The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified sediment as a leading cause of impairment in the Nation’s rivers and streams. Excessive sedimentation degrades aquatic habitat; reduces longevity of water-supply, flood-control reservoirs; and is the primary transport mechanism of toxic organic chemicals, heavy metals, and nutrients. The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center (OTWSC) has multiple projects that collect sediment data to assist in understand long-term water quality trends. Visit the links below for more information on our data and science.
High flows in rivers caused by local rainfall or by releases from upstream reservoirs can increase sediment erosion and nutrient runoff downstream. Sediment transported by rivers and streams to estuaries and bays can affect water quality and reduce water clarity. Concentrations of suspended sediment also are affected by natural conditions (such as soil erosion and streambed resuspension) and can also be affected by human activities (such as development, timber harvesting, agricultural practices, and hydraulic alteration).
SEDIMENT SCIENCE CAPABILITIES
OTWSC has expertise in sediment science applications, including, but not limited to:
- Suspended Sediments in Streams, Storm Runoff, and Impervious Surface Runoff
- Quantifying Loads and Yields of Contaminants
- Identifying Sources of Sediment-Associated Trace Elements and Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants
- Understanding Relations Between Streamflow and Sediment and Contaminant Transport
- Characterizing Relations Between Land-Use and Sediment Quality
- Streambed Sediments
- Characterizing Sediment Quality
- Identifying Source(s) of Contaminant Inputs
- Lake/Reservoir Bottom Sediments
- Age Dating Sediments to Calculate Deposition Dates and Sedimentation Rates
- Reconstructing Water-Quality Trends of Sediment-Associated Trace Elements and Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants
- Describing Effects of Land-Use and Regulatory Changes and Urbanization on Water-Quality
Find out more about OTWSC water-quality science and sediement science expertise in these printable information sheets.
LOOKING FOR SEDIMENT DATA?
WaterQualityWatch: Real Time Turbidity
USGS National Real-Time Water Quality: Texas Real-Time Water Quality
CURRENT SEDIMENT SCIENCE
Coastal Monitoring
Coastal Inflow Sediment and Nutrient Monitoring
Nutrient and Sediment Variability in the Lower San Jacinto River
Lake Monitoring
Water-Quality Monitoring of the Lake Houston Watershed
River Monitoring
San Antonio River Sediment and Water Quality Monitoring in an Oil and Gas Production Area
Statewide Monitoring
National Water-Quality Assessment Project in Texas - Surface Water Activities
Projects related to sediment studies are listed below.
Water-Quality Monitoring of the Lake Houston Watershed
San Antonio River Sediment and Water Quality Monitoring in an Oil and Gas Production Area
Nutrient and Sediment Variability in the Lower San Jacinto River
National Water-Quality Assessment Project in Texas - Surface Water Activities
Nutrient and Sediment Monitoring in Inflows to Texas Bays and Estuaries
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified sediment as a leading cause of impairment in the Nation’s rivers and streams. Excessive sedimentation degrades aquatic habitat; reduces longevity of water-supply, flood-control reservoirs; and is the primary transport mechanism of toxic organic chemicals, heavy metals, and nutrients. The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center (OTWSC) has multiple projects that collect sediment data to assist in understand long-term water quality trends. Visit the links below for more information on our data and science.
High flows in rivers caused by local rainfall or by releases from upstream reservoirs can increase sediment erosion and nutrient runoff downstream. Sediment transported by rivers and streams to estuaries and bays can affect water quality and reduce water clarity. Concentrations of suspended sediment also are affected by natural conditions (such as soil erosion and streambed resuspension) and can also be affected by human activities (such as development, timber harvesting, agricultural practices, and hydraulic alteration).
SEDIMENT SCIENCE CAPABILITIES
OTWSC has expertise in sediment science applications, including, but not limited to:
- Suspended Sediments in Streams, Storm Runoff, and Impervious Surface Runoff
- Quantifying Loads and Yields of Contaminants
- Identifying Sources of Sediment-Associated Trace Elements and Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants
- Understanding Relations Between Streamflow and Sediment and Contaminant Transport
- Characterizing Relations Between Land-Use and Sediment Quality
- Streambed Sediments
- Characterizing Sediment Quality
- Identifying Source(s) of Contaminant Inputs
- Lake/Reservoir Bottom Sediments
- Age Dating Sediments to Calculate Deposition Dates and Sedimentation Rates
- Reconstructing Water-Quality Trends of Sediment-Associated Trace Elements and Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants
- Describing Effects of Land-Use and Regulatory Changes and Urbanization on Water-Quality
Find out more about OTWSC water-quality science and sediement science expertise in these printable information sheets.
LOOKING FOR SEDIMENT DATA?
WaterQualityWatch: Real Time Turbidity
USGS National Real-Time Water Quality: Texas Real-Time Water Quality
CURRENT SEDIMENT SCIENCE
Coastal Monitoring
Coastal Inflow Sediment and Nutrient Monitoring
Nutrient and Sediment Variability in the Lower San Jacinto River
Lake Monitoring
Water-Quality Monitoring of the Lake Houston Watershed
River Monitoring
San Antonio River Sediment and Water Quality Monitoring in an Oil and Gas Production Area
Statewide Monitoring
National Water-Quality Assessment Project in Texas - Surface Water Activities
Projects related to sediment studies are listed below.