Streamflow and water-quality conditions, Wilsons Creek and James River, Springfield area, Missouri

Water-Resources Investigations Report 82-26
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Abstract

A network of water-quality-monitoring stations was established upstream and downstream from the Southwest Wastewater-Treatment Plant on Wilsons Creek to monitor the effects of sewage effluent on water quality. Data indicate that 82 percent of the time the flow in Wilsons Creek upstream from the wastewater-treatment plant is less than the effluent discharged from the plant. On October 15, 1977, an advanced wastewater-treatment facility was put into operation. Of the four water-quality indicators measured at the monitoring stations (specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, pH, and water temperature), only dissolved oxygen showed improvement downstream from the plant. During urban runoff, the specific conductance momentarily increased and dissolved-oxygen concentration momentarily decreased in Wilsons Creek upstream from the plant. Urban runoff was found to have no long-term effects on specific conductance and dissolved oxygen downstream from the plant before or after the addition of the advanced wastewater-treatment facility. Data collected monthly from the James River showed that the dissolved-oxygen concentrations and the total nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen concentrations increased, whereas the dissolved-manganese concentrations decreased after the advanced wastewater-treatment facility became operational.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Streamflow and water-quality conditions, Wilsons Creek and James River, Springfield area, Missouri
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 82-26
DOI 10.3133/wri8226
Year Published 1982
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description v, 38 p.
Country United States
State Missouri
City Springfield
Other Geospatial James River, Wilsons Creek
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