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U.s. Geological Survey Data Series

Water-Quality Data for the Lower Russian River Basin, Sonoma County, California, 2003-2004

By Robert Anders, Karl Davidek, and Kathryn M. Koczot

 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Data Series 168

Sacramento, California 2006


In cooperation with the Sonoma County Water Agency



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Abstract

In 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Sonoma County Water Agency, began a study to determine the chemical, microbiological, and isotopic composition of the surface water and ground water in selected areas of the Lower Russian River Basin, Sonoma County, California. This report is a compilation of the hydrologic and water-quality data collected from 10 Russian River sites, 1 gravel-terrace pit site, 12 ground-water sites, 11 tributary sites including Mark West Creek, and 2 estuary sites between the city of Healdsburg and the Pacific Ocean, for the period August 2003 to September 2004.

Field measurements made included streamflow, barometric pressure, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, and turbidity. Water samples were analyzed for nutrients, major ions, total and dissolved organic carbon, trace elements, mercury, wastewater compounds, total coliform, Escherichia coli, Enterococci, Clostridium perfringens, and the stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen. Discharge measurements and sampling techniques were modified to accommodate the very low summer flows at most of the tributaries, and discharge measurements were made with an acoustic Doppler velocity meter at the estuary river site to overcome the complexities associated with tidal influences.

CONTENTS

Abstract

Introduction

Background

Study Area

Purpose and Scope

Acknowledgments

Site Selection

Surface-Water Sites

Russian River Sites and Gravel-Terrace Pit Site

Tributary Sites

Estuary Sites

Ground-Water Sites

Methods

Discharge Measurements and Sample Collection

Water-Quality Analyses

Field Parameters

Common Constituents

Organic Wastewater Compounds

Microbiological Indicators

Oxygen and Hydrogen Isotopes

Quality Control

Discharge Measurements and Water-Quality Data

Summary

References Cited

Tables


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Water Resources of California


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