Publication - Open-File Report

In cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Water-Quality, Bed-Sediment, and Biological Data (October 2003 through September 2004) and Statistical Summaries of Data for Streams
in the Upper Clark Fork Basin, Montana

Open-File Report 2005-1356

By Kent A. Dodge, Michelle I. Hornberger, and Jessica L. Dyke

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Abstract

Water, bed sediment, and biota were sampled in streams from Butte to below Missoula as part of a program, conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to characterize aquatic resources in the upper Clark Fork basin of western Montana. Sampling sites were located on the Clark Fork, five major tributaries, and three smaller tributaries. Water-quality samples were collected periodically at 17 sites during October 2003 through September 2004 (water year 2004). Bed-sediment and biological samples were collected one time in August 2004. The primary constituents analyzed were trace elements associated with tailings from historical mining and smelting activities. This report summarizes the results of water-quality, bed-sediment, and biota samples collected in water year 2004 and provides statistical summaries of data collected since 1985.

Water-quality data for samples collected periodically from streams include concentrations of selected major ions, trace elements, and suspended sediment. Daily values of suspended-sediment concentration and suspended-sediment discharge were determined for three sites. Bed-sediment data include trace-element concentrations in the fine-grained and bulk fractions. Biological data include trace-element concentrations in whole-body tissue of aquatic benthic insects. Quality-assurance data are reported for analytical results of water, bed sediment, and biota. Statistical summaries of water-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data are provided for the period of record since 1985 for each site.


Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Sampling Locations and Types of Data

Water-Quality Data

Methods

Results

Quality Assurance

Bed-Sediment Data

Methods

Results

Quality Assurance

Biological Data

Methods

Results

Quality Assurance

Statistical Summaries of Data

References Cited

Data

Figure

1. Map showing location of study area.

Tables

1. Type and period of data collection at sampling sites in the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana.

2. Properties measured onsite and constituents analyzed in samples of water, bed sediment, and biota from the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana.

3. Data-quality objectives for analyses of water-quality samples collected in the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana.

4. Water-quality data for the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, October 2003 through September 2004.

5-7. Daily mean streamflow and suspended-sediment data, October 2003 through September 2004, for:

5. Clark Fork at Deer Lodge, Montana.

6. Clark Fork at Turah Bridge, near Bonner, Montana.

7. Clark Fork above Missoula, Montana.

8. Analyses of field replicates for water samples, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana.

9. Precision of analyses of field replicates for water samples, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana.

10. Precision of analyses of laboratory replicates for water samples, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana.

11. Recovery efficiency for analyses of laboratory-spiked deionized-water blanks.

12. Recovery efficiency for analyses of laboratory-spiked stream samples, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana.

13. Analyses of field blanks for water samples.

14. Analyses of fine-grained bed sediment, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, August 2004.

15. Analyses of bulk bed sediment, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, August 2004.

16. Recovery efficiency for analyses of standard reference materials for bed sediment.

17. Analyses of procedural blanks for bed sediment.

18. Analyses of biota, upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, August 2004.

19. Recovery efficiency for analyses of standard reference material for biota.

20. Analyses of procedural blanks for biota.

21. Statistical summary of water-quality data for the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, March 1985 through September 2004.

22. Statistical summary of fine-grained bed-sediment data for the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, August 1986 through August 2004.

23. Statistical summary of bulk bed-sediment data for the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, August 1993 through August 2004.

24. Statistical summary of biological data for the upper Clark Fork basin, Montana, August 1986 through August 2004.


For additional information contact:
Director, Montana Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
3162 Bozeman Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Telephone: 1-406-457-5900
World Wide Web: http://mt.water.usgs.gov/

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