Grantee Research Project Results
2004 Progress Report: Linking Watershed Characteristics with Flow Regime and Geomorphic Context to Diagnose Water Quality Impairment at Multiple Spatiotemporal Scales
EPA Grant Number: R831367Title: Linking Watershed Characteristics with Flow Regime and Geomorphic Context to Diagnose Water Quality Impairment at Multiple Spatiotemporal Scales
Investigators: Poff, N. LeRoy
Current Investigators: Poff, N. LeRoy , Bledsoe, Brian P. , Dean, Denis
Institution: Colorado State University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: November 1, 2003 through October 31, 2007
Project Period Covered by this Report: November 1, 2003 through October 31, 2004
Project Amount: $897,798
RFA: Development of Watershed Classification Systems for Diagnosis of Biological Impairment in Watersheds and Their Receiving Water Bodies (2003) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Water
Objective:
The objectives of the research project are to: (1) quantify the interactions between watershed characteristics, flow regime components, and geomorphic settings that explain variation in sediment and biological indicators of water quality impairment in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) datasets; (2) create a national classification of water quality impairment in terms of flow regime components and land use; and (3) regionally test flow regime-water quality linkages by conducting field studies in Rocky Mountain streams.
Progress Summary:
In spring and summer of 2004, we designed two field studies to regionally test flow regime-water quality linkages (Objective 3). The first study is a field experiment aimed toward differentiating macroinvertebrate community responses to reduced flow and fine sediment deposition. Because fine sediment deposition often accompanies decreases in streamflow, the relative influences of these stressors on stream community structure and function are difficult to differentiate. This research will take steps toward elucidating the mechanistic cause of biological impairment in low-flow environments. This study, completed in fall 2004, was an in situ field experiment aimed toward isolating the independent and interactive effects of antecedent low flows and fine sediment deposition on biotic condition. We installed 120 colonization boxes in 12 flow troughs containing five levels of fine sediments (0-14%, by mass) in a gravel-bed mountain stream and exposed them to four levels of streamflow (10, 33, 67, and 100% of ambient, in-channel flow). Macroinvertebrate community data were collected from each experimental unit at 4 weeks and 8 weeks and returned to the lab. Data will be analyzed in relation to levels of flow and fine sediment during FY 2005.
The second study is a natural experiment that will quantify geomorphic and biological responses to reductions in streamflow caused by baseflow diversions across more than 10 Rocky Mountain streams that vary in diversion intensity and duration. Results from this study will provide insight into how the magnitude of baseflow diversions within specific geomorphic contexts may regulate the deposition of fine sediments and influence associated biological (macroinvertebrate) responses. Initial site screening and field reconnaissance to select candidate sites was completed in spring and summer of 2004. Sites will be sampled in summer and fall of 2005.
In 2003, we also began compiling several nationwide geospatial datasets including geology, land cover, climate, reservoirs, and all 10 m digital elevation models (DEMs) available for the conterminous US in preparation for large-scale hydrologic modeling and classification with artificial neural networks (Objectives 1 and 2). We also initiated compilation of a comprehensive set of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) daily streamflow data for several hydrologic regions of the United States and delineation of watershed boundaries for each gauge location. Several innovative GIS tools designed to characterize geomorphic and land use characteristics at EMAP biomonitoring sites are under development. These include models that rely solely on widely available geospatial data for predicting valley characteristics, stream type, and substrate characteristics at regional scales. These models are designed to complement regional hydrologic models in providing a characterization of geomorphic context and watershed alteration at all the western EMAP sites. The large spatial extent and computational demands of the study have necessitated development of batch processing algorithms for performing watershed analyses. We currently are developing and testing: (1) scripts for automating watershed delineations for EMAP sites with 10 m DEMs; (2) an “along-stream” network function for automated statistical analysis of various drainage network characteristics; and (3) a tool for batch processing of USGS streamflow records for use in computing 80 hydrologic metrics for specific time periods prior to biological sampling.
Future Activities:
In Year 2, we will complete data analysis for the first field study and will implement our second field study in the summer and fall. We also will complete compilation of the GIS database and begin training artificial neural network models for hydrologic prediction and classification. Development and testing of GIS-based models for characterizing the geomorphic and land use context of EMAP biomonitoring sites will be completed in Year 2.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 47 publications | 15 publications in selected types | All 13 journal articles |
---|
Type | Citation | ||
---|---|---|---|
|
Sanborn SC, Bledsoe BP. Predicting streamflow regime metrics for ungauged streams in Colorado, Washington, and Oregon. Journal of Hydrology 2006;325(1-4):241-261. |
R831367 (2004) R831367 (2006) R831367 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
watershed classification, hydrologic impairment, water quality, hydrologic modeling, stream ecology, fluvial geomorphology, spatial and temporal scaling, land use,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Water & Watershed, Hydrology, Environmental Monitoring, Ecology and Ecosystems, Watersheds, ecosystem modeling, watershed classification, hydrogeomorphic categories, geomorphic, GIS, water quality, spatial & temporal scalingProgress 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.