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Tuesday, May 27, 2008
295
Research to inform total maximum daily load endpoints for an impaired stream in northern Utah
Samuel J. Hochhalter, Dr. Michelle A. Baker, and Evan J. Lytle. Department of Biology and Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
When establishing nutrient endpoints for stream ecosystems managers are forced to balance social and economic needs with ecological conservation. Scientifically defensible data are paramount for the establishment and support of these endpoints; acquiring these data may necessitate research beyond agency protocols. The objectives of our study are to apply standard techniques in stream ecology to aid in the assessment of nutrient criteria and to help direct future water quality restoration efforts for an impaired stream in Northern Utah. East Canyon Creek is listed as impaired by the Utah Division of Water Quality for elevated levels of phosphorous and large diel dissolved oxygen fluctuations. Attempts to correlate water column nutrient concentrations with measures of nutrient uptake parameters, whole stream metabolism and autotroph nutrient composition were made. Results from our research suggest nutrient control efforts need to expand beyond phosphorous to incorporate nitrogen and that primary production is driven by factors other than water column nutrients. Physical channel controls may be more effective than nutrient reductions to restore beneficial uses to this stream.
Web Page: water quality, nutrient criteria, eutrophication
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See more of The Nabs 56th Annual Meeting (25-28 May, 2008)
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See more of The Nabs 56th Annual Meeting (25-28 May, 2008)