Water-quality characteristics of urban storm runoff at selected sites in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, February 2006 through November 2009

Scientific Investigations Report 2011-5199
Prepared in cooperation with the City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish
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Abstract

Water samples were collected at three watersheds in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, during February 2006 through November 2009 for continued evaluation of urban storm runoff. The watersheds represented land uses characterized predominantly as established commercial, industrial, and residential. The following water-quality data are reported: physical and chemical-related properties, fecal coliform, nutrients, trace elements, and organic compounds. Results of water-quality analyses enabled calculation of event-mean concentrations and estimated annual contaminant loads and yields of storm runoff from nonpoint sources for 12 water-quality properties and constituents. Lead met or exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level of 15 micrograms per liter for drinking water standards in 4 of 14 samples. Low level concentrations of mercury were detected in all 14 samples, and half were two to four times above the reporting limit of 0.02 micrograms per liter. The average dissolved phosphorus concentrations from each land use were two to four times the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criterion of 0.05 milligrams per liter. Diazinon was detected in one sample at a concentration of 0.2 micrograms per liter. In the residential watershed, the largest at 216 acres, contaminant loads for 5 of the 12 water-quality properties and constituents were highest, with 4 of these being nutrients. The industrial watershed, 97 acres, had the highest contaminant loads for 6 of the 12 water-quality properties and constituents with 3 of these being metals, which is indicative of the type of land use. Zinc had the highest metal load (155 pounds per year) in the industrial watershed, compared to 36 pounds per year in the residential watershed, and 32 pounds per year in the established commercial watershed. The industrial watershed had the highest yields for 8 of the 12 water-quality properties and constituents, whereas the established commercial watershed had the lowest yield for 5 of the 12. Lower yields from the established commercial and residential watersheds could be from Best Management Practices in place that help control increased runoff from impervious areas and land development. Metal yields from all the watersheds were less than 1 pound per acre per year, except for the zinc from the industrial watershed, which was 2 pounds per acre per year. Nutrient yields in the established commercial watershed were lowest for total nitrogen, ammonia plus organic nitrogen (Kjeldahl nitrogen), and dissolved phosphorus.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Water-quality characteristics of urban storm runoff at selected sites in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, February 2006 through November 2009
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2011-5199
DOI 10.3133/sir20115199
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Louisiana Water Science Center
Description vi, 12 p.; Appendices
First page i
Last page 17
Time Range Start 2006-02-01
Time Range End 2009-11-30
Country United States
State Louisiana
City East Baton Rouge Parish
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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