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Open-File Report 2014–1209

Prepared in cooperation with the Lake Champlain Basin Program and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation

Concentration and Flux of Total and Dissolved Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, Chloride, and Total Suspended Solids for Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain, 1990–2012

By Laura Medalie

Abstract

Annual and daily concentrations and fluxes of total and dissolved phosphorus, total nitrogen, chloride, and total suspended solids were estimated for 18 monitored tributaries to Lake Champlain by using the Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Seasons regression model. Estimates were made for 21 or 23 years, depending on data availability, for the purpose of providing timely and accessible summary reports as stipulated in the 2010 update to the Lake Champlain “Opportunities for Action” management plan. Estimates of concentration and flux were provided for each tributary based on (1) observed daily discharges and (2) a flow-normalizing procedure, which removed the random fluctuations of climate-related variability. The flux bias statistic, an indicator of the ability of the Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season regression models to provide accurate representations of flux, showed acceptable bias (less than ±10 percent) for 68 out of 72 models for total and dissolved phosphorus, total nitrogen, and chloride. Six out of 18 models for total suspended solids had moderate bias (between 10 and 30 percent), an expected result given the frequently nonlinear relation between total suspended solids and discharge. One model for total suspended solids with a very high bias was influenced by a single extreme value; however, removal of that value, although reducing the bias substantially, had little effect on annual fluxes.

First posted October 2, 2014

Report PDF (891 KB)

Appendix 1 XLS (121 KB)
Annual Mean Concentration and Total Annual Flux of Estimated and Flow-Normalized Total Phosphorus, Dissolved Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, Chloride, and Total Suspended Solids in 18 Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain From 1990 (or 1992) Through 2012.

Appendix 2 XLS (12.4 MB)
Daily Estimated and Flow-Normalized Concentration and Flux of Total Phosphorus in 18 Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain From 1990 Through 2012.

Appendix 3 XLS (12.1 MB)
Daily Estimated and Flow-Normalized Concentration and Flux of Dissolved Phosphorus in 18 Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain From 1990 Through 2012.

Appendix 4 XLS (11.2 MB)
Daily Estimated and Flow-Normalized Concentration and Flux of Total Nitrogen in 18 Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain From 1992 Through 2012.

Appendix 5 XLS (12.4 MB)
Daily Estimated and Flow-Normalized Concentration and Flux of Chloride in 18 Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain From 1990 Through 2012.

Appendix 6 XLS (11.5 MB)
Daily Estimated and Flow-Normalized Concentration and Flux of Total Suspended Solids in 18 Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain From 1992 Through 2012..

For additional information, contact:
Office Chief, New Hampshire-Vermont Office
New England Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
331 Commerce Way, Suite 2
Pembroke, NH 03275
(603)226-7800
http://nh.water.usgs.gov

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Suggested citation:

Medalie, Laura, 2014, Concentration and flux of total and dissolved phosphorus, total nitrogen, chloride, and total suspended solids for monitored tributaries of Lake Champlain, 1990–2012: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014–1209, 21 p., https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141209.

ISSN 2331–1258 (online)

Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Concentrations and Flux

Summary

References Cited

Appendix 1. Annual Mean Concentration and Total Annual Flux of Estimated and Flow-Normalized Total Phosphorus, Dissolved Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, Chloride, and Total Suspended Solids in 18 Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain From 1990 (or 1992) Through 2012

Appendix 2. Daily Estimated and Flow-Normalized Concentration and Flux of Total Phosphorus in 18 Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain From 1990 Through 2012

Appendix 3. Daily Estimated and Flow-Normalized Concentration and Flux of Dissolved Phosphorus in 18 Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain From 1990 Through 2012

Appendix 4. Daily Estimated and Flow-Normalized Concentration and Flux of Total Nitrogen in 18 Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain From 1992 Through 2012

Appendix 5. Daily Estimated and Flow-Normalized Concentration and Flux of Chloride in 18 Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain From 1990 Through 2012

Appendix 6. Daily Estimated and Flow-Normalized Concentration and Flux of Total Suspended Solids in 18 Monitored Tributaries of Lake Champlain From 1992 Through 2012

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