Surface Water-Quality Data and Nutrient Loads in Selected Rivers and Wastewater Treatment Facilities in the Connecticut River and Taunton River Study Areas in Massachusetts, 2019-2021

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release includes necessary information and data to support the analysis and interpretations of nutrient loading and sources of nitrogen in the associated companion USGS Scientific Investigations Report. This data release includes (1) summary statistics for discrete water-quality data collected at eight water-quality-monitoring stations in the Connecticut River and Taunton River study areas from January 2019 to December 2021, and at stations in the Ware River and Quaboag River from August 2020 to August 2021; (2) input streamflow and concentration data, methods used, and calculated annual loads of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and dissolved organic carbon; and (3) discharge and concentration and data used to compute monthly and annual loads of total nitrogen from wastewater treatment facilities (WWTF). River loads were calculated either using USGS LOADEST (Load Estimator) or the USGS Exploration and Graphics for RivEr Trends (EGRET) R package and the method of Weighted Regression on Time Discharge and Season (WRTDS). WWTF monthly and annual total nitrogen loads were computed using discharge and concentration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Environmental Compliance History Online (ECHO) database.