Water quality impacts due to agriculture and urban runoff in the middle Provo River, Utah

Presenter Information

Timothy Goodsell

Location

Eccles Conference Center

Event Website

http://water.usu.edu

Start Date

4-1-2014 6:10 PM

End Date

4-1-2014 6:15 PM

Description

Understanding the impact of population growth and urban development on the water quality is an important issue, especially in the rapidly growing arid states like Utah. Water chemistry is influenced by a variety of natural and anthropogenic processes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the water chemistry in the middle Provo River system, which is undergoing transition from agriculture- to urban-dominated landscape. Preliminary results show that concentrations of a variety of trace metals and salts increase by a factor of two or more along a short stretch of river that flows through Heber City. For this project, we will quantify the relative effects of agricultural and urban runoff on trace element (TE) and nutrient concentrations during storms, snowmelt, and irrigation return from storm drains and canals. Shallow groundwater samples will be compared to determine the role of hyporheic exchange in moderating TE and nutrient chemistry. With concentration and flow data, we can calculate loads from each source to compare to the river. This can help us estimate the contribution of groundwater. Knowing what each source contributes to the river will help develop methods of mitigation and control for future water quality in urbanizing areas. This presentation will discuss preliminary results from the study and outline plans for future work.

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Apr 1st, 6:10 PM Apr 1st, 6:15 PM

Water quality impacts due to agriculture and urban runoff in the middle Provo River, Utah

Eccles Conference Center

Understanding the impact of population growth and urban development on the water quality is an important issue, especially in the rapidly growing arid states like Utah. Water chemistry is influenced by a variety of natural and anthropogenic processes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the water chemistry in the middle Provo River system, which is undergoing transition from agriculture- to urban-dominated landscape. Preliminary results show that concentrations of a variety of trace metals and salts increase by a factor of two or more along a short stretch of river that flows through Heber City. For this project, we will quantify the relative effects of agricultural and urban runoff on trace element (TE) and nutrient concentrations during storms, snowmelt, and irrigation return from storm drains and canals. Shallow groundwater samples will be compared to determine the role of hyporheic exchange in moderating TE and nutrient chemistry. With concentration and flow data, we can calculate loads from each source to compare to the river. This can help us estimate the contribution of groundwater. Knowing what each source contributes to the river will help develop methods of mitigation and control for future water quality in urbanizing areas. This presentation will discuss preliminary results from the study and outline plans for future work.

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/runoff/2014/2014Posters/12