1990 water quality assessment report: Susquehanna River basin
This report was prepared to meet the requirements of Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The Susquehanna River drains 27,580 sq mi in New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, and contributes over half of the freshwater inflow to the Chesapeake Bay. The report covers 13,268 stream miles assessed out of 21,100 miles of named streams in the basin. The assessments over the Lower Susquehanna, Juniata and West Branch subbasins in greater detail than the Upper Susquehanna, Chemung and Eastern subbasins. Designated uses are attained in 11,812 stream miles (89% of the total). Ninety-four percent (12,520 stream miles) meet the CWA fishable water goal and 99% (13,223 stream miles) meet the CWA swimmable waters goal. Metals (mainly from mining activities) are the major cause of degradation, polluting 844 stream miles (58% of impaired stream miles). Nutrient enrichment and sediment from agricultural runoff and municipal wastewater discharges account for another 19% of degraded stream miles. At least 885 stream miles have elevated levels of toxic substances, mainly metals.
- OSTI ID:
- 5936444
- Resource Relation:
- Related Information: Publication No. 130
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Water quality of interstate streams in the Susquehanna River Basin monitoring report No. 3, water year 1989 (October 1988-September 1989)
Reservoir monitoring: 1990 summary of vital signs and use impairment monitoring on Tennessee Valley Reservoirs
Related Subjects
METALS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
WATER POLLUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
MONITORING
POLLUTION SOURCES
RUNOFF
WASTE WATER
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID WASTES
MASS TRANSFER
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RIVERS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
WASTES
WATER
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)