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A statistical analysis of the quality of surface water in Nebraska

Open-File Report 80-43
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr8043

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Abstract

This report provides descriptive statistics for 29 chemical or biological constituents for 109 stream sites in Nebraska sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey beginning in 1946. Also provided for each site are regression equations relating specific conductance to each of 12 chemical constituents and a regression equation relating specific conductance to stream discharge. The descriptive statistics are presented by river basins. Water leaving these basins that has the lowest mean specific conductance (266 umho/cm) is from the Niobrara River at Verdel, and water that has the highest (1,890 umho/cm) is from the South Platte River at Roscoe. Statewide, the principal cations in streamflow are calcium and sodium, and the principal anions are bicarbonate and sulfate. Calcium and bicarbonate usually predominate where mean specific conductance is less than 1,000 umho/cm, and sodium and sulfate predominate where the mean exceeds 1,000 umho/cm. Based on regression equations, dissolved solids, hardness, calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate, with some exceptions, correlate well with specific conductance for all stream sites. Illustrations of how regression equations may be used to estimate water quality of streamflow are given and are compared with values from actual analyses. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Engberg, R., 1980, A statistical analysis of the quality of surface water in Nebraska (WRI/OFR 80-43): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 80-43, v, 277 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr8043.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title A statistical analysis of the quality of surface water in Nebraska
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 80-43
DOI 10.3133/ofr8043
Edition WRI/OFR 80-43
Year Published 1980
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) U.S. Geological Survey
Description v, 277 p.
Country United States
State Nebraska
Additional publication details