Effects of storm runoff on water quality in the White River and Fall Creek, Indianapolis, Indiana, June through October 1986 and 1987

Book · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:6793016

Martin, J D; Craig, R A ^[1]

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1. Geological Survey, Indianapolis, IN (United States)

Four continuous, flow-through water-quality monitors were installed upstream from, in, and downstream from Indianapolis on the White River and near the mouth of Fall Creek in Indianapolis to monitor water quality, especially dissolved oxygen, during periods of base flow and storm runoff. Streamflow, dissolved-oxygen concentration, specific conductance, pH, and water temperature were measured at 15-minute intervals from June through October 1986 at the four sites and from June through October 1987 at two sites. Photosynthesis caused the large fluctuations and supersaturation of dissolved oxygen, and indicates that the White River is more productive than Fall Creek. Water quality during base flow is the typical condition against which water quality during storm runoff is compared. A rapid increase in streamflow indicates the beginning of a period of storm runoff and is associated with a decrease in specific conductance and pH and, dissolved oxygen or temperature. Concentrations of dissolved oxygen often decreased during storm runoff, especially during the initial rise in the hydrograph. Storm runoff consistently diminished or eliminated daily cycles of dissolved oxygen. Minimum concentrations during 12 low dissolved-oxygen periods of storm runoff. Minimum concentrations during twelve low dissolved-oxygen periods ranged from 1.0 to 3.9 mg/L and had a median concentration of 2.8 mg/L. Durations of low dissolved-oxygen concentrations ranged from .75 to 83.75 hours and had median durations of five hrs. Minimum concentrations during five low dissolved-oxygen periods at Fall Creek ranged from 2.0 to 3.4 mg/L and had a median concentration of 2.7 mg/L. Duration of low dissolved-oxygen concentrations ranged from 1.75 to 33.75 hrs and had a median duration of 7 hrs.

• OSTI ID: 6793016
• Resource Relation: Related Information: USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 89-4185
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
INDIANA
WATER POLLUTION
STREAMS
WATER QUALITY
DISSOLVED GASES
MONITORING
OXYGEN
PH VALUE
RUNOFF
STORMS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISASTERS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLUIDS
GASES
MASS TRANSFER
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
SOLUTES
SURFACE WATERS
USA
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)