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Changes to Idaho's statewide surface-water quality monitoring program since 1995

Fact Sheet 137-98
Prepared in Cooperation with the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs13798

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Abstract

In 1990, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality (formerly Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Environmental Quality), implemented a statewide water- quality monitoring program in response to Idaho’s antidegradation policy as required by the Clean Water Act (CWA). The objective was to provide water-quality managers with a coordinated state- wide program to detect trends in surface-water quality. The program design included chemical analyses of water samples collected at 56 sites on the Bear, Clearwater, Kootenai, Pend Oreille, Salmon, Snake, and Spokane Rivers and their tributaries (fig. 1). Samples were collected every year (1990 through 1995) at 5 sites (annual sites), every other year at 19 sites (biennial sites), and every third year at 32 sites (triennial sites). Each year, 25 of the 56 sites were sampled. During water years 1990–95 (October 1, 1989, to September 30, 1995), samples were collected bimonthly. Onsite analyses consisted of discharge, specific conductance, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, bacteria (fecal coliform and fecal streptococci), and alkalinity. Laboratory analyses consisted of major ions, nutrients, trace elements, turbidity, and suspended sediment. Analytical results from the five annual sites sampled during water years 1990–93 are presented in a report by O’Dell and Berenbrock (1994).

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Changes to Idaho's statewide surface-water quality monitoring program since 1995
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 137-98
DOI 10.3133/fs13798
Year Published 1998
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Idaho Water Science Center
Description 4 p.
Country United States
State Idaho
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