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Sediment and Water Quality Insights from the Great Lakes Connecting Channels NCCA Surveys
Citation:
Pawlowski, M., Dave Bolgrien, M. Wick, T. Angradi, M. Nord, J. Scharold, E. Hinchey, A. Cotter, M. Pearson, W. Bartsch, J. Lietz, AND T. Corry. Sediment and Water Quality Insights from the Great Lakes Connecting Channels NCCA Surveys. To be Presented at International Association of Great Lakes Research, Detroit, MI, May 15 - 19, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
not applicable
Description:
Probability-based surveys of the U.S. Great Lakes coastal waters (excluding connecting channels) were conducted in 2010 and 2015 as part of EPA’s National Coastal Condition Assessment (NCCA). Research on the Huron-Erie corridor (HEC; 2014, 2015) and the St. Marys River (SMR; 2015, 2016) is continuing in order to include connecting channels in the NCCA. We used existing NCCA sampling protocols, indicators, and assessment thresholds for water and sediment quality to compare conditions in the HEC and SMR to conditions in adjacent lakes. Preliminary results show that water quality in the connecting channels was intermediate (as % area in poor condition) compared to up- and down-stream lakes. Mixed watershed land uses also likely impact water quality in connecting channels. Sediment quality was characterized as good in 48% and 53% of the HEC and St. Marys River (by area), respectively which was similar to the lakes. Rocky substrates, shallow sites, and hard-bottom river channels meant that 2.4-9% of connecting channel area could not be assessed. This was less than the 22-25% unassessed in the lakes. Research goals include piloting an assessment of the Niagara River, and evaluating indicators and assessment thresholds for connecting channels.