In Reply Refer To:

Mail Stop 412 April 10, 2007

**Office of Water Quality Technical Memorandum 2007.02**

Subject: National Stream Quality Accounting Network, Fiscal Year (FY)
2007

This memorandum contains a summary of the activities of the National
Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) for FY 2007, including the
stations being operated, and constituents measured. Further details on
NASQAN operations can be obtained from either the Office of Water
Quality or the Basin Coordinators. Contact information is contained at
the end of this memorandum.

FY 2007 will require only minor changes in NASQAN operations from FY
2006. There are three lower Mississippi River Basin sites that were
added to the network partway through last fiscal year, and they will
continue to operate for the entire FY 2007. The total number of samples
expected for collection has been adjusted and are shown in Attachment 1.

During FY 2007, we will plan an amalgamation of NASQAN operations with
NAWQA Surface Water Status and Trends activities to create a Federal
surface water fixed station network. The changes will be known and
announced by the last quarter of FY 2007. Financial constraints and the
intent to maximize surface water sampling activities drive the
operational consolidation. Flux estimates for large to medium rivers,
and water-quality trends at medium to small rivers are the objectives
for the combined network operation.

NASQAN Stations

The stations to be operated this year are largely the same as FY 2006
with the change noted above. We will continue to sample the Mississippi
at Baton Rouge in connection with the St. Francisville station. The
number of stations operated in each basin is shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Number of NASQAN stations by river basin.

  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------
  *Basin*                      *Number of Stations*

  Mississippi                  22

  Rio Grande                   6

  Colorado                     2

  Columbia                     1

  Yukon                        0

  **Total**                    31
  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------

Some stations in the Mississippi River Basin have a portion of their
sample collections determined by calendar date ("fixed samples") and a
portion determined by hydrologic condition ("event samples"). Event
samples are to be collected in consultation with the Basin Coordinator.
Collection cost for fixed samples are paid at the beginning of the year.
The cost of event samples is paid after sample collection in a secondary
funding transfer in July. The initial transfers and event reserve
amounts, by Water Science Center (WSC) and by account number, are
contained in Attachment 2.

Constituents Measured

Constituents measured at NASQAN stations vary somewhat across the
country depending on local conditions. Major ions and nutrients
(including carbon species) are measured at all NASQAN stations. Both
dissolved and sediment-associated trace elements were measured at many
stations in the Colorado, Columbia, Mississippi, and Rio Grande basins
during 1996-2000; sampling for these constituents continues only at
stations that were not well sampled during this period, and at a subset
of stations in these basin at a reduced frequency. Pesticides (NWQL
Schedule 2001, 2010 at the MO WSC operated stations) are measured
throughout the Mississippi and Rio Grande basins. Radiochemistry is
measured in the Colorado Basin, and sampling should continue for the
National Research Program.

Please insure that all field personnel sampling at NASQAN stations have
a copy of Attachment 3, which provides specific information on sample
collection and processing in FY 2007.

**NASQAN Basins**

***Mississippi Basin***

The water-quality issues in the Mississippi River Basin continue to be
connected to the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia concerns. NASQAN will continue
in FY 2007 to compute loads of nutrients delivered to the Gulf and
moving down the Mississippi. Some scientists connect the increase in
nitrogen being discharged from the Mississippi River over the past 50
years to the growth and severity of these hypoxic waters. Although, the
NASQAN program will not answer the question of whether the increased
nitrogen exacerbates the hypoxic waters, the program with its flux-based
approach will provide information on source areas for nutrients and
document any changes in the transport of nutrients that might occur in
an effort to control the hypoxic zone.

During FY 2007, we will continue to operate the site at Baton Rouge so
we can eventually transition from the historical location at St.
Francisville, LA, to a new gage at Baton Rouge, LA that will include
real-time water-quality monitoring. We will also continue to process
samples from the Mississippi River at Grafton, where sampling costs are
provided from another agency, and NASQAN will get 12 samples this year.
Last year we also initiated sampling at 3 farther downstream stations,
one on the Mississippi at Belle Chasse, and two on the Atchafalaya (Wax
Lake and Morgan City); we will continue sampling all year at these three
additional sites. Our intent is to identify the sites lowest on the
rivers that we can sample and best represent flux into the Gulf of
Mexico.

***Rio Grande Basin***

The Rio Grande basin will continue to collect data from six (6) of the
stations monitored in FY 2006. The goal of the fixed-network is to
continue to collect samples using a flux-based approach over a range in
stage. Sampling will be done on a routine basis at the six (6) stations
located in the middle and lower portions of the Rio Grande watershed
because of infrequent storm events in the basin. Although sampling is
planned on a regular basis, efforts will be made to sample at higher
stages and during storm events if they occur.

***Yukon Basin***

FY 2007 NASQAN will continue to fund completion of several reports and
Internet site responsibilities at both the Alaska Water Science Center
and the National Research Program. If requested, assistance of the
PARTNERS to collect 2 samples at the Yukon River at Pilot Station may
also be considered.

***Columbia Basin***

NASQAN will continue to sample the Columbia River in FY 2007 at only one
index station, the Columbia River at Beaver Army Terminal near Quincy,
Oregon (14246900). Sampling at this station continues to be oriented
toward the primary NASQAN program objective of characterizing fluxes of
water and chemicals out of the basin to receiving waters, i.e., the
Columbia River Estuary.

***Colorado Basin***

Two index stations will be operated in the Colorado Basin (Colorado
River above Diamond Creek and Colorado River at Northerly International
Boundary), the same as last year. Sampling at the compact point
(Colorado River at Lees Ferry) is supported through the Cooperative
Water Program.

**NASQAN Contact Information**

For any questions on the NASQAN Program, consult our web page
(<http://water.usgs.gov/nasqan>) or contact any of the following
individuals:

-   Office of Water Quality, Reston, VA. <tlmiller@usgs.gov>,
    703-648-6868

-   Mississippi Basin Coordinator: Richard Coupe, MS WSC, Pearl, MS.
    <rhcoupe@usgs.gov>;\
    601-933-2982

-   Rio Grande Basin Coordinator: Becky Lambert, TX WSC, San Antonio,
    TX. <blambert@usgs.gov>; 210-691-9218

-   Colorado Basin Coordinator: Bob Hart, AZ WSC, Tucson, AZ.
    [bhart@usgs.gov]{.underline}; 520-556-7137

-   Columbia Basin Coordinator: Jennifer Morace, OR WSC, Portland, OR.
    <jlmorace@usgs.gov>, 503-251-3229

-   Yukon Basin Coordinator: Tim Brabets, AK WSC, Anchorage, AK.
    <tbrabets@usgs.gov>;\
    907-786-7105

> Timothy L. Miller
>
> Chief, Office of Water Quality

This memorandum supersedes OWQ Technical Memorandum 2006.02.

Distribution: A, B, DC, AO, WSC and Regional Water-Quality Specialists,
Basin Coordinators

Attachment 1. FY 2007 NASQAN Stations

+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| S      | Name                   | W | F    | Pla  | Repli | Se     |
| tation |                        | S | ixed | nned | cates | diment |
| ID     |                        | C | Sam  | E    |       | Che    |
|        |                        |   | ples | vent |       | mistry |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| #      |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
|  ***Mi |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
| ssissi |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
| ppi Ba |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
| sin*** |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 03     | Ohio R @ Sewickley, PA | P | 11   | 2    | 1     | 0      |
| 086000 |                        | A |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 03     | Ohio R \@Greenup Dam   | K | 11   | 2    | 1     | 0      |
| 216600 |                        | Y |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 03     | Ohio R \@Cannelton     | K | 11   | 2    | 1     | 0      |
| 303280 |                        | Y |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 03     | Wabash R @ New Harmony | K | 11   | 3    | 2     | 0      |
| 378500 |                        | Y |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 03     | Cumberland R@          | K | 5    | 0    | 1     | 4      |
| 438500 | Smithland              | Y |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 03     | Tennessee R @ Paducah  | K | 5    | 0    | 1     | 0      |
| 609750 |                        | Y |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 03     | Ohio R nr Gr. Chain    | K | 11   | 3    | 2     | 5      |
| 612500 |                        | Y |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 05     | Mississippi R @        | I | 9    | 3    | 2     | 5      |
| 420500 | Clinton                | A |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 05     | Mississippi R blw      | M | 12   | 0    | 1     | 0      |
| 587455 | Grafton                | O |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 06     | Missouri R nr          | M | 6    | 0    | 1     | 0      |
| 185500 | Culbertson             | T |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 06     | Missouri R @ Garrison  | N | 5    | 0    | 1     | 0      |
| 338490 | Dam                    | D |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 06     | Missouri R @ Yankton   | S | 7    | 0    | 1     | 0      |
| 467500 |                        | D |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 06     | Missouri R @ Omaha     | I | 11   | 3    | 2     | 0      |
| 610000 |                        | A |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 06     | Missouri R @ Hermann   | M | 11   | 3    | 2     | 5      |
| 934500 |                        | O |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 07     | Mississippi R \@Thebes | M | 11   | 3    | 2     | 5      |
| 022000 |                        | O |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 07     | Ark. R @ D.Terry Dam   | A | 9    | 0    | 1     | 0      |
| 263620 |                        | R |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 07     | Mississippi R @ St.    | L | 11   | 3    | 2     | 6      |
| 373420 | Francisville           | A |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 07     | Mississippi R @ Baton  | L | 11   | 3    | 2     | 6      |
| 374000 | Rouge                  | A |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 07     | Mississippi River @    | L | 11   | 3    | 2     | 6      |
| 374525 | Belle Chasse           | A |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 07     | Atchafalaya R @        | L | 11   | 3    | 2     | 6      |
| 381495 | Melville               | A |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 07     | Atchafalaya River @    | L | 11   | 3    | 2     | 6      |
| 381590 | Wax Lake               | A |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 07     | Atchafalaya River @    | L | 11   | 3    | 2     | 6      |
| 381600 | Morgan City            | A |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
|        |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| # ***R |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
| io Gra |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
| nde Ba |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
| sin*** |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 08     | Rio Grande bl Presidio | T | 7    | 0    | 1     | 6      |
| 374200 |                        | X |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 08     | Rio Grande @ Foster    | T | 7    | 0    | 1     | 6      |
| 377200 | Ranch                  | X |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 08     | Pecos R. nr. Langtry   | T | 7    | 0    | 1     | 0      |
| 447410 |                        | X |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 08     | Rio Grande @ Laredo    | T | 7    | 0    | 1     | 6      |
| 459200 |                        | X |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 08     | Arroyo Colorado nr     | T | 7    | 0    | 1     | 6      |
| 470400 | Harlingen              | X |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 08     | Rio Grande nr          | T | 7    | 0    | 1     | 0      |
| 475000 | Brownsville            | X |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| # **   |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
| *Color |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
| ado Ba |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
| sin*** |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 09     | Colorado R @ Diamond   | A | 7    | 0    | 1     | 0      |
| 404200 | CK                     | Z |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 09     | Colorado R @ NIB       | A | 5    | 0    | 1     | 0      |
| 522000 |                        | Z |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| # **   |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
| *Colum |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
| bia Ba |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
| sin*** |                        |   |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+
| 14     | Columbia R @ Beaver    | O | 7    | 0    | 2     | 3      |
| 246900 | Army                   | R |      |      |       |        |
+--------+------------------------+---+------+------+-------+--------+

Attachment 2. FY 2007 Funding Allocations by WSC and Account Number

For sampling and stream gaging costs only

+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Account  | WSC     | Fixed     | Gaging    | Event     |           |
| Number   |         | Sampling  | Cost      | Sampling  |           |
|          |         | Cost      |           | Reserve   |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 2419APB  | KY      | \$        | \$ 25,450 | \$ 44,530 |           |
|          |         | 249,905   |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 2476ACR  | PA      | \$ 34,650 | \$ -      | \$ 6,300  |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 85789M4  | AR      | \$ 36,000 | \$ 5,040  | \$ -      |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 485919MU | IA      | \$ 83,540 | \$ -      | \$ 25,110 |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 8601AEE  | ### LA  | \$        | \$ -      | \$ 75,660 |           |
|          |         | 277,420   |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 86119CS  | MO      | \$        | \$ -      | \$ 31,155 |           |
|          |         | 114,235   |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 86119CS  | MO      | \$ 6,360  | Grafton   |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 8620A10  | MT      | \$ 22,320 | \$ -      | \$ -      |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 8638AGN  | ND      | \$ 16,400 | \$ -      | \$ -      |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 86489QM  | SD      | \$ 39,865 | \$ 985    | \$ -      |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 8653AGS  | TX      | \$        | \$ -      | \$ -      |           |
|          |         | 145,110   |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 96719ES  | AZ      | \$ 46,515 | \$ -      | \$ -      |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 97119H2  | OR      | \$ 42,000 | \$ -      | \$ -      |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|          |         |           |           |           |           |
+----------+---------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

**Attachment 3. FY 2007 NASQAN Operations**

In general, the sampling strategies remain unchanged from previous
years. The cost of event samples will be determined in July and provided
as a separate allocation if sampling warrants. Electronic copies of
guidelines for all sampling procedures are available through the NASQAN
homepage <http://water.usgs.gov/nasqan>. The web page provides technical
support for field crews; i.e., sampling and processing protocols for
routine and quality-control samples, sample coding guidelines, and
descriptions of NASQAN laboratory schedules.

NASQAN maintains a secondary level of data review, based on national
data-quality objectives, that complements the WSC data review process.
WSC personnel are responsible for data review, rerun requests, and
timely responses to contamination problems and other data issues. The
national data review process provides a means to track the review status
of questionable data, to receive input from the WSCs to the national
database via interactive web forms, and to provide technical support
toward resolving data-quality issues. Information on the national data
review process, including criteria definitions, instructions, and the
individual station pages can be accessed from the following URL:
<http://oregon.usgs.gov/uo/nasqan/qa.req.html>.

**Quality-Control Samples**

The specific types of QC samples to be collected at each NASQAN station
are described in the sampling strategies provided by the Basin
Coordinators. Additionally, laboratory equipment blanks must be analyzed
once per year for all equipment that is used to collect and process
NASQAN samples. Guidelines for collection, processing, and coding of QC
samples are provided on the NASQAN home page. Please carefully follow
the coding instructions for all QC samples. Consistency across the
network is necessary for efficient analysis of the QC data.

**Laboratory Information**

*Basin Accounts*

The following basin accounts have been established for analysis of
NASQAN chemistry and suspended sediment samples:

Colorado Basin 4565-9CE20

Columbia Basin 4565-9CE30

Mississippi Basin 4565-9CE40

Rio Grande Basin 4565-9CE50

Please use the appropriate account number on your Analytical Service
Request (ASR) and sediment analysis request for all NASQAN samples.

*Laboratory Schedules*

Laboratory schedules for analysis of NASQAN samples at the National
Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) are listed below. There are several
choices for routine analyses of both nutrient and major ions, depending
upon expected concentrations; however, we do not expect changes from
last year. **Please select the** **appropriate schedule for your
stations to avoid nondetects.** If you have questions about this issue,
think the schedule should change from past years, please contact your
Basin Coordinator first.

[Schedule]{.underline}

997 Nutrients, particulate carbon, nitrogen, organic carbon

1010 Nutrients (low-level ortho-P), particulate carbon, nitrogen,
organic carbon

1069 Nutrients (low-level P and N), particulate carbon, nitrogen,
organic carbon

998 Major ions and miscellaneous trace elements (conductance \< 2000)

1201 Major ions and miscellaneous trace elements (conductance \> 2000)

1050 Trace elements analyzed by ICP/MS

2001 Pesticides in filtered water, extracted by NWQL

2010 Pesticides in filtered water, field extracted

1637 Chlorophyll-a and phaeophytin

452 Nutrient blank

1675 Organic carbon blank

1674 Routine major ion and trace element blank

1673 Expanded trace element blank

1898 Particulate carbon & nitrogen, DOC, UV organics---ONLY Grafton

Updated information from the NWQL on sample requirements can be obtained
from the Technical Support section of the NASQAN home page.

*Sediment Laboratories*

Sediment samples from all stations within a single basin should be
submitted to one of two central sediment laboratories, described below.
A single composite sample will be submitted for each station sample.
This is a change from 2003 when duplicate sediment samples were
collected. Samples may be composited in the field before being sent to
the sediment lab.

[Iowa WSC Sediment Laboratory:]{.underline}

Mississippi Basin

Rio Grande Basin

[Cascade Volcanic Observatory:]{.underline}

Colorado Basin

Columbia Basin

*Trace element sampling*

Sampling for trace elements, both dissolved (schedule 1050) and
suspended (large-volume sample for Art Horowitz) will be maintained at a
subset of stations (Attachment 1). Sampling crews should be reminded
that every effort must be made to collect enough water to accumulate at
least 1 gram of sediment when processed. Art's lab sends email back
after analysis to inform the crews how much sediment was in the previous
sample. This should be used as a guide, along with knowledge of the
site, to determine how much water needs to be collected each trip.
Please make sure that all samples submitted are accompanied by an email
to Art's lab to let them know the sample is coming.

*Isotope samples*

Field crews at all NASQAN stations should continue to collect filtered
aliquots from the composite water sample for analysis of stable isotopes
of water. These samples should be packaged securely and sent directly to
Ty Coplen for analysis. He supplies the 60-mL glass bottles for sample
collection. Information on the specific sampling and processing
protocols, and the address for mailing those sampling can be found on
the NASQAN home page.

Additionally, crews should collect two filters for analysis of stable
isotopes in particulate organic matter (POM): the glass fiber filter
from filtration of pesticide samples, and a separate glass fiber filter
from the filtration of particulate carbon/nitrogen. These filters should
be clearly labeled and stored in the freezer; approximately quarterly,
these filters should be sent to Carol Kendall. ***For stations in the
Mississippi Basin only***: an additional filtered sample will be
collected and sent to Carol Kendall with the POM filters described
above. The sample is filtered through the 0.45 capsule filter into two
20 mL scintillation vials, which will be provided by the Basin
Coordinator (Richard Coupe). After filtering, the sample should be
clearly labeled and frozen as soon as possible. Further details on the
collection and mailing of these samples can be found on the NASQAN home
page.