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Indiana Water Science Center |
U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5066
By Paul M. Buszka and Kathleen K. Fowler
This report is available as a pdf.
In cooperation with the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey investigated water quality of key water bodies at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City in southwestern Indiana. The key water bodies were
Water samples were analyzed for pH, temperature, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen and for concentrations of selected major ions and trace metals, nutrients, organic constituents, and Escherichia coli bacteria. Surface-water-quality data of water samples from the park represent baseline conditions for the area in relation to the data available from previous studies of area streams. Specific-conductance values and concentrations of most major ions and various nutrients in surface-water samples from the park were smaller than those reported for samples collected in other USGS studies in areas adjacent to the park. Water-quality-management issues identified by this investigation include potentially impaired water quality from parking-lot runoff, unknown effects on surface-water quality from adjacent railroads, and the potential impairment of water quality in Lincoln Spring from human influences. Parking-lot runoff is a source of calcium, alkalinity, iron, lead, and organic carbon in the water samples from the unnamed ditch. Detection of small concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons in water from Lincoln Spring could indicate residual contamination from a 1995 diesel-fuel spill and cleanup. The concentration of nitrite plus nitrate in water from Lincoln Spring was 16.5 milligrams per liter as nitrogen, greater than the State of Indiana standard for nitrate in drinking water (10 milligrams per liter as nitrogen). Lead concentrations in samples from the stock pond, parking-lot runoff, and the unnamed ditch exceeded the Indiana chronic aquatic criteria.
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Physical Setting
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Land Use and Park History
Methods of Study
Site Selection
Water-Quality Sampling
Selection of Sampling Constituents
Collection and Analysis of Water-Quality Samples
Collection and Analysis of Escherichia coli Sample
Quality Assurance
Reconnaissance of Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality
Streamflow and Precipitation Conditions
Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality
Physical Properties
Major Ions and Nutrients
Analysis of Water-Quality Samples
Quality-Assurance Analysis Results
Trace Metals and Organic Constituents
Analysis of Water-Quality Samples
Quality-Assurance Analysis Results
Escherichia coli Data
Limitations of Data and Interpretations
Summary and Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References Cited
Figures
1–3. Maps showing—
- Location of the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, and selected streams and National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program weather stations
- Location of the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial and streams and sites closest to the study area that previously were sampled for water quality
- Locations of sampling sites, oil- and gas-exploration wells, and former surface coal mines
Tables
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