Download River Monitoring Plan for 2012 - South Yuba River Citizens League

River Monitoring Program Plan
2012
Introduction......................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Background............................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Objectives, Methods and Reporting........................................................................................................................................... 2
Site Selection ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Monitoring Conventional Parameters ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Sampling and Testing of Special Parameters .......................................................................................................................... 6
Focused Projects .............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Attachment:
Table of Sites with Monitoring Schedule and Parameters of Interest
Introduction
The River Monitoring program of the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) will be collecting water
quality information for a twelfth consecutive year. The core activity of the program involves trained
volunteers visiting their adopted stream or river location in the Yuba River watershed once per month to
measure water quality conditions, carefully obtain samples, and record their activities and observations.
A total of sixty six monitoring sites have been established in the watershed, and up to 44 are visited
regularly. Many water quality parameters can be tested from samples, yet routine monitoring involves
the measurement of five: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and turbidity. As a result of
this program, much has been learned about conditions in the watershed, and yet some questions of
critical concern have only recently been articulated. The Monitoring Program is constrained by funds
and the logistics of coordination. The program is challenged to carefully apply limited resources to a
variety of program opportunities and objectives.
This monitoring plan provides rationale and guidance for which sites are visited, the frequency of
monitoring, and parameters being tested. The plan also provides a description of special monitoring
projects that SYRCL is prepared to implement in 2012, depending on funding and the availability of other
resources.
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Background
The River Monitoring program began in 2000 with funding by the State Water Resources Control Board
Proposition 204. The primary purpose was to assess the water quality conditions and trends within the
Yuba River Watershed. At the time, little was known about the toxic effects of intensively mined lands
or other sources of potential pollution that could be limiting water quality, impacting aquatic habitat, or
even threatening the health of people in contact with the Yuba River.
During the first four years of data collection (2001-2004), funds from the Water Board supported
intensive testing of many parameters, and the number of sites expanded from 26 to 40. Additionally, the
program expanded to include “streamwalk surveys” and “Yuba Watch” activities that involved photodocumenting activities in the watershed. This expansion involved additional stated objectives for the
program that recognized the role of volunteer monitors as special stewards of the watershed, and
educators within the community. In 2004, SYRCL received a grant to write a series of training manuals
for citizen groups to use in starting or improving similar programs.
The State of the Yuba Report (2006) provides the most complete assessment resulting from the
program. In addition, the 21st Century Assessment of the Yuba River Watershed (2010) provides a broad
look at conditions and issues of concern for the watershed, and provides a framework for beginning to
plan meaningful restoration activities, a process that can be informed by the monitoring program. These
documents can be found at yubariver.org/monitoring. Also, all data resulting from the program is
available at yubashed.org.
Objectives, Methods and Reporting
The primary objective of the monitoring program is to assess water quality conditions and trends that
can be used to inform conservation or management actions. Additional and more specific objectives are
provided below for each parameter and special project.
The Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP,) insures that data is collected and stored using the state
approved methodologies. The QAPP provides details on methods for water quality monitoring and is
maintained with the State Water Resources Control Board and in conjunction with a Technical Advisory
Committee consisting of SYRCL, Sierra Streams Institute, and Wolf Creek Community Alliance. This
group meets twice a year to present data and evaluate accuracy, precision and results in accordance
with objectives and plans. The group also meets once a year for inter-calibration of instruments.
At the end of the 2012 field season, SYRCL will produce an annual data quality report that evaluates the
quality of the data collected according to criteria in the QAPP. Additionally, the annual report will
summarize measurements for which values exceeded basin water quality objectives set by the Central
Valley State Water Resources Control Board. Annual reports of this type were completed for the 2010
and 2011 monitoring program years.
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Site Selection
Monthly sampling is the most feasible sampling frequency for obtaining regular samples from a large
group of volunteers. SYRCL’s program attempts to conduct all site visits for a month on a single
Monitoring Day (second Saturday) or within 1-2 days of that month in some cases of exception. The
attached Sites Table shows which sites are to be sampled for which months in 2012. The main
limitation in the number of sites to be visited is the number of instruments on hand for field
measurements. SYRCL has a maximum of 26 “bags” inclusive of all required field equipment. A greater
number of sites can be included in the monitoring plan because some bags/volunteers visit two sites,
and because some sites are selected for sampling every other month (bimonthly).
In preparation for 2012 monitoring each site was evaluated by criteria of water quality concerns,
proximity to other sites, cost to maintain (travel distance), and relation to specific monitoring objectives.
Some sites were placed on reserve (no planned visits) and some were moved from bimonthly to
monthly. Also, adjustments were made for more efficient pairing of sites. The following changes should
be noted for the 2012 field season:
Reserved Sites (pending further monitoring capacity):
Site 1 Union Flat-NY
Site 3 Below Fiddle Creek-NY
Site 59 Cherokee Creek-NYT
Site 64 Oregon Ravine- Deer Creek Tributary
Site 9 Foote’s Xing-MY
Site 27 Kanaka Creek-MYT
New Double Sites (Monthly):
Site 2 Below Downieville-NY and Site 4 Lavezzola Creek-NYT
Site 16 Parks Bar-LY and Site 47 Dry Creek-LYT
Site Visit Frequency Changes:
Site 56 Our House Dam-MY- Monthly Schedule (formerly May, July, Sept, Nov)
Site 10 Indian Springs-SY- Apr, June, Aug, Oct (formerly May, July, Sept, Nov)
Site 19 Jones Bar-SY; Site 35 Lwr Rush Creek-SYT-Apr, June, Aug, Oct (formerly May, July, Sept,
Nov)
Monitoring Conventional Parameters
All site visits include direct field measurements of pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and temperature.
Turbidity is measured in the office from a water sample using SYRCLs own equipment. These basic water
quality parameters provide insight into potential problems and help merit further targeted monitoring.
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Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved Oxygen is the amount of oxygen dissolved in water and is measured in micrograms per liter
(mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). River systems both consume and produce oxygen, and the vast
majority of aquatic organisms require oxygen to survive, grow, and reproduce. Certain species require
higher levels of dissolved oxygen, and without enough oxygen there can be a number of consequences
including but not limited to the death of adult and juvenile fish; changes in species present; and the
growth of toxic or smothering bacteria, fungi, or algae. The basin water quality objective set by the
Central Valley State Water Resources Control Board is that the dissolved oxygen levels shall not be
depressed below 7.0 mg/L. In 2011, there were a number of site visits that had dissolved oxygen results
that were less than 7.0 mg/L, but the two sites of most concern and that merit further investigation
were Site 14 Below Humbug Creek- SY and Site 39 Lake Van Norden- SY. Most of the site visits with
dissolved oxygen levels lower than 7.0 mg/L occurred on tributaries, but Site 14 and Site 39 are both on
the main stem of the South Yuba and should be further investigated in 2012. SYRCL monitors dissolved
oxygen using LaMotte Dissolved Oxygen kits and the Winkler Titration method.
pH
pH is a term used to indicate the alkalinity or acidity of a substance as ranked on a scale from 1.0 to
14.0. The pH scale measures the logarithmic concentration of hydrogen (H+) and hydroxide (OH-) ions,
which make up water (H+ + OH- = H2O). When both types of ions are in equal concentration, the pH is
7.0 or neutral. Below 7.0, the water is acidic (there are more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions); and
above 7.0, the water is alkaline, or basic (there are more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions). The
largest variety of aquatic organisms prefer a pH range of 6.5-8.0 and outside this range stream
biodiversity can be reduced due to physiological stress and reductions in reproduction. Low pH can also
allow toxic elements and compounds to be mobilized and available for uptake. The pH water quality
objective set by the SWRCB for the Central Valley states that the pH shall not be depressed below 6.5
nor raised above 8.5. Sites of concern that merit further pH investigation in 2012 include Site 14 Below
Humbug Creek-SY; Site 38 Plavada Bridge-SY and Site 60 Lower Castle Creek-SYT. A limited number of
pH instruments, limits the number of sites that can be included in a River Monitoring Day. SYRCL uses
Hanna pH meters and these meters need new electrodes every 6-12 months. Only 12 probes were
purchased for the 2012 river monitoring field season due to budgetary constraints, so not all pH
measurements will be done in the field. Monitors who are not sent with pH meters have to test their pH
from their turbidity samples when they return from the field. This is problematic because pH changes
with temperature and as carbon dioxide dissolves into the sample. However, this is the most feasible
plan SYRCL can currently employ, and associated data quality issues are being carefully addressed as
follows:
1. Limited pH meters are used at all sites with evidence for pH problems or with long travel times.
2. Sample bottles are kept cool and dark and measured immediately upon return to the office.
3. Sites with field measurements also have pH measured in sample bottles back in the office for
comparative purposes. The comparison is included in the annual data quality report.
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Conductivity
Conductivity is the ability of water to conduct an electrical current. Dissolved ions in the water are
conductors. The major positively charged ions are sodium (Na+) calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+) and
magnesium (Mg2+). The major negatively charged ions are chloride (Cl-), sulfate (SO4-2), carbonate
(CO3-2), and bicarbonate (HCO3-). Nitrates (NO3-2) and phosphates (PO4-3) are minor contributors to
conductivity, although very important biologically. Most aquatic biota tolerate a range of conductivity,
however the ionic composition of the water can be critical. The SWRCB does not have a water quality
objective for conductivity in the Yuba River, though conductivity can affect the quality of water used for
irrigation or drinking. SYRCL monitors conductivity with Oakton TDSTestrs at each site visit.
Water Temperature
Temperature is one of the most important water quality parameters and virtually all aquatic organisms
are dependent on certain temperature ranges for optimal health. If water temperatures occur outside
optimal ranges for a prolonged period of time, organisms can become stressed and die. Water
temperature also affects other water quality parameters. For instance as water temperatures increase,
the water’s capacity to hold dissolved oxygen goes down. The Yuba River is classified as a cold water
ecosystem, and the temperature water quality objective set by the SWRCB for the Central Valley is 20oC.
In 2011 there were a number of water temperature exceedances throughout the watershed, the ones of
most concern occurred at Site 14 Below Humbug Creek- SY; Site 15 Purdon Xing- SY; Site 33 BridgeportSY; Site 49 Above Poorman Creek- SY; and Site 56 Our House Dam-MY. These water quality exceedances
merit further investigation in 2012 because they are occurring on the main forks of the Yuba and not the
tributaries. SYRCL uses either digital thermometers or Hanna pH meters to measure water temperature
at each site visit.
Turbidity
Turbidity is a measure of water clarity. Turbidity is related to total suspended solids because the
amount of material suspended in the water affects the passage of light through the water and therefore
the clarity of the water. Turbidity is an important water quality parameter for a number of reasons.
Higher turbidity increases water temperatures as the suspended solids absorb more heat, which in turn
reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. Higher turbidity also reduces the amount of light
that penetrates the water, which reduces photosynthesis and the production of dissolved oxygen.
Suspended materials can also clog fish gills, lower growth rates, and affect egg and larval development.
High flows can cause significant increases in water turbidity and spikes in turbidity usually occur during
storm events because of runoff and greater sediment disturbance. Some South Yuba tributaries of
concern are Site 12 Humbug Creek; Site 21 Spring Creek; Site 25 Scotchman Creek; and Site 26 Shady
Creek. These tributaries have spikes in turbidity during storm events largely because of historical mining
practices that inundated these tributaries with sediment that gets disturbed and continues to erode off
the hillsides. SYRCL measures turbidity from samples brought back from the field with a 2020 La Motte
Turbidimeter.
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Sampling and Testing of Special Parameters
The following parameters require laboratory testing and the fees typically cost $20-$45 per parameter
per site, so with the exception of bacteria, none of these parameters are currently being monitored due
to the lack of available funds. SYRCL is able to test for bacteria at a limited number of sites during the
summer due to participating in the Central Valley Safe to Swim Study.
Bacteria
Naturally coliform bacteria are found in the environment, but fecal coliform bacteria which can be
found in human and animal feces can be used as indicators of possible sewage contamination. SYRCL in
the past has primarily tested Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination because E.coli is specific to humans
and other warm-blooded animals. Enterococcus, another type of fecal bacteria though not a coliform,
has also been tested. E.coli and Enterococcus by themselves are generally not harmful, but do indicate
the possible presence of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and protozoans that live in human and animal
digestive systems. Elevated levels of these bacteria can cause health problems and therefore pose risks
to people coming into contact with the water. Thus monitoring bacteria is important in order to
determine if it is safe to recreate in the water.
SYRCL does not have the funds to test bacteria at all sites, but will be participating in the SWRCB Central
Valley Safe to Swim Study for the fifth time this year. The purpose of the Safe to Swim Study is to
determine if high use swimming areas have safe levels of bacteria. In 2011, SYRCL monitored 8 sites for
E. coli and coliform at least once throughout the summer and some sites were also monitored for
Salmonella and Giardia. The final list of bacteria tests conducted in 2012 will depend on the monitoring
plan established by the state.
Nutrients
Nitrates and phosphates are essential plant nutrients, but in excess amounts they can cause significant
water quality problems. Excess nutrients can accelerate eutrophication or rather excessive algae
growth. When pollution results in higher algae and plant growth, pH levels may increase because
photosynthesis requires carbon dioxide, and the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide in the water will be
minimized therefore raising the pH. Changes in pH can also increase the solubility of nutrients making
them more available for plant growth. The dramatic increase in aquatic plant growth depletes dissolved
oxygen levels and can change the types of plants and animals that live in the stream. Excess nutrients
can cause hypoxia (low levels of dissolved oxygen) and nitrates can become toxic to warm-blooded
animals at higher concentrations (10 mg/L or higher) under certain conditions. SYRCL would like to
further analyze the implications of nutrients in the watershed if funding allows. Priority sites would be
those where algal blooms have been observed and which are downstream of areas of known
agricultural run-off.
Metals and other toxins
In the past SYRCL has tested for iron, copper, zinc, chromium, mercury, lead and arsenic. There are no
plans for this kind of testing in 2012. Metal ions naturally occur in low concentrations in fresh water and
certain concentrations of metals are required for biological processes. If metal ion concentrations are
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too high, they become toxic. The metals in the Yuba Watershed are largely a result not only of the
natural geology of the area, but also because of historical mining practices.
Total Suspended Solids
Suspended solids include silt and clay particles, plankton, algae, fine organic debris, and other
particulate matter. Suspended solids can act as transporters of toxins and heavy metals as well as
suffocate fish eggs and benthic organisms. Suspended solids can also affect water clarity. Human
sources of suspended solids include industrial discharges, sewage, fertilizers, road run off and soil
erosion; thus suspended solid measurements can help determine the effects of run off from
construction, agricultural practices, logging, housing developments, sewage treatment plant discharges
and other sources. Concentrations of suspended solids often spike during storm events. There are no
plans for testing total suspended solids at river monitoring sites in 2012.
Focused Projects
Quick Response Sampling
In the past, SYRCL maintained a “quick response team” that would mobilize and sample in response to
pollution events anywhere in the watershed. The purpose of the quick response sampling was to
capture time sensitive water quality impairments. This project has been inactive in recent years, but
could be re-initiated with funding for coordination.
Stormwater sampling
Monitoring storm events is important in order to characterize water quality during high flow periods.
The data collected can be used to detect areas in the watershed that pose water quality problems
during runoff conditions. There are multiple key parameters that can be tested during storm events.
Turbidity often increases dramatically during storm events especially when there are a lot of impervious
surfaces. The flow of storm water runoff from impervious surfaces rapidly increases stream velocity,
which increases the erosion rates of stream banks and channels. In the Yuba Watershed measuring
turbidity during runoff events is especially important on tributaries that are impacted from the legacy of
mining due to the large amounts of sediment being added to and disturbed in the streams.
Testing conductivity can also be useful during storm events because it can be an indicator of highly
mineralized mine drainage from abandoned mine sites. This discharge and subsequent increase in
conductivity is most likely to take place during storm events and would require at the minimum catching
peak storm events. Conductivity can also be increased due to the runoff of salts from roads during
storm events.
If laboratory tests were feasible it would also be good to test bacteria, nutrients, total suspended solids,
heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Heavy metals can be mobilized during storm events for a number of
reasons including but not limited to runoff from roads, the disturbance of sediment bound with heavy
metals, and drainage from abandoned mines. While testing turbidity is a good way to see the change in
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water clarity during storm events due to increased suspended solids, testing total suspended solids is
also important. Sediment alone is a major pollutant in water bodies, but can also have pollutants such
as heavy metals adsorbed to it. Runoff from storm events can also wash excess nutrients in the
environment from human activities into rivers and streams. Nutrients are important to test during
storm events because of their importance to biological systems and their impact on water quality if in
excess. Bacteria levels also tend to increase because of runoff and since bacteria can pose health risks
they are important to monitor. Hydrocarbons also increase because of runoff from roads and can be a
good storm event parameter to test.
If funding allows, SYRCL would like to set up a storm monitoring plan for the following sites: Site 12
Humbug Creek-SYT; Site 21 Spring Creek-SYT; Site 25 Scotchman Creek-SYT; and Site 26 Shady CreekSYT. These sites are of importance because they show spikes in turbidity during storm events that
noticeably impair the South Yuba River.
In collaboration with American Rivers, SYRCL helped monitor the storm water demonstration that was
constructed at the Nevada County Rood Administration Center. The bioswale and rain garden were
installed in the summer of 2010 and monitored in the rainy season of 2010/2011. The overall goal of
the project was to reduce overall runoff by increasing retention time and infiltration volumes, as well as
to reduce sediment and pollutant loads in parking lot runoff. Minimizing urban runoff is important for
limiting pollutant loading to downstream waterways.
Thermologgers
Beginning in 2007, SYRCL has deployed temperature loggers in late spring/early summer and retrieved
the loggers before winter. The purpose of the loggers is to obtain detailed empirical data on water
temperatures that can be used to characterize daily and weekly temperature variation. Monitoring
water temperature is important in the Yuba because it can help identify areas in the watershed where
temperature occurs outside suitable ranges and can be used to determine if beneficial uses (ie. Fish
habitat) are supported. SYRCL temperature data on the South Yuba River assisted in it being placed on
the 303d listing for temperature impaired water bodies. The sites where temperature loggers are being
deployed in 2012 are listed on the attached table.
Bioassessment
Biological indicators respond in predictable manners to stressors from human disturbance so monitoring
biological assemblages is an important way to monitor ecological health. From 2005-2010 SYRCL
sampled and evaluated benthic macroinvertebrates at 6-10 sites following state approved protocols.
This type of monitoring has been suspended due to insufficient funds for laboratory fees, and a need to
develop more specific objectives for ongoing monitoring. BMIs sampling at many sites in the watershed
is being conducted by water agencies for FERC relicensing. Other organizations are developing an index
of biological integrity (IBI) for Sierra streams which would be helpful in evaluating results.
SYRCL conducted algal bioassessment in 2008 using a pilot methodology, and then in 2009 using new
state-published standards. Algal communities can be good biological indicator of ecological health.
However, algal identification also required expensive laboratory fees, so this activity has also been
suspended pending funding and more refined objectives.
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Diel Conditions
Temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH can all fluctuate within a 24-hr period due to diel patterns in
sunlight and biological activity. Generally speaking SYRCL river monitors collect their water quality data
mid morning on the second Saturday of the month, thus the diel variations at each site are largely
missed. In order to capture more diel patterns 24-hr monitoring would have to take place. Depending
on available volunteers and other resources, SYRCL will conduct 24-hr sampling during the late summer
of 2012 at one or more sites (e.g. South Yuba at Langs Crossing) where algal blooms are observed.
Yuba Watershed Sensitive and Invasive Species Project
Launched in 2011, the goal of this project is to track the distribution of invasive species as well as
sensitive species of concern throughout the watershed. This project is still in its preliminary stages and
will continue to expand beyond just SYRCL river monitoring sites.
Acknowledgements
Funding to develop this plan and other River Monitoring Program products, including yubashed.org, has
been provided by a Proposition 84 grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. Over one hundred
volunteer monitors have contributed to the program over the years, and we are grateful to them all. The
sixty five current volunteer monitors are acknowledged in a display in the SYRCL office. Volunteers who
have made exceptional contributions to the program’s existing durability, oversight, and data quality
include Mike Anderson, Terry Armstrong, Ralph and Lisa Cutter, Mike Friebel, Rorie Gotham and Jim
Wofford. Lastly, we acknowledge the past River Monitoring Coordinators, who serving as Americorps,
have not only provided leadership to the program, but have left lasting contributions and powerful
examples of volunteer service: Jen Hemmert, Brooke Berger and Kaitlyn Hacker.
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