Continuous Monitoring and Bayesian Estimation of Nutrient and Sediment Loads from Illinois Watersheds, for Water Years 2016–2020
Links
- Document: Report (5.74 MB pdf)
- Data Releases:
- USGS data release - Modeled nutrient and sediment concentrations from major rivers in Illinois based on continuous monitoring from October 1, 2015, through September 30, 2020
- USGS data release - Estimated nutrient and sediment concentrations from major rivers in Illinois based on continuous monitoring from October 1, 2015, through September 30, 2021
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
The State of Illinois is one of the leading contributors of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. During water years 2016–20, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, operated continuous monitoring stations on eight major rivers in Illinois to better quantify nutrient and sediment loadings from the State of Illinois to the Mississippi River. This report estimates nitrate, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loadings over that period, which can provide a benchmark against which to assess future changes in loading.
In addition, this report develops a new method for incorporating the uncertainty created by gaps in continuous datasets based on Bayesian machine learning. Data gaps are a common problem in continuous monitoring, and gap filling is necessary to quantify loadings and the uncertainty in loadings, which is essential if these results are to provide a benchmark for future studies. The uncertainty estimates may also be useful in an operational context, and this report provides examples of how uncertainty can be used in monitoring-network design and potentially reducing monitoring costs.
Suggested Citation
Hodson, T.O., Terrio, P.J., Peake, C.S., and Fazio, D.J., 2021, Continuous monitoring and Bayesian estimation of nutrient and sediment loads from Illinois watersheds, for water years 2016–2020: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2021–5092, 40 p., https://doi.org/ 10.3133/ sir20215092.
ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Purpose and Scope
- Methods
- Data Coverage
- Streamflow and Discrete Water-Quality Data
- Imputation Results
- Comparison Among Model Forms
- Loads and Yields
- Continuous Monitoring and Discrete Sampling
- Network Improvements
- Summary
- References Cited
- Appendix 1. Station Descriptions
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Continuous monitoring and Bayesian estimation of nutrient and sediment loads from Illinois watersheds, for water years 2016–2020 |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2021-5092 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20215092 |
| Year Published | 2021 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Illinois Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center |
| Description | Report: vii, 40 p.; Data Release |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |