Alvarez, Nancy

The Lake Tahoe Interagency MonitoringProgram – Sediment and NutrientLoading and Concentration Data for TenIndicator Streams Through Water Year2010Nancy L. AlvarezU.S. Geological SurveyJohn E. ReuterPatty ArnesonUCD, TERC

Funding Sources• Cooperative Study:• Tahoe Regional Planning Agency• U.S. Geological Survey• In-kind Services - UCD TahoeEnvironmental Research Center (TERC)• U.S. Forest Service LTMBU

• History• LTIMP Objectives• Sampling Sites• Sampling Design• Pollutants of InterestOutline• Methods – UCD Loadand Flow-WeightedConcentration (FWC)• Results• Future Work

History• Lake and tributary water quality monitoringstarted in the early 1970’s• LTIMP formed in 1978 to conductcollaborative monitoring and research efforts• LTIMP stream monitoring began in October1979• Group effort to design monitoring program• Current program began in October 1988

LTIMP Objectives• Primary purpose to provide long-termconsistent, reliable, and accessible data ontributary water quality and streamflow• Provide a long-term database for estimation ofsediment and nutrient loads and trends frommajor tributary streams and minor tributaries ofundisturbed basinsLoad = Concentration x discharge x conversion factor

SamplingSites• 10 watersheds• 47 % ofwatershed area• ~50%streamflow tolake

• Samples collected– Monthly– Storm events– Snow-melt runoff• All phases ofhydrograph sampledSampling Design• EWI depth integrated• Number of sampleseach water yearvaried

Upper Truckee R at South Lake Tahoe12/1/045/21/0512/31/05

Mean Daily Discharge (cfs)Incline Creek, WY 200540302010010/1/2004 12/31/2004 4/1/2005 7/1/2005 9/30/2005Date

Mean Daily Discharge (cfs)Incline Creek, WY 20054012 routine samples302010010/1/2004 12/31/2004 4/1/2005 7/1/2005 9/30/2005Date

Mean Daily Discharge (cfs)Incline Creek, WY 20054017 event samples302010010/1/2004 12/31/2004 4/1/2005 7/1/2005 9/30/2005Date

• NitrogenPollutants of Interest• TKN, NH 4 , NO 2 +NO 3• TN = TKN + NO 2 +NO 3• Phosphorus• TP, SRP• Suspended SedimentConcentration-SSC• Particles less than 20microns (# particles)

Laboratories• UC Davis Labs inDavis, CA andIncline Village, NV• USGS SedimentLab

Data• Published in annual databooks• http://nevada.usgs.gov/• Published in on-line USGSdatabase• http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis

UCD Load Calculations• Log of instantaneous load is regressedagainst log of instantaneous discharge foreach water year• Regression equation with correction forretransformation bias used with dailydischarge• Annual load = sum of daily loads for year• Combined load = sum of annual loads for10 streams

UCD Annual Flow-WeightedConcentration Calculations• Annual FWC– Total annual load divided by total annualstreamflow

Sediment Annual LoadSUSPENDED SEDIMENT LOADIN TONNES PER YEAR6000050000400003000020000100000ANNUAL SUSPENDED SEDIMENT LOADCOMBINED FOR 10 STREAMSSUSPENDED SEDIMENT LOADTOTAL ANNUAL STREAMFLOW199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010WATER YEAR450040003500300025002000150010005000TOTAL ANNUAL STREAMFLOWIN CUBIC METERS x 10 5LOAD OF PARTICLES LESS THAN 16 MICRONSIN PARTICLE NUMBERS PER YEAR1e+208e+196e+194e+192e+190ANNUAL PARTICLE LOAD LESS THAN 16 MICRONSCOMBINED FOR 10 STREAMSPARTICLE LOAD

Phosphorus Annual LoadTOTAL PHOSPHORUS LOADIN KILOGRAMS PER YEAR50000400003000020000100000ANNUAL TOTAL PHOSPHORUS LOADCOMBINED FOR 10 STREAMSTOTAL PHOSPHORUS LOADTOTAL ANNUAL STREAMFLOW199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010WATER YEAR450040003500300025002000150010005000TOTAL ANNUAL STREAMFLOWIN CUBIC METERS x 10 5SOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUS LOADIN KILOGRAMS P PER YEAR40003000200010000ANNUAL SOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUS LOADCOMBINED FOR 10 STREAMSSOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUS LOADTOTAL ANNUAL STREAMFLOW199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010WATER YEAR450040003500300025002000150010005000TOTAL ANNUAL STREAMFLOWIN CUBIC METERS x 10 5

Nitrogen Annual Load160000ANNUAL TOTAL NITROGEN LOADCOMBINED FOR 10 STREAMS450025000ANNUAL NITRATE PLUS NITRITE LOADCOMBINED FOR 10 STREAMS4500TOTAL NITROGEN LOADIN KILOGRAMS PER YEAR140000120000100000800006000040000200000TOTAL NITROGEN LOADTOTAL ANNUAL STREAMFLOW199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010WATER YEAR40003500300025002000150010005000TOTAL ANNUAL STREAMFLOWIN CUBIC METERS x 10 5NITRATE PLUS NITRITE LOADIN KILOGRAMS N PER YEAR20000150001000050000NITRATE PLUS NITRITE LOADTOTAL ANNUAL STREAMFLOW199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010WATER YEAR40003500300025002000150010005000TOTAL ANNUAL STREAMFLOWIN CUBIC METERS x 10 5

Largest ContributorsBlackwood CreekUpper Truckee RiverDecember 31, 2005Photo by Scott HackleyJanuary 2, 1997Photo by Tim Rowe

Sediment Annual Flow-Weighted Concentration160SUSPENDED SEDIMENTFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONFOR 10 STREAMS3.0e+8PARTICLES LESS THAN 16 MICRONSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONFOR 10 STREAMSSUSPENDED SEDIMENTFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER1401201008060402001993199419951996199719981999200020015-year moving averageWATER YEAR200220032004200520062007200820092010PARTICLES LESS THAN 16 MICRONSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN PARTICLE NUMBERS PER LITER2.5e+82.0e+81.5e+81.0e+85.0e+70.05-year moving average199319941995199619971998199920002001WATER YEAR200220032004200520062007200820092010

Phosphorus Annual Flow-Weighted Concentration0.140TOTAL PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONFOR 10 STREAMS0.010SOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONFOR 10 STREAMSTOTAL PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.1200.1000.0800.0600.0400.0200.000199319941995199619971998199920002001WATER YEAR5-year moving average200220032004200520062007200820092010SOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS P0.0090.0080.0070.0060.0050.0040.0030.0020.0010.0001993199419951996199719981999200020015-year moving averageWATER YEAR200220032004200520062007200820092010

Nitrogen Annual Flow-WeightedConcentration0.40TOTAL NITROGENFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONFOR 10 STREAMS0.060NITRATE PLUS NITRITEFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONFOR 10 STREAMSTOTAL NITROGENFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.350.300.250.200.150.100.050.00199319941995199619971998199920005-year moving average2001WATER YEAR200220032004200520062007200820092010NITRATE PLUS NITRITEFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS N0.0500.0400.0300.0200.0100.000199319941995199619971998199920002001WATER YEAR5-year moving average200220032004200520062007200820092010

Suspended Sediment Annual FWC10336698 THIRD CREEK10336700 INCLINE CREEK1200600SUSPENDED SEDIMENTFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER10008006004002005-year moving average5-year moving averageSUSPENDED SEDIMENTFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER5004003002001005-year moving average01980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR01980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR10336730 GLENBROOK CREEK10336740 LOGAN HOUSE CREEK10336760 EDGEWOOD CREEK6006006005-year moving average5-year moving average5-year moving averageSUSPENDED SEDIMENTFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER500400300200100SUSPENDED SEDIMENTFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER500400300200100SUSPENDED SEDIMENTFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER50040030020010001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR01980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR01980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR

Suspended Sediment Annual FWC10336790 TROUT CREEK10336610 UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER600600SUSPENDED SEDIMENTFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER5004003002001005-year moving average5-year moving averageSUSPENDED SEDIMENTFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER5004003002001005-year moving average01980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR01980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR10336645 GENERAL CREEK10336660 BLACKWOOD CREEK10336676 WARD CREEK6006006005-year moving average5-year moving average5-year moving averageSUSPENDED SEDIMENTFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER500400300200100SUSPENDED SEDIMENTFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER500400300200100SUSPENDED SEDIMENTFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER50040030020010001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR01980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR01980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR

Total Phosphorus Annual FWC0.40010336698 THIRD CREEK0.40010336700 INCLINE CREEKTOTAL PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.3000.2000.1005-year moving averageTOTAL PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.3000.2000.1005-year moving average0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.40010336730 GLENBROOK CREEK0.40010336740 LOGAN HOUSE CREEK0.40010336760 EDGEWOOD CREEKTOTAL PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.3000.2000.1005-year moving averageTOTAL PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.3000.2000.1005-year moving averageTOTAL PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.3000.2000.1005-year moving average0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR

Total Phosphorus Annual FWC10336790 TROUT CREEK10336610 UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER0.4000.400TOTAL PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.3000.2000.1005-year moving averageTOTAL PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.3000.2000.1005-year moving average0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.40010336645 GENERAL CREEK0.40010336660 BLACKWOOD0.40010336676 WARD CREEKTOTAL PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.3000.2000.1005-year moving averageTOTAL PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.3000.2000.1005-year moving averageTOTAL PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.3000.2000.1005-year moving average0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR

SRP Annual FWC0.02510336698 THIRD CREEK0.02510336700 INCLINE CREEKSOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS P0.0200.0150.0100.0055-year moving average5-year moving averageSOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS P0.0200.0150.0100.0055-year moving average0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.02510336730 GLENBROOK CREEK0.02510336740 LOGAN HOUSE CREEK0.02510336760 EDGEWOOD CREEKSOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS P0.0200.0150.0100.0055-year moving averageSOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS P0.0200.0150.0100.0055-year moving averageSOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS P0.0200.0150.0100.0055-year moving average0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR

SRP Annual FWC10336790 TROUT CREEK10336610 UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER0.0250.025SOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS P0.0200.0150.0100.0055-year moving average5-year moving averageSOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS P0.0200.0150.0100.0055-year moving average0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.02510336645 GENERAL CREEK0.02510336660 BLACKWOOD CREEK0.02510336676 WARD CREEKSOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS P0.0200.0150.0100.0055-year moving averageSOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS P0.0200.0150.0100.0055-year moving averageSOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUSFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS P0.0200.0150.0100.0055-year moving average0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR

Total Nitrogen Annual FWC1.0010336698 THIRD CREEK1.0010336700 INCLINE CREEKTOTAL NITROGENFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.800.600.400.205-year moving averageTOTAL NITROGENFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.800.600.400.205-year moving average0.001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR10336730 GLENBROOK CREEK10336740 LOGAN HOUSE CREEK10336760 EDGEWOOD CREEK1.001.001.005-year moving average5-year moving average5-year moving averageTOTAL NITROGENFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.800.600.400.20TOTAL NITROGENFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.800.600.400.20TOTAL NITROGENFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.800.600.400.200.001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR

Total Nitrogen Annual FWC1.0010336790 TROUT CREEK1.0010336610 UPPER TRUCKEE RIVERTOTAL NITROGENFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.800.600.400.205-year moving averageTOTAL NITROGENFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.800.600.400.205-year moving average0.001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR10336645 GENERAL CREEK10336660 BLACKWOOD CREEK10336676 WARD CREEK1.001.001.005-year moving average5-year moving average5-year moving averageTOTAL NITROGENFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.800.600.400.20TOTAL NITROGENFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.800.600.400.20TOTAL NITROGENFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER0.800.600.400.200.001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR

Nitrate+Nitrite Annual FWC0.20010336698 THIRD CREEK0.20010336700 INCLINE CREEKNITRATE PLUS NITRITEFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS N0.1500.1000.0505-year moving average5-year moving averageNITRATE PLUS NITRITEFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS N0.1500.1000.0505-year moving average0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR10336730 GLENBROOK CREEK10336740 LOGAN HOUSE CREEK10336760 EDGEWOOD CREEK0.2000.2000.2005-year moving average5-year moving average5-year moving averageNITRATE PLUS NITRITEFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS N0.1500.1000.050NITRATE PLUS NITRITEFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS N0.1500.1000.050NITRATE PLUS NITRITEFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS N0.1500.1000.0500.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR

Nitrate+Nitrite Annual FWC0.20010336790 TROUT CREEK0.20010336610 UPPER TRUCKEE RIVERNITRATE PLUS NITRITEFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS N0.1500.1000.0505-year moving average5-year moving averageNITRATE PLUS NITRITEFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS N0.1500.1000.0505-year moving average0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR10336645 GENERAL CREEK10336660 BLACKWOOD CREEK10336676 WARD CREEK0.2000.2000.2005-year moving average5-year moving average5-year moving averageNITRATE PLUS NITRITEFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS N0.1500.1000.050NITRATE PLUS NITRITEFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS N0.1500.1000.050NITRATE PLUS NITRITEFLOW-WEIGHTED CONCENTRATIONIN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AS N0.1500.1000.0500.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR0.0001980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010WATER YEAR

West Shore StreamsWard Creek 12-31-05 General Creek 12-31-05Photos by Scott HackleyBlackwood Creek 3-12-03Photo by Tim Rowe

Future Work• Continue to work on statistical methods forloads, FWC and trends• Tributary monitoring has “new” objectives• Starting WY12 monitoring 7 streams forwater quality at 7 near mouth sites• Starting WY12 monitoring 9 streams forstreamflow with 11 gages

QuestionsTrout at Pioneer TrailThird CreekJune 29, 2011 June 6, 2010

“New” Goal Objectives• Goal: Tributary monitoring program willcollect, analyze and report long-term,consistent, reliable and accessible data onpertinent tributary water qualityparameters and streamflow• Objectives for data collection, data access,data evaluation, program administration.

“New” Goals/Objectives• Data Collection-– TMDL progress– Nearshore conditions– Support State/TRPA water quality standards– Streamflow for restoration projects– Streamflow for flood forecasting and extremehydrologic events

“New” Goals and Objectives• Data Access: Provide access to the data• Data Evaluation:– Evaluate annual pollutant concentrations andloads relative to adopted water qualitystandards and objectives.– Evaluate changes in streamflow (peak,timing, volumes)

“New” Goals and Objectives• Program Administration objectives-– Follow Tahoe Status and Trend MonitoringEvaluation Program– Develop and flow a monitoring and evaluationplan– Annual Findings Report

WY2012StreamNetwork• 11 gages• 9 watersheds• 47 % ofwatershed area• ~50%streamflow tolake

WY2012StreamNetwork• 7 QW sites• 7 watersheds• 47 % ofwatershed area• ~50%streamflow tolake