Identify Threats to Water Quality and Design Monitoring Programs

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National Park Service Research Needs

TITLE: Identify Threats to Water Quality and Design Monitoring Programs

SUBMITTING BUREAU: National Park Service

Originating Office: Midwest

DATE SUBMITTED: May 27, 1998

BIN NUMBER: NPS01CR99

BRD REGION: Central

DESCRIPTION OF NEED: National Park Service (NPS) management policies direct us to seek to restore, maintain, or enhance the water quality within the parks. Yet many parks lack even basic information on their water quality and other parks have incomplete information. Meeting the objectives of our management policies is impossible without baseline information and ongoing monitoring. Parks need a comprehensive program to assess and monitor water quality. The monitoring program should be consistent with that of States and other Federal agencies with water quality responsibilities.

Specifically, the NPS needs the assistance of BRD to:

Synthesis existing data from the parks, USGS and State records Develop an inventory of threats to water quality Conduct baseline assessments and design monitoring programs using indicators and protocols already developed by State and Federal agencies with responsibility for water quality
Develop management recommendations to protect water resources

MANAGEMENT PROBLEM WITH NEED: Aquatic areas of our national parks provide recreational opportunities for the public and habitat for declining species of plants and animals. Unfortunately the water quality in our parks is threatened by pollutants that originate both outside and inside park boundaries. External threats include pollutants arising from industrial, agricultural and residential land uses. Internal threats include those associated with recreational use such as human waste disposal, gray water disposal, garbage, and petroleum products from boat motors.

For example:

Ozark National Scenic Riverways was established to conserve unique natural values including the Current River, the Jack's Fork River and world renowned springs. Both the Jack's Fork and the Current rivers have been designated by the State of Missouri as Outstanding National Resource Waters. Threats to water quality include highway construction, logging and mineral extraction on adjacent lands.
The Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway is one of the most biologically diverse units of the national park system. It provides habitat for forty-five water dependent State and Federally-listed species including the only global population of winged mapleleaf mussel. Threats to the water quality include effluent from eight wastewater treatment plants and from four cranberry culture operations. Sedimentation from bank erosion and waste runoff from primitive campsites are also of concern.
Visitor use at Voyageurs National Park is distinctly water oriented with canoeing, boating, swimming and fishing being principal visitor activities. Cabins, resorts, campsites, houseboat mooring sites, day use sites, visitor centers and concession facilities are all located along the shoreline. Two major paper mills operate in the immediate area. Threats to water quality include effluent from the paper mill, erosion and sedimentation, improper garbage disposal, and septic drainage.

In order to make sound management decisions that will protect water quality from these threats, the NPS needs the scientific information provided by a comprehensive monitoring program. We request the assistance of the BRD in developing such a program.

Related Project Statements:

ARPO-N-006.000
GRPO-N-007.000
HEHO-N-412.000
HOSP-N-005.001
SACN-N-300.001
SACN-N-301.000
SACN-N-302.000
THRO-N-220.001
THRO-N-220.002
VOYA-N-009.000
WICA-N-400.000
WICA-N-400.010
WICR-N-009.000
OZAR-N-184.000
OZAR-N-193.00

BUREAU CONTACT: Ron Hiebert, 402-221-4856, Midwest Support Office Contact: Jill Medland, 402-221-3994

BRD PRIMARY CENTER: Fort Collins Science Center

BRD PRIMARY CONTACT: Terry Boyle

RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION: A proposal has been submitted to the Midwest Region of the National Park Service for assessment on the Niobrara River in Agate Fossil Beds. This has been discussed with the Superintendent and the NPS Regional Office.

DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: November 30, 1998

PREPARED BY: Terence P. Boyle, USGS-BRD-MESC; 4512 McMurray Avenue, Ft. Collins, Colorado 80525; terence_boyle@usgs.gov; (970) 491-1452.

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