Michael Moran

Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research CenterSouthwest Biological Science CenterTWG WebinarOctober 10, 2018

Lake Powell Water Quality Progr

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
~ rand Canyon Monitoring and Research 

Center Water-Quality Program Review 

Paneltsts: 

Stephen Hamilton, Professor, Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University 

Chris ~ Environmental Consultant, Littleton. co. 

Edward Stets, Research Ecologist USGS Kristin ~ Assistant Professor, ~IJXlmomgolill Science, Dickinson Ql)Jm 

Todd Ile.Jim Regional Water Quality Manager, Southern Nevada Water Authority 

Summary of re view panel comments 

The panel was impressed with the monitoring program and the dedication of the staff from 

multiple government agencies who have worked together to maintain the program in the 

face of daunting logistical challenges and bare-minimum funding. The long-term data 

record is invaluable for understanding how the linked Lake Powell-Grand Canyon 

Ecosystem functions, how management of the dam may affect ecosystem functions, values 

and services both above and below the dam, and how future changes in climate and runoff 

regimes may impose changes on the ecosystem. 

Water Quality Review

 Grand Canyon Monitoring & Research Center held a rev

water-quality program on October 24-26, 2017 in Page, A

 The review included presentations, discussions, and field  A report summarizing the conclusions and recommendat

the expert panel was received by the GCMRC on June 4

• Recommendation

to 4 questions popanel

• The panel also m

recommendationdata managemen
Major Recommendations

 Improved data management is a 

high priority and will facilitate using historical data

 Quality Assurance/Quality Control, 

especially of the SeaBird data, needs to be improved

 Data from an additional 

meteorological station, thermistor string, or other automated sampling would be helpful 
science for a changing world 

Major Recommendations

 The number of stations sampled 

during quarterly trips should be streamlined

 Continue to evaluate the role 

phosphorus plays in the ecology of Lake Powell and downstream

 CE‐QUAL W2 model seems to be 

adequate but could be improved with better meterological and 

temperature data
Search for Sites W

Sites with real-time or recen

~::=~~~--J quality data. 

Descriptive site information 

._ ______ _, data for individual sites. 

Map of all sites with links to 

Frequent Searches By 

Water flow and levels in stre

Water levels in wells. 

Chemical and physical data 

other sites. 

Water use information. 

Data Quality Ass

Quality Contro

Major Recommendations

 Recommend using an existing, 

national data repository for storing water quality data such as:

• NWIS (USGS database) • WQX (EPA database) • BioData (for plankton and other 

biological data)

 Developing metadata Identifying all data sources

• Screen data for inclusion

 Document QA/QC procedures
Implementation of Recommendation

Some things GCMRC and BOR are starting to consider: Cross-check dissolved oxygen and temperature measu

made with Seabird

 pH calibration of Seabird prior to each sampling event t

for drift

 Increased vertical resolution of sampling at Wahweap Deployed new thermistor string  Laboratory analyses now include Total Dissolved Phosp Freezing chlorophyll samples Improved data management and serving Purchasing benchtop pH meter for field pH measureme Adding phosphorus to sampling gages in tributaries
Questions?