Magnitudes, nature, and effects of point and nonpoint discharges in the Chattahoochee River basin, Atlanta to West Point Dam, Georgia
Open-File Report
78-577
By: J. K. Stamer, R.N. Cherry, R.E. Faye, and R.L. Kleckner
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Abstract
On an average annual basis and during the storm period of March 12-15, 1976, nonpoint-source loads for most constituents were larger than point-source loads at the Whitesburg station, located on the Chattahoochee River about 40 miles downstream from Atlanta, GA. Most of the nonpoint-source constituent loads in the Atlanta to Whitesburg reach were from urban areas. Average annual point-source discharges accounted for about 50 percent of the dissolved nitrogen, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus loads and about 70 percent of the dissolved phosphorus loads at Whitesburg. During a low-flow period, June 1-2, 1977, five municipal point-sources contributed 63 percent of the ultimate biochemical oxygen demand, and 97 percent of the ammonium nitrogen loads at the Franklin station, at the upstream end of West Point Lake. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations of 4.1 to 5.0 milligrams per liter occurred in a 22-mile reach of the river downstream from Atlanta due about equally to nitrogenous and carbonaceous oxygen demands. The heat load from two thermoelectric powerplants caused a decrease in dissolved-oxygen concentration of about 0.2 milligrams per liter. Phytoplankton concentrations in West Point Lake, about 70 miles downstream from Atlanta, could exceed three million cells per millimeter during extended low-flow periods in the summer with present point-source phosphorus loads. (Woodard-USGS)
Suggested Citation
Stamer, J., Cherry, R., Faye, R., Kleckner, R., 1978, Magnitudes, nature, and effects of point and nonpoint discharges in the Chattahoochee River basin, Atlanta to West Point Dam, Georgia: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 78-577, xiii, 130 leaves :ill., maps ;27 cm. --, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr78577.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Magnitudes, nature, and effects of point and nonpoint discharges in the Chattahoochee River basin, Atlanta to West Point Dam, Georgia |
| Series title | Open-File Report |
| Series number | 78-577 |
| DOI | 10.3133/ofr78577 |
| Year Published | 1978 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey, |
| Contributing office(s) | South Atlantic Water Science Center |
| Description | xiii, 130 leaves :ill., maps ;27 cm. -- |
| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| City | Atlanta |
| Other Geospatial | Chattahoochee River Basin |