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Synthesis and interpretation of surface-water quality and aquatic biota data collected in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, 1979-2009

Scientific Investigations Report 2013-5157
Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20135157

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Abstract

Shenandoah National Park in northern and central Virginia protects 777 square kilometers of mountain terrain in the Blue Ridge physiographic province and more than 90 streams containing diverse aquatic biota. Park managers and visitors are interested in the water quality of park streams and its ability to support healthy coldwater communities and species, such as the native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), that are at risk in the eastern United States. Despite protection from local stressors, however, the water quality of streams in the park is at risk from many regional stressors, including atmospheric pollution, decline in the health of the surrounding forests because of invasive forest pests, and global climate change. In 2010, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, undertook a study to compile, analyze, and synthesize available data on water quality, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and fish within Shenandoah National Park. Specifically, the effort focused on creating a comprehensive water-resources database for the park that can be used to evaluate temporal trends and spatial patterns in the available data, and characterizing those data to better understand interrelations among water quality, aquatic macroinvertebrates, fish, and the landscape.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Synthesis and interpretation of surface-water quality and aquatic biota data collected in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, 1979-2009
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2013-5157
DOI 10.3133/sir20135157
Year Published 2013
Language English
Publisher U. S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Leetown Science Center, Virginia Water Science Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center
Description x, 77 p.
Country United States
State Virginia
Other Geospatial Shenandoah National Park
Scale 2000000
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details