Reconnaissance of Surface-Water 

and Ground-Water Quality at the 

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial 

near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02

Scientific Investigations Report 2005–5066

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

In cooperation with the National Park Service
Cover. Illustration adapted from National Park Service photo of reconstructed cabin at Lincoln Living Historical Farm, 

site of Thomas Lincoln’s Indiana farm, near Lincoln City, Indiana. 
Reconnaissance of Surface-Water 

and Ground-Water Quality at the 

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial 

near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02

By Paul M. Buszka and Kathleen K. Fowler

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service

Scientific Investigations Report 2005–5066
U.S. Department of the Interior

Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Charles G. Groat, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2005

For more information about the USGS and its products:

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Contents

Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Purpose and Scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Physical Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Land Use and Park History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Methods of Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Site Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Water-Quality Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Selection of Sampling Constituents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Collection and Analysis of Water-Quality Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Collection and Analysis of Escherichia coli Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Quality Assurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Reconnaissance of Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Streamflow and Precipitation Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Physical Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Major Ions and Nutrients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Analysis of Water-Quality Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Quality-Assurance Analysis Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Trace Metals and Organic Constituents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Analysis of Water-Quality Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Quality-Assurance Analysis Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Escherichia coli Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Limitations of Data and Interpretations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Summary and Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

References Cited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Figures

1–3. Maps showing—

1. Location of the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 

and selected streams and National Weather Service Cooperative Observer 

Program weather stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2. Location of the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial and streams and sites 

closest to the study area that previously were sampled for water quality . . . . . . . 3

3. Locations of sampling sites, oil- and gas-exploration wells, and former surface

coal mines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

4. Orthophoto showing sampling sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
iv 

5. Graphs showing sampling dates plotted with the precipitation record for 

National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program weather station, 

Boonville, Indiana, and a hydrograph for the nearest U.S. Geological Survey 

streamflow-gaging station, January 2001 to December 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

6. Doppler-radar image of total storm precipitation for Indiana, November 26–2

2001, from National Weather Service, Indianapolis, Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

7. Doppler-radar image of total storm precipitation for Indiana, March 25–26, 20

from National Weather Service, Louisville, Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

8. Stiff diagrams showing the relation of major ions in surface-water and 

ground-water samples from sampling sites, 2001 and 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Tables

1. Description and purpose of sampling for key water bodies at the Lincoln Boy

National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

2. National Park Service, Water Quality Inventory and Monitoring Program, Lev

required and optional characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

3. Analytical constituents and reporting limits for samples collected during 

water-quality sampling, 2001–02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

4. Surface-water- and ground-water-quality data from sites, 2001–02 . . . . . . . . 

5. Quality-assurance data for water-quality samples collected, 2001–02 . . . . . . 

6. Surface-water-quality characteristic and bacteria data from sites near the 

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, 1979 and 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

7. Surface-water-quality data from sites near the Lincoln Boyhood National 

Memorial, 1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

8. Summary of volume-weighted mean concentrations for samples of wet 

deposition from site IN22, National Atmospheric Deposition Program Nation

Trends Network, and range of concentrations in surface-water samples at t

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02 . . . . 

9. State of Indiana water-quality criteria for specific substances, Indiana 

Administrative Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

10. Statistical analysis of paired water-quality and sequential duplicate samples 

from the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, near Lincoln City, Indiana, 

2001–02, that was used to assess the reproducibility of analytical methods. . 

11. Differences in cation and anion equivalent concentrations in water samples 

collected, 2001–02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

12. Summary of surface-water- and ground-water-quality samples with nitrate, 

cadmium, or lead concentrations that are within or larger than 60 percent of 

Indiana water-quality criteria, 2001–02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Conversion Factors, Water-Quality Units, 

and Abbreviations

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Area

acre 0.4047 hectare (ha)

acre 0.004047 square kilometer (km2)

Volume

cubic meter (m3) 264.2 gallon (gal)

liter (L) 0.2642 gallon (gal)

milliliter (mL) 0.03381 ounce, fluid (oz)

cubic foot (ft3) 0.02832 cubic meter (m3)

gallon (gal) 3.785 liter (L)

Flow rate

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

gallon per minute (gal/min) 0.002228 cubic foot per second (ft3/s)

gallon per minute (gal/min) 3.785 liter per minute (L/min)

gallon per minute (gal/min) 0.0000631 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

Mass

microgram (∝g) 0.00000003527 ounce, avoirdupois (oz)

milligram (mg) 0.00003527 ounce, avoirdupois (oz)

gram (g) 0.03527 ounce, avoirdupois (oz)

kilogram (kg) 0.002205 pound, avoirdupois (lb)

Pressure

atmosphere, standard (atm) 101.3 kilopascal (kPa)
vi 

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) can be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as fol

°F = (1.8 x °C) + 32

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum o

(NGVD 29).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1927 (N

in figure 3 of this report and to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) in figures 1, 

Altitude, as used in this report, refers to distance above the vertical datum. 

Specific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius 

(∝S/cm at 25°C). 

Concentrations of chemical constituents in water are given in milligrams per liter (mg/L

micrograms per liter (∝g/L). 

Milligram per liter is a unit expressing the concentration of chemical constituents in sol

weight (milligrams) of solute per unit volume (liter) of water. 

A concentration of one thousand micrograms per liter is equivalent to one milligram per 

For concentrations less than 7,000 mg/L, the numerical value for milligrams per liter is th

as for concentrations in parts per million.

A milliequivalent is defined as a weight of a chemical substance, divided by the formula 

of its composition elements and the assumed charge of the species. For example, calciu

magnesium have assumed charges of 2 and sodium and potassium have assumed charg

The proportion of major cations and anions in water samples are graphically described 

report as concentrations in milliequivalents per liter.

A nephelometric turbidity unit or NTU is a unit of measure used to report the turbidity of 

Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water and is measured by the amount of ligh

scattered and absorbed instead of transmitted through the water by a standard light-me

device, or nephelometer.

Bacteria are microscopic unicellular organisms, typically spherical, rodlike, or spiral an

threadlike in shape, often clumped in colonies (col).

Escherichia coli (E. Coli) bacteria are present in the intestine and feces of warm-bloode

animals. E. coli are a member species of the fecal coliform group of indicator bacteria. I

bacteria for presumptive identification and enumeration are cultured on selective media 

filtration of several different sample volumes onto gridded membrane filters. In the labo

they are defined as those bacteria that produce yellow or yellow-brown colonies that re

when placed on a filter pad saturated with urea substrate broth for 15 minutes after resu

at 35.0 ±0.5°C for 2 hours and primary culturing for 22 to 24 hours at 44.5 ±0.2°C on mTEC 

Concentrations of bacteria are given in colonies per 100 milliliters (col/100mL).
Abbreviations and acronyms used in this report:

Acronym Description

DI Deionized 

E. coli Escherichia coli 

IDEA Inventory Data Evaluation and Analysis

IDEM Indiana Department of Environmental Management

N Nitrogen

NADP/NTN National Atmospheric Deposition Program 

National Trends Network 

NPS National Park Service

NWS-COP National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program

P Phosphorus

PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene

USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

Reconnaissance of Surface-Water and Ground-Wate

Quality at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial 

near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02

By Paul M. Buszka and Kathleen K. Fowler 

Abstract

In cooperation with the National Park Service, the 

U.S. Geological Survey investigated water quality of key water 

bodies at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln 

City in southwestern Indiana. The key water bodies were 

(1) a stock pond, representing possible nonpoint agricultural 

effects on water quality; (2) an ephemeral stream, representing 

the water quality of drainage from forested areas of the park; 

(3) parking-lot runoff, representing water quality related 

to roads and parking lots; (4) an unnamed ditch below the parking lot, representing the water quality of drainage from the 

parking lot and from an adjacent railroad track; and (5) Lincoln 

Spring, a historical ground-water source representing groundwater conditions near a former diesel-fuel-spill site along a rail 

line. Water samples were analyzed for pH, temperature, specific 

conductance, and dissolved oxygen and for concentrations of 

selected major ions and trace metals, nutrients, organic constituents, and Escherichia coli bacteria.

Surface-water-quality data of water samples from the park 

represent baseline conditions for the area in relation to the 

data available from previous studies of area streams. Specificconductance values and concentrations of most major ions and 

various nutrients in surface-water samples from the park were 

smaller than those reported for samples collected in other USGS 

studies in areas adjacent to the park. 

Water-quality-management issues identified by this investigation include potentially impaired water quality from 

parking-lot runoff, unknown effects on surface-water quality 

from adjacent railroads, and the potential impairment of water 

quality in Lincoln Spring from human influences. Parking-lot 

runoff is a source of calcium, alkalinity, iron, lead, and organic 

carbon in the water samples from the unnamed ditch. Detection 

of small concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons in water 

from Lincoln Spring could indicate residual contamination 

from a 1995 diesel-fuel spill and cleanup. The concentration of 

nitrite plus nitrate in water from Lincoln Spring was 16.5 milligrams per liter as nitrogen, greater than the State of Indiana 

standard for nitrate in drinking water (10 milligrams per liter as 

nitrogen). Lead concentrations in samples from the stock pond, 

parking-lot runoff, and the unnamed ditch exceeded the Indiana 

chronic aquatic criteria.

Introduction

The mission of the National Park Service (NP

preserve the natural and cultural resources and valu

National Park System for the enjoyment, education

ration of this and future generations (National Park 

2004). An important part of this mission is to chara

environmental resources that contribute to the parti

pose or use of each park within the system. In 1992

established a nationwide Level 1 Water Quality Inv

Monitoring Program to obtain baseline water-quali

tion and to assess possible water-quality problems 

parks and monuments (park units) throughout the U

(National Park Service, written commun., January 

water bodies identified as part of that program are e

to the cultural, historical, or natural-resources mana

themes. To better characterize these resources, the 

been conducting assessments of water quality at pa

under the Inventory Data Evaluation and Analysis 

gram to identify baseline conditions associated wit

resources within the park units (National Park Serv

The NPS, which manages the Lincoln Boyhoo

Memorial (hereafter called “the park”) (fig. 1), dete

a previous inventory that there were no water-qualit

key water bodies within the park that could help ch

surface- and ground-water resources (National Park 

1999). Water-quality data from key water bodies w

park would add to the record of water-quality data 

in the region. Previous U.S. Geological Survey (US

have documented results of surface-water-quality a

in adjacent areas of Spencer County, Indiana, (Renn 

1980; Renn, 1983; Zogorski and others, 1981; Silco

others, 2002) but not within the park. Sites studied 

and others (1980) and Silcox and others (2002) (fig

were near the park. These reports evaluate differen

surface-water-quality data from mined and unmine

cultural and forested lands and document the occur

of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in surface wat
2 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Figure 1. Location of the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, and selected streams and 

National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program weather stations.

Ohio

Ohio

River

Crooked Creek

and selected 

tributaries

River

Little Pigeon Creek

and selected 

tributaries

64

231

162

Santa 

Claus

Boonville

DUBOIS COUNTY

WARRICK COUNTY

Lincoln Boyhood

National Memorial

Lincoln City

Boonville WS

Saint Meinrad WS

Boonville

231

WARRICK COUNTY

SPENCER COUNTY

62

86 ̊50'

87 ̊20'

37 ̊55'

38 ̊20'

EXPLANATION

INDIANA

88 ̊

87 ̊ 85 ̊

38 ̊

41 ̊

IN22

Lincoln Boyhood

National Memorial

IN22

WEATHER STATION AND SITE IDENTIFIER, NATIONAL WEATHER 

 SERVICE COOPERATIVE OBSERVER PROGRAM

NATIONAL ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION PROGRAM SITE

 AND SITE IDENTIFIER

Saint Meinrad WS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1983

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16,

North American Datum 1983 TOWN AREA AND NAME

STREAM

0 10 20 KILOMETERS

0 10 20 MILES

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY SITE WITH 8-DIGIT U.S. GEOLOGICAL 

 SURVEY STATION-IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND PROJECT-SPECIFIC 

 SITE IDENTIFIER FROM SILCOX AND OTHERS (2002)

03304055

(Site 35)

03304055

(Site 35)
Introdu

Figure 2. Location of the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, and streams and sites closest t

the study area that previously were sampled for water quality.

Lincoln City

Lake Lincoln

0 2 

0 2 4 KILOMETERS

162

EXPLANATION

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY SITE SAMPLED, WITH 3-DIGIT IDENTIFIER FROM RENN AND OTHERS (1980)

 OR 8-DIGIT OR 15-DIGIT U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY STATION-IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 

DRAINAGE BASIN DEFINED, USING 14-DIGIT HYDROLOGIC-UNIT BOUNDARIES

 FROM DEBROKA AND OTHERS (1999)

MAJOR ROAD

NOTE: LOCATION OF STATION NUMBER 03304055 (LITTLE PIGEON CREEK AT STATE ROAD 161 NEAR MIDWAY, INDIANA,

 ALSO KNOWN AS SITE 35 IN SILCOX AND OTHERS, 2002) IS SHOWN ON FIGURE 1

62

TOWN AREA AND NAME

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1983

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16,

North American Datum 1983

LAKE

STREAM

38 ̊05'

87 ̊04' 86 ̊56'

38 ̊11'

Santa Claus

Lincoln Boyhood 

National Memorial

Lincoln City Little

Pigeon Creek

64

231

274

03303400

277

273

03303400

274

Buckhorn

Creek

Crooked Creek

DUBOIS COUNTY WARRICK COUNTY SPENCER COUNTY

Little Pigeon Creek–Buckhorn Creek

14-Digit Hydrologic-Unit Number 

05140201140030

Lake Lincoln

267

380317086541

(or site 34, ta

Silcox and ot

2002)

260
4 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Water-quality data from this study were needed to evaluate 

whether land uses in and near the park contribute potential contaminants to surface water and ground water of the park. For 

example, land within 1 mi of the park has been used for exploratory oil and gas drilling and coal exploration and extraction. 

The NPS requested the USGS sample and analyze water 

quality at four surface-water sites and one ground-water site 

at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, 

Indiana. The selected sites were identified by NPS staff, in consultation with USGS staff, as representative of the water bodies 

within the park. 

Purpose and Scope

This report describes the results of sampling and analysis 

of surface-water and ground-water quality at selected sites 

to define baseline water-quality conditions at the park. The 

sampling and interpretation is required by the Baseline Water 

Quality Data Inventory and Analysis Program of the NPS, 

for most park units throughout the Nation (National Park 

Service, written commun., January 1993). Water-quality information for selected sites within the park, including data 

to evaluate microbiological quality of the stock pond and 

the ground water from Lincoln Spring, is provided. The sampling strategy was intended to assist the NPS in identifying 

potential water-quality-management issues and water-qualitymonitoring plans at the park. In addition, the sampling was 

intended to enable comparison of water quality at sites in 

the park to standards established by the State of Indiana.

Results of water-quality sampling are compared with State 

of Indiana standards for contact recreation and aquatic life and 

with Federal standards for drinking-water quality. Data also 

are compared between sites sampled for this study and sites 

sampled by previous studies within and adjacent to Spencer 

County, Indiana.

Water-quality data were collected during fall, spring, and 

summer. Brief descriptions of the data collection for each time 

period follow.

• November 29, 2001—Discharge measurements were 

made at three surface-water sites. Water samples were 

collected at four surface-water sites and analyzed for 

concentrations of selected major ions and trace metals, 

nutrients, and various water-quality characteristics. 

• March 26, 2002—Discharge measurements were 

made at three surface-water sites. Water samples 

were collected at four surface-water sites and analyzed 

for concentrations of selected major ions and trace metals, nutrients, and various water-quality characteristics. 

• July 10, 2002—Water samples were collected at one 

surface-water site (stock pond) and one ground-water 

site (Lincoln Spring) and analyzed for concentrations 

of selected major ions and trace metals, nutrients, 

petroleum hydrocarbons, organic carbon, and various 

water-quality characteristics, including E. coli bacteria.

Physical Setting

The park is east of Lincoln City in the northwester

Spencer County in southwestern Indiana (fig. 1). The t

area is about 200 acres; that area drains to tributaries o

Pigeon Creek (figs. 1 and 2). One of those tributaries i

ephemeral stream, Davis Enlow Ditch, that receives d

from nearly all the park area. The ditch is about 0.1 m

the park’s eastern boundary and about 0.3 mi north of th

northern boundary. The park and ditch are within Littl

Creek–Buckhorn Creek hydrologic unit (14-digit hydr

unit number 05140201140030) that has a drainage are

14,372 acres (DeBroka and others, 1999). A small area 

the Nancy Hanks Lincoln State Memorial (fig. 3) drai

ward to a tributary of Buckhorn Creek. Little Pigeon C

tributary of the Ohio River.

The climate in Indiana is midwestern continental w

distinct seasons that range from hot, humid summers t

cold, wet winters. Normal monthly mean temperature

period 1971 to 2000 ranged from 0°C in January to 25

July at a National Weather Service Cooperative Obser

gram (NWS-COP) weather station about 16 mi west-so

from the park near Boonville in Warrick County, Indi

(fig. 1) (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administr

2004). Normal monthly mean temperatures from 1971 

ranged from 0.17°C in January to 24.95°C in July at a 

COP weather station about 11 mi east-northeast from 

park near Saint Meinrad in Spencer County, Indiana (

(Midwestern Regional Climate Center, 2004). Normal 

cipitation at the Boonville weather station from 1971 t

was about 47.2 in./yr. Monthly mean precipitation at t

ville weather station during that period ranged from 2

in September to 4.96 in. in May. Normal precipitation 

Saint Meinrad weather station from 1971 to 2000 was 

46.6 in./yr. Monthly mean precipitation at the Saint M

weather station during that period ranged from 2.88 in

October to 4.75 in. in May.

The park is within the Wabash Lowland physiogr

region (Malott, 1922). Land-surface altitudes in the pa

from about 520 ft above NGVD 29 at the Nancy Hanks 

State Memorial (fig. 3) to about 420 ft at the northwes

ner of the park adjacent to the Norfolk and Southern R

The park is underlain primarily by sandstone and 

of Pennsylvanian age and is situated south of the Illino

and Wisconsinan glacial boundaries (Woodfield and F

1994). Much of the area is covered by a thin veneer, ab

in thickness, of unconsolidated surficial deposits repre

of the western unglaciated part of the Ohio River Basin 

field and Fenelon, 1994). Bedrock underlying the area 

of a complexly interbedded sandstone, shale, and lime

of the Raccoon Creek Group (Gray and others, 1970). 

Buffaloville Coal Member of the Brazil Formation, R

Creek Group is at or near the land surface to the west a

of the park and possibly in the park (Gray and others, 
Introdu

Figure 3. Locations of sampling sites, oil- and gas-exploration wells, and former surface coal mines near the Lincoln Boy

National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana.

87 ̊00'40" 86 ̊59'

38 ̊07'25"

38 ̊06'36"

FORMER SURFACE COAL MINE

LINCOLN BOYHOOD NATIONAL MEMORIAL BOUNDARY

1

4

3

2

5

0 0.5 

0 0.5 1 KILOMETER

EXPLANATION

OIL- AND GAS-EXPLORATION WELL

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MEASUREMENT SITE WITH SITE IDENTIFIER

GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MEASUREMENT SITE WITH SITE IDENTIFIER

OIL- OR GAS-PRODUCTION WELL

Base from U.S. Geological Survey Digital Raster Graphic 

1:24,000; Chrisney, 1960, photorevised 1988; Dale, 1961, photorevised 1980;

Holland, 1961, photorevised 1980; Santa Claus, 1960, photorevised 1980;

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16,

North American Datum 1927, National Geodetic Vertical Datum 1929

County Road 300 East

(formerly Indiana 345)

Lewis St

Hoosier Southern

Railroad

Norfolk and Southern

Railroad

5

3
6 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

The shallow aquifer in the area is in bedrock of the Raccoon 

Creek Group and is referred to by Woodfield and Fenelon 

(1994, p. 185) as the “complexly interbedded sandstone, shale, 

limestone, and coal aquifer.” The aquifer is described as poorly 

productive and a secondary source of water (Woodfield 

and Fenelon, 1994). Most wells in this aquifer yield about 

20 gal/min or less, with yields commonly less than about 

2 gal/min. 

Two general soil types predominate in the park area (Williamson and Shively, 1973, map sheet 10). Zanesville silt loam 

soils predominate on sandstone and shale uplands. These soils 

are characterized by medium-term to rapid runoff, especially 

where slopes are most severe. Tilsit series soils predominate in 

the central part of the park and consist of deep, moderately welldrained, medium-textured, gently sloping to nearly level soils. 

Runoff is slow from this soil association. Stendal silt loam is 

deposited in the channel of one swale that crosses the northernmost part of the park.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial 

Land Use and Park History

Land uses in the park include forest, cultivated agriculture, 

and pasture. The cultivated-agriculture areas within the park 

are part of a primitive farm that is used for agricultural demonstrations related to livestock-grazing and subsistence-farming 

practices of the early 1800s. All other land is devoted to trail, 

road, parking lot, railroad corridors, memorial areas, or support 

buildings. 

Outside the park, land uses principally include cultivated 

agriculture, pasture, forest, residential, and transportation (railroad and road) areas. Land about 0.3 mi east and about 0.75 mi 

west of the park was mined for coal with surface-mining methods (fig. 3). In that same area, oil- and gas-exploration wells 

have been drilled; several were completed and are oil- and gasproduction wells (fig. 3).

Major features of the park include the Living Historical 

Farm, the Memorial Visitor Center, and Lincoln Spring (fig. 4). 

The Living Historical Farm is a re-created 1820s pioneer homestead on 4 acres. The farm includes demonstrations of farm life 

from that period, including livestock raising, cultivation of field 

and garden crops, and home life. A pasture with a stock pond 

lies within the park and is used by livestock. 

The Memorial Visitor Center represents an expression of 

the Nation's respect and reverence for Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, is buried at the park. The 

Nancy Hanks Lincoln Memorial was under the administration 

of the State of Indiana from its creation until 1962 when Congress established the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. The 

park was the first national park unit created within Indiana. 

Lincoln Spring was the main source of fresh water for 

the Lincoln family. It is attributed as one of the reasons that the 

Lincoln family located their homestead at this site. 

Methods of Study

Study activities included selection of sites in the 

to assess water quality, selection of analytical method

field activities associated with the data collection. Sur

water- and ground-water-data collection included meas

of stream discharge and water-quality characteristics. 

quality samples were collected for analysis of selected 

ions, nutrients and trace metals, organic carbon, petrol

hydrocarbons, suspended sediment, and E. coli. 

Site Selection 

An NPS Level 1 water-quality inventory involve

pling of key water bodies in a park. Key water bodies in 

were defined in discussions by USGS project staff wit

natural resource management staff (Michael Capps an

Wagner, National Park Service, oral commun., Februar

and an NPS hydrologist (Gary Rosenlieb, National Pa

vice, oral commun., February 2001). The water resour

within the park that are included in the water-quality in

are described below and in table 1; these sites are show

ures 3 and 4.

Site 1, stock pond. A stock pond, the only peren

surface-water body in the study area, is surrounded by 

pasture and is in an area used for park maintenance. T

is not accessed by visitors. The stock pond has no app

inflows other than storm runoff from surrounding land

itation, and possibly ground-water discharge. Fewer th

head of livestock (cattle, horses, or sheep) use the pastu

time. This site (figs. 3 and 4) was selected for sampling 

it represents possible nonpoint agricultural effects on 

quality.

Site 2, ephemeral stream 3. Three ephemeral str

were identified in the park. Each of the ephemeral stre

considered a first-order stream, according to the classi

system described by Chow and others (1988). First-or

streams are the smallest recognizable channels in a wa

and flow only during periods of wet weather. Theoreti

similarly ordered streams have similar hydraulic prope

ecological function (Graves, 2001, p. 9). 

Ephemeral stream 1 is in a swale that begins nort

Lewis Street (fig. 4) and extends west-northwest out of 

the swale then passes through a culvert and under the 

tracks. Ephemeral stream 2 is in another swale that beg

of Lewis Street and extends north-northwest out of the 

Both streams receive flow from forested areas in the p

Ephemeral stream 3 extends from the forested area nor

Nancy Hanks Lincoln Memorial site northward to a pa

on the east side of County Road 300 East. The stream th

under the parking lot through a culvert and emerges on 

side of the parking lot. This site (fig. 4) was selected to r

the water quality of drainage from forested and memor

of the park. 
Methods of 

Figure 4. Orthophoto showing sampling sites in and near the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, India

Harrison Street Spalding Street

Parking Lot

Stock Pond

1

3 2

4

5

Memorial Visitor 

Center

Indiana 162 Davis Enlow Ditch

Nancy Hanks Lincoln

State Memorial

Lincoln Spring

Living Historical 

Farm

Gano Street

Ephemeral Stream 3

Lewis Street

Ephemeral Stream 1

Ephemeral 

Stream 2

(formerly Indiana 345)County Road 300

Unnamed Ditch

0 0.2 0.4 MILE

0 0.2 0.4 KILOMETER

Base from U.S. Department of Agriculture Digital

Orthophotography, Leaf on, 1-meter ground resolution, 

Universal Transverse Mercator, Zone 16, North American

Datum 1983. Imagery collected between April and 

September 2002

87 ̊00'06" 86 ̊59'30"

38 ̊07'24"

38 ̊07'24"

Norfolk and Southern Railroad

Hoosier Southern Railroad

3

5

EXPLANATION

SURFACE-WATER-QUALITY MEASUREMENT 

SITE WITH SITE IDENTIFIER

OIL- AND GAS-EXPLORATION WELL

GROUND-WATER-QUALITY MEASUREMENT 

SITE WITH SITE IDENTIFIER

RAILROAD GRADE (black symbols here shown 

 in white on figure)

STREAM (black symbols here shown 

 in white on figure)

POND

LINCOLN BOYHOOD NATIONAL MEMORIAL BOUNDARY
8 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Table 1. Description and purpose of sampling for key water bodies at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln Ci

Indiana, 2001–02 (sites shown in fig. 3).

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey]

1

Collection of a third sample was attempted on July 10, 2002, but precipitation was insufficient to cause sustained flow in ephemeral stream 3, in p

runoff, or in the unnamed ditch.

USGS 

stationidentification

number

Site name 

and 

local number

Site 

type

Purpose 

of 

sampling

Sampling season 

and 

date collected

380701086595801 Stock pond 

(site 1)

Perennial pond Possible nonpoint 

agricultural effects

Fall precipitation (November 29

Spring precipitation (March 26, 

Summer precipitation (July 10, 

380706086594801 Ephemeral stream 3

(site 2)

First-order stream

(ephemeral)

Water quality of drainage 

from forested and 

memorial areas

Fall precipitation (November 29

Spring precipitation (March 26, 

380707086595001 Parking-lot runoff 

(site 3)

Parking-lot runoff

(ephemeral)

Water quality related to 

road and parking-lot 

runoff

Fall precipitation (November 29

Spring precipitation (March 26, 

380707086595101 Unnamed ditch 

(site 4) 

Second-order stream

(ephemeral)

Water quality of parkinglot runoff and area 

adjacent to railroad

Fall precipitation (November 29

Spring precipitation (March 26, 

380714086595501 Lincoln Spring 

(site 5)

Ground water/spring Ground-water conditions 

near a former dieselfuel spill

Summer precipitation (July 10, 

Site 3, parking-lot runoff. Drainage from the parking lot 

along County Road 300 East is directed underground by various 

storm grates that lead into ephemeral stream 3 as it flows 

through the culvert beneath the parking lot. The ephemeral 

stream empties into a ditch that flows along the right-of-way 

of the Hoosier Southern Railroad tracks that cross the park. This 

site (figs. 3 and 4) was sampled to represent water quality 

related to road and parking-lot runoff.

Site 4, unnamed ditch. A ditch along the south side of the 

railroad tracks that cross the park is classified as a second-order 

stream because it receives drainage from ephemeral stream 3. 

Drainage from the parking lot above the ditch and from ephemeral stream 3 flows into the ditch. Because of the potential 

contribution of runoff from the parking lot and from the Hoosier 

Southern Railroad right-of-way, the ditch was sampled below 

its confluence with ephemeral stream 3. The site (figs. 3 and 4) 

represents the effects on water quality of parking-lot runoff and 

drainage from an area adjacent to a railroad track.

Site 5, Lincoln Spring. Lincoln Spring is a ground-water 

fed, rock-masonry well next to railroad tracks along the northwest park boundary. The source of water to Lincoln Spring is 

probably from the Raccoon Creek Group. The Raccoon Creek 

Group is an interbedded sandstone, shale, and limestone complex of the Pennsylvanian age and is the shallow aquifer in the 

area. Water from Lincoln Spring was used by some local residents until about 1966 when rural water service was extended 

to Lincoln City and the park (D Brown, National Park Service, 

oral commun., July 10, 2002). The spring is thought to contain 

water year round. This site (figs. 3 and 4) represents lo

ground-water conditions near a former diesel-fuel spil

In December 1995, a leak of diesel fuel from a pa

locomotive onto property adjacent to Lincoln Spring w

reported (D Brown, National Park Service, oral comm

July 10, 2002). Soil and ground water were affected. T

was remediated by removing the railroad tracks, excav

the contaminated soil and replacing it with clean fill, i

a geofabric pad, and reinstalling the railroad tracks. Li

Spring was used to pump contaminated ground water 

shallow aquifer until remediation goals were met (Ind

Department of Environmental Management, written co

January 1996). Lincoln Spring was covered with a lar

stone at the end of the spill remediation. The capstone 

removed with straps and a forklift by park personnel w

site was sampled by the USGS.

Water-Quality Sampling

Because the presence of water at three of the four 

water-sampling sites is ephemeral, sampling trips wer

scheduled and coordinated based on National Weather 

radar imagery and conversations with park personnel. 

pling trip consisted of two personnel driving from the 

Indiana Water Science Center in Indianapolis, approx

157 mi southwest to the park. Driving time was about 
Methods of 

and 30 minutes. If precipitation was insufficient to cause sustained flow at the time of the USGS sampling visit, no sample 

was collected. According to data from the closest USGS 

streamflow-gaging station, number 03303400, Crooked Creek 

near Santa Claus, Indiana (fig. 2), the wettest periods are in the 

spring; however, there can be appreciable streamflow during 

other times of the year (Stewart and others, 2003). The sites 

sampled, the purpose of the sampling, and the dates of the sampling are listed in table 1.

Selection of Sampling Constituents

The NPS identified basic water-quality characteristics 

and constituents that all national parks must analyze for in 

key water bodies in park boundaries (National Park Service, 

1993). Results of the water-quality analyses are compared 

where appropriate with water-quality standards for aquatic life, 

drinking water, and recreational contact. The results also are 

compared with local water-quality data to identify potential differences and emerging issues that could affect the use of water 

resources within the park. 

Water samples were analyzed for dissolved oxygen and 

pH and selected major ions, trace metals, and nutrients. Various 

optional water-quality characteristics (table 2) and c

also were selected for analysis. This information pr

water-quality data and allowed for a comparison w

Indiana standards. The evaluation of water quality 

stock pond and Lincoln Spring required the measure

indicator bacteria E. coli in samples from those site

ate water quality relative to potential residual conta

from parking-lot runoff and from the fuel spill near 

Spring, selected water samples were analyzed for o

bon and petroleum hydrocarbons. The analytical co

sampled and the analytical methods used are listed 

(back of report).

Collection and Analysis of Water-Quality Sam

Surface-water samples were collected from the 

by USGS personnel in a boat. Depth to the pond bo

measured with a weighted tape, and the midpoint b

water surface and pond bottom was determined. A p

oroethylene (PTFE) hose connected to a peristaltic 

lowered to the middle depth of the pond with a pol

Table 2. National Park Service, Water Quality Inventory and Monitoring Program, Level 1, required and optional character

[-- , no remark]

Water-quality characteristics 

for Level 1 sampling

Required 

or 

optional

groups

Sampled 

for 

this study

Remarks

Alkalinity Required Yes Values reported as concentrations of calcium 

carbonate.

pH Required Yes --

Specific conductance Required Yes --

Dissolved oxygen Required Yes --

Rapid bioassessment baseline 

(fish and macroinvertebrates)

Required No Surface-water flows were too ephemeral 

to consider for sampling.

Water temperature Required Yes --

Streamflow Required Yes --

Trace metals Optional Yes --

Turbidity (clarity) or suspended sediment Optional Yes --

Nitrate, as nitrogen Optional Yes --

Phosphorus, total Optional Yes --

Chlorophyll Optional No --

Sulfate Optional Yes --

Bacteria (Escherichia coli) Optional Yes Sampled in July 2002 at stock pond and 

Lincoln Spring only because of lack of 

flow at other sites.
10 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Surface-water samples from ephemeral stream 3, the 

unnamed ditch, and parking-lot runoff were collected with a 

pump because the streamflow at each sampling point was less 

than 0.25 ft3/s; this nonisokinetic technique provided a wellmixed sample with minimal disturbance of the streambed 

sediment. When flowing, water depths at the sampling sites 

of the ephemeral stream, the unnamed ditch, and the parkinglot runoff were less than 1 ft and were too small to apply 

equal-depth increment or equal-width increment techniques. 

For field-parameter measurement and sample collection, a site 

was selected where the streamflow appeared to integrate water 

from the full width and depth of the stream (or flowing water in 

the parking lot). A PTFE hose was fixed in the horizontal and 

vertical center of flow and connected to a peristaltic pump on a 

platform on the streambank. Another PTFE hose was connected 

to the outlet of the pump and fixed to a portable lab stand. The 

PTFE hose was flushed with stream water before the samples 

were collected. Unfiltered samples were collected first. Next, 

the hose was connected to a 0.45-∝m pore-size capsule filter, 

and the filtered samples were collected.

Using procedures consistent with the USGS Field Manual 

for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (Wilde and Radtke, 

variously dated), pH, specific conductance, water temperature, 

and dissolved oxygen were measured with an electrometric 

multimeter. Turbidity samples were measured with a portable 

nephelometric turbidimeter. Criteria for stabilization of the four 

characteristics in ground-water samples were ±0.2 standard 

units pH, ±0.2°C water temperature, ±10 ∝S/cm specific conductance, and ±5 nephelometric turbidity units. 

The amount of water transported in a stream can affect 

water quality and contaminant transport. In this report, streamflow was used to describe the volume flow rate of water in cubic 

feet per second (ft3/s). Instantaneous streamflow was reported 

because continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations were 

not in the study area. Measurements were made, using a current 

meter and methods described in Rantz and others (1982), Carter 

and Davidian (1968), Buchanan and Somers (1969), and Smoot 

and Novak (1968). Streamflow was measured at a stream cross 

section at or near the water-sampling site immediately after 

sampling was completed. 

To collect the ground-water sample from Lincoln Spring, 

a submersible, positive-displacement pump was placed near the 

bottom of the well during purging and sampling. The well was 

pumped for about 2 hours about 1 month before sampling to 

purge stagnant water; it was pumped again on the day of sampling for about 1 hour to obtain samples representative of water 

in the aquifer. Water temperature, pH, and specific conductance 

were monitored during pumping until the values stabilized. The 

sampling pump and hose were cleaned before the well was sampled. Procedures followed were (a) the external surfaces of the 

pump and hose that were submerged during sampling were 

rinsed with a deionized (DI) water spray, (b) about 5 gal of a

dilute solution of phosphate-free detergent and DI wat

recirculated through the pump and hose for about 3 to 

utes, and (c) about 10 gal of DI water were pumped th

the hose. 

Samples for chemical analysis were preserved in 

field, chilled, and shipped on ice by overnight freight 

USGS National Water Quality Laboratory in Denver, C

Water samples were analyzed with the methods listed i

(back of report) for various water-quality characteristi

and selected major ions, trace metals, and nutrients an

for petroleum hydrocarbons and organic carbon. Samp

for suspended-sediment analysis were shipped to the U

Sediment Laboratory in Louisville, Kentucky.

Collection and Analysis of Escherichia coli Sa

Analysis of water samples determined the concen

of E. coli bacteria. Methods were consistent with thos

Silcox and others (2002) used throughout the Ohio Riv

in Indiana in a cooperative assessment of water quality 

IDEM. 

Water samples were collected in 300-mL glass b

Before use, all sample-processing equipment was was

sterilized with an ultraviolet lamp that had a wavelengt

nanometers. Membrane filters, sterile buffer solution, 

dilution water, and petri dishes were quality assured b

USGS Quality of Water Services Unit in Ocala, Florid

media kits were quality assured by the USGS Ohio W

Science Center Microbiology Laboratory in Columbu

Samples were kept on ice until processed.

All of the sample processing and analysis was do

USGS Indiana Water Science Center personnel within 

or less of sample collection, according to methods in M

Wilde (2003). Sample processing involved filtering th

plating the filters on growth media, and incubating the 

plates. Six to eight different sample volumes, includin

three different dilutions, were filtered for each site bec

number of possible E. coli colony-forming units was u

This approach was intended to produce at least one sam

an E. coli colony count in the ideal range of 20 to 80 c

per filter plate. 

Sample dilutions were made with sterile water. S

disposable, glass pipets or graduated cylinders were u

measure and deliver a concentrated sample volume to 

bottles. A stainless-steel filter-funnel system attached 

vacuum pump was used to process the sample volume 

a 0.45-∝m pore-size filter designed to capture E. coli f

incubation and quantification. After the sample was fi

sterile saline buffer solution was used to rinse the grad

cylinder and filter funnel, and the rinseate was filtered

membrane-filter thermotolerant agar in labelled petri d

was used to encourage growth of E. coli colonies on th

prepared filters. The filter plates were placed for 2 hou

a pre-heated incubator set at 35.0°C and then moved to 

pre-heated incubator for 22 to 24 hours set at 44.5°C.
Methods o

Analysis involved counting the E. coli colonies on each filter plate and calculating the bacteria concentration for each site. 

After the second incubation, the filter was transferred to a filter 

pad saturated with urea/phenol red reagent. After 15 minutes at 

room temperature, the yellow to yellow-brown E. coli colonies 

were counted under a microscope. If the colony count on the 

filter plate was in the ideal range, verification was made by 

recounting the colonies. E. coli concentrations were reported as 

the number of colonies per 100 mL (col/100 mL), using one of 

three methods: (a) If a colony count on a single filter plate was 

in the ideal range, the concentration was calculated as the colony count multiplied by 100, and the product divided by the 

sample volume. (b) If colony counts of multiple filter plates 

were in the ideal range, the counts were summed, multiplied by 

100, and the product divided by the sum of the sample volumes. 

(c) If there were no colony counts in the ideal range on the filter 

plates, the concentration was calculated in a manner similar to 

method (b) with all the filter plates that had colonies; the result 

was qualified as an estimate. 

Quality Assurance 

Field quality-assurance components included multimeter 

calibration, turbidimeter-operation checks, equipment cleaning 

between sampling sites, sample-custody documentation, and 

field quality-control samples. Laboratory quality-assurance 

components included control samples to assess analytical accuracy; duplicates to assess analytical precision, bias, and sample 

representativeness; and blanks to assess possible contamination.

Before use each sampling day, the electrometric multimeter was calibrated, using laboratory-grade calibration solutions and following manufacturer’s procedures and methods in 

the USGS Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality 

Data (Wilde and Radtke, variously dated). Performance of the 

portable nephelometric turbidimeter was checked daily, using 

standard cells and following manufacturer’s procedures and 

methods in the USGS Field Manual for the Collection of WaterQuality Data (Anderson, 1998). Water-sampling equipment 

was cleaned by pumping a dilute solution of phosphate-free 

detergent followed by two deionized-water rinses.

Field quality assurance also was implemented for the 

chemical analysis of water samples. Field quality-control 

samples included sequential duplicates and equipment blanks. 

Sequential duplicate samples were used to assess the precision 

of laboratory analytical data. A sequential duplicate is a sample 

collected in close succession to the water sample (referred to 

here as the water-quality sample) from the same water source, 

using the same equipment and methods. Sequential duplicates 

were submitted to NWQL with water-quality samples for identical analyses. The relative percent difference (RPD) is the 

absolute value of the difference of the two concentrations 

divided by the average of the sum of the concentrations,

expressed as a percent. The RPDs were computed fo

water-quality and sequential duplicate samples as 

RPD = |(SDS-WQS)/((SDS+WQS)/2))| x 10

where 

RPD is the relative percent difference,

SDS is the concentration in the sequentia

duplicate sample, and

WQS is the concentration in the water-qu

sample.

This statistic is used to summarize the RPD in 

tions between two samples that should be identical 

tion and that were identical in their handling and ana

RPD of paired water-quality and sequential duplica

was within 25 percent, the collected data were dete

meet the precision objectives of the project. If the RP

water-quality and sequential duplicate samples was 

25 percent, the collected data were reported but we

with a code letter “Q” in the data (table 4) to indica

sample concentration is estimated.

Equipment blank samples were collected and 

to determine whether the water samples were being 

nated by the sampling equipment or by residue from 

samples. Equipment blank samples were prepared b

either deionized water or organic-free water throug

sampling apparatus after the pre-sampling cleaning 

Deionized water was used to prepare the equipmen

sample for analyses of major ions, nutrients, and tr

reagent-grade organic-free water was used to prepa

ment blank samples for analysis of organic constitu

Concentrations of constituents in equipment b

samples were compared with the analytical results 

water-quality samples to assess whether sample-co

interferences were present. These classifications w

1. No apparent interference; constituent not dete

in equipment blank or not detected in a subse

water-quality sample.

2. No apparent interference; constituent concent

in a subsequent water-quality sample is more 

times the concentration detected in equipmen

3. Potential interference; constituent concentrati

subsequent water-quality sample is within tw

the concentration detected in equipment blank

For quality assurance of samples collected for 

ysis, two filter blanks, one process blank, one field b

sequential duplicate sample were prepared and anal

the one E.coli sampling done for this study. Analys

quality-control samples provided quantitative infor

about the potential for sample contamination durin

and processing and limited information about the v

the samples. A filter blank was processed before ea

of samples to determine if the processing equipmen

and the saline buffer solution was sterile. A proces
Table 4. Surface-water- and ground-water-quality data from sites at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; ft3/s, cubic foot per second; NTU, nephelometric turbidity unit; mg/L, milligra

per centimeter; °C, degree Celsius; E. coli, Escherichia coli; mL, milliliter; -- , not measured or determined; K, non-ideal colony count; < , less than; CaCO3, calcium car

P, phosphorus; E, Estimated value; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; V, concentration within two times the value determined in a corresponding equipment blank sample; M, pre

Q, sample concentration estimated because relative percent difference of environmental and sequential duplicate samples was greater than 25 percent; all concentrations r

constituents, except when noted] USGS station- identification number Site number Site name Date sampled (mm/dd/yyyy) Time sampled (hhmm) Discharge (ft3/s) Turbidity (NTU) Dissolved oxygen (mg/L) pH, field (standard units) Specific conduc- tance (∝S/cm) 

380701086595801 1 Stock pond 11/29/2001 1645 -- 28 8.2 7.5 94 380701086595801 1 Stock pond 03/26/2002 1730 -- 43 11.8 7.3 131 380701086595801 1 Stock pond 07/10/2002 1030 -- 22 4.8 6.9 133 380706086594801 2 Ephemeral stream 3 11/29/2001 1530 .21 13 9.2 6.2 83 380706086594801 2 Ephemeral stream 3 03/26/2002 1620 .21 16 10.9 6.5 121 380707086595001 3 Parking-lot runoff 11/29/2001 1300 .08 19 5.4 7.2 129 380707086595001 3 Parking-lot runoff 03/26/2002 1230 .01 20 10.1 7.9 157 380707086595101 4 Unnamed ditch 11/29/2001 1430 .21 25 8.2 7.0 172 380707086595101 4 Unnamed ditch 03/26/2002 1445 .20 26 10.3 7.1 157 380714086595501 5 Lincoln Spring 07/10/2002 1300 -- .7 <.1 5.9 837 
Table 4. Surface-water- and ground-water-quality data from sites at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; ft3/s, cubic foot per second; NTU, nephelometric turbidity unit; mg/L, milligra

per centimeter; °C, degree Celsius; E. coli, Escherichia coli; mL, milliliter; -- , not measured or determined; K, non-ideal colony count; < , less than; CaCO3, calcium car

P, phosphorus; E, Estimated value; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; V, concentration within two times the value determined in a corresponding equipment blank sample; M, pre

Q, sample concentration estimated because relative percent difference of environmental and sequential duplicate samples was greater than 25 percent; all concentrations r

constituents, except when noted]

USGS 

stationidentification

number

Site name

Date

sampled

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Time

sampled

(hhmm)

Hardness, 

dissolved

(mg/L as 

CaCO3)

Calcium, 

dissolved

(mg/L)

Magnesium, 

dissolved 

(mg/L)

Potassium, 

dissolved

(mg/L)

Sodium, 

dissolved

(mg/L)

380701086595801 Stock pond 11/29/2001 1645 35 8.74 3.17 2.73 1.61 380701086595801 Stock pond 03/26/2002 1730 44 10.5 4.33 1.71 3.7 380701086595801 Stock pond 07/10/2002 1030 51 11.7 5.27 3.23 3.76 380706086594801 Ephemeral stream 3 11/29/2001 1530 39 10.5 3.11 2.02 1.69 380706086594801 Ephemeral stream 3 03/26/2002 1620 47 12.3 4.04 .96 2.86 380707086595001 Parking-lot runoff 11/29/2001 1300 70 21.4 4.03 2.27 1.12 380707086595001 Parking-lot runoff 03/26/2002 1230 83 26.2 4.27 1.42 1.65 380707086595101 Unnamed ditch 11/29/2001 1430 86 25.7 5.22 2.61 1.62 380707086595101 Unnamed ditch 03/26/2002 1445 67 19.8 4.35 1.36 2.12 380714086595501 Lincoln Spring 07/10/2002 1300 290 71.3 27.6 8.75 48.2 
Table 4. Surface-water- and ground-water-quality data from sites at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; ft3/s, cubic foot per second; NTU, nephelometric turbidity unit; mg/L, milligra

per centimeter; °C, degree Celsius; E. coli, Escherichia coli; mL, milliliter; -- , not measured or determined; K, non-ideal colony count; < , less than; CaCO3, calcium car

P, phosphorus; E, Estimated value; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; V, concentration within two times the value determined in a corresponding equipment blank sample; M, pre

Q, sample concentration estimated because relative percent difference of environmental and sequential duplicate samples was greater than 25 percent; all concentrations r

constituents, except when noted] USGS station- identification number Site name Date sampled (mm/dd/yyyy) Time sampled (hhmm) Fluoride, dissolved (mg/L) Silica, dissolved (mg/L as SiO2) Sulfate, dissolved (mg/L) Ammonia, dissolved (mg/L as N) Nitrite plus nitrate, dissolved (mg/L as N) 

380701086595801 Stock pond 11/29/2001 1645 <0.1 7.7 19.4 -- 0.25 380701086595801 Stock pond 03/26/2002 1730 E.1 8.0 32.6 .04 .24 380701086595801 Stock pond 07/10/2002 1030 .2 7.4 16.5 .01 E.02 380706086594801 Ephemeral stream 3 11/29/2001 1530 <.1 11.6 26.4 -- 1.25 380706086594801 Ephemeral stream 3 03/26/2002 1620 E.1 12.2 33.9 .01 .98 380707086595001 Parking-lot runoff 11/29/2001 1300 E.1 10.8 18.0 -- <.05 380707086595001 Parking-lot runoff 03/26/2002 1230 .1 9.7 19.1 <.01 .08 380707086595101 Unnamed ditch 11/29/2001 1430 E.1 11.9 21.8 -- .05 380707086595101 Unnamed ditch 03/26/2002 1445 .1 11.0 20.8 .01 .09 380714086595501 Lincoln Spring 07/10/2002 1300 .1 24.8 156 -- 16.5 
Table 4. Surface-water- and ground-water-quality data from sites at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; ft3/s, cubic foot per second; NTU, nephelometric turbidity unit; mg/L, milligra

per centimeter; °C, degree Celsius; E. coli, Escherichia coli; mL, milliliter; -- , not measured or determined; K, non-ideal colony count; < , less than; CaCO3, calcium car

P, phosphorus; E, Estimated value; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; V, concentration within two times the value determined in a corresponding equipment blank sample; M, pre

Q, sample concentration estimated because relative percent difference of environmental and sequential duplicate samples was greater than 25 percent; all concentrations r

constituents, except when noted]

USGS 

stationidentification 

number

Site name

Date 

sampled 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Time 

sampled 

(hhmm)

Arsenic, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Cadmium, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Chromium, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Copper, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Iron, 

dissolved 

(∝g/L)

380701086595801 Stock pond 11/29/2001 1645 E1 0.4 E0.5 V2 178 380701086595801 Stock pond 03/26/2002 1730 <2 .4 E.7 E1.1 226 380701086595801 Stock pond 07/10/2002 1030 5 <.1 <.8 E.8 142 380706086594801 Ephemeral stream 3 11/29/2001 1530 E1 <.1 E.5 V1.8 145 380706086594801 Ephemeral stream 3 03/26/2002 1620 <2 <.1 <.8 E.7 99 380707086595001 Parking-lot runoff 11/29/2001 1300 E1 <.1 <.8 V2.2 221 380707086595001 Parking-lot runoff 03/26/2002 1230 <2 <.1 E.5 1.2 150 380707086595101 Unnamed ditch 11/29/2001 1430 E1 <.1 <.8 V2.4 196 380707086595101 Unnamed ditch 03/26/2002 1445 <2 <.1 E.5 1.2 128 380714086595501 Lincoln Spring 07/10/2002 1300 <2 E.1 <.8 11.2 25 
Table 4. Surface-water- and ground-water-quality data from sites at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; ft3/s, cubic foot per second; NTU, nephelometric turbidity unit; mg/L, milligra

per centimeter; °C, degree Celsius; E. coli, Escherichia coli; mL, milliliter; -- , not measured or determined; K, non-ideal colony count; < , less than; CaCO3, calcium car

P, phosphorus; E, Estimated value; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; V, concentration within two times the value determined in a corresponding equipment blank sample; M, pre

Q, sample concentration estimated because relative percent difference of environmental and sequential duplicate samples was greater than 25 percent; all concentrations r

constituents, except when noted] USGS station- identification number Site name Date sampled (mm/dd/yyyy) Time sampled (hhmm) Nickel, total (∝g/L) Selenium, total (∝g/L) Silver, total (∝g/L) Zinc, total (∝g/L) Petroleum hydro- carbons, total (mg/L) 

380701086595801 Stock pond 11/29/2001 1645 -- <2 -- <20 2 380701086595801 Stock pond 03/26/2002 1730 <70 <2 <7 E30 <2 380701086595801 Stock pond 07/10/2002 1030 <70 <2 <7 <20 <2 380706086594801 Ephemeral stream 3 11/29/2001 1530 -- <2 -- <20 <2 380706086594801 Ephemeral stream 3 03/26/2002 1620 <70 <2 <7 <20 <2 380707086595001 Parking-lot runoff 11/29/2001 1300 -- <2 -- <20 <2 380707086595001 Parking-lot runoff 03/26/2002 1230 <70 <2 <7 <20 <2 380707086595101 Unnamed ditch 11/29/2001 1430 -- E1 -- <20 <2 380707086595101 Unnamed ditch 03/26/2002 1445 <70 <2 <7 <20 <2 380714086595501 Lincoln Spring 07/10/2002 1300 -- <2 -- <20 3 
Reconnaissance of Surface-Water and Ground-Water 

prepared after the last sample processed on the sampling day by 

filtering saline buffer solution through the equipment onto a 

fresh filter. The process blank was used to determine if the 

rinses following each sample were adequate. A field blank was 

prepared by pouring saline buffer solution into a sample bottle; 

it was kept with the samples collected that day. Analysis of field 

blanks is intended to determine the sterilization of sample bottles and the potential for contamination during sample transport. 

At Lincoln Spring, a sequential duplicate sample was collected 

immediately after the water-quality sample and processed in 

the same manner as the water-quality sample. The sequential 

duplicate sample was used to evaluate the precision of the E.coli 

analysis.

Reconnaissance of Surface-Water and 

Ground-Water Quality

Streamflow conditions and precipitation information 

immediately before and during the water-quality sampling are 

discussed in the following section. Chemical data are presented 

from analysis and quality assurance of water samples. Data 

are presented from one sampling of sites for E. coli concentrations. Data from samples collected at the park are compared to 

each other and to data from sites near the park from previously 

published USGS studies. The chemical and E. coli data are 

discussed with respect to water-quality standards, potential 

sources of contamination, and uncertainties of interpretation.

Streamflow and Precipitation Conditions

Because no streamflow-gaging stations are in the park, 

estimated rainfall amounts shown by Doppler radar from 

National Weather Service websites (National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 2001 and 2002) were used to 

evaluate whether streams in the park were flowing sufficiently 

for sampling. Daily streamflow and precipitation data from area 

streamflow-gaging stations and observations by NPS staff also 

were used to identify general streamflow conditions for this 

study (Stewart and others, 2003; Fowler and Wilson, 1996). 

The streams in the park are ephemeral and do not flow except 

after 1 or more inches of precipitation. 

Water-quality sampling and streamflow measurements 

were attempted on November 29, 2001, March 26, 2002, 

and July 10, 2002, in response to Doppler-radar estimates 

of precipitation and observations of runoff by NPS staff. Precipitation records from the NWS-COP Boonville weather 

station indicated 3.5 in. of precipitation fell between November 

27 and November 29, 2001 (fig. 5) (Purdue University, 2004). 

Doppler-radar images of precipitation totals for the November 

2001 sampling indicated that an estimated 3 to 5 in. of precipitation (fig. 6) fell in the park area during a 3-day period before 

the sampling and discharge measurements were made (National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2001). Daily mean 

streamflows of 19, 165, and 254 ft3

/s were reported 

ber 27, 28, and 29, 2001, respectively, for the close

streamflow-gaging station to the park (station numb

03303400) on Crooked Creek near Santa Claus, Ind

art and others, 2003, p. 98). This gaging station is a

east of the park (fig. 2); however, it is in a different 

basin outside the park and is referred to as an indica

streamflow resulting from precipitation (fig. 5). Th

daily mean streamflows at this gaging station betwe

2002 was 1.7 ft3/s. Daily mean streamflows during 

were 22 ft3/s or less, 90 percent of the time (Stewart 

2003, p. 98).

Precipitation records from the NWS-COP Boo

weather station indicated about 1.2 in. of precipitat

from March 25 to March 26, 2002 (Purdue Univers

Doppler-radar images of precipitation totals for the M

sampling indicated that between 1.0 and 2.5 in. of p

(fig. 7) were estimated to have fallen in the park ar

23-hour period ending at about 1:30 p.m. on March 

(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Daily mean streamflows of 34 and 166 ft3

/s were r

March 25 and 26, 2002, respectively, at Crooked C

Santa Claus, Indiana (Stewart and others, 2003, p. 

the 24 hours preceding the July 10, 2002, sampling

precipitation was recorded at the NWS-COP Boonv

station (Purdue University, 2004) and daily mean s

increased only to 0.04 ft3/s at the closest USGS stre

gaging station to the park (station number 0330340

10, 2002 (Stewart and others, 2003, p. 98).

Streamflows measured at the sampling sites w

than those measured at the USGS streamflow-gagin

(station number 03303400) on Crooked Creek near S

Indiana; this difference was expected. The drainage 

sampling sites in the park can be measured in hund

tenths of square miles, whereas the drainage area c

to the USGS streamflow-gaging station (station nu

03303400) on Crooked Creek near Santa Claus, Ind

7.86 mi2 (Stewart and others, 2003, p. 98). Dischar

water-, and ground-water-quality data for the park 

listed in table 4. During the November 29, 2001, sa

stream discharges were 0.21 ft3/s in ephemeral stre

0.08 ft3/s in parking-lot runoff, and 0.21 ft3/s in the 

ditch. During the March 26, 2002, sampling, stream 

were 0.21 ft3/s in ephemeral stream 3, 0.01 ft3/s in 

runoff, and 0.20 ft3/s in the unnamed ditch. Small f

observed in ephemeral stream 3 and the unnamed di

staff on the morning of July 10, 2002; no flow was 

at those sites when they were visited for sampling b

personnel later that day. Therefore, on July 10, 200

were collected only from the stock pond and Linco

The total depth of the stock pond was about 4.5 ft d

sampling.
18 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Figure 5. Sampling dates at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, during the study 

period, plotted with (A) the precipitation record for National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program 

weather station, Boonville, Indiana, and (B) a hydrograph for the nearest U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging 

station (03303400, Crooked Creek near Santa Claus, Indiana), January 2001 to December 2002.

2001

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

DAILY MEAN STREAMFLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

0

1

2

3

PRECIPITATION, IN INCHES

4

2002

2001 2002

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D November 29, 2001, sampling March 26, 2002, sampling July 10, 2002, sampling 

(B)

(A)
Reconnaissance of Surface-Water and Ground-Water Qu

Figure 6. Doppler-radar image of total storm precipitation for Indiana, November 26–29, 2001, from National Weather 

Service, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Lincoln Boyhood

National Memorial

ILLINOISINDIANA

INDIANA

OHIO

INDIANA

KENTUCKY

88 ̊ 87 ̊ 86 ̊ 85 ̊

38 ̊

39 ̊

40 ̊

41 ̊

60 

60 KILOMET

0

0

20

20 40

40
20 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Figure 7. Doppler-radar image of total storm precipitation for Indiana, March 25–26, 2002, from National Weather Service, 

Louisville, Kentucky.

INDIANAOHIO

INDIANA

KENTUCKY

Lincoln Boyhood

National Memorial

39 ̊

38 ̊

37 ̊

88 ̊ 86 ̊ 84 ̊ ILLINOIS INDIANA

60 MILES

60 KILOMETERS

0

0

20

20 40

40
Reconnaissance of Surface-Water and Ground-Water 

Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality 

Nine surface-water samples and one ground-water sample 

were collected for this study. Because only one ground-waterquality sample was collected during this study, sample results 

are discussed with the results of surface-water analyses. The 

values of the water-quality characteristics and chemical constituents are listed in table 4. Data for water-quality characteristics 

and chemical constituents analyzed in quality-assurance samples are listed in table 5 (back of report). Surface-water-quality 

data from sites near the park that were collected for other studies in 1979 and 2000 (Renn and others, 1980; Renn, 1983; and 

Silcox and others, 2002) and that are used to compare with data 

collected for this study are listed in table 6 (back of report). 

Physical Properties

Dissolved-oxygen concentrations in surface water ranged 

from 4.8 mg/L on July 10, 2002, to 11.8 mg/L on March 26, 

2002; the minimum and maximum concentrations were in water 

samples from the stock pond (table 4). State of Indiana waterquality standards for surface water require that concentrations 

of dissolved oxygen average at least 5.0 mg/L per day and not 

be less than 4.0 mg/L for any single measurement (Indiana 

Administrative Code, 1997, p. 7). The dissolved-oxygen concentration (<0.1 mg/L) of a ground-water sample from Lincoln 

Spring was nearly anaerobic in a sample collected on July 10, 

2002. There are no Indiana standards for dissolved-oxygen concentrations in ground water.

Dissolved-oxygen concentrations in the March 26, 2002, 

surface-water samples from the park (table 4) were larger than 

those reported by other studies for surface-water samples from 

sites near the park (table 6, back of report). Dissolved-oxygen 

concentrations in the March 26, 2002, surface-water samples 

ranged from 10.1 mg/L in parking-lot runoff to 11.8 mg/L in the 

stock pond. The range of dissolved-oxygen concentrations 

(from 4.8 mg/L to 9.2 mg/L) in all other surface-water samples 

from the park was more similar to the range of concentrations 

reported by previous studies from sites near the park. 

Dissolved-oxygen concentrations in surface-water 

samples in 1979 data reported by Renn and others (1980) from 

five sites near the park (table 6, back of report) ranged from 

3.5 mg/L (site 267 on Little Pigeon Creek) to 9.5 mg/L (site 277 

on Buckhorn Creek). Approximate locations of these sites are 

shown in figure 2 (Renn and others, 1980, figs. 17 and 23); 

exact latitudes and longitudes were not determined by that 

study. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations ranged from 1.3 mg/L 

to 8.8 mg/L in July and August 2000 surface-water samples 

(Silcox and others, 2002) from site 34 on Crooked Creek (table 

6, back of report); all but one value were less than those 

reported for surface-water samples from the park. Dissolvedoxygen concentrations in July and August 2000 (Silcox and 

others, 2002) surface-water samples from site 35 on Little 

Pigeon Creek ranged from 4.2 mg/L to 5.6 mg/L (table 6, back 

of report).

In surface-water samples from the park (table 

values ranged from 6.2 to 7.9. The November 29, 2

surface-water sample from ephemeral stream 3 was 

the March 26, 2002, sample of parking-lot runoff w

(7.9). These values were within the pH range of 6.0 

allowed under State of Indiana surface-water-qualit

(Indiana Administrative Code, 1997, p. 7). The pH 

water in areas not affected by contamination genera

range of 6.5 to 8.5 (Hem, 1989, p. 64). The pH of t

water sample from Lincoln Spring was more acidic 

that of the surface-water samples.

The range of pH values of surface-water samp

the park (table 4) was larger than the range of pH v

sured in surface-water samples by other studies from 

the park (table 6, back of report). Measurements of 

face water in 1979 reported for five sites near the p

and others, 1980) ranged from 6.2 to 7.4 (both from 

Little Pigeon Creek; table 6, back of report). Field pH 

July and August 2000 (Silcox and others, 2002) sur

samples from site 34 on Crooked Creek ranged from 

(table 6, back of report). Field pH values for July a

2000 (Silcox and others, 2002) surface-water sampl

35 on Little Pigeon Creek ranged from 6.8 to 7.6 (ta

of report). 

Suspended-sediment concentrations (table 4) w

largest in samples from the stock pond (30 mg/L in 

26, 2002, sample) and the unnamed ditch (32 mg/L 

November 29, 2001, sample). The suspended-sedim

tration in the November 29, 2001, sample from the 

ditch is an estimated value; the concentration repor

sequential duplicate sample (23 mg/L) was more th

cent different than the surface-water sample (table 

report). Suspended-sediment values were smallest 

ples of parking-lot runoff (7.2 mg/L and 9.4 mg/L)

values were largest in the stock pond sample (28 N

43 NTU) and smallest in samples from ephemeral s

(13 NTU and 16 NTU). Almost no suspended sedim

determined in the ground-water sample from Linco

(0.3 mg/L). The turbidity value of ground water fro

Spring also was small (0.7 NTU); the water was vi

at the time of sampling.

Specific-conductance values for all surface-wa

collected for this study were less than 175 ∝S/cm (

By comparison, specific conductance of ground wa

Lincoln Spring was 837 ∝S/cm. Specific conductan

tionate to dissolved-solids concentrations; that is, la

of specific conductance indicate larger concentratio

solved solids (Hem, 1989). 

The values of specific conductance for surface

ples from the park (table 4) were less than those me

other studies in surface water from sites near the pa

back of report). Measurements of specific conducta

face water in 1979 data from five sites near the park 

others, 1980) ranged from 270 ∝S/cm (site 277 on 

Creek) to 580 ∝S/cm (site 267 on Little Pigeon Cree

back of report). Specific-conductance values for Ju
22 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

August 2000 (Silcox and others, 2002) surface-water samples 

from site 34 on Crooked Creek ranged from 357 ∝S/cm to 

736 ∝S/cm (table 6, back of report). Specific-conductance 

values for July and August 2000 (Silcox and others, 2002) 

surface-water samples from site 35 on Little Pigeon Creek 

ranged from 302 ∝S/cm to 2,000 ∝S/cm (table 6). 

Major Ions and Nutrients

Concentrations of dissolved major ions, nitrite plus nitrate 

(hereafter referred to as nitrate), nitrite, ammonia, and total 

phosphorus in the nine surface-water samples and one groundwater sample collected in 2001 and 2002 from key water bodies 

in the park are listed in table 4. Results of quality-assurance 

samples for these same constituents in three equipment blank 

samples and three sequential duplicate samples collected in the 

same study are listed in table 5 (back of report). Results from 

the analysis of surface-water samples collected in 1979 from the 

closest downstream site to the park with data for major ions and 

nutrients (site 267 on Little Pigeon Creek; Renn and others, 

1980) are listed in table 7 (back of report).

Analysis of Water-Quality Samples

Calcium was the predominant cation in all surface-water 

samples collected from the park (fig. 8 and table 4). Sulfate was 

the predominant anion for samples from ephemeral stream 3 

and for two of the three samples from the stock pond. Bicarbonate, as estimated from alkalinity concentrations, was the 

predominant anion in samples from parking-lot runoff and the 

unnamed ditch and in the July 10, 2002, sample from the stock 

pond. Bicarbonate concentrations were estimated by dividing 

alkalinity concentrations (reported as calcium carbonate) by 

a conversion factor (0.8202) reported by Hem (1989, p. 55). 

For the pH range of water-quality samples collected by this 

study (5.9 to 7.9), the alkalinity of most natural waters can be 

assumed, without serious error, to originate entirely from dissolved bicarbonate ion (Hem, 1989, p. 106). Concentrations of 

calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate 

in 2001 and 2002 surface-water samples from the park sites 

were smaller than concentrations reported for the 1979 samples 

from site 267 on Little Pigeon Creek (table 4; table 7, back of 

report). 

National Atmospheric Deposition Program National 

Trends Network (NADP/NTN) site IN22, about 50 mi northwest of the park (fig. 1), is the closest wet-deposition monitoring station to the study area. Wet-deposition samples include 

precipitation and any particulate matter that is collected with 

the samples. A comparison of data on major ions and nutrients 

was made between surface-water samples from the park and 

volume-weighted mean concentrations for those constituents in 

wet deposition from NADP/NTN (National Atmospheric Deposition Program, 2004) site IN22. Concentrations of the major 

cations and anions in surface-water samples collected from 

the park were larger than the annual volume-weighted mean 

concentrations in weekly wet-deposition samples at site IN22 

(table 8), except for ammonium and nitrate. The data c

parison indicates that sources such as mineral dissolut

or human-influenced contamination may contribute mo

cations and anions to surface water sampled in this stu

than wet deposition did. The nitrate concentrations in 

water were similar to or less than the volume-weighted 

nitrate concentrations in weekly wet-deposition sampl

site IN22 (fig. 1 and table 8) (National Atmospheric D

tion Program, 2004). These data indicate it is possible 

wet-deposition-derived nitrate may be a major contrib

the nitrate concentrations in surface-water samples fro

park. 

Surface-water-quality data from the park represen

line conditions for the area in relation to data available 

previous studies of area streams. In general, concentra

most major ions and various nutrients in surface-water 

from the park were smaller than those reported for sam

lected in other USGS studies in areas adjacent to the par

of the data are from a 1979 study; the age of that data m

factor in comparisons with data in this study.

Concentrations of all major cations and anions, ex

fluoride, were largest in the ground-water sample from 

Spring relative to the other samples collected for this s

(table 4). Calcium and chloride were the principal cati

and anion, respectively, in water from Lincoln Spring 

The equivalent concentration of sulfate was about 0.25 

liequivalent per liter less than that of chloride. The equ

concentrations of sodium and magnesium in water fro

Lincoln Spring were nearly equal and were larger than 

concentrations in the other samples collected for this s

Water from Lincoln Spring had a larger dissolved-soli

concentration when compared with the surface-water s

from the park (table 4).

The concentration of nitrate in water from Lincol

was 16.5 mg/L as nitrogen (N). This concentration wa

than the State of Indiana water-quality criteria, as deriv

the Indiana drinking-water standard (10 mg/L as N) (t

Regular consumption of drinking water with nitrate co

trations that exceed 10 mg/L as N has been associated 

methemoglobinemia in small children (Hem, 1989) an

bly may be associated with larger numbers of miscarri

(Centers for Disease Control, 1996). 

The nitrate concentration in water from Lincoln S

in the range that indicates a human influence on groun

quality (Madison and Brunett 1984, p. 95). Potential so

the nitrate concentration in ground water from Lincoln 

include local domestic wastewater disposal, possible e

from local agricultural activities such as the applicatio

fertilizers or chemicals, or unreported spills of nitroge

materials. The recharge area of Lincoln Spring is not k

Because only one well was sampled, no evaluation cou

made of the direction of ground-water flow relative to 

or Lincoln Spring.
Reconnaissance of Surface-Water and Ground-Water Qu

Figure 8. Stiff diagrams showing the relation of major ions in surface-water and ground-water samples from sampling 

sites at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001 and 2002.

54321012345

STOCK POND, SITE 1, 11/29/2001

STOCK POND, SITE 1, 3/26/2002

STOCK POND, SITE 1, 7/10/2002

EPHEMERAL STREAM 3, SITE 2, 11/29/2001

EPHEMERAL STREAM 3, SITE 2, 3/26/2002

PARKING-LOT RUNOFF, SITE 3, 11/29/2001

PARKING-LOT RUNOFF, SITE 3, 3/26/2002

UNNAMED DITCH, SITE 4, 11/29/2001

UNNAMED DITCH, SITE 4, 3/26/2002 

LINCOLN SPRING, SITE 5, 7/10/2002

STIFF DIAGRAM–Cation and anion concentrations are plotted as points and connected by lines into a closed pattern. 

The pattern indicates predominant cations and anions in a water-quality analysis. The width of the pattern approximately 

indicates the dissolved-solids content of the water. Cations include magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and 

potassium (K). Anions include chloride (Cl), fluoride (F), nitrate (NO3), sulfate (SO4), and bicarbonate (HCO3).

A milliequivalent is defined as a weight of a chemical substance divided by the formula weight of its composition 

elements and the assumed charge of the species. For example, calcium and magnesium have assumed charges of 2,

and sodium and potassium have assumed charges of 1.

CONCENTRATION, IN 

MILLIEQUIVALENTS PER LITER

EXPLANATION

SODIUM PLUS POTASSIUM

CALCIUM

MAGNESIUM

ALKALINITY, AS BICARBONATE

SULFATE

CHLORIDE PLUS FLUORIDE PLUS NITRATE
24 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Table 8. Summary of volume-weighted mean concentrations for samples of wet 

deposition from site IN22, National Atmospheric Deposition Program National Trends 

Network, and range of concentrations in surface-water samples at the Lincoln Boyhood 

National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02.

[Park, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial; all concentrations in milligram per liter, < , less than]

Constituent name

Volume-weighted mean concentrations 

of weekly samples

Concentration range 

for park 

surface-water samples, 

2001 data 2002 data 2001–02

Calcium 0.17 0.18 8.74 - 26.2

Magnesium .024 .024 3.11 - 5.27

Potassium .051 .036 .96 - 3.23

Sodium .060 .087 1.12 - 3.76

Chloride .13 .15 1.17 - 4.09

Sulfate 1.68 1.75 16.5 - 33.9

Ammonium, as nitrogen .26 .32 <.01 - .04

Nitrate, as nitrogen 1.11 1.08 <.05 - 1.251

1

Concentration range of nitrate as nitrogen for water samples from the park computed as the difference between 

nitrite plus nitrate concentrations and nitrite concentrations.

Number of valid samples

used for statistic

41 41 9 

(5 samples for ammonia)

The redox chemistry of the ground-water sample from 

Lincoln Spring is more anaerobic than that of the surface-water 

samples collected for this study. The lack of dissolved oxygen, 

the abundant nitrate, the lack of nitrite, and the trace detection 

of ammonia in the Lincoln Spring sample indicate a redox condition that has the potential to support denitrification. More 

information is needed, however, to evaluate whether denitrification actually is occurring in ground water at Lincoln Spring. 

Water from the stock pond contained trace concentrations 

of ammonia (0.01 and 0.04 mg/L as N), nitrate (0.02 mg/L 

as N, estimated concentration, to 0.25 mg/L as N), nitrite 

(0.004 mg/L as N, estimated concentration; 0.005 mg/L as 

N, estimated concentration; and <0.008 mg/L as N), and phosphorus (0.07 to 0.08 mg/L as phosphorus or P) (table 4). Nitrite 

concentrations were smaller than the concentrations of nitrate in 

these samples. A small number of livestock use the pasture and 

stock pond; the small concentrations of nutrients in the stock 

pond water sample may reflect animal-related loading of nutrients as well as wet deposition and soil-derived nutrients. 

Differences in water-quality data between sites in

that parking-lot runoff is a source of calcium, alkalinit

phosphorus in the unnamed ditch. Concentrations of c

alkalinity, and phosphorus were larger in the samples c

from the unnamed ditch and in parking-lot runoff than 

collected from ephemeral stream 3. The unnamed ditch 

flow from ephemeral stream 3, parking-lot runoff, and u

as it parallels the Hoosier Southern Railroad track. Ca

concentrations increased between samples from ephem

stream 3 (10.5 mg/L and 12.3 mg/L) and the unnamed 

(25.7 mg/L and 19.8 mg/L) (table 4). Calcium concentr

parking-lot-runoff samples (21.4 mg/L and 26.2 mg/L

similar to those in water samples from the unnamed di

ilar concentration patterns were observed for calcium c

and phosphorus. Sulfate concentrations were smaller in 

collected from the unnamed ditch and in parking-lot run

in those collected from ephemeral stream 3. The data 

that sulfate concentrations from ephemeral stream 3 li

diluted by parking-lot runoff.
Reconnaissance of Surface-Water and Ground-Water Qu

Table 9. State of Indiana water-quality criteria for specific substances, Indiana Administrative Code (327 Article 2).

[C, Indiana water-quality standard derived from nonthreshold cancer risk; D, Indiana water-quality standard derived from drinking-water standard

less than threshold toxicity; T, Indiana water-quality standard derived from threshold toxicity; -- , no criteria]

Continuous criterion concentration (4-day averag

Outside mixing zone P

wat

Substances Aquatic life 

(Acute aquatic criteria1

) 

1

The Indiana chronic aquatic criterion (CAC) for lead is calculated with the calcium-carbonate hardness concentration in the sample and the fol

tion from the Indiana Water Pollution Control Board subsection 327 IAC 2-1-6(a)(3)2 (Indiana Administrative Code, 1997). Other CAC and acute 

(AAC) reference this convention in how their values are derived.

Chronic aquatic criteria (lead) = e 1.273 [ln Hardness] - 4.705

where 

e is the base of the natural logarithm, 

ln is the natural logarithm, and 

hardness is the calcium-carbonate hardness concentration in milligrams per liter as calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

Aquatic life 

(Chronic aquatic criteria) Human health Hum

Trace metals (concentrations in microgram per liter) 

Arsenic 

(total or valence III)

360 190 0.175 (C) 

Barium -- -- -- (D) 

Cadmium e(1.128 [ln Hardness]-3.828) e(0.7852 [1n Hardness]-3.490) 10 

Chromium 

(total or valence III)

e(0.8190 [ln Hardness]+3.688) e(0.8190 [1n Hardness]+1.561) 3,433,000 (T) 1

Copper e(0.9422 [ln Hardness]-1.464) e(0.8545 [1n Hardness]-1.465) -- 

Lead e(1.273 [ln Hardness]-1.460) e(1.273 [1n Hardness]-4.705) (D) 

Nickel e(0.8460[ln Hardness]+3.3612) e(0.8460 [1n Hardness]+1.1645) 100 

Selenium 130 35 -- (D) 

Silver 0.5 x e(1.72[ln Hardness]-6.52) -- -- (D) 

Zinc e(0.8473[ln Hardness]+0.8604) e(0.8473 [ln Hardness]+0.7614) -- 

Other substances (concentrations in milligram per liter)

Chloride 860 230 -- 

Fluoride 2.0 -- -- 

Dissolved solids 

or total residue

750 -- -- 

Sulfate 250 -- -- 

Nitrite plus nitrate, as nitrogen -- -- -- (D) 

Nitrite, as nitrogen -- -- -- (D) 
26 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Quality-Assurance Analysis Results

Statistics computed from paired water-quality and sequential duplicate samples from the same source indicated that 

chemical analyses of all major ions and nutrients met the precision standard for this study (table 10). The maximum RPD in 

concentrations for paired water-quality and sequential duplicate 

sample analyses of major cations and nutrients ranged from 

0.53 for sulfate analyses to 23.3 for fluoride analyses. When 

only those major ions and nutrients with mean concentrations 

greater than 1 mg/L are considered, the largest maximum RPD 

in concentrations for paired water-quality and sequential duplicate sample analyses was 10.1 for alkalinity. 

The differences between the equivalent concentrations of 

major cations (calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium) 

and major anions (chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate estimated from 

alkalinity, nitrate, and fluoride) were 6 percent or less for all 

samples from park sites (table 11). These differences were computed, using the procedure outlined by Hem (1989, p. 164). The 

largest differences were in the samples of parking-lot runoff. 

Hem (1989, p. 164) indicates that differences larger than 3 percent are acceptable for waters with less than 5 milliequivalents 

per liter of all major cations and anions. Based on this standard, 

there are no apparent errors in concentrations of major anions 

and cations in the surface-water samples collected for this 

study; however, there may be small errors in those concentrations in the sample from Lincoln Spring.

Results of quality-assurance analyses indicated that 

the nitrate concentration from Lincoln Spring met analyticalprecision criteria for paired water-quality and sequential duplicate analyses. The nitrate concentration was 16.5 mg/L as N for 

the ground-water sample at Lincoln Spring (table 4). The nitrate 

concentration was 17.4 mg/L as N for the sequential duplicate 

sample from Lincoln Spring (table 5); this concentration is an 

indication that the analytical results were reproducible. In addition, the estimated nitrate concentration was 0.04 mg/L as N 

(table 5) for the equipment blank collected earlier the same day 

as the sequential duplicate; this result is an indication that there 

was little or no nitrate contributed to the sample through the 

sampling process. Similar quality-assurance results also were 

reported for other major-ion and nutrient analyses.

The differences in calcium and sulfate concentrations between samples from surface-water sites that are attributed 

to parking-lot runoff are larger than the differences between 

analyses of paired water-quality and sequential duplicate samples (tables 4 and 10). It could not be determined whether the 

larger phosphorus concentrations in samples of parking-lot runoff and from the unnamed ditch, as compared to those from 

ephemeral stream 3, were a result of analytical variability. The 

magnitude of increased concentrations of phosphorus in these 

samples were within the range of differences in concentrations 

observed between paired water-quality and sequential duplicate 

samples. 

Trace Metals and Organic Constituents

Concentrations of trace metals and organic consti

the nine surface-water samples and one ground-water 

collected at the park are listed in table 4. Results of qu

assurance samples for these same constituents in three 

ment blank samples and three sequential duplicate sam

listed in table 5 (back of report). Results from the anal

surface-water samples collected in 1979 from the close

stream site to the park with data for trace metals (site 

Little Pigeon Creek; Renn and others, 1980) are listed i

(back of report).

Analysis of Water-Quality Samples

Concentrations of seven trace metals (arsenic, ca

chromium, copper, lead, selenium, and zinc) and disso

concentrations of iron and manganese were detected i

water-quality samples collected at the park by this study

and silver were not detected in any of the water sampl

4). Concentrations of lead in water samples from the s

pond, parking-lot runoff, and the unnamed ditch colle

November 2001 and March 2002 exceeded the chronic 

criteria set by the State of Indiana (table 12). The purpo

ting chronic aquatic criteria is to ensure that the conce

of a defined substance does not produce chronic effec

aquatic organisms (Indiana Administrative Code, 1997

Concentrations of all other trace metals analyzed for th

were smaller than their chronic aquatic criteria. Cadm

centrations in water samples from the stock pond on th

dates ranged from 66 to 80 percent of the magnitude o

chronic aquatic criteria for cadmium (table 12). The ch

aquatic criteria for trace metals were computed, using 

ness values listed in tables 4 and 12. Hardness values 

data were computed, using the equation defined in Hem 

p. 158):

Hardness (mg/L as CaCO3) = (Calcium [in mg/L

0.0499 + Magnesium [in mg/L] x 0.08229) x 50 

where

mg/L is milligram per liter, and

CaCO3 is calcium carbonate.

Concentrations of iron ranged from 99 ∝g/L to 22

(table 4) in surface-water samples from the park and w

greater than the iron concentration in ground water fro

coln Spring (25 ∝g/L). Manganese concentrations in t

three samples from the stock pond (251 ∝g/L and 371 

were more similar in magnitude to the manganese conc

(322 ∝g/L) of the Lincoln Spring ground-water sampl

any of the other surface-water samples. Manganese co

tions in all other surface-water samples ranged from 3

to 64.7 ∝g/L.
Reconnaissance of Surface-Water and Ground-Water Qu

Table 10. Statistical analysis of paired water-quality and sequential duplicate samples from the Lincoln Boyhood National 

near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02, that was used to assess the reproducibility of analytical methods.

[mg/L, milligram per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; SiO2, silica; N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; -- , not available or kno

Water-quality 

characteristics 

(units)

Number of 

paired 

water-quality 

and 

sequential duplicate 

samples1, 2

Mean concentration 

of 

paired 

water-quality 

and 

sequential duplicate 

samples2, 3

Absolute difference 

between 

paired 

water-quality 

and 

sequential duplicate 

samples4

Absolute 

percent d

betw

pai

water-

an

 sequentia

samp

Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum 

Calcium, dissolved 

(mg/L)

3 20.0 70.1 0.05 2.29 0.20 

Magnesium, dissolved

(mg/L)

3 4.38 27.3 .02 .67 .31 

Potassium, dissolved

(mg/L)

3 1.40 8.42 .02 .67 .77 

Sodium, dissolved

(mg/L)

3 1.63 47.7 .01 1.13 .77 

Alkalinity

(mg/L as CaCO3)

3 5.52 68.8 .11 .56 .16 

Chloride, dissolved

(mg/L)

3 1.59 128 .00 .47 .00 

Fluoride, dissolved

(mg/L)

3 .09 .12 .00 .03 3.42 

Silica, dissolved

(mg/L as SiO2)

3 11.1 24.6 .04 .32 .37 

Sulfate, dissolved

(mg/L)

3 20.9 156 .04 .74 .19 

Nitrite plus nitrate, dissolved

(mg/L as N)

3 .05 17.0 .00 .82 .00 

Phosphorus, total 

(mg/L as P)

2 .05 .06 .00 .01 6.25 

Arsenic, total 

(∝g/L)

1 -- 1.42 -- .25 -- 

Chromium, total 

(∝g/L)

1 -- .46 -- .01 -- 

Copper, total 

(∝g/L)

3 1.35 10.9 .05 .51 2.01 

Iron, dissolved

(∝g/L)

3 26.4 192 .59 8.34 .46 
28 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Table 10. Statistical analysis of paired water-quality and sequential duplicate samples from the Lincoln Boyhood National 

near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02, that was used to assess the reproducibility of analytical methods.—Continued

[mg/L, milligram per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; SiO2, silica; N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; -- , not available or kno

1

Sequential duplicate samples are two samples that are collected, one immediately after the other. Both samples were shipped, processed, and a

same manner.

2

Paired samples with one or both samples having concentrations less than the reporting limit were not used for this analysis, except for cases w

concentrations were reported. Sample concentrations that were reported as estimated (with a magnitude less than the method or lower reporting lim

equal to the estimated concentration for computation of statistics. 

3Sample concentrations used to compute these statistics were unrounded values from the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Inform

database. Statistics reported in this table were rounded to two decimal places.

4

Absolute differences were computed as the absolute value of the concentration in the sequential duplicate sample minus the concentration in th

paired water-quality sample.

5

Absolute relative percent differences (RPD) were computed as

RPD = |(SDS-WQS)/((SDS+WQS)/2))| x 100

where

RPD is the relative percent difference,

SDS is the concentration in the sequential duplicate sample, and

WQS is the concentration in the water-quality sample.

This statistic is used to summarize the relative percent difference in concentrations between two samples that should be identical in composition an

identical in their handling and analysis.

Lead, total 

(∝g/L)

3 1.15 6.16 0.00 1.05 0.00 

Manganese, dissolved

(∝g/L)

3 8.14 319 .00 6.14 .00 

Selenium, total 

(∝g/L)

1 -- 1.10 -- .06 -- 

Organic carbon, total 

(mg/L)

2 5.18 10.0 .08 .62 1.54 

Suspended sediment 

(mg/L)

2 19.0 27.5 0 9 0 

Water-quality 

characteristics 

(units)

Number of 

paired 

water-quality 

and 

sequential duplicate 

samples1, 2

Mean concentration 

of 

paired 

water-quality 

and 

sequential duplicate 

samples2, 3

Absolute difference 

between 

paired 

water-quality 

and 

sequential duplicate 

samples4

Absolute 

percent d

betw

pai

water-

an

 sequentia

samp

Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum 
Reconnaissance of Surface-Water and Ground-Water Qu

Table 11. Differences in cation and anion equivalent concentrations in water samples collected at the Lincoln 

Boyhood National Memorial, near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02.

[mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year]

Table 12. Summary of surface-water- and ground-water-quality samples with nitrate, cadmium, or lead concentrations t

within or larger than 60 percent of the Indiana water-quality criteria (Indiana Administrative Code, 327), the Lincoln Boyhoo

Memorial, near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02.

[mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; mg/L, milligram per liter; N, nitrogen; POWI–HH, point of water intake–health hazard; CAC, chronic aquatic cr

∝g/L, microgram per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate]

Site name Date sampled 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Percent difference between 

equivalent concentrations 

of cations and anions

Total concentration 

of all major cations and anions, 

in milliequivalents per liter

Stock pond (site 1) 11/29/2001 0.2 1.7

Stock pond (site 1) 03/26/2002 .8 2.2

Stock pond (site 1) 07/10/2002 .4 2.5

Ephemeral stream 3 (site 2) 11/29/2001 .3 1.8

Ephemeral stream 3 (site 2) 03/26/2002 .7 2.2

Parking-lot runoff (site 3) 11/29/2001 1.1 3.0

Parking-lot runoff (site 3) 03/26/2002 2.0 3.5

Unnamed ditch (site 4) 11/29/2001 1.3 3.7

Unnamed ditch (site 4) 03/26/2002 1.7 3.0

Lincoln Spring (site 5) 07/10/2002 6.0 15.4

Constituent 

name

Site name Date sampled 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Constituent 

concentration

Name of 

surface-waterquality criteria

Surface-waterquality criteria 

concentration 

Rem

Nitrate Lincoln Spring 

(site 5)

07/10/2002 16.5 mg/L as N POWI–HH 10.0 mg/L None

Cadmium, 

total 

Stock pond 

(site 1)

11/29/2001 .4 ∝g/L CAC .5 ∝g/L Computed h

35 mg/L a

03/26/2002 .4 ∝g/L CAC .6 ∝g/L Computed h

44 mg/L a

Lead, 

total

Stock pond 

(site 1)

11/29/2001 1.0 ∝g/L CAC .8 ∝g/L Computed h

35 mg/L a

03/26/2002 2.0 ∝g/L CAC 1.1 ∝g/L Computed h

44 mg/L a

Parking-lot runoff 

(site 3)

11/29/2001 5.0 ∝g/L CAC 2.0 ∝g/L Computed h

70 mg/L a

03/26/2002 3.0 ∝g/L CAC 2.5 ∝g/L Computed h

83 mg/L a

Unnamed ditch 

(site 4) 

11/29/2001 7.0 ∝g/L CAC 3.0 ∝g/L Computed h

86 mg/L a

03/26/2002 6.0 ∝g/L CAC 2.0 ∝g/L Computed h

67 mg/L a
30 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Concentrations of copper, iron, lead, and organic carbon 

were larger in the samples collected from the unnamed ditch 

and parking-lot runoff than in those collected from ephemeral 

stream 3 during each round of sampling. Concentrations of lead 

increased between samples from ephemeral stream 3 (detected 

in concentrations too small to be quantified) and the unnamed 

ditch (7 ∝g/L and 6 ∝g/L) (table 4). Lead concentrations in samples of parking-lot runoff (5 ∝g/L and 3 ∝g/L) were similar to 

those in water from the unnamed ditch (7 ∝g/L and 6 ∝g/L). 

Similar concentration patterns in these samples were observed 

for iron and organic carbon. These data indicate that parking-lot 

runoff is likely the primary source of iron, lead, and organic 

carbon in water from the unnamed ditch.

Parking-lot runoff may be the source of organic carbon in 

the samples from the unnamed ditch. The presence of organic 

carbon may indicate the presence of other organic compounds 

such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons that have been 

detected in surface water affected by parking-lot runoff. Recent 

studies in Austin, Texas, of simulated rainfall runoff from coaltar sealed, asphalt parking lots have found concentrations of 

polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in water and particulate 

runoff that exceeded the probable-effect concentration for 

benthic biota (Mahler and others, 2004). The probable-effect 

concentration, the concentration above which adverse effects 

on benthic biota are expected to occur more often than not 

(MacDonald and others, 2000), is 22,800 ∝g/kg for the sum 

of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate matter. 

Petroleum hydrocarbons (table 4) were detected in two 

samples collected for this study: in water from the stock pond 

on November 29, 2001, (2 mg/L) and in ground water from 

Lincoln Spring on July 10, 2002 (3 mg/L). The detection of 

petroleum hydrocarbons in ground water from Lincoln Spring 

could be residual contamination from the nearby spill and 

cleanup of diesel fuel described earlier in the Site Selection 

section. 

Quality-Assurance Analysis Results

Results of the quality-assurance analyses indicated that 

the lead and cadmium concentrations reported here were reproducible and did not represent sampling-related artifacts. 

The sequential duplicate samples from the unnamed ditch 

on November 29, 2001, and on March 26, 2002, were nearly 

identical in lead concentrations to those in the paired waterquality samples (table 4; table 5, back of report). In addition, 

cadmium concentrations in sequential duplicate samples and 

in the reported data were less than the reporting limit (less than 

0.1 ∝g/L). These results indicate that the analytical results for 

lead and cadmium met precision criteria for the study. In addition, no detectable lead or cadmium was in the equipment 

blanks collected on the same days as these samples; this result 

is an indication that there was no lead or cadmium contributed 

to the samples through the sampling process. Similar qualityassurance results also were reported for other trace-metal 

analyses.

The changes in iron and lead concentrations attrib

to parking-lot runoff are larger than the differences be

analyses of paired water-quality and sequential duplic

samples (table 6, back of report). It could not be deter

whether the larger copper concentrations in samples of 

lot runoff and the unnamed ditch, as compared to thos

ephemeral stream 3, resulted from a lack of analytical p

The magnitude of increased concentrations of copper 

samples was within the range of differences in concen

observed between paired water-quality and sequential d

samples (table 4; table 5, back of report). Copper also 

detected in an equipment blank (1.7 ∝g/L on Novemb

2001; table 5) in a concentration similar to those of wa

quality samples collected on the same day (1.8 to 2.4 ∝

on November 29, 2001; table 4). It could not be determ

whether the larger phosphorus and copper concentrati

samples of parking-lot runoff and the unnamed ditch, 

pared to those from ephemeral stream 3, were a result 

of analytical precision or a sampling-related interferen

the copper concentration in water from Lincoln Spring 

ficiently large (11.2 ∝g/L on July 10, 2002; table 4) to 

regarded as free of sample-collection interference. 

The reported detections of petroleum hydrocarbo

water from Lincoln Spring are considered to be reliabl

on the interpretation of quality-assurance data. The se

duplicate sample from Lincoln Spring contained petro

hydrocarbons (2 mg/L; table 5) in a concentration that 

similar to but slightly less than that in the paired water

sample (3 mg/L; table 4). The detection of 2 mg/L of pe

hydrocarbons in an equipment blank sample collected 

stock pond on July 10, 2002 (table 5), was similar in m

to the concentrations reported for the water-quality sam

Lincoln Spring collected on the same date (table 4). T

sample collected from the stock pond immediately aft

equipment blank preparation, however, did not contain 

able petroleum hydrocarbons. These data indicate the 

hood that the purging of sampled water through the eq

at the time of sampling (as practiced at all sites) was s

to purge residual petroleum hydrocarbons from the eq

before surface-water samples were collected.

Escherichia coli Data

The presence of E. coli in water often is consider

direct evidence of the presence of fecal contamination 

warm-blooded animals and indicates the possible pres

pathogens (Dufour, 1977). E. coli is one of the two pr

indicator bacteria used by the U.S. Environmental Pro

Agency (USEPA) and IDEM to determine the suitabil

surface water for recreational use. The Indiana water-q

standards for full-body-contact recreational use requir

E. coli concentration to be less than the single-sample 

dard of 235 col/100 mL and less than the geometric m

125 col/100 mL computed from five samples collected 

a 30-day period (Indiana Administrative Code, 1997, p
Summary and Conc

The USEPA has set a Maximum Contaminant Level guideline 

of zero detections of E. coli in water sources used for publicwater supplies (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2004). 

Weather conditions and other factors limited sample collection 

for E. coli in water to 1 day of sampling (July 10, 2002). 

E. coli were detected in water from the stock pond 

(11 colonies/100 mL) and in water from Lincoln Spring (3 colonies/100 mL) (table 4). Both colony counts were classified as 

estimates because no sample volume used to prepare the bacteria plates produced a bacteria colony count in the ideal range of 

20 to 80 colonies per filter plate. The colony count for the stock 

pond water sample was less than the recreational-use standard 

of 235 col/100 mL a single sample. The stock pond is not used 

as a recreational water body; park workers occasionally may 

contact the water as part of maintenance activities. The detection of E. coli in water from Lincoln Spring exceeded the 

USEPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level guideline. The Lincoln Spring well historically was used as a drinking-water 

source for local residents before about 1966 but has not been 

accessed for any purpose since 1996. E. Coli counts in the two 

samples from the park (3 and 11 colonies/100 mL) were less 

than the range of counts (90 to 13,000 colonies/100 mL) 

reported by Silcox and others (2002, p. 11) for sites on Little 

Pigeon Creek and Crooked Creek (table 6, back of report). 

No sampling-related interferences were revealed by the 

quality-assurance sample results. No colonies of E. coli were 

found in the filter blanks, field blank, or the process blank 

prepared with these samples (table 5, back of report). The 

sequential duplicate sample from Lincoln Spring was identical to the paired water-quality sample (3 colonies/100 mL) 

(table 4; table 5, back of report). The latter data indicate that 

the precision of reported counts of E. coli, although based on 

nonideal counts, met project objectives for data precision.

Limitations of Data and Interpretations

The timing, frequency, and duration of flow measurements 

and water-quality-sample collection are critical in monitoring 

accurate flows and constituent concentrations in small streams 

because of the rapid response to stormwater runoff and the 

potentially wide ranges of flow over short periods of time 

(Church and others, 1999, p. 15). The data collected for this 

study represent three attempts to collect water samples from 

areas with ephemeral flows (ephemeral stream 3, parking-lot 

runoff, and the unnamed ditch) and two perennial water bodies 

(the stock pond and Lincoln Spring). Water samples from 

ephemeral sources represented conditions that were sampled 

12 hours after the first runoff was generated by precipitation. 

Limitations of time and travel distance from the USGS Indiana 

Water Science Center in Indianapolis to the park precluded the 

collection of the first runoff during a storm. These water samples may not represent the largest values and concentrations of 

water-quality characteristics in runoff and may not fully indicate water-quality conditions that could represent water-quality 

issues at the park.

Collection of additional water-quality samples 

unattended, automated sampler could address the n

for streamflow data when water-quality changes as

with early stage rainfall runoff are evaluated. Autom

measurements and establishment of a stage-dischar

for sampled sites also would be needed to establish 

logic context of the water samples. Stormwater flow

differently to different types of storms and may res

ently to the same type of storm in different seasons. 

others (1999, p. 15) indicate the critical need for 

measurements of flow (that) start at the beginn

the storm, continue through the duration of the 

and are measured at a frequency corresponding 

rate of change of flow and constituent concentr

to ensure the accuracy and representativeness 

resultant flow and pollutant loads.

Because of these conditions, Church and others (19

also recommend that “collection of water-quality da

synchronized with the timing of flow measurements 

centrations can be directly applied to measured flow

Summary and Conclusions

Water samples were collected from four surfa

sites during storms on November 29, 2001, and Ma

2002, and from one surface-water site and a well af

fall on July 10, 2002, to describe the water quality a

bodies in the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial n

City in southwestern Indiana. This work was done 

U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Na

Service. Key water bodies within the park were def

follows: (1) a stock pond, to represent possible non

cultural effects on water quality; (2) an ephemeral 

to represent water quality of drainage from forested 

rial areas of the park; (3) parking-lot runoff to repre

quality related to road and parking lots; (4) an unna

below the parking lot to represent the effects of the 

lot runoff and of drainage from an adjacent railroad 

water quality; and (5) Lincoln Spring, a historical gr

source within the park, to represent localized ground

ditions near a former diesel-fuel spill. Water sampl

surface-water sites were collected at least twice dur

runoff on November 29, 2001, and March 26, 2002

ples were collected from the stock pond and Lincol

July 10, 2002. Water samples were analyzed for wa

characteristics and for concentrations of selected ma

trace metals, nutrients, organic constituents, and E. 

ria. Samples for E. coli analysis were collected from 

pond and Lincoln Spring on July 10, 2002.
32 Reconnaissance, Surface-Water and Ground-Water Quality, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

The pH values for all surface-water samples collected 

for this study ranged from 6.2 to 7.9; specific-conductance 

values were less than 175 ∝S/cm. The pH level from a groundwater sample from Lincoln Spring was more acidic pH (5.9) 

than the surface-water samples. The specific conductance of the 

ground water from Lincoln Spring (837 ∝S/cm) was larger than 

that of the surface water from the park. The specific conductance of surface water from the park was less than that measured 

by previous sampling in 1979 and 2000 of surface-water quality 

at sites near the park. Calcium was the predominant cation 

in surface-water samples collected from the park and in the 

ground-water sample from Lincoln Spring. Sulfate was the predominant anion for samples from ephemeral stream 3 and from 

two of the three samples from the stock pond. Bicarbonate was 

the predominant anion in samples of parking-lot runoff and the 

unnamed ditch and in the July 10, 2002, sample from the stock 

pond. Chloride was the principal anion in the water sample from 

Lincoln Spring. Concentrations of all major cations and anions 

and of nitrate were largest in the ground-water sample from 

Lincoln Spring in comparison to the surface-water samples collected for this study. 

Water-quality management issues identified by this 

sampling include impaired water quality in Lincoln Spring 

possibly from human influences, surface-water impairment 

from parking-lot runoff, and unknown effects on surface-water 

quality from adjacent railroads. The concentration of nitrate 

in ground water from Lincoln Spring was greater than the State 

of Indiana standard for concentrations of nitrate in drinking 

water. Because only one well was sampled, no evaluation could 

be made of the source of recharge or nitrate to Lincoln Spring. 

Lead concentrations for the November 2001 and March 2002 

surface-water samples from the stock pond, parking-lot runoff, 

and the unnamed ditch exceeded the chronic aquatic criteria set 

by the State of Indiana. Chronic aquatic criteria are set by the 

State of Indiana to ensure that the concentration of a substance 

does not produce chronic effects on aquatic organisms.

Concentrations of calcium, alkalinity, phosphorus, copper, iron, lead, and organic carbon were larger in the samples 

collected from the unnamed ditch and the parking-lot runoff 

than in those collected from ephemeral stream 3. Lead concentrations increased in samples between ephemeral stream 3 

(detected in concentrations too small to be quantified) and the 

unnamed ditch. Lead concentrations in samples of parking-lot 

runoff were similar to those in samples from the unnamed ditch. 

Calcium concentrations increased in samples between ephemeral stream 3 and the unnamed ditch. Calcium concentrations in 

samples of parking-lot runoff were similar to those from the 

unnamed ditch. Similar concentration patterns were observed 

for alkalinity, iron, and organic carbon. These data indicate that 

parking-lot runoff is likely the primary source of iron, lead, and 

organic carbon in water from the unnamed ditch. It could not be 

determined whether the larger phosphorus and copper concentrations in parking-lot-runoff and the unnamed ditch samples, as 

compared to those from ephemeral stream 3, resulted 

lack of analytical precision or a sampling-related inter

The detection of concentrations of petroleum hyd

carbons in ground water from Lincoln Spring could in

residual contamination from a nearby spill of diesel fu

was reported in 1995. Verification of the sampling resu

the same analytical method and analysis of additional 

for trace volatile and semivolatile organic compounds

indicate whether contamination from that spill persists 

ground water beneath the park.

Surface-water-quality data for the park represent 

conditions in relation to water quality reported from a

streams, as cited in this report. In general, values of fi

acteristics and concentrations of most major ions and 

nutrients in surface-water samples from the park were 

those reported for samples collected for other studies i

cent areas to the park. Much of the surface-water-qual

from outside the park are from a 1979 study; the age o

data may be a factor in comparison with data in this st

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribu

various National Park Service personnel to this study, i

Michael Capps and D Brown of the Lincoln Boyhood 

Memorial; Gia Wagner, Resource Management Specia

Gary Rosenlieb, Water Resources Division. Assistanc

project also was provided by various USGS personnel

ing Cheryl Silcox, Lee Watson, Martin Risch, David L

Patricia Long, and Joseph Sanders. 

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Table 3. Analytical constituents and reporting limits for samples collected during water-quality sampling at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial 

2001–02.

[-- , not available or known; USGS-NFM, U.S. Geological Survey National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data; mg/L, milligram per liter; ∝S/cm, microsiem

Celsius; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; lrl, lower reporting limit; ICP-AES, inductively-coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy; IC, ion chromatography; mrl, method report

segmented flow; SiO2, silica; N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; GFAA, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy]

Constituent or property name Chemical Abstracts Service identification number Reporting limit Reporting unit Reporting-limit type Analytical-method reference1 

Properties Turbidity -- -- Nephelometric turbidity unit -- USGS-NFM, Chapter 6.7 (A) Turbidi

field 

Dissolved oxygen -- -- mg/L -- USGS-NFM, Chapter 6.2 (A) Multip

field 

pH, field -- -- Standard units -- USGS-NFM, Chapter 6.4 (A) Multip

field 

Specific conductance -- -- ∝S/cm -- USGS-NFM, Chapter 6.3 (A) Multip

field 

Temperature -- -- °C -- USGS-NFM, Chapter 6.1 (A) Multip

field 

Alkalinity -- 1 mg/L as CaCO3 -- USGS-NFM, Chapter 6.6 (A) IncremMajor ions Calcium, dissolved 7440-70-2 .012 mg/L lrl I-1472-87 (B) ICP-AEMagnesium, dissolved 7439-95-4 .008 mg/L lrl I-1472-87 (B) ICP-AEPotassium, dissolved 7440-09-7 .11 mg/L lrl 3120-ICP (C) ICP-AESodium, dissolved 7440-23-5 .09 mg/L lrl I-1472-87 (B) ICP-AEChloride, dissolved 16887-00-6 .33 mg/L lrl I-2057-85 (D) ICFluoride, dissolved 16984-48-8 .11 mg/L mrl I-2327-89 (B) ASF-IoSilica, dissolved 7631-86-9 .21 mg/L as SiO2 lrl I-2700-89 (D) ColorimSulfate, dissolved 14808-79-8 .11 mg/L lrl I-2057-85 (D) IC
Table 3. Analytical constituents and reporting limits for samples collected during water-quality sampling at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial 

2001–02.—Continued

[-- , not available or known; USGS-NFM, U.S. Geological Survey National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data; mg/L, milligram per liter; ∝S/cm, microsiem

Celsius; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; lrl, lower reporting limit; ICP-AES, inductively-coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy; IC, ion chromatography; mrl, method report

segmented flow; SiO2, silica; N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; GFAA, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy] 

NutrientsAmmonia, dissolved 7664-41-7 0.01 mg/L as N mrl EPA 350.1 (E) ColorimNitrite plus nitrate, dissolved -- .047 mg/L as N lrl I-2545-90 (B) Colorim

reduc

Nitrite, dissolved 14797-65-0 .008 mg/L as N lrl I-2540-90 (B) ColorimPhosphorus, total 14265-44-2 .06 mg/L as P lrl I-4610-91 (F) Colorim

micr

Trace metalsArsenic, total 7440-38-2 1.9 ∝g/L lrl I-4063-98 (G) GFAACadmium, total 7440-43-9 .12 ∝g/L lrl I-4138-89 (B) GFAAChromium, total 7440-47-3 .8 ∝g/L lrl I-3233-93 (H) GFAACopper, total 7440-50-8 1.2 ∝g/L lrl I-4274-89 (B) GFAAIron, dissolved 7439-89-6 10 ∝g/L lrl I-1472-87 (B) ICP-AELead, total 7439-92-1 1 ∝g/L lrl I-4403-89 (B) GFAAManganese, dissolved 7439-96-5 1.6 ∝g/L lrl I-1472-87 (B) ICP-AENickel, total 7440-02-0 66 ∝g/L lrl I-4471-97 (I) ICP-AESelenium, total 7782-49-2 2 ∝g/L lrl I-4668-98 (G) GFAASilver, total 7440-22-4 7 ∝g/L mrl I-4471-97 (I) ICP-AEZinc, total 7440-66-6 25 ∝g/L mrl I-4471-97 (I) ICP-AE

Constituent or property name

Chemical 

Abstracts 

Service 

identification 

number

Reporting limit Reporting unit Reporting-limit type Analytical-method reference1 
Table 3. Analytical constituents and reporting limits for samples collected during water-quality sampling at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial 

2001–02.—Continued

[-- , not available or known; USGS-NFM, U.S. Geological Survey National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data; mg/L, milligram per liter; ∝S/cm, microsiem

Celsius; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; lrl, lower reporting limit; ICP-AES, inductively-coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy; IC, ion chromatography; mrl, method report

segmented flow; SiO2, silica; N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; GFAA, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy] 

1Method references: (A) U.S. Geological Survey, variously dated. (B) Fishman, 1993. (C) American Public Health Association, 1998. (D) Fishman and Friedman, 1989. (E) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1993. (F) Patton and Truitt, 1992. (G) Jones and Garbarino, 1999. (H) McLain, 1993. (I) Garbarino and Struzeski, 1998. (J) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2003. (K) U.S. Geological Survey, 1996. (L) Wershaw and others, 1987. Organic substances in water Organic carbon, total -- 0.6 mg/L lrl O-3100-83 (L) Carbon 

Petroleum hydrocarbons, total -- 2 mg/L mrl EPA 1664 NWQL TM 96.08 (K and L) Hexane

Constituent or property name Chemical Abstracts Service identification number Reporting limit Reporting unit Reporting-limit type Analytical-method reference1 
Table 5. Quality-assurance data for water-quality samples collected at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02.

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; mg/L, milligram per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; E, estimated value; < , less tha

P, phosphorus; -- , not measured or determined; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; C, carbon; E. coli, Escherichia coli; mL, milliliter; K, non-ideal colony count; all concentrations repo

except when noted]

USGS 

stationidentification 

number

Site 

number 

(figs. 3 

and 4)

Site 

name

Qualityassurance 

sample type

Date 

sampled 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Time 

sampled 

(hhmm)

Calcium, 

dissolved 

(mg/L)

Magnesium, 

dissolved 

(mg/L)

Potassium, 

dissolved 

(mg/L)

Sodium, 

dissolved 

(mg/L)

380701086595801 1 Stock pond Equipment 

blank

07/10/2002 0945 E0.01 <0.008 <0.10 <0.09 

380707086595001 3 Parking-lot 

runoff

Equipment 

blank

11/29/2001 1156 <.01 <.008 <.10 <.09 

380707086595001 3 Parking-lot 

runoff

Equipment 

blank

03/26/2002 1215 <.01 <.008 <.10 <.09 

380707086595101 4 Unnamed ditch Sequential 

duplicate

11/29/2001 1436 25.7 5.23 2.59 1.63 

380707086595101 4 Unnamed ditch Sequential 

duplicate

03/26/2002 1451 20.1 4.41 1.44 2.14 

380714086595501 5 Lincoln Spring Sequential 

duplicate

07/10/2002 1320 69.0 26.9 8.08 47.1 
Table 5. Quality-assurance data for water-quality samples collected at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02.—

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; mg/L, milligram per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; E, estimated value; < , less tha

P, phosphorus; -- , not measured or determined; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; C, carbon; E. coli, Escherichia coli; mL, milliliter; K, non-ideal colony count; all concentrations repo

except when noted]

USGS station- identification number Site number (figs. 3 and 4) Site name Quality- assurance sample type Date sampled (mm/dd/yyyy) Fluoride, dissolved (mg/L) Silica, dissolved (mg/L as SiO2) Sulfate, dissolved (mg/L) Ammonia, dissolved (mg/L as N) Nitrite plus nitrate, dissolved (mg/L as N) 

380701086595801 1 Stock pond Equipment blank 07/10/2002 <0.1 <0.2 <0.1 0.01 E0.04 380707086595001 3 Parking-lot runoff Equipment blank 11/29/2001 <.1 <.2 <.1 -- <.05 380707086595001 3 Parking-lot runoff Equipment blank 03/26/2002 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.01 <.05 380707086595101 4 Unnamed ditch Sequential duplicate 11/29/2001 E.1 11.8 21.8 -- .05 380707086595101 4 Unnamed ditch Sequential duplicate 03/26/2002 E.1 11.1 20.9 <.01 .09 380714086595501 5 Lincoln Spring Sequential duplicate 07/10/2002 .1 24.4 156 .18 17.4 
Table 5. Quality-assurance data for water-quality samples collected at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02.—

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; mg/L, milligram per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; E, estimated value; < , less tha

P, phosphorus; -- , not measured or determined; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; C, carbon; E. coli, Escherichia coli; mL, milliliter; K, non-ideal colony count; all concentrations repo

except when noted]

USGS 

stationidentification 

number

Site 

number 

(figs. 3 

and 4)

Site 

name

Qualityassurance 

sample type

Date 

sampled 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Arsenic, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Cadmium, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Chromium, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Copper, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Iron, 

dissolved 

(∝g/L)

380701086595801 1 Stock pond Equipment 

blank

07/10/2002 <2 <0.1 <0.8 <1 <10 

380707086595001 3 Parking-lot 

runoff

Equipment 

blank

11/29/2001 <2 <.1 <.8 1.7 <10 

380707086595001 3 Parking-lot 

runoff

Equipment 

blank

03/26/2002 <2 <.1 <.8 <1 <10 

380707086595101 4 Unnamed 

ditch

Sequential 

duplicate

11/29/2001 E2 <.1 E.5 2.3 188 

380707086595101 4 Unnamed 

ditch 

Sequential 

duplicate

03/26/2002 <2 <.1 E.5 1.5 127 

380714086595501 5 Lincoln 

Spring

Sequential 

duplicate

07/10/2002 <2 <.1 <.8 10.7 28 
Table 5. Quality-assurance data for water-quality samples collected at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02.—

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; mg/L, milligram per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; E, estimated value; < , less tha

P, phosphorus; -- , not measured or determined; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; C, carbon; E. coli, Escherichia coli; mL, milliliter; K, non-ideal colony count; all concentrations repo

except when noted]

USGS station- identification number Site number (figs. 3 and 4) Site name Quality- assurance sample type Date sampled (mm/dd/yyyy) Nickel, total (∝g/L) Selenium, total (∝g/L) Silver, total (∝g/L) Zinc, total (∝g/L) Petroleum hydrocarbons, total (mg/L) 

380701086595801 1 Stock pond Equipment blank 07/10/2002 <70 <2 <7 <20 2 380707086595001 3 Parking-lot runoff Equipment blank 11/29/2001 -- <2 -- <20 <2 380707086595001 3 Parking-lot runoff Equipment blank 03/26/2002 <70 <2 <7 <20 <2 380707086595101 4 Unnamed ditch Sequential duplicate 11/29/2001 -- E1 -- <20 <2 380707086595101 4 Unnamed ditch Sequential duplicate 03/26/2002 <70 <2 <7 <20 <2 380714086595501 5 Lincoln Spring Sequential duplicate 07/10/2002 <70 <2 <7 <20 2 
Table 5. Quality-assurance data for water-quality samples collected at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near 

Lincoln City, Indiana, 2001–02.—Continued

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; mg/L, milligram per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; E, estimated value; < , less than; SiO2, silica; N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; -- , not measured or determined; 

∝g/L, microgram per liter; C, carbon; E. coli, Escherichia coli; mL, milliliter; K, non-ideal colony count; all concentrations reported are as dissolved constituents except when noted]

USGS 

stationidentification 

number

Site 

number 

(figs. 3 

and 4)

Site 

name

Qualityassurance 

sample type

Date 

sampled 

(mm/dd/yyyy) 

E. coli 

bacteria 

(colonies/100 mL)

380701086595801 1 Stock pond Filter blank 07/10/2002 0380701086595801 1 Stock pond Field blank 07/10/2002 0380714086595501 5 Lincoln Spring Sequential duplicate 07/10/2002 K3380714086595501 5 Lincoln Spring Filter blank 07/10/2002 0380714086595501 5 Lincoln Spring Process blank 07/10/2002 0
Table 6. Surface-water-quality characteristic and bacteria data from sites near the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 1

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; ft3/s, cubic foot per second; NTU, nephelometric turbidity unit; mg/L, milligram per 

centimeter; °C, degree Celsius; E. coli, Escherichia coli; mL, milliliter; N/A, not applicable; N/R, not reported; -- , not measured or determined; SR, State Road; K, non-ideal co

USGS station- identification number Site name (this report and other published reports) Data source1 Date(s) sampled (mm/dd/yyyy) Time sampled (hhmm) Discharge (ft3/s) Turbidity (NTU) Dissolved oxygen (mg/L) pH, field (standard units) Speci

condu

ance (∝S/c

N/A Site 260 (Little Pigeon Creek near East 1000 Road) (1) 03/12-21/1979 N/R -- -- -- 6.8 340 N/A Site 273 (Little Pigeon Creek near SR 245) (1) 03/12-21/1979 N/R -- -- 8.8 6.8 510 N/A Site 274 (Crooked Creek near SR 162) (1) 03/12-21/1979 N/R -- -- 9.1 7.0 440 N/A Site 277 (Buckhorn Creek near US Highway 231) (1) 03/12-21/1979 N/R -- -- 9.5 6.3 270 380338087054900 Site 267 (Little Pigeon Creek near Tennyson) (1) 03/12-21/1979 N/R -- -- -- 6.2 280 380338087054900 Site 267 (Little Pigeon Creek near Tennyson) (1) 05/31/1979 1200 5.1 -- 3.5 7.4 580 380338087054900 Site 267 (Little Pigeon Creek near Tennyson) (2) 10/17/1979 0830 -- -- 6.0 6.7 570 
Table 6. Surface-water-quality characteristic and bacteria data from sites near the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 1

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; ft3/s, cubic foot per second; NTU, nephelometric turbidity unit; mg/L, milligram per 

centimeter; °C, degree Celsius; E. coli, Escherichia coli; mL, milliliter; N/A, not applicable; N/R, not reported; -- , not measured or determined; SR, State Road; K, non-ideal co

1Data references: (1) Renn and others, 1980. (2) Renn, 1983. (3) Silcox and others, 2002.

380317086541801 Site 34 (Crooked Creek 

at SR 245 at Lamar)

(3) 07/12/2000 0925 -- 52 1.3 7.0 462 

380317086541801 Site 34 (Crooked Creek 

at SR 245 at Lamar)

(3) 07/19/2000 0900 -- 90 2.9 7.2 549 

380317086541801 Site 34 (Crooked Creek 

at SR 245 at Lamar)

(3) 07/26/2000 0950 -- 45 2.3 7.2 736 

380317086541801 Site 34 (Crooked Creek 

at SR 245 at Lamar)

(3) 08/02/2000 0950 -- 33 8.8 7.6 513 

380317086541801 Site 34 (Crooked Creek 

at SR 245 at Lamar)

(3) 08/09/2000 1010 -- 68 2.8 6.9 357 

03304055 Site 35 (Little Pigeon Creek 

at SR 161 at Midway)

(3) 07/12/2000 0835 -- 20 4.3 7.5 1,800 

03304055 Site 35 (Little Pigeon Creek 

at SR 161 at Midway)

(3) 07/19/2000 0815 -- 27 4.7 7.6 2,000 

03304055 Site 35 (Little Pigeon Creek 

at SR 161 at Midway)

(3) 07/26/2000 0855 -- 20 5.6 7.6 2,000 

03304055 Site 35 (Little Pigeon Creek 

at SR 161 at Midway)

(3) 08/02/2000 0905 -- 59 4.2 6.8 391 

03304055 Site 35 (Little Pigeon Creek 

at SR 161 at Midway)

(3) 08/09/2000 0910 -- 210 5.4 6.8 302 

USGS 

stationidentification 

number

Site name 

(this report and other 

published reports)

Data 

source1

Date(s) 

sampled 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Time 

sampled 

(hhmm)

Discharge 

(ft3/s)

Turbidity 

(NTU)

Dissolved 

oxygen 

(mg/L)

pH, field 

(standard 

units)

Specif

condu

ance 

(∝S/cm
Table 7. Surface-water-quality data from sites near the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 1979.

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; mg/L, milligram per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; SiO2, silica; N, nitrogen; P, ph

determined; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; < , less than; M, presence verified but not quantified; all concentrations reported are as dissolved constituents, except when noted] 

USGS station- identification number Site name (this report and other published reports) Data source1 Date sampled (mm/dd/yyyy) Time sampled (hhmm) Hardness (mg/L as CaCO3) Calcium, dissolved (mg/L) Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L) Potassium, dissolved (mg/L) 

380338087054900 Site 267 (Little Pigeon Creek near Tennyson) (1) 05/31/1979 1200 210 54 18 4.5 380338087054900 Site 267 (Little Pigeon Creek near Tennyson) (2) 10/17/1979 0830 170 41 16 4.2 

USGS station-identification number Site name (this report and other published reports) Data source1 Date sampled (mm/dd/yyyy) Chloride, dissolved (mg/L) Fluoride, dissolved (mg/L) Silica, dissolved (mg/L as SiO2) Sulfate, dissolved (mg/L) Nitrite plu

nitrate, dissolved (mg/L as N

380338087054900 Site 267 (Little Pigeon Creek near Tennyson) (1) 05/31/1979 23 0.2 5.4 170 0.96 380338087054900 Site 267 (Little Pigeon Creek near Tennyson) (2) 10/17/1979 27 .2 11 130 4.9 
Table 7. Surface-water-quality data from sites near the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City, Indiana, 1979.—Continued

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mm/dd/yyyy, month/day/year; hhmm, hours and minutes; mg/L, milligram per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; SiO2, silica; N, nitrogen; P, ph

determined; ∝g/L, microgram per liter; < , less than; M, presence verified but not quantified; all concentrations reported are as dissolved constituents, except when noted] 

1Data references: 

(1) Renn and others, 1980.(2) Renn, 1983.

USGS 

station-identification 

number

Site name 

(this report and other 

published reports)

Data 

source1

Date 

sampled 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Arsenic, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Cadmium, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Chromium, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Copper, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Iron, 

dissolved 

(∝g/L)

L

t

(∝

380338087054900 Site 267 (Little Pigeon 

Creek near Tennyson)

(1) 05/31/1979 1 <2 <10 M 30 

380338087054900 Site 267 (Little Pigeon 

Creek near Tennyson)

(2) 10/17/1979 4 0 20 M 50 

USGS 

station-identification 

number

Site name 

(this report and other 

published reports)

Data 

source1

Date 

sampled 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Nickel, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Selenium, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Zinc, 

total 

(∝g/L)

Organic 

carbon, 

total 

(mg/L)

Suspended 

sediment 

(mg/L)

380338087054900 Site 267 (Little Pigeon 

Creek near Tennyson)

(1) 05/31/1979 -- <1 -- 10 --

380338087054900 Site 267 (Little Pigeon 

Creek near Tennyson)

(2) 10/17/1979 M 0 10 5.4 26