Grantee Research Project Results
2004 Progress Report: Stream Classification for TMDL Assessment Using a Dimensionless, Reference Reach Approach
EPA Grant Number: R831366Title: Stream Classification for TMDL Assessment Using a Dimensionless, Reference Reach Approach
Investigators: Wilson, Bruce , Perry, James A. , Nieber, John L. , Vondracek, Bruce
Institution: University of Minnesota
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: November 10, 2003 through November 9, 2006
Project Period Covered by this Report: November 10, 2003 through November 9, 2004
Project Amount: $769,592
RFA: Development of Watershed Classification Systems for Diagnosis of Biological Impairment in Watersheds (2002) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Water
Objective:
The overall goal of the project is to develop a simple classification system that is useful in total maximum daily load (TMDL) assessment. The framework of this system must allow streams to be reclassified easily when watershed conditions are changed. The specific research objectives are to: (1) investigate the relationship between indicators of stream health and localized stream characteristics; (2) develop and evaluate dimensionless curves using reference reach values as a tool for stream classification and TMDL assessment; and (3) propose and test a stream classification system using the prediction intervals of the dimensionless curves.
Progress Summary:
An interdisciplinary team of water resources engineers, conservation biologists, hydrologists, environmental scientists, and ecologists have been formed to provide guidance for the project. The team meets monthly to discuss progress on the project. Water quality and physical and biological data were acquired from a variety of local, state, and federal agencies as well as from teaching and research institutions. Original data in different formats presented challenges in standardization. All tables containing data were converted to geodatabases and linked to spatial reference in the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) environment.
Evaluation of the key hypotheses of the project has focused on the Redwood River Basin, located within the Minnesota River Basin, and the Snake River Basin, located within the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The land use in the Redwood River Basin is mostly agricultural (86%), whereas the Snake River Basin has a high percentage of forest and wetlands and a limited amount of agriculture (12%). The two basins are roughly the same size, and channel gradients are similar.
Preliminary analyses focused on simple relationships between Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) scores and channel gradient, drainage area, and channel-forming discharge. Determination of drainage area was relatively easy for our databases. Considerable effort, however, was needed to estimate the localized channel gradient and the best estimate of the channel-forming discharge. Channel gradient was estimated using two different methods. The channel-forming discharge was estimated using the 2-year flow rates. The 2-year flow rates then were estimated using regional regression analysis of U.S. Geological Survey stream flow data.
The observed IBI scores were poorly represented by the regression equation obtained from using channel slope, 2-year stream flow, or drainage area data. For the Redwood River Basin, the slope of the regression lines was significantly different than zero at the 5 percent level for channel slope and 2-year stream flow. The slope of the regression line was significantly different than zero for 2-year stream flow for the Snake River Basin. The results suggest that more rigorous techniques are needed to capture trends in IBI scores successfully. Additional analyses will be done using multiple regression, principal component analysis, clustering techniques, and artificial neural networks.
Future Activities:
Activities for the upcoming project year include:
- Field augmentation of geomorphologic, biological, and chemical data.
- Statistical analysis of indicator of stream health using principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and conical correlation analysis.
- Publication of results at various regional and national meetings and conferences.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 1 publications | 1 publications in selected types | All 1 journal articles |
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Asmus B, Magner J, Vondracek B, Perry J. Physical integrity:the missing link in biological monitoring and TMDLs. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2009;159(1-4):443-463. |
R831366 (2004) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
TMDL, watershed, Midwest, indicators, aquatic habitat, ecosystem monitoring, land management, risk assessment, stream classification, watershed assessment,, RFA, Water, ECOSYSTEMS, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Aquatic Ecosystems & Estuarine Research, Water & Watershed, Aquatic Ecosystem, Monitoring/Modeling, Terrestrial Ecosystems, Watersheds, risk assessment, anthropogenic stress, ecosystem modeling, watershed classification, watershed, ecosystem monitoring, decision making, TMDL, aquatic ecosystems, ecological risk, environmental stress, water quality, ecological indicators, ecology assessment models, ecosystem stress, watershed assessment, ecological models, stressor effect relationships, stream classification, stress response, ecosystem responseRelevant Websites:
http://tmdl.coafes.umn.edu Exit (password protected)
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.