U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1230
This circular is available as a pdf.
This report contains the major findings of a 1999–2001 assessment of water quality in the upper Illinois River Basin. It is one of a series of reports by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program that present major findings in 51 major river basins and aquifer systems across the Nation.
In these reports, water quality is discussed in terms of local, State, and regional issues. Conditions in a particular basin or aquifer system are compared to conditions found elsewhere and to selected national benchmarks, such as those for drinking-water quality and the protection of aquatic organisms.
This report is intended for individuals working with water-resource issues in Federal, State, or local agencies, universities, public-interest groups, or in the private sector. The information will be useful in addressing a number of current issues, such as the effects of agricultural and urban land use on water quality, human health, drinking water, source-water protection, hypoxia and excessive growth of algae and plants, pesticide registration, and monitoring and sampling strategies. This report also is for individuals who wish to know more about the quality of streams and ground water in areas near where they live, and how that water quality compares to the quality of water in other areas across the Nation.
The water-quality conditions in the upper Illinois River Basin summarized in
this report are discussed in detail in other reports that can be accessed from
(http://il.water.usgs.gov/nawqa/uirb).
Detailed technical information, data and analyses, collection and analytical
methodology, models, graphs, and maps that support the findings presented in
this report in addition to reports in this series from other basins can be accessed
from the national NAWQA Web site at
(http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa).
National Water-Quality Assessment Program
What kind of water-quality information does the NAWQA Program provide?
Introduction to this Report
Summary of Findings
Stream and River Highlights
Ground-Water Highlights
Introduction to the Upper Illinois River Basin
Major Findings
Urbanization significantly affects streams, biological communities, and ground water
Ammonia and phosphorus are elevated in urban streams and rivers because of wastewater
Domestic and industrial wastewater increased organic contaminants in streams and rivers
Insecticides, such as diazinon, are associated with urban land use
Volatile organic compounds were detected in Salt Creek
Lake sediment reflects urbanization
Biological conditions are adversely affected in urbanizing areas
Organochlorine-pesticide and PAH concentrations were elevated in urban-stream sediment and fish
Contaminants in sediments present risks to aquatic life in
and near the
Illinois River
Urban land-use study covers multiple watersheds in the Des Plaines and Fox River Basins
VOCs, pesticides, and nitrate were detected in shallow ground water underlying urban land
Recharge to the ground-water system decreases with urbanization
Extensive agriculture affects streams and ground water
Nitrate and total nitrogen are elevated in agricultural streams
Nitrogen varies significantly in agricultural streams because of geology and land-management practices
Herbicides are common in agricultural streams and in ground water
Water quality has changed since the early 1980s
Ammonia in streams and rivers decreased and nitrate increased
Changes in pesticide use are reflected in streams and rivers
Ten-year-old shallow ground water has higher pesticide concentrations than more recent ground water
Study-Unit Design
Stream Chemistry and Ecology
Ground-Water Chemistry
References Cited
Glossary
Appendix—Water-Quality Data from the Upper Illinois River Basin in a National Context
The companion Web site for NAWQA summary reports:
http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/nawqa_sumr.html
USGS State Representative
U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Discipline
221 N. Broadway Ave.,
Urbana, IL 61801
e-mail: dc_il@usgs.gov
http://il.water.usgs.gov/nawqa/uirb
Chief, NAWQA Program
U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Discipline
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M.S. 413
Reston, VA 20192
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Box 25286, Denver Federal Center
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For more information about the USGS and its products:
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The text and graphics are presented here in pdf format (print quality). The full report is 11.4MB.
If you have Adobe® Acrobat® or Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® installed on your computer, you may view and print the PDF version of this report. Acrobat Reader, is a free download it from Adobe Systems, Inc. Users with disabilities can view information concerning accessibility at access.adobe.com.
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