Publications—Open-File Report 2007–1035

Hydrologic Data Summary for the Northeast Creek/Fresh Meadow Estuary, Acadia National Park, Maine, 2000–2001

Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007–1035


By James M. Caldwell and Charles W. Culbertson


Available online only

The body of the report is available in PDF Format (8,451 KB)


Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, collected data in Northeast Creek estuary, Mt. Desert Island, Maine, to establish baseline water-quality conditions including estuarine nutrient concentrations. Five sampling sites in Northeast Creek were established and monitored continuously for temperature and specific conductance during May to November, 2000 and 2001. Stream stage, which was affected by ocean tidal dynamics, was recorded at the most downstream site and at one upstream site. Discrete water samples for nutrient concentrations were collected biweekly during May to November, 2000 and 2001, at the five sampling sites, and an additional site seaward of the estuary mouth. Results indicated that the salinity regime of Northeast Creek estuary is dynamic and highly regulated by strong seasonal variations in freshwater runoff, as well as limited seawater exchange caused by a constriction at the bridge, at the downstream end of the estuary. Oligohaline conditions (0.5–5 practical salinity units) occasionally extend to the estuary mouth. During other periods oligohaline and mesohaline (5–20 practical salinity units) conditions exist in some areas of the estuary; polyhaline/marine (20–35 practical salinity units) conditions occasionally exist near the mouth. A saltwater wedge in the bottom water, due to density stratification, was observed to migrate upstream as fresh surface-water inputs diminished during the onset of summer low-flow conditions. Although specific conductance ranged widely at most sites because of tidal influences, other water-quality constituents, including nutrient and chlorophyll-a concentrations, exhibited seasonal distribution patterns in which maximum levels generally occurred in early to mid-summer and again in the fall over both field seasons.

Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose and Scope

Description of Study Area

Data Collection and Analysis

Biweekly Sampling

Continuous Monitoring

Summary of Water Quality and Hydrologic Data

May–November 2000

May–November 2001

References Cited

Appendix 1. Bi-weekly water-quality data, all stations

Appendix 2. Water temperature and specific conductance monitored at two depths, stations 101–105

Appendix 3. Stage data at stations 101 and 103

Appendix 4. Stage-discharge rating for station 101

Figures

  1. Map showing location of the Northeast Creek-Fresh Meadow study area, Acadia National Park, Maine.

2–5. Graphs showing:

2. Continuous specific conductance and stage at selected sites during June–October 2000 in the Northeast Creek-Fresh Meadow estuary, Acadia National Park, Maine.
3. Continuous specific conductance and stage at selected sites during June–October 2001 in the Northeast Creek-Fresh Meadow estuary, Acadia National Park, Maine.
4. Total nitrogen, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-aconcentrations during May–November 2000 at stations 100–105 in the Northeast Creek-Fresh Meadow estuary, Acadia National Park, Maine.
5. Total nitrogen, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-aconcentrations during May–November 2001 at stations 100–105 in the Northeast Creek-Fresh Meadow estuary, Acadia National Park, Maine.

Tables

  1. Sites sampled along Northeast Creek near Bar Harbor, Maine.

  2. Constituents and minimum reporting limits for water-quality sample analyses conducted as part of this study.

  3. Analytical methods used for selected water-quality constituents in this study.

Suggested citation:

Caldwell, J.M., and Culbertson, C.W., 2007, Hydrologic data summary for the Northeast Creek/Fresh Meadow estuary, Acadia National Park, Maine, 2000–2001: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007–1035, 81 p.


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For more information about USGS activities in Maine contact:


Director
U.S. Geological Survey,
Maine Water Science Center
196 Whitten Road
Augusta, Maine 04330

dc_me@usgs.gov

or visit our Web site at:  http://me.water.usgs.gov/
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