical and isotopic data distinguish the discharge from seeps and springs into two groups, one of low and one of high conductivity. Water with low conductivity likely originates as recharge near the seeps and springs, and it only interacts with the Navajo Sandstone. High conductivity water, on the other hand, originates as recharge on the tops of plateaus to the east, where it interacts with marine rocks of the Carmel Formation. Carbon dating of these ground waters indicates that the low conductivity water is essentially modern recharge, while the high conductivity water was recharged 1,000 to 4,000 years ago.     

AGRICULTURAL LEGISLATION'S POTENTIAL IN REDUCING DISCHARGE OF POLLUTANTS1

ABSTRACT: Agricultural lands (including most forest lands) make up almost four-fifths of the total land area of the United States and include, or are traversed by, perhaps an equal proportion of our ground and surface waters. Therefore, a very large part of our environment is directly “agriculture-related” in any consideration of the discharge of pollutants. Several important Federal and State laws relate to the control or abatement of agriculture-related pollution. Existing legislation generally mandates the control or abatement of pollution (from point or nonpoint sources) or authorizes the use use of public funds or other resources for such purposes. Some of these laws can be effective instruments in keeping pollutants from being discharged into surface or ground waters or into the air, but the degree to which some pollutants originating from agricultural lands and operations constitute a serious environmental hazard in waters remains controversial. Although most of the technology exists to reduce greatly the movement of these pollutants, investments are often required which benefit the nonfarm public without economic returns to the farmer. Whether a zero discharge is either an environmentally or economically feasible alternative to more limited or selective control, is explored. However, if the public is willing to bear its reasonable share of the cost for clean air and water, the needed basic legislation already largely exists. Under it, agricultural land holders may apply program standards and use their own and available program resources to bring about effective control or abatement of pollutants.     

TECHNICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS OF SEWAGE EFFLUENT-IRRIGATION WATER EXCHANGE,TUCSON REGION1

ABSTRACT .Many growing municipalities near irrigated agriculture are advocating a transfer of water now utilized for irrigation to municipal use. Alternatives are presented whereby this water can be transferred to municipal use in exchange for treated sewage effluent. The irrigation water would in effect be cycled through the municipal system prior to use on the farms. A case study of the Tucson region illustrates the relevant legal, economic and technical aspects. Effluent could be delivered to irrigators in Avra Valley at a cost less than that now paid for water pumped from declining water tables. In return the City of Tucson could import ground water now being used for irrigation through an existing pipeline which presently cannot be used because of a court injunction obtained by the irrigators. It appears that such an exchange agreement could be made without modification of existing statutory law. Similar exchange arrangements may prove to be feasible in other regions containing irrigated agriculture. Increased efficiency of water use can be achieved avoiding external effects which commonly arise in a direct transfer and are difficult to evaluate. High quality water is allocated to municipal use whereas nutrient-rich sewage effluent is transferred to irrigation.     

Microbial and chemical markers: runoff transfer in animal manure-amended soils

Fecal contamination of water resources is evaluated by the enumeration of the fecal coliforms and Enterococci. However, the enumeration of these indicators does not allow us to differentiate between the sources of fecal contamination. Therefore, it is important to use alternative indicators of fecal contamination to identify livestock contamination in surface waters. The concentration of fecal indicators (, enteroccoci, and F-specific bacteriophages), microbiological markers (Rum-2-bac, Pig-2-bac, and ), and chemical fingerprints (sterols and stanols and other chemical compounds analyzed by 3D-fluorescence excitation-matrix spectroscopy) were determined in runoff waters generated by an artificial rainfall simulator. Three replicate plot experiments were conducted with swine slurry and cattle manure at agronomic nitrogen application rates. Low amounts of bacterial indicators (1.9-4.7%) are released in runoff water from swine-slurry-amended soils, whereas greater amounts (1.1-28.3%) of these indicators are released in runoff water from cattle-manure-amended soils. Microbial and chemical markers from animal manure were transferred to runoff water, allowing discrimination between swine and cattle fecal contamination in the environment via runoff after manure spreading. Host-specific bacterial and chemical markers were quantified for the first time in runoff waters samples after the experimental spreading of swine slurry or cattle manure.     

WATER AND WATER PROBLEMS IN THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS1

ABSTRACT: It is estimated that by about 1984 water demand in the District will nearly equal Nature's average annual replenishment of the supply and that, thereafter, unless means are developed to augment our in-District resources, water mining will be required on a grand scale. Sources of augmentation include: (1) reduction of wastes; (2) industrial recycling of previously-used water; (3) use of municipal sewage effluents; (4) desalination of brackish ground water; (5) aquifer recharge from all available, high-quality sources, particularly flood waters; and (6) importation of excess waters from such out-of-District sources as the lower courses of the Suwannee and Apalachicola Rivers. To achieve maximum beneficial uses of in-District sources a regional water and sewer authority is needed that can develop and transmit water from all available sources to the various county and city systems on a wholesale basis. It is envisioned that such a supply system would tie together all production sources, much as the electrical generation and supply systems are currently organized into regional electric power hookups. At least two bills are currently before the Florida Legislature to achieve these goals.     

THE LIMNOLOGY OF LAKE WABUKAYNE,A STORM-WATER IMPOUNDMENT1

ABSTRACT The limnology of a 1.9-ha storm-water detention pond is described. The eutrophic nature of this impoundment is attributed to the nutrients in runoff from the surrounding residential area. During the summer, photosynthetic activity of the phytoplankton caused surface waters to become super-saturated with oxygen, while decomposing organic material greatly reduced dissolved oxygen concentrations in the deeper water. Sediment derived from construction activity within the drainage basin caused the impoundment to be turbid. The use of road deicing salts within the drainage basin produced high chloride concentrations and a temporary meromixis during the winter and early spring. The benthic fauna consisted primarily of oligochaetes, chironomids, and chaoborids. High densities of oligochaetes were present in the settling basin. Chaoborid larvae were abundant in the deep basin where low oxygen concentrations reduced the numbers of other benthic macroinvertebrates.