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ELK RIVER BASIN MONITORING
The Elk River watershed is located in the extreme southwestern corner of Missouri. Increased agricultural, industrial, residential and recreational demands have raised concerns regarding the maintenance of water quality in this area. A five-year water quality study was conducted from 1989-1993 to develop baseline information on the region's water quality during runoff and non-runoff periods. The proposed project will continue gathering water quality data by monitoring several stations established during the 1989-July 2001 study, with collection events occurring at random hydrologic conditions 18 times/year.
Historical Data: A number of water quality studies concerning the Elk River basin have been undertaken since 1964. These reports are on file with the department's WPCP. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has a permanent monitoring location at the Tiff City Gauging Station on the Elk River. Records have been maintained on greater than 80 water quality parameters at this site from 1960 to the present.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Missouri Department of Conservation will use funding to support two workshops targeted at developers, builders and professionals in stormwater. The purpose is to introduce the methods and benefits of Best Management Practices (BMP's) to these professionals so they can incorporate these BMP's in future planning and development. Also, funding will be used to develop publications and information packets that support these workshops and also for use by others.
Study Area: The Elk River and Shoal Creek watersheds is located within Barry, McDonald and Newton counties in southwestern Missouri. The southernmost reaches of the watershed are located within the north Arkansas county of Benton. The watershed encompasses a total of 1600 square miles and has approximately 170 miles of permanently flowing streams. The major streams include Shoal Creek, Big Sugar Creek, Buffalo Creek, Elk River, Indian Creek, Little Sugar Creek and Lost Creek. Lost Creek, located in western Newton County, will not be considered in this study.
OBJECTIVES
A. Gather water quality information for the Elk River basin including:
(1) Seasonal water quality conditions of streams.
(2) The quality of the stream's water during normal flow.
(3) The quality of the stream's water during periods of high runoff.
(4) Stream areas influenced by nonpoint source runoff.
B. Determine whether changing land use patterns are altering or degrading surface water quality.
C. Assess the need for further water quality studies in the Elk River Basin.
D. Provide data for the development of nutrient TMDLs for streams in the Elk River basin in Missouri
PRODUCTS
The following analyses are being performed on the samples:
--Specific Conductance
--Temperature
--Nitrite and Nitrate Nitrogen
--Ammonia Nitrogen
--Total Phosphorus
--Fecal Coliform
--Fecal streptococcus
--Total Suspended Solids
In addition, comments concerning the general condition of the stream at each sampling station (i.e., relative discharge and water clarity) is made each sampling date. Data is being reported biannually in a tabular format; a summary of QA/QC information is accompanying the data.
The data from this study will be provided for the development of nutrient TMDLs for streams in the Elk River basin in Missouri.
PROJECT SPONSOR
Crowder College
COOPERATING AGENCIES
Missouri Department of Conservation
CONTACT
Crowder College
601 Laclede Avenue
Neosho MO 64850
Deron Allen 417-451-3583
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