Post on 13-Apr-2017
The Great Rivers Ecological Observatory Network (GREON) for monitoring water
quality in the Upper Mississippi River Basin
Soil and Water Conservation Society 2016 Annual MeetingLouisville, KY
July 25‐27, 2016
John Sloan, Ted Kratschmer,Miles Corcoran, Rachael Van Essen
USGS 05583000Sangamon Rivernear Oakford, IL
‐ Gage height‐ Discharge
GREON Mission and Strategy• Mission:
– To advance the science and understanding of large‐floodplain river ecology by collecting and sharing high resolution data on key water quality parameters with scientists, managers, and the general public.
• Strategy: – To work with partners from academic institutions, government agencies, and NGOs to create a global network of identical water quality monitoring platforms that will be deployed both in fixed monitoring locations and in mobile/short term research deployments.
Current Key Collaborators
• USGS ‐ Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC)
• Missouri Department of Conservation• US Army corps of Engineers• City of Decatur
Pontoon for In‐Situ Characterization of
Environmental Sysytems(PISCES)YSI, Inc.
Sampling parameters• Temperature• Dissolved Oxygen (Optical)• Specific Conductance• Turbidity• Chlorophyll / Blue Green Algae• Nitrate Satlantic (In Situ Ultraviolet
Spectroscopy)
• Fluorescing Dissolved Organic Matter (fDOM)
1+ hour sample interval
Cycle PO4 Sensor
Meteorological Data
• Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)• Wind speed and direction• Precipitation • Temperature• Relative humidity• Barometric pressure• Hail hits
Pontoon for In‐Situ Characterization of Environmental Sysytems (PISCES)
Ellis Bay Alton, IllinoisMS River Backwater
Clark Bridge Alton, IllinoisMS River Main Channel
GREON Sites
1. La Crosse, WI (main channel)2. Stoddard, WI (backwater)3. Alton, IL (main channel)4. Alton, IL (backwater)5. Decatur, IL (Reservoir)6. Carlyle, IL (Reservoir)7. Cape Girardeau, MO (main
channel)
Chlorophyll: GREON vs LTRM in Pool 8 of Mississippi River
Backwater (Stoddard)
Day of Year
140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300
Chl
mg/
L
0
5
10
15
20
25
30GREONLTRM fixed site
Main Channel
Day of Year
140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320
Chl
mg/
L
0
20
40
60
80
100
GREONLTRM fixed site
Periodic Problems
• Inadequate Power during short, overcast days.• Moisture/water in sensor housing.
– Wave action (large reservoirs)
• Dirty optics on SUNA nitrate sensor.• Loss of communication with sensors• Debris damage• Unattached from anchor; “absconding”
Future Directions
• Move Cape Girardeau buoy to side channel• Install fixed station in Alton, IL• Collaborate with YSI to test new sensors• Proposal submitted for work in Saskatchewan• Maintain quality data and continue to adapt to new research needs
Acknowledgements
Questions?