Water-Quality, Bed-Sediment, and Biological Data (October 2004 through September 2005) and Statistical Summaries of Data for Streams in the Upper Clark Fork Basin, Montana

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Abstract

Water, bed sediment, and biota were sampled in streams from Butte to below Missoula as part of a long-term monitoring program, conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to characterize aquatic resources in the upper Clark Fork basin of western Montana. Sampling sites were located on the Clark Fork, six major tributaries, and three smaller tributaries. Water-quality samples were collected periodically at 18 sites during October 2004 through September 2005 (water year 2005). Bed-sediment and biological samples were collected once in August 2005. The primary constituents analyzed were trace elements associated with tailings from historical mining and smelting activities. This report summarizes the results of water-quality, bed-sediment, and biota samples col­lected in water year 2005 and provides statistical summaries of data collected since 1985.

Water-quality data for samples collected periodically from streams include concentrations of selected major ions, trace ele­ments, and suspended sediment. Daily values of suspended-sed­iment concentration and suspended-sediment discharge were determined for three sites. Bed-sediment data include trace-ele­ment concentrations in the fine-grained fraction. Bio­logical data include trace-element concentrations in whole-body tissue of aquatic benthic insects. Quality-assurance data are reported for analytical results of water,
bed sediment, and biota. Statistical summaries of water-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data are provided for the period of record since 1985 for each site.

Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Sampling Locations and Types of Data

Water-Quality Data

Methods

Results

Quality Assurance

Bed-Sediment Data

Methods

Results

Quality Assurance

Biological Data

Methods

Results

Quality Assurance

Statistical Summaries of Data

References Cited

Data

Figure

1. Map showing location of study area

Tables

1. Type and period of data collection at sampling sites in the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana

2. Properties measured onsite and constituents analyzed in samples of water, bed sediment, and biota from the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana

3. Data-quality objectives for analyses of water-quality samples collected in the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana

4. Water-quality data for the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, October 2004 through September 2005
5–7. Daily mean streamflow and suspended-sediment data, October 2004 through September 2005, for:

5. Clark Fork at Deer Lodge, Montana

6. Clark Fork at Turah Bridge, near Bonner, Montana

7. Clark Fork above Missoula, Montana

8. Analyses of field replicates for water samples, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana

9. Precision of analyses of field replicates for water samples, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana

10. Precision of analyses of laboratory replicates for water samples, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana

11. Recovery efficiency for analyses of laboratory-spiked deionized-water blanks

12. Recovery efficiency for analyses of laboratory-spiked stream samples, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana

13. Analyses of field blanks for water samples

14. Analyses of fine-grained bed sediment, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, August 2005

15. Recovery efficiency for analyses of standard reference materials for bed sediment

16. Analyses of procedural blanks for bed sediment

17. Analyses of biota, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, August 2005

18. Recovery efficiency for analyses of standard reference material for biota

19. Analyses of procedural blanks for biota

20. Statistical summary of water-quality data for the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, March 1985 through September 2005

21. Statistical summary of fine-grained bed-sediment data for the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, August 1986 through August 2005

22. Statistical summary of biological data for the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, August 1986 through August 2005