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ARS Home » Plains Area » Temple, Texas » Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #251793
Title: Chapter 5: Surface water quality sampling in streams and canals

Author
item MIGLIACCIO, KATI - University Of Florida
item Harmel, Daren
item Smiley, Peter - Rocky

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/27/2010
Publication Date: 10/22/2010
Citation: Migliaccio, K., Harmel, R.D., Smiley, P.C. 2010. Chapter 5: Surface water quality sampling in streams and canals. In: Li, Y., Migliaccio, K., editors. Water Quality Concepts, Sampling, and Analyses. CRC Press. p. 51-72.

Interpretive Summary: Surface water sampling and water quality assessments have greatly evolved in the United States since the 1970s establishment of the Clean Water Act. Traditionally, water quality referred to only the chemical characteristics of the water and its toxicological properties related to drinking water or aquatic life uses, but now water quality includes physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Surface water sampling reflects the changing views of water quality and the emerging variety of sampling goals. Surface water sampling projects range from very simplistic to highly complex and vary based on spatial extent, response variables analyzed, flow conditions sampled, and technology used. This chapter provides up-to-date information on designing and implementing surface water quality sampling projects in streams that are wadable during some portion of an annual cycle and in canals constructed to improve drainage characteristics. This chapter focuses on procedures for determining chemical quality but also provides introductory concepts related to evaluation of the physical and biological aspects of water quality.

Technical Abstract: Surface water sampling and water quality assessments have greatly evolved in the United States since the 1970s establishment of the Clean Water Act. Traditionally, water quality referred to only the chemical characteristics of the water and its toxicological properties related to drinking water or aquatic life uses, but now water quality includes physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Surface water sampling reflects the changing views of water quality and the emerging variety of sampling goals. Surface water sampling projects range from very simplistic to highly complex and vary based on spatial extent, response variables analyzed, flow conditions sampled, and technology used. This chapter provides up-to-date information on designing and implementing surface water quality sampling projects in streams that are wadable during some portion of an annual cycle and in canals constructed to improve drainage characteristics. This chapter focuses on procedures for determining chemical quality but also provides introductory concepts related to evaluation of the physical and biological aspects of water quality.