Results
Water Quality
The calendar year 2009 (CY-09) report included water quality data collected January 1 through December 31, 2009. The parameter that most often exceeded standards was total aluminum, followed closely by total iron. Approximately 39 percent of Group 1 and 2 streams met designated use classes, with no parameters exceeding water quality standards. Nineteen out of 31 sites had at least one parameter exceeding acceptable limits, with 16 of those having more than one violation.
Parameters Exceeding Water
Quality Standards
|
Parameter
|
Standard
|
Standard Value
|
Number of Observations
|
Number Exceeding Standards
|
|
Alkalinity
|
Pa. aquatic life
|
20 mg/l
|
112
|
6
|
|
Total Aluminum
|
N.Y. aquatic (chronic)
|
100 µg/l
|
60
|
28
|
|
Total Chlorine
|
N.Y. aquatic (acute)
Md. aquatic life |
0.019 mg/l
0.019 mg/l |
7
6 |
7
5 |
|
Dissolved Oxygen
|
Pa. aquatic life
|
5.0 mg/l
|
112
|
0
|
|
Nitrate Plus Nitrate
|
Pa. public water supply
|
10 mg/l
|
91
|
2
|
|
Total Iron
|
N.Y. aquatic (chronic)
Pa. aquatic life |
300 µg/l
1500 µg/l |
60
91 |
17
2 |
|
pH
|
N.Y. general |
6.5-8.5
6.5-8.5 6.0-9.0 |
81
31 112 |
2
0 0 |
|
Turbidity
|
Md. aquatic life |
150 NTU
|
31
|
0
|
|
Total Manganese
|
N.Y. aquatic (chronic)
|
300 ug/l
|
60
|
2
|
Water Quality Trends
Trends in water quality for the entire period of record (1986–2009) were analyzed
using a Seasonal Kendall Test. Concentrations of each constituent were flow-adjusted.
In order for a trend to be considered increasing or decreasing, the p value must
be less than 0.05. A p value of greater than 0.05 indicated that no trend
was observed. Trends analysis was completed for stations that are sampled
quarterly, meaning that only Group 1 stations are included. The constituents
with the highest number of stations showing a decreasing trend included total sulfate,
phosphorus, ammonia, and iron, respectively. Only total chlorides and total
solids were shown to be increasing in flow adjusted concentration.
Number of stations that were increasing, decreasing, or showed no trend
for constituents of concern
|
Constituent |
Increasing |
None |
Decreasing |
NA |
|
Total Solids |
3 |
14 |
3 |
1 |
|
Total Nitrogen |
0
|
5 |
1 |
15 |
|
Total Ammonia |
0
|
7 |
11 |
3 |
|
Total Phosphorus |
0
|
8 |
13 |
0
|
|
Total Chlorides |
11 |
9 |
0
|
1 |
|
Total Sulfate |
0
|
2 |
18 |
1 |
|
Total Iron |
0
|
11 |
9 |
1 |
|
Total Manganese |
0
|
11 |
9 |
1 |
|
Total Aluminum |
0
|
18 |
2 |
1 |
Macroinvertebrates and Habitat
In 2009, 16 of the 51 interstate streams sites at which macroinvertebrate samples were collected contained nonimpaired IBI scores. Biological conditions at another 22 sites were slightly impaired, while 13 sites were moderately impaired. SUSQ 10.0 and NFCR 7.6 were not sampled using RBP III techniques due to deep waters and access issues, respectively. Consequently, these sites were not averaged into final scores. Twenty-eight sites had excellent habitats, 14 sites had supporting habitats, seven sites had partially supporting habitats, and two sites were designated as having nonsupporting habitat. Habitat was not assessed at SUSQ 10.0 and NFCR 7.6.
Fish
In 2009, fish sampling occurred at 18 Group 1 and 2 interstate stream stations. Large river sites, including all interstate stations on the Chemung, Cowanesque, Susquehanna, and Tioga Rivers were not sampled for fish because of size restrictions. Fish sampling will occur in 2010 at LNGA 3.5, SCTT 3.0, HLDN 3.5, NFCR 7.6, and TROW 1.8. Of the 18 stations where fish community data were collected, nine sites earned a good fish IBI score, while eight were rated fair and one was rated poor.
For more detailed regional results, click
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