In Reply Refer To: October 4, 1989 WGS-Mail Stop 412 OFFICE OF WATER QUALITY TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 90.02 Subject: PROGRAMS AND PLANS--National Water-Quality Networks: Fiscal Year 1990--October 1, 1989 to September 30, 1990 This memorandum contains an outline of Program status and protocol for operation of the National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) and the Hydrologic Benchmark Network (HBMN) for fiscal year (FY) 1990. All personnel responsible for collecting NASQAN or HBMN samples should read this memorandum. Network data collection can be significantly enhanced when personnel responsible for field data collection are informed of changes in sample collection and processing procedures. NETWORK OPERATIONS, FY 1990 Operation during FY 1990 of both NASQAN and HBMN will be largely unchanged from FY 1989 protocol. The network will continue to operate the same stations at the same frequency of sample collection. Collection of Samples for Bacteriology For all National Network stations, the filter pore size that currently should be used is 0.7 um for fecal coliform samples, and 0.45 um for fecal streptococci samples. At many sites, these specific pore size filters have been in use for some time. If however, the respective pore sizes noted above are not currently being used, please notify the National Networks Coordinator. Additionally, samples collected for bacteriology at National Network stations should be obtained as a surface grab from the centroid of flow in a sterile container. Depth and width integrated sampling for bacteriology has not been recommended for National Network stations. To date, a recommendation has not been made to use depth and width integrated sampling for bacteriology samples in order to maintain consistency. The principal network objective of time trend detection requires a consistent data collection effort. Consistent temporal and spatial data collection produces data applicable to the objective and comparable across regions and the country. Therefore, changes in network sampling approach should be introduced consistently across the network with care. Questions regarding changes in approach should be directed to the National Network Coordinator prior to implementation. Collection of Representative Samples As in past years, the Office of Water Quality and the NASQAN/Benchmark staff remind all field personnel that the collection of a representative sample is of utmost importance. Procedures for the collection of a representative sample are well documented. As part of this effort, cross-section surveys (depth and width) of water temperature, pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and suspended sediment have been required activities at each site in the two networks. Over a period of years the data base of such data should include observations for various seasons and surface water discharges. Cross-section surveys should include a discharge measurement so that each measured constituent can be associated with a weighted discharge value. The results of cross-section surveys should be stored in the WATSTORE/NWIS Water-Quality File. When entering such data, be sure to enter the cross section location - WATSTORE code 00009, CROSS-SECTION LOCATION, FEET FROM LEFT BANK, LOOKING DOWNSTREAM. Periods for Sample Collection The table below indicates the time periods for sample collection for stations sampled quarterly (four times per year) and bimonthly (six times per year). Station collection frequencies for each site remain the same in FY 1990 as they were in FY 1989. QUARTERLY STATIONS BIMONTHLY STATIONS ________________________ __________________ first sample OCTOBER-NOVEMBER-DECEMBER OCTOBER-NOVEMBER second sample JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH DECEMBER-JANUARY third sample APRIL-MAY-JUNE FEBRUARY-MARCH fourth sample JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER APRIL-MAY fifth sample ------------------------- JUNE-JULY sixth sample ------------------------- AUGUST-SEPTEMBER Use of ICP Use of the inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) procedure for the analysis of selected dissolved common and trace inorganic constituents will continue to be utilized to decrease analytical costs. The ICP procedure is not to be used whenever the specific conductance is greater than 2,000 uS/cm because the detection limits become greater. Schedule 177 will be used in lieu of schedule 176 whenever the specific conductance is greater than 2,000 uS/cm. Based upon historical specific conductance data for each NASQAN and HBMN Station, the percentage of samples with specific conductance values equal to or greater than 2,000 uS/cm was computed and is given in Appendix A under the right-hand heading "PROBABILITY (%) THAT SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE WILL BE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 2,000 US/CM." These probabilities indicate the expected frequency of use schedule 177 will get at each site over a long period of time. Determination of specifically which schedule to request for a sample is based on the specific conductance value measured at the time of sampling. Only schedule 176 is authorized for stations with zero probability of the specific conductance exceeding 2,000 uS/cm. Because of the uncertainty involved in predicting the number of samples during FY 1989 that will exceed 2,000 uS/cm, both schedule 176 and 177 are authorized for four uses at NASQAN and HBMN stations where the value given in the right-hand column of Appendix A is greater than zero. The actual number of usages authorized between schedules 176 and 177 is however four, not eight, for both HBMN and NASQAN. District Water-Quality Specialists have the authority and responsibility to request schedules 176 versus schedule 177. Because use of schedule 176 versus 177 is dependent solely upon the specific conductance of the sample, District Water-Quality Specialists should ensure that all field personnel are aware that a field specific conductance measurement is absolutely necessary whenever schedule 176 or 177 is to be utilized. Unique Numbers Districts are reminded that all samples (excluding suspended- sediment samples which are analyzed in District sediment laboratories for particle size and concentration) are to be sent to the U.S. Geological Survey Central Laboratory in Arvada, CO, with appropriate Central Laboratory unique numbers. The necessary computer program documentation to retrieve unique numbers is given in Quality of Water Branch Technical Memorandum 79.15. New unique numbers are established at the beginning of the each water year and are to be used until September 30 of each water year. Personnel collecting NASQAN or HBMN samples should keep a current listing of the unique numbers in their field folder. Any National-Networks sample processed by the Central Laboratory without a unique number will result in the analytical costs being billed to the District default account instead of the appropriate National-Networks account. Correcting such billing errors after they occur requires a memorandum to the Coordinator, National Water-Quality Networks. Analytical Services Request Form Although the unique number, date, and time are all that are required on the Analytical Services Request Form, additional information such as station name, special sampling conditions, National-Networks program (NASQAN, Benchmark), etc., are helpful to the Central Laboratory personnel and District personnel processing the analytical results. All information coded in the comments section of the Analytical Services Request Form is stored in the Water-Quality File. Uniform Data-Collection Program Districts are reminded of the importance to ensure that all NASQAN and HBMN samples be analyzed for the same measurements as specified later in this memorandum. In particular, all field measurements specified have to be done for every sample. Analytical Schedules There are no changes to any of the analytical schedules used in the NASQAN and Benchmark networks in FY 1990. NASQAN DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM NASQAN stations to be operated during the period October 1, 1989 through September 30, 1990 are listed in Appendix A. The network will have 411 stations. There will be one NASQAN station sampled monthly, 242 NASQAN stations sampled bimonthly, and 168 NASQAN stations sampled quarterly. NASQAN Sampling Schedule for FY 1990 Please notify the Office of Water Quality if the District responsible for collection of samples for any NASQAN station has changed recently and is therefore incorrectly listed in Appendix A. NASQAN Sampling Schedule (Quarterly Stations) 4 per year - Field measurements: Instantaneous discharge (WATSTORE Code 00061) Specific Conductance (WATSTORE Code 00095) Water temperature, oC (WATSTORE Code 000010) Barometric pressure (WATSTORE Code 00025) pH (WATSTORE Code 00400) Carbonate, water, dissolved, mg/L (WATSTORE Code 00452) Bicarbonate, water, dissolved, mg/L (WATSTORE Code 00453) Alkalinity, water, dissolved, as CaCO3, mg/L (WATSTORE Code 39086) Hydroxide, water, dissolved, mg/L (WATSTORE Code 71834) Dissolved oxygen (WATSTORE 00300) Fecal coliform bacteria (WATSTORE Code 31625) Fecal streptococcal bacteria (WATSTORE Code 31673) 4 per year - Suspended sediment: Concentration (WATSTORE Code 80154) Percent finer than 0.062 mm, sieve diameter (WATSTORE Code 70331) 4 per year - Nutrients, lab schedule 86 4 per year - Physical properties, common and trace dissolved inorganic constituents: lab schedule 176 (specific conductance <2,000 uS/cm) or lab schedule 177 (specific conductance >2,000 uS/cm) Cross-section surveys (depth and width) of temperature, pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and suspended-sediment concentration as needed to document cross-section homogeneity. NASQAN Sampling Schedule (Bimonthly Stations) 6 per year - Field measurements (same as quarterly) 6 per year - Suspended sediment (same as quarterly) 6 per year - Nutrients, lab schedule 86 2 per year - Physical properties and common dissolved inorganic constituents: lab schedule 1904 (not used when schedule 176 or 177 is used) 4 per year - Physical properties, and common and trace dissolved inorganic constituents: lab schedule 176 or 177 Cross-section surveys (depth and width) of temperature, pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and suspended-sediment concentration as needed to document cross-section homogeneity. NASQAN Radiochemical Subnetwork NASQAN Radiochemical Subnetwork Stations for FY 1990 are the same as those in FY 1989. Stations are indicated in Appendix A by listing a "2" under the heading "SCHEDULE 1703 RADIOCHEM". There are 46 stations. 2 per year - Radiochemicals, lab schedule 1703 HYDROLOGIC BENCHMARK DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM Hydrologic Benchmark Network stations to be operated in FY 1990 are unchanged from FY 1989, and are listed in Appendix A. At 3 HBMN stations, only surface water discharge data are to be collected: these are also given in Appendix A. Of the 55 stations to be sampled for water quality during FY 1990 forty-three (43) HBMN stations will be sampled quarterly, 10 HBMN stations will be sampled bimonthly, and 2 will be sampled monthly. All HBMN samples will be analyzed for the same properties and constituents as NASQAN samples. The field measurements and analytical schedules used for the HBMN program are therefore the same as for the NASQAN program. Trace metals samples will be collected at the 55 water-quality Benchmark stations on a quarterly basis. The analytical schedules remain the same. Analysis of radiochemicals at the 55 water-quality Benchmark stations will be on a semiannual basis (1 high-flow and 1 low-flow sample). The specific conductance is likely to exceed 2,000 uS/cm at only one HBMN station - the Bear Den Creek at Mandaree, ND (06332515). Therefore, this station may require schedule 177 for analysis of quarterly dissolved common and trace inorganic constituents. All other stations will require use of schedule 176 for analysis of these constituents. HBMN Sampling Schedule for FY 1990 Please notify the Office of Water Quality if the District responsible for collection of samples for any HBMN station has changed recently and is therefore incorrectly listed in Appendix A. Hydrologic Benchmark Network Sampling Schedule (Quarterly Stations) 4 per year - Field Measurements: Instantaneous discharge (WATSTORE Code 0006l) Specific conductance (WATSTORE Code 00095) Water temperature, oC (WATSTORE Code 00010) Barometric pressure, mm Hg (WATSTORE Code 00025) pH (WATSTORE Code 00400) Carbonate, water, dissolved, mg/L (WATSTORE Code 00452) Bicarbonate, water, dissolved, mg/L (WATSTORE Code 00453) Alkalinity, water, dissolved, as CaCO3, mg/L (WATSTORE Code 39086) Hydroxide, water, dissolved, mg/L (WATSTORE Code 71834) Dissolved oxygen (WATSTORE 00300) Fecal coliform bacteria (WATSTORE Code 31625) Fecal streptococcal bacteria (WATSTORE Code 31673) 4 per year - Suspended sediment: Concentration (WATSTORE Code 80154) Percent finer than 0.062 mm, sieve diameter (WATSTORE Code 70331) 4 per year - Nutrients, lab schedule 86 4 per year - Physical properties, common and trace dissolved inorganic constituents: lab schedule 176 2 per year - Radiochemicals, lab schedule 1703 Cross-section surveys (depth and width) of temperature, pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and suspended-sediment concentration as needed to document cross-section homogeneity. Hydrologic Benchmark Network Sampling Schedule (Bimonthly Stations) 6 per year - Field measurements (same as quarterly) 6 per year - Suspended sediment (same as quarterly) 6 per year - Nutrients, lab schedule 86 4 per year - Physical properties, common and trace dissolved inorganic constituents: lab schedule 176 (specific conductance <2,000 uS/cm) or lab schedule 177 (specific conductance >2,000 uS/cm) 2 per year - Physical properties and common dissolved inorganic constituents: lab schedule 1904 (not used when schedule 176 or 177 is used) 2 per year - Radiochemicals, lab schedule 1703 Cross-section surveys (depth and width) of temperature, pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and suspended-sediment concentration as needed to document cross-section homogeneity. Hydrologic Benchmark Network Sampling Schedule (Monthly Stations) 12 per year - Field measurements (same as quarterly) 12 per year - Suspended sediment (same as quarterly) 12 per year - Nutrients, lab schedule 86 4 per year - Physical properties and common and trace dissolved inorganic constituents: lab schedule 176 8 per year - Physical properties and common dissolved inorganic constituents: lab schedule 1904 (not used when schedule 176 is used) 2 per year - Radiochemicals, lab schedule 1703 Cross-section surveys (depth and width) of temperature, pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and suspended-sediment concentration as needed to document cross-section homogeneity. If any information in this memorandum prompts questions or comments, please call Tim Miller whose current number is 959-6868 (FTS). David A. Rickert Attachments This memorandum does not supersede any previous memorandum. Distribution: A, B, S, FO, PO Key Words: water quality, networks, sampling, NASQAN, Benchmark, FY 1989 APPENDIX A This appendix contains the listing by District of all NASQAN and HBMN stations. Specific information for each site includes sampling frequency and laboratory schedules. Sampling frequency and laboratory schedules have not been changed from FY 1989. Copies of the appendix may be retrieved via computer by the following command: FTR NASQAN>APPENDIX.A.90 FTS_DEPOT>== -SS QVARSA You may then access the Appendix file in your FTS_DEPOT APPENDIX B NUTRIENTS SCHEDULE NUMBER 86 USER NQ TYPE WN # OF CODES 8 LC WATSTORE NAME S-DESIG. 228 00631 NITROGEN, DIS., NO2+NO3 AS N FC 301 00608 NITROGEN, DIS., NH4 AS N FC 162 00671 PHOSPHORUS, DIS., ORTHO AS P FC 128 00666 PHOSPHORUS, DIS. FC 84 00625 NITROGEN, NH4+ORG AS N, TOTAL RC 129 00665 PHOSPHORUS, TOTAL RC 123 00610 NITROGEN, TOTAL, AMMONIA AS N RC 160 00613 NITROGEN, DISSOLVED, NITRITE AS N FC ***** SAMPLE TYPE AND VOLUME INFORMATION ***** VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE 250 ML FC 250 ML RC * * RADIOCHEMICALS SCHEDULE NUMBER 1703 LIMITED USER NQ TYPE WR # OF CODES 9 LC WATSTORE NAME S-DESIG. 1131 99473 FILTRATION GROSS-B RU 444 80030 GROSS ALPHA DIS. U-NA RU 446 80040 GROSS ALPHA SUS. U-NA RU 455 03515 GROSS-B, DIS. CS-137 RU 445 80050 GROSS-B, DIS. SR-90 RU 456 03516 GROSS-B, SUSP. CS-137 RU 447 80060 GROSS-B, SUSP. SR-90 RU 449 09511 RADIUM-226, DIS. RN RU 797 80020 U.DIS. FL-EXT. GR-W RU ***** SAMPLE TYPE AND VOLUME INFORMATION ***** VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE 4L RU * * * Appendix B -- Continued PHYSICAL PROPERTIES, COMMON AND TRACE DISSOLVED INORGANIC CONSTITUENTS SCHEDULE NUMBER 176 LMT'D FIXED USER NO TYPE WI LC WATSTORE NAME S-DESIG. LC WATSTORE NAME S-DESIG. 112 01000 ARSENIC, DIS. FA 652 01080 STRONITIUM, DIS FA 1284 01106 ALUMINUM, DIS. DCP FA 653 01085 VANADIUM, DIS. FA 641 01005 BARIUM, DIS. FA 671 01090 ZINC, DIS. FA 655 01010 BERYLLIUM, DIS. FA 659 00915 CALCIUM, DIS. FA 673 01025 CADMIUM, DIS. FA 663 00925 MAGNESIUM, DIS. FA 146 01030 CHROMIUM, DIS. FA 675 00930 SODIUM DIS. FA 644 01035 COBALT, DIS. FA 54 00935 POTASSIUM, DIS. FA 22 01040 COPPER, DIS. FA 667 00955 SILICA, DIS. FU 645 01046 IRON, DIS. FA 1200 00945 SULFATE TURB. DIS. FU 38 01049 LEAD, DIS. FA 31 00950 FLUORIDE, DIS. FU 664 01130 LITHIUM, DIS. FA 1213 00940 CHLORIDE, DIS. FU 648 01056 MANGANESE, DIS. FA 27 70300 ROE, DIS. AT 180 C FU 226 71890 MERCURY, DIS. FAM 68 00403 pH, (LABORATORY) RU 649 01060 MOLYBDENUM, DIS. FA 69 90095 SP, CONDUCTANCE, LAB RU 44 01065 NICKEL, DIS. FA 50 00076 TURBIDITY, NTU L00050 87 01145 SELENIUM, DIS. FA 70 00417 ALK, TOT LAB. CAC03 RU 166 01075 SILVER, DIS. FA 642 00000 METALS, DIS. CHE-EXT FA ***** SAMPLE TYPE AND VOLUME INFORMATION ***** VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE 1 L FA 500 ML FU 250 ML LC0050 250 ML RU 250 ML FAM COMMON CONSTITUENTS SCHEDULE NUMBER 1904 USER NQ TYPE WI # OF CODES 13 LC WATSTORE NAME S-DESIG. LC WATSTORE NAME S-DESIG. 12 00915 CALCIUM, DIS. FA 27 70300 ROE, DIS. AT 180C FU 40 00925 MAGNESIUM, DIS FA 1200 00945 SULFATE TURB. DIS. FU 54 00935 POTASSIUM, DIS FA 70 00417 ALK TOT LAB. CACO3 RU 56 00955 SILICA, DIS. FU 68 00403 pH (LABORATORY) RU 59 00930 SODIUM, DIS. FA 69 90095 SP. CONDUCTANCE LAB RU 1213 00940 CHLORIDE, DIS. FU 50 00076 TURBIDITY (NTU) LCOO50 31 00950 FLUORIDE, DIS. FU 19 ***** SAMPLE TYPE AND VOLUME INFORMATION ***** VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE 250 ML FA 500 ML FU 250 ML RU 100 ML LC0050 Appendix B--Continued PHYSICAL PROPERTIES, COMMON AND TRACE DISSOLVED INORGANIC CONSTITUENTS SCHEDULE NUMBER 177 LMT'D FIXED USER NQ TYPE WI LC WATSTORE NAME S-DESIG. LC WATSTORE NAME S-DESIG. 112 01000 ARSENIC, DIS. FA 1210 01085 VANADIUM, DIS. FA 1284 01106 ALUMINUM, DIS. DCP. FA 67 01090 ZINC, DIS. FA 7 01005 BARIUM, DIS. FA 12 00915 CALCIUM, DIS. FA 170 01010 BERYLLIUM, DIS. FA 40 00925 MAGNESIUM, DIS. FA 73 01025 CADIMUM, DIS. FA 59 00930 SODIUM, DIS. FA 146 01030 CHROMIUM, DIS. FA 54 00935 POTASSIUM, DIS. FA 18 01035 COBALT, DIS. FA 56 00955 SILICA, DIS. FU 22 01040 COPPER, DIS. FA 1200 00945 SULFATE TURB. DIS. FU 172 01046 IRON, DIS. FA 31 00950 FLUORIDE, DIS. FU 38 01049 LEAD, DIS. FA 1213 00940 CHLORIDE, DIS. FU 39 01130 LITHIUM, DIS. FA 27 70300 ROE, DIS. AT 180 C FU 42 01056 MANGANESE, DIS. FA 68 00403 pH, (LABORATORY) RU 226 71890 MERCURY, DIS. FAM 69 90095 SP, CONDUCTANCE, LAB RU 110 01060 MOLYBDENUM, DIS. FA 50 00076 TURBIDITY, NTU LC0050 44 01065 NICKEL, DIS. FA 70 00417 ALK, TOT. LAB CACO3 RU 87 01145 SELENIUM, DIS. FA 642 00000 METALS, DIS. CHE-EXT FA 166 01075 SILVER, DIS. FA 62 01080 STRONTIUM, DIS. FA ***** SAMPLE TYPE AND VOLUME INFORMATION ***** VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE VOLUME TYPE l L FA 500 ML FU 250 ML LC0050 250 ML RU 250 ML FAM