New Publication: Regional Curves of Bankfull Channel Geometry for Non-Urban Streams in the Piedmont Physiographic Province, Virginia
 

New Publication: A Comparison of Turbidity-Based and Streamflow-Based Estimates of Suspended-Sediment Concentrations in Three Chesapeake Bay Tributaries.

Fluvial transport of sediment into the Chesapeake Bay estuary is a persistent water-quality issue with major implications for the overall health of the bay ecosystem. Accurately and precisely estimating the suspended-sediment concentrations (SSC) and loads that are delivered to the bay, however, remains challenging. Sediment concentrations typically have been estimated using regression relations between individual SSC values and associated streamflow values; however, suspended-sediment transport during storm events is extremely variable, and it is often difficult to relate a unique SSC to a given streamflow. One effective method for improved suspended-sediment determination involves the continuous monitoring of turbidity as a surrogate for SSC. The U.S.G.S. initiated continuous turbidity monitoring on three major tributaries of the bay to evaluate the use of turbidity as a sediment surrogate. Results of this surrogate approach were compared to the traditionally applied streamflow-based approach for estimating SSC. Additionally, evaluation and comparison of these two approaches were conducted for nutrient estimations.

On the map to the left, point to one of the stream- monitoring locations to see a summary of current streamflow conditions, click on the symbol to open the site's web page.