Sediment and Stream Health - Pennsylvania Active
Sediment Core
USGS studies sediment deposition in reservoirs and streams
Removal of Legacy Sediments Effects Nutrient Loads in Streamflow
Effects of Legacy Sediment Removal on Nutrients and Sediment in Big Spring Run, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 2009–15
Sediment in streams, from land surface erosion in watersheds, is an important factor in determining the quality of Pennsylvania's surface waters and of downstream water bodies such as the Delaware Estuary and Chesapeake Bay. The USGS has a long-standing tradition of measuring suspended-sediment concentrations and estimating loads. Recent technological advances allow real-time estimates of suspended sediment in streams, which can be used for managing water quality and drinking-water withdrawals.
USGS collects data and conducts studies related to the production of sediment in Pennsylvania watersheds, transport processes controlling the rate of erosion, both in and out of the stream, and subsequent deposition in streams and reserviors. Many water quality constituents are partly bound to sediments, and sediment suspended in the water column has a major impact on aquatic life. Erosion of streambanks, scour at bridges, and deposition of sediments in reservoirs are some of the topics of USGS studies related to Pennsylvania's infrastructure.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Sediment Sources and Deposition in the Estuary
Below are data associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Effects of legacy sediment removal and effects on nutrients and sediment in Big Spring Run, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 2009–15
Effects of Streambank Fencing of Near-Stream Pasture Land on a Small Watershed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Effects of streambank fencing of pasture land on benthic macroinvertebrates and the quality of surface water and shallow ground water in the Big Spring Run basin of Mill Creek watershed, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1993-2001
Total mercury and methylmercury in fish fillets, water, and bed sediments from selected streams in the Delaware River basin, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, 1998-2001
A summary report of sediment processes in Chesapeake Bay and watershed
Software user's guide for determining the Pennsylvania scour critical indicator code and streambed scour assessment rating for roadway bridges
Summary of trends and status analysis for flow, nutrients, and sediments at selected nontidal sites, Chesapeake Bay basin, 1985-99
Relations among sulfate, metals, sediment, and streamflow data for a stream draining a coal-mined watershed in East-Central Pennsylvania
Procedures for scour assessments at bridges in Pennsylvania
Preliminary effects of streambank fencing of pasture land on the quality of surface water in a small watershed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
National Bridge Scour Program - measuring scour of the streambed at highway bridges
Status yields and trends of nutrients and sediment and methods of analysis for nontidal data-collection programs, Chesapeake Bay basin, 1985-96
Changes in sediment and nutrient storage in three reservoirs in the lower Susquehanna River Basin and implications for the Chesapeake Bay
News
- Overview
Sediment in streams, from land surface erosion in watersheds, is an important factor in determining the quality of Pennsylvania's surface waters and of downstream water bodies such as the Delaware Estuary and Chesapeake Bay. The USGS has a long-standing tradition of measuring suspended-sediment concentrations and estimating loads. Recent technological advances allow real-time estimates of suspended sediment in streams, which can be used for managing water quality and drinking-water withdrawals.
USGS collects data and conducts studies related to the production of sediment in Pennsylvania watersheds, transport processes controlling the rate of erosion, both in and out of the stream, and subsequent deposition in streams and reserviors. Many water quality constituents are partly bound to sediments, and sediment suspended in the water column has a major impact on aquatic life. Erosion of streambanks, scour at bridges, and deposition of sediments in reservoirs are some of the topics of USGS studies related to Pennsylvania's infrastructure.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Sediment Sources and Deposition in the Estuary
During the past 10 years, integrated studies of sediment in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries have been carried out by a team of USGS scientists, in collaboration with researchers from several universities, the Maryland Geological Survey, the U.S. Naval Research laboratory, the USEPA, and other institutions. The USGS worked with these investigators to prepare a comprehensive review of sediment... - Data
Below are data associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Effects of legacy sediment removal and effects on nutrients and sediment in Big Spring Run, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 2009–15
Big Spring Run is a 1.68-square mile watershed underlain by mostly carbonate rock in a mixed land-use setting (part agricultural and part developed) in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Big Spring Run is a subwatershed of Mill Creek, a tributary to the Conestoga River. These watersheds are known contributors of nutrient and sediment loads to the Chesapeake Bay and several stream reaches are on the PAuthorsMichael J. Langland, Joseph W. Duris, Tammy M. Zimmerman, Jeffrey J. ChaplinFilter Total Items: 81Effects of Streambank Fencing of Near-Stream Pasture Land on a Small Watershed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
This study indicated that a small buffer width along a stream in pasture land can have a positive influence on surface-water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates, and near-stream shallow ground-water quality. Overland runoff processes that move suspended sediment to the stream were controlled (or reduced) to some extent by the vegetative buffer established. Results indicated streambank fencing rAuthorsDaniel G. Galeone, Dennis J. Low, Robin A. BrightbillEffects of streambank fencing of pasture land on benthic macroinvertebrates and the quality of surface water and shallow ground water in the Big Spring Run basin of Mill Creek watershed, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1993-2001
Streambank fencing along stream channels in pastured areas and the exclusion of pasture animals from the channel are best-management practices designed to reduce nutrient and suspended-sediment yields from drainage basins. Establishment of vegetation in the fenced area helps to stabilize streambanks and provides better habitat for wildlife in and near the stream. This study documented the effectivAuthorsDaniel G. Galeone, Robin A. Brightbill, Dennis J. Low, David L. O'BrienTotal mercury and methylmercury in fish fillets, water, and bed sediments from selected streams in the Delaware River basin, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, 1998-2001
Within the Delaware River Basin, fish-tissue samples were analyzed for total mercury (tHg). Water and bed-sediment samples were analyzed for tHg and methylmercury (MeHg), and methylation efficiencies were calculated. This study was part of a National Mercury Pilot Program conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The Delaware River Basin was chosen because it is part of the USGS National WatAuthorsRobin A. Brightbill, Karen Riva-Murray, Michael D. Bilger, John D. ByrnesA summary report of sediment processes in Chesapeake Bay and watershed
The Chesapeake Bay, the Nation's largest estuary, has been degraded because of diminished water quality, loss of habitat, and over-harvesting of living resources. Consequently, the bay was listed as an impaired water body due to excess nutrients and sediment. The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP), a multi-jurisdictional partnership, completed an agreement called "Chesapeake 2000" that revises and estabSoftware user's guide for determining the Pennsylvania scour critical indicator code and streambed scour assessment rating for roadway bridges
This report presents the instructions required to use the Scour Critical Bridge Indicator (SCBI) Code and Scour Assessment Rating (SAR) calculator developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the U.S. Geological Survey to identify Pennsylvania bridges with excessive scour conditions or a high potential for scour. Use of the calculator will enable PennDOT bridge personneAuthorsM.F. Henneberg, J. L. StrauseSummary of trends and status analysis for flow, nutrients, and sediments at selected nontidal sites, Chesapeake Bay basin, 1985-99
Water-quality and flow data from 31 sites in nontidal portions of the Chesapeake Bay Basin were analyzed to document annual nutrient and sediment loads and trends for the period 1985 through 1999 as part of an annual reevaluation and reporting for the Chesapeake Bay Program. Annual loads were estimated by use of the U.S. Geological Survey ESTIMATOR model. Trends were estimated using linear regressAuthorsM. J. Langland, R. E. Edwards, L.A. Sprague, S.E. YochumRelations among sulfate, metals, sediment, and streamflow data for a stream draining a coal-mined watershed in East-Central Pennsylvania
Streamflow and water-quality data for the northern part of Swatara Creek, which drains a 112-km2 area in the Southern Anthracite Field of east-central Pennsylvania, indicate iron, copper, and lead, and to a lesser extent manganese and zinc, are transported with suspended particles during stormflow conditions. During stormflow conditions, concentrations of these constituents typically peak prior toAuthorsCharles A. CravottaProcedures for scour assessments at bridges in Pennsylvania
Scour is the process and result of flowing water eroding the bed and banks of a stream. Scour at nearly 14,300 bridges(1) spanning water, and the stability of river and stream channels in Pennsylvania, are being assessed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Procedures for bridge-scour assessments have been established toAuthorsPeter J. Cinotto, Kirk E. WhitePreliminary effects of streambank fencing of pasture land on the quality of surface water in a small watershed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
The use of fencing to exclude pastured animals from streams has been recognized as an agricultural best-management practice. Streambank fencing was installed in a small basin within the Mill Creek Watershed of Lancaster County, Pa., during summer 1997 to evaluate the effectiveness of fencing on surface-water quality. A preliminary review of data collected during a pre-treatment, or calibration perAuthorsDaniel G. GaleoneNational Bridge Scour Program - measuring scour of the streambed at highway bridges
No abstract available.AuthorsD. S. MuellerStatus yields and trends of nutrients and sediment and methods of analysis for nontidal data-collection programs, Chesapeake Bay basin, 1985-96
Data from more than 200 sites in nontidal portions of the Chesapeake Bay were compiled to document annual nutrient and sediment loads and trends for the period 1985 through 1996 as part of the 1997 Reevaluation of the Chesapeake Bay Program goal of reducing nutrient loads 40 percent by the year 2000. Annual loads were estimated by use of the Minimum Variance Unbiased Estimator (MVUE) model atAuthorsMichael J. Langland, Robert E. Edwards, Linda C. DarrellChanges in sediment and nutrient storage in three reservoirs in the lower Susquehanna River Basin and implications for the Chesapeake Bay
The Susquehanna River contributes nearly 50 percent of the freshwater discharge to the Chesapeake Bay in a year of normal or average streamflow. The river also transports the greatest amount of nutrients (estimates of nearly 66 percent of the nitrogen and 40 percent of the phosphorus load) from all nontidal areas in the Chesapeake Bay Basin. Excessive nutrients in the Bay result in algal blooms thAuthorsMichael J. Langland - Web Tools
- News
News