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 04:00:00 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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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