Assessment of nonpoint-source nutrient discharges from the Switzer Creek basin, Steuben County, New York
Water-Resources Investigations Report
83-4278
By: D. A. Sherwood
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Abstract
Switzer Creek, tributary to the upper Susquehanna River basin, drains a 3.55 sq mi watershed that is 51% agricultural and 49% forested. From November 1978 to September 1980, Switzer Creek discharged 1,000 tons of suspended sediment, or 0.44 tons/acre. The maximum instantaneous suspended sediment concentration of 3 ,840 mg/L occurred during high water on September 14, 1979. Nitrogen loads, composed of nitrite plus nitrate total kjeldahl nitrogen, totaled 11 and 3.5 pounds/acre, respectively. Eighty percent of the total nitrogen load was transported during base flow. Of the nitrogen load transported during base flow, 88% was nitrite plus nitrate; of the total nitrogen load transported during high flows, 85% was organic nitrogen. Nearly 90% of the phosphorus load was transported during high flows as a result of its affinity for particulate matter. The load of total phosphorus as P totaled 0.63 pounds/acre, and total orthophosphorus as P totaled 0.19 pounds/acre. Nitrite plus nitrate from atmospheric sources totaled 8.4 pounds/acre, and ammonium totaled 3.9 pounds/acre. Equations relate streamflow to concentration and load of eight selected nutrients. (USGS)
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Assessment of nonpoint-source nutrient discharges from the Switzer Creek basin, Steuben County, New York |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 83-4278 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri834278 |
| Edition | - |
| Year Published | 1984 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey, |
| Description | v, 24 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm. |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |