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Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Construction on Stream Temperature and Turbidity in Southwestern Virginia, 2017–25

Scientific Investigations Report 2026-5011
Virginia Department of of Environmental Quality
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20265011

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Abstract

Despite the extensive natural gas pipeline network in the United States that intersects streams and other sensitive habitats, few case studies use a comparative upstream-to-downstream approach to evaluate potential short- and long-term effects of pipeline stream crossings from pre-construction through post-restoration. In 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, deployed real-time continuous stream monitoring stations upstream and downstream from six proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline stream crossings in southwestern Virginia. Water temperature and turbidity data collected at the upstream and downstream sites were compared across three periods—before stream crossing construction, during stream crossing construction, and after stream crossing construction—to determine potential influences from the pipeline stream crossing. Additionally, the monitoring network was used to notify regulators of potentially anomalous conditions throughout the entire monitoring period. The results of this study indicate that pipeline stream crossing did not affect long-term or short-term upstream-to-downstream water temperature conditions or long-term upstream-to-downstream turbidity conditions in any of the six monitored streams. Some short-term anomalously elevated turbidity conditions were observed and attributable to pipeline stream crossing; however, the magnitudes and durations were not sufficient to alter the long-term turbidity regimes of the streams in which they were observed. The application of the monitoring network as a real-time alert system successfully alerted regulators to potentially anomalous conditions.

Suggested Citation

Foster, B.M., Maas, C.M., and Flota, A.L., 2026, Assessment of natural gas pipeline construction on stream temperature and turbidity in southwestern Virginia, 2017–25: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2026–5011, 40 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20265011. [Supersedes preprint https://doi.org/10.31223/X5XT9G.]

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods of Investigation
  • Short- and Long-Term Water Temperature Patterns
  • Short- and Long-Term Patterns of Turbidity
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Assessment of Natural Gas Pipeline Construction on Stream Temperature and Turbidity in Southwestern Virginia, 2017–25
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2026-5011
DOI 10.3133/sir20265011
Publication Date April 14, 2026
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) VA/WV Water Science Center
Description Report, ix, 40 p.
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details