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Water-quality assessment of the Lower Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania and Maryland: Design and implementation of water-quality studies, 1992-95

Open-File Report 97-583
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr97583

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Abstract

From 1992 through 1995, nearly 1,200 water-quality samples from about 500 sites were collected, processed, and analyzed for the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program in the Lower Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Sites were selected and samples were collected for 28 integrated water-quality studies designed to provide a comprehensive and nationally consistent description of current water-quality conditions, to begin to identify trends in water quality, and to determine the major factors that affect observed water quality. To achieve this, stream-water, ground-water, streambed-sediment, and biota samples were collected, and habitat assessments were conducted at selected data-collection sites.

This report discusses the water-quality study design, site-selection strategy, and implementation steps used to obtain water-quality and related data. Methods employed to collect, process, and analyze samples, characterize sites, and assess habitat are described. A comprehensive list of all sites employed in these studies and their characteristics is provided. Sample analyses conducted for the water-quality studies described in this report, including nutrients, pesticides, major ions, volatile organic compounds (VOC's), and trace elements, as well as measured or observed physical properties and habitat characteristics, also are listed.

Suggested Citation

Siwiec, S.F., Hainly, R.A., Lindsey, B.D., Bilger, M.D., and Brightbill, R.A., 1997, Water-quality assessment of the Lower Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania and Maryland: Design and implementation of water-quality studies, 1992-95: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 1997–0583, 121 p., https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr97583.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Design and Implementation of Water-Quality Studies
  • References Cited
  • Appendix A - Site and Basin Characteristics, by Water Quality Study
  • Appendix B - Analytical Groupings of Water-Quality Characteristics
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Water-quality assessment of the Lower Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania and Maryland: Design and implementation of water-quality studies, 1992-95
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 97-583
DOI 10.3133/ofr97583
Year Published 1997
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Pennsylvania Water Science Center
Description xii, 121 p.
Country United States
State Maryland, Pennsylvania
Other Geospatial Lower Susquehanna River Basin
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details