AzWSC Capabilities: Reservoir and Lake Monitoring and Assessment Active
The Arizona Water Science Center (AzWSC) has specialized expertise in monitoring, measuring, and collecting reservoir and lake water and sediment for a variety of phycial and chemical properties.
The AzWSC owns a fleet of watercraft to work on the large reservoirs that exist in the Southwest, including a 26-foot Boulton. The AzWSC also owns instruments to measure physical and chemical properties with depth (referred to as a CTD Profiler) and a typical deep profile (>500 feet) can be completed in about 15 minutes. These profiles can provide a very dense data set since the instrument is capable of making 8 measurements per second. The CTD profiler will provide data on depth, pressure, water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and chlorophyll a. Collection of water samples at depths of interest can be made using the Center’s carousel sampler that works in tandem with the CTD Profiler. The Center also possesses other specialized samplers for the collection of volatile organic compounds and sediment samplers.
Along with equipment and expertise for water-quality sampling, the AzWSC owns a 28-foot Core Boat that is capable of obtaining shallow and deep (20 feet) sediment cores which can then be analyzed for various chemical (organic and inorganic) constituents.
The following is a list of capabilities:
- Monitoring of basic water properties including depth, pressure, water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and chlorophyll a.
- Collection of point samples at depth
- Collection of shallow and deep sediment cores
- Collection of surface sediments
- Assessment studies and long-term monitoring for organic and inorganic contaminants
- Access to the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory and various specialized laboratories with the USGS National Research Program
Below are publications associated with Reservoir and Lake Monitoring and Assessment Capabilities in the Arizona Water Science Center.
Sediment and water chemistry of the San Juan River and Escalante River deltas of Lake Powell, Utah, 2010-2011
The presence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and inorganic elements in water and lakebed materials and the potential for bioconcentration in biota at established sampling sites on Lake Powell, Utah and Arizona
Discharge and sediment concentration in the Bill Williams River and turbidity in Lake Havasu during and following high releases from Alamo Dam, Arizona, in March and April 2010
Sediment Transport in the Bill Williams River and Turbidity in Lake Havasu During and Following Two High Releases from Alamo Dam, Arizona, in 2005 and 2006
Bathymetric Survey and Storage Capacity of Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona
Sediment chemistry of the Colorado River delta of Lake Powell, Utah, 2001
Physical and chemical characteristics of Knowles, Forgotten, and Moqui Canyons, and effects of recreational use on water quality, Lake Powell, Arizona and Utah
Physical and chemical characteristics of Lake Powell at the forebay and outflows of Glen Canyon Dam, northeastern Arizona, 1990-91
- Overview
The Arizona Water Science Center (AzWSC) has specialized expertise in monitoring, measuring, and collecting reservoir and lake water and sediment for a variety of phycial and chemical properties.
The AzWSC owns a fleet of watercraft to work on the large reservoirs that exist in the Southwest, including a 26-foot Boulton. The AzWSC also owns instruments to measure physical and chemical properties with depth (referred to as a CTD Profiler) and a typical deep profile (>500 feet) can be completed in about 15 minutes. These profiles can provide a very dense data set since the instrument is capable of making 8 measurements per second. The CTD profiler will provide data on depth, pressure, water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and chlorophyll a. Collection of water samples at depths of interest can be made using the Center’s carousel sampler that works in tandem with the CTD Profiler. The Center also possesses other specialized samplers for the collection of volatile organic compounds and sediment samplers.
Along with equipment and expertise for water-quality sampling, the AzWSC owns a 28-foot Core Boat that is capable of obtaining shallow and deep (20 feet) sediment cores which can then be analyzed for various chemical (organic and inorganic) constituents.
The following is a list of capabilities:
- Monitoring of basic water properties including depth, pressure, water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and chlorophyll a.
- Collection of point samples at depth
- Collection of shallow and deep sediment cores
- Collection of surface sediments
- Assessment studies and long-term monitoring for organic and inorganic contaminants
- Access to the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory and various specialized laboratories with the USGS National Research Program
- Publications
Below are publications associated with Reservoir and Lake Monitoring and Assessment Capabilities in the Arizona Water Science Center.
Sediment and water chemistry of the San Juan River and Escalante River deltas of Lake Powell, Utah, 2010-2011
Recent studies have documented the presence of trace elements, organic compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and radionuclides in sediment from the Colorado River delta and from sediment in some side canyons in Lake Powell, Utah and Arizona. The fate of many of these contaminants is of significant concern to the resource managers of the National Park Service Glen Canyon National ReAuthorsNancy J. HornewerThe presence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and inorganic elements in water and lakebed materials and the potential for bioconcentration in biota at established sampling sites on Lake Powell, Utah and Arizona
The National Park Service is responsible for monitoring the effects of visitor use on the quality of water, lakebed material (bottom sediments), and biota, in Lake Powell, Utah and Arizona. A sampling program was begun in 2010 to assess the presence, distribution, and concentrations of organic and inorganic compounds in the water column and bottom sediment. In response to an Environmental Impact SAuthorsKurt T. Schonauer, Robert J. Hart, Ronald C. AntweilerDischarge and sediment concentration in the Bill Williams River and turbidity in Lake Havasu during and following high releases from Alamo Dam, Arizona, in March and April 2010
Discharges higher than are typically released from Alamo Dam in west-central Arizona were planned and released in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010 to study the effects of these releases on the Bill Williams River. The Bill Williams River Wildlife Refuge is located above the mouth of the Bill Williams River on Lake Havasu, and the river is the subject of ongoing ecological studies. Sediment concentrAuthorsStephen M. Wiele, Jamie P. Macy, Hugh L. Darling, Robert J. Hart, Andrew B. HautzingerSediment Transport in the Bill Williams River and Turbidity in Lake Havasu During and Following Two High Releases from Alamo Dam, Arizona, in 2005 and 2006
Discharges higher than are typically released from Alamo Dam in west-central Arizona were planned and released in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 to study the effects of these releases on the Bill Williams River and Lake Havasu, into which the river debouches. Sediment concentrations and water discharges were measured in the Bill Williams River, and turbidity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were meaAuthorsStephen M. Wiele, Robert J. Hart, Hugh L. Darling, Andrew B. HautzingerBathymetric Survey and Storage Capacity of Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona
Upper Lake Mary is a preferred drinking-water source for the City of Flagstaff, Arizona. Therefore, storage capacity and sedimentation issues in Upper Lake Mary are of interest to the City. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Flagstaff, collected bathymetric and land-survey data in Upper Lake Mary during late August through October 2006. Water-depth data were collected usinAuthorsNancy J. Hornewer, Marilyn E. FlynnSediment chemistry of the Colorado River delta of Lake Powell, Utah, 2001
No abstract available.AuthorsR. J. Hart, Howard E. Taylor, Ronald C. Antweiler, D. D. Graham, G. G. Fisk, S.G. Riggins, M.E. FlynnPhysical and chemical characteristics of Knowles, Forgotten, and Moqui Canyons, and effects of recreational use on water quality, Lake Powell, Arizona and Utah
Side canyons of Lake Powell are the most popular recreation areas of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Arizona and Utah. There are more than 90 side canyons that are tributaries to the main lake body of Lake Powell. Near Bullfrog and Halls Crossing marinas in Utah, visitors frequent Knowles, Forgotten, and Moqui Canyons to fish, boat, camp, and hike the sandstone formations for which LakAuthorsRobert J. Hart, Howard E. Taylor, Ronald C. Antweiler, Greg G. Fisk, G.M. Anderson, D.A. Roth, Marilyn E. Flynn, D.B. Peart, Margot Truini, L. B. BarberPhysical and chemical characteristics of Lake Powell at the forebay and outflows of Glen Canyon Dam, northeastern Arizona, 1990-91
The physical and chemical characteristics of Lake Powell have a direct effect on the quality of water below Glen Canyon Dam. Understanding the physical and chemical characteristics of the lake and outflows from the dam is essential in order to effectively manage the operation of the dam. During August 1990 to September 1991, physical and chemical measurements were made and water samples were colleAuthorsR. J. Hart, K.M. Sherman