Shenandoah National Park in northern and central Virginia protects 777 square kilometers of mountain terrain in the Blue Ridge physiographic province and more than 90 streams containing diverse aquatic biota. Park managers and visitors are interested in the water quality of park streams and its ability to support healthy coldwater communities and species, such as the native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), that are at risk in the eastern United States. Despite protection from local stressors, however, the water quality of streams in the park is at risk from many regional stressors, including atmospheric pollution, decline in the health of the surrounding forests because of invasive forest pests, and global climate change. In 2010, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, undertook a study to compile, analyze, and synthesize available data on water quality, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and fish within Shenandoah National Park. Specifically, the effort focused on creating a comprehensive water-resources database for the park that can be used to evaluate temporal trends and spatial patterns in the available data, and characterizing those data to better understand interrelations among water quality, aquatic macroinvertebrates, fish, and the landscape.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Title | Synthesis and interpretation of surface-water quality and aquatic biota data collected in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, 1979-2009 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20135157 |
| Authors | John D. Jastram, Craig D. Snyder, Nathaniel P. Hitt, Karen C. Rice |
| Publication Type | Report |
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Series Title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series Number | 2013-5157 |
| Index ID | sir20135157 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Leetown Science Center; Virginia Water Science Center |
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John D. Jastram
Chief, Watershed Studies Section
Karen C. Rice, PhD
Research Hydrologist
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John D. Jastram
Chief, Watershed Studies SectionEmailPhoneKaren C. Rice, PhD
Research HydrologistEmailPhone