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Trends in Concentrations, Loads, and Sources of Trace Metals and Nutrients in the Spokane River Watershed, Northern Idaho, Water Years 1990–2018

Scientific Investigations Report 2020-5096
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205096

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Abstract

A long history of mining and widespread metals contamination in the Coeur d’Alene River watershed and downstream into the Spokane River has led to the area’s designation as a Superfund site and to extensive, ongoing (as of 2020) remedial actions. Long-term water-quality and streamflow data, collected by the U.S. Geological Survey for up to 29 years at 20 sampling sites in the Coeur d’Alene, Spokane and St. Joe River watersheds, were analyzed to evaluate the impact of remedial actions on metals in surface water. Analyses focused on total and dissolved cadmium, zinc and lead. Trends in total phosphorus, total nitrogen and dissolved orthophosphate were also evaluated; although these nutrients are not constituents of concern for the Superfund site, they are important to the health of Coeur d’Alene Lake.

Dissolved cadmium, zinc and lead concentrations were compared to ambient water-quality criteria at 20 sample sites. For the 12 sites with the most extensive data records, Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge and Season (WRTDS) models were developed to estimate flow-normalized annual mean concentrations and flow-normalized annual total loads; these results were used to evaluate trends because flow-normalization dampens the impact of interannual streamflow variability on concentrations and loads. WRTDS models with Kalman filtering (WRTDS_K) were developed to estimate annual mean concentrations and annual total loads; these results were used to evaluate spatial patterns in constituent sources. Models were developed for total and dissolved cadmium, lead, and zinc; total phosphorus and nitrogen; and dissolved orthophosphate, although not all constituents were modeled for all sites due to limited sample sizes. Bootstrapped confidence intervals were constructed to determine the statistical likelihood of trends and the slope of trends in flow-normalized concentrations and loads during the period of record (13–29 years, depending on the site), water years 1999–2009, and water years 2009–18.

Suggested Citation

Zinsser, L.M., 2020, Trends in concentration, loads, and sources of trace metals and nutrients in the Spokane River Watershed, northern Idaho, water years 1990-2018: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2020–5096, 58 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205096.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
  • Appendixes 1–2
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Trends in concentration, loads, and sources of trace metals and nutrients in the Spokane River Watershed, northern Idaho, water years 1990–2018
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2020-5096
DOI 10.3133/sir20205096
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Idaho Water Science Center
Description Report: vii, 58 p.; Appendix 1-2; Data Release
Country United States
State Idaho
Other Geospatial Spokane River watershed
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details