A water quality analysis provided an environmental sketch of factors primarily responsible for basin water quality. Correlations between flow and 12 parameters indicated that only 10 to 25% of parameter variation can be attributed to stream flow. The daily nutrient loads passing Northfield, Mass. were estimated to be between 1,300-8,000 lbs/day for ammonia nitrogen and 9,000-13,000 lbs/day for phosphates; while at Enfield, Conn. the ammonia nitrogen ranged between 13,000-33,000 lbs/day and phosphates 11,000-30,000 lbs/day. The apparent anomaly indicated in the N:P ratio at the two stations is due to the high levels of ammonia-nitrogen discharged into the river in the Springfield Metropolitan area just above Enfield. Estimated silt losses in the basin range from .75 million - 5 million lbs/day with some areas experiencing serious losses while other areas having little problems. The report describes the physical-chemical changes in water quality which occur as a result of impoundments and presents a bibliography covering the topic. Portions of this document are not fully legible.