National Center for Water Quality Research (NCWQR), Heidelberg University
Published April 1, 2013 | Version v1
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Pollutant Load Estimation for Water Quality Monitoring Projects

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Tetra Tech, Inc.
  • 2. Heidelberg University

Description

Through the National Nonpoint Source Monitoring Program (NNPSMP), states monitor and evaluate a subset of watershed projects funded by the Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Control Program. The program has two major objectives:

1. To scientifically evaluate the effectiveness of watershed technologies designed to control nonpoint source pollution
2. To improve our understanding of nonpoint source pollution

NNPSMP Tech Notes is a series of publications that shares this unique research and monitoring effort. It offers guidance on data collection, implementation of pollution control technologies, and monitoring design, as well as case studies that illustrate principles in action.

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tech_notes_8_dec_2013_load.pdf

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Additional details

References

  • Meals, D.W. and S.A. Dressing. 2005. Monitoring data – exploring your data, the first step, Tech Notes 1, July 2005. Developed for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by Tetra Tech, Inc., Fairfax, VA, 14 p. Available online at https://www.epa.gov/ polluted-runoff-nonpoint-source-pollution/nonpoint-source-monitoring-technicalnotes. (Accessed 1-3-2013).
  • Meals, D.W. and S.A. Dressing. 2008. Surface water flow measurement for water quality monitoring projects, Tech Notes 3, March 2008. Developed for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by Tetra Tech, Inc., Fairfax, VA, 16 p. Available online at https://www.epa.gov/polluted-runoff-nonpoint-source-pollution/nonpoint-sourcemonitoring- technical-notes. (Accessed 12-31-2012).
  • Meals, D.W., J. Spooner, S.A. Dressing, and J.B. Harcum. 2011. Statistical analysis for monotonic trends, Tech Notes 6, November 2011. Developed for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by Tetra Tech, Inc., Fairfax, VA, 23 p. Available online at https://www.epa.gov/polluted-runoff-nonpoint-source-pollution/nonpoint-sourcemonitoring- technical-notes. (Accessed 1-3-2013).
  • Richards, R.P. 1998. Estimation of pollutant loads in rivers and streams: a guidance document for NPS programs. U.S. EPA Region VIII Grant X998397-01-0, Water Quality Laboratory, Heidelberg University, Tiffin, OH. http://141.139.110.110/sites/ default/files/jfuller/images/Load_Est1.pdf (Accessed 12-31-2012).
  • Richards, R.P. and J. Holloway. 1987. Monte Carlo studies of sampling strategies for estimating tributary loads. Water Resources Research 23:1939-1948.
  • Schwarz, G.E., A.B. Hoos, R.B. Alexander, and R.A. Smith. 2006. The SPARROW surface water-quality model: theory, application and user documentation. U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods Book 6, Section B, Chapter 3. http://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/2006/tm6b3/ (Accessed 1-16-2013).
  • Spooner, J., S.L. Brichford, D.A. Dickey, R.P. Maas, M.D. Smolen, G.J. Ritter and E.G. Flaig. 1988. Determining the sensitivity of the water quality monitoring program in the Taylor Creek-Nubbin Slough, Florida project. Lake and Reservoir Management, 4(2):113–124.
  • Spooner, J., S.A. Dressing, and D.W. Meals. 2011. Minimum detectable change analysis. Tech Notes 7, December 2011. Developed for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by Tetra Tech, Inc., Fairfax, VA, 21 p. Available online at https://www.epa.gov/ polluted-runoff-nonpoint-source-pollution/nonpoint-source-monitoring-technicalnotes. (Accessed 12-31-2012).
  • Spooner, J., R.P. Maas, M.D. Smolen and C.A. Jamieson. 1987. Increasing the sensitivity of nonpoint source control monitoring programs. p. 243–257. In: Symposium On Monitoring, Modeling, and Mediating Water Quality. American Water Resources Association, Bethesda, Maryland. 710p.
  • Tetra Tech. White Paper (l): Advantages and disadvantages of using load duration curves to estimate existing and allowable loads for the development of nutrient TMDLs. http://rd.tetratech.com/epa/Documents/White%20Paper%20_l_%20Load%20 Duration%20Curves.pdf (Accessed 1-7-2013).
  • USEPA. 2007. An approach for using load duration curves in the development of TMDLs. Watershed Branch, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, Washington, DC. http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/techsupp.html (Accessed 1-7-2013).
  • VT DEC and NYS DEC. 1997. A phosphorus budget, model, and load reduction strategy for Lake Champlain. Lake Champlain diagnostic-feasibility study, final report, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Waterbury, VT. www.vtwaterquality.org/lakes/docs/lp_lcdfs-finalreport.pdf (Accessed 1-7-2013).
  • Walker, W.W. 1987. Empirical methods for predicting eutrophication in impoundments. Report 4: Applications Manual. Tech. Rep. E-81-9. Prep. for U.S. Army Corps Eng. Waterways Exp. Sta. Vicksburg, MS.
  • Walker, W.W. 1990. FLUX stream load computations. Version 4.4. Prep. for U.S. Army Corps Eng. Waterways Exp. Sta. Vicksburg, MS.
  • Walker, W.W. 1999. Simplified Procedures for Eutrophication Assessment and Prediction: User Manual. Prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Water Operations Technical Support Program, Instruction Report W-96-2, September 1996 (Updated April 1999). http://www.wwwalker.net/bathtub/Flux_Profile_Bathtub_DOS_1999.pdf (Accessed 1-7-2013).