Water Quality in the Sacramento River Basin, California,1994–98

By Joseph L. Domagalski¹, Donna L. Knifong¹, Peter D. Dileanis¹, Larry R. Brown¹, Jason T. May², Valerie Connor³, and Charles N. Alpers¹

¹U.S. Geological Survey, Placer Hall, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6129
²California State University Foundation, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6063
³Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, 3443 Routier Road, Sacramento, CA 95827-3098

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 1215

The full report is available in pdf.  Links to the pdf.

A contribution of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program

• NATIONAL WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
• SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS
  • Stream and river highlights
  • Ground-water highlights
• INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRAMENTO RIVER BASIN
  • Land-Use Effects on Water Quality and Stream Habitat
  • Water Use in California
  • Effects of Hydrologic Conditions on Study Results
  • Study Design Focuses on Land Use
• MAJOR FINDINGS
  • Surface Water
  • NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE—Nutrients in a National Context
  • Pesticides in Surface Water
  • Pesticides of Historical Use
  • NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE—Organophosphate Insecticides in Agricultural and Urban Streams in a National Context
  • Metals in Water and Streambed Sediment
  • Mercury in Water and Streambed Sediment
  • Ambient Toxicity Monitoring by California State Agencies
  • Aquatic Biology
  • NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE—Aquatic Biology in a National Context
  • Ground Water
• STUDY UNIT DESIGN
• APPENDIX—WATER-QUALITY DATA FROM THE SACRAMENTO RIVER BASIN IN A NATIONAL CONTEXT
• References
• A Coordinated Effort
• Glossary