Urban Water Quality Monitoring in Johnson County Kansas Active
Johnson County, a suburban part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, is one of the most populated counties in Kansas with 544,000 people in 2010, a 21 percent increase in population since 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Located in northeastern Kansas, about one-half of the county is urban. Urban, industrial, and agricultural land uses affect the quality of streams and lakes in the county. Water-quality impairments related to excessive nutrients, sediment, and bacteria have been identified by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Since 2002, the USGS has conducted several past and ongoing studies related to hydrology and stream quality. Analysis of the data obtained from these studies is being used to better understand streamflow characteristics such as flooding and urban hydrology and factors that affect water quality and ecosystem health. In addition, these studies identify current and changing conditions and help municipalities address regulatory requirements related to the Clean Water Act.
Streams in Johnson County in northeast Kansas are important for human and environmental health, water supply, recreation, and aesthetic value. Rapid population growth and urbanization in Johnson County has affected stream quality. Urbanization results in more residential, commercial, and industrial developments, and generally affects streams by altering hydrology, geomorphology, chemistry, and biology. These changes affect aquatic communities. Contamination entering streams in rural and urban areas can originate from point sources (such as wastewater treatment discharges) and nonpoint sources (such as stormwater runoff, leaking sewer lines, septic tanks, and atmospheric deposition).
Results from these studies are used to define current water-quality conditions, understand variability in conditions, evaluate effects of urbanization, develop effective water-quality management plans, document changes in water quality, and evaluate conditions relative to total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements, and water-quality standards.
Monitoring Water Quality to Assess Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) are water-quality criteria that originate from national recommended criteria (US EPA) and state water-quality standards (Kansas Department of Health and Environment). In Johnson County, most water-quality impairment is caused by excessive nutrients, sediment, and fecal bacteria. This project monitors water-quality constituents in stormwater that are regulated by TMDLs in Johnson County streams and lakes and evaluates the utility of the monitoring data in assessing water-quality improvements. Water-quality samples are being collected at 26 sites and analyzed for nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), sediment, and E.coli bacteria.
Assessment of Streamflow Alteration in Johnson County Streams
Alteration of the natural streamflow regime, or hydromodification, is a primary factor affecting stream health in urban areas and is potentially a major cause of ecological stream impairments. This study will quantify hydromodification in selected watersheds, identify streamflow metrics that may have important implications for stream quality, and develop tools for monitoring streamflow changes that may be used to evaluate management practices that affect streamflow.
Effects of Wastewater Discharge and Treatment Facility Upgrades on Stream Quality
The effects of wastewater effluent discharge on stream quality were assessed in Indian Creek and in the Blue River during 2008-2014. Physical and chemical conditions were evaluated using previously and newly collected discrete and continuous data. Conditions were compared with an assessment of biological community composition and ecosystem function along the upstream-downstream gradient to understand the potential effects of wastewater effluent on water quality, biological community structure, and ecosystem function.
Evaluation of Water Quality of Johnson County Streams
Water quality of Johnson County streams was evaluated during 2002-2010 to describe water quality in streams throughout Johnson County; identify contaminant source areas; assess biological conditions in relation to environmental variables; evaluate the effects of urbanization; and estimate water-quality constituent concentrations, loads, and yields.
Types of data collected for evaluation included streamflow, water chemistry (discrete and continuous data), streambed sediment chemistry, benthic macroinvertebrates, periphyton (algae), habitat measurements, and land-use information. Constituents analyzed in water and sediment were suspended sediment, dissolved solids and major ions, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), indicator bacteria (E.coli), pesticides, and organic wastewater and pharmaceutical compounds. This information is used to define current water-quality conditions, document changes in water quality, and evaluate effects of urbanization.
Sediment Transport to Streams and Lakes in Johnson County
Sediment transport was studied during 2006-2008 to better understand the effects of urbanization, construction activity, management practices, and impoundments on suspended-sediment concentrations and loads in Johnson County streams and lakes. This information is used to better understand where and at what scale impacts from landscape disturbance can be controlled to protect stream water quality and stream ecosystems.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Spatiotemporal variability of inorganic nutrients during wastewater effluent dominated streamflow conditions in Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas, 2012–15
Sediment oxygen demand in eastern Kansas streams, 2014 and 2015
Effects of wastewater effluent discharge on stream quality in Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas
Effects of wastewater effluent discharge and treatment facility upgrades on environmental and biological conditions of Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas, June 2004 through June 2013
Model documentation for relations between continuous real-time and discrete water-quality constituents in Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas, June 2004 through May 2013
Water-quality variability and constituent transport and processes in streams of Johnson County, Kansas, using continuous monitoring and regression models, 2003-11
Quality of streams in Johnson County, Kansas, 2002--10
Effects of urbanization, construction activity, management practices, and impoundments on suspended-sediment transport in Johnson County, northeast Kansas, February 2006 through November 2008
Effects of wastewater effluent discharge and treatment facility upgrades on environmental and biological conditions of the upper Blue River, Johnson County, Kansas and Jackson County, Missouri, January 2003 through March 2009
Quality of Streams in Johnson County, Kansas, and Relations to Environmental Variables, 2003-07
Transport and sources of suspended sediment in the Mill Creek Watershed, Johnson County, Northeast Kansas, 2006-07
Stormwater runoff: What it is and why it is important in Johnson County, Kansas
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Johnson County, a suburban part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, is one of the most populated counties in Kansas with 544,000 people in 2010, a 21 percent increase in population since 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Located in northeastern Kansas, about one-half of the county is urban. Urban, industrial, and agricultural land uses affect the quality of streams and lakes in the county. Water-quality impairments related to excessive nutrients, sediment, and bacteria have been identified by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Since 2002, the USGS has conducted several past and ongoing studies related to hydrology and stream quality. Analysis of the data obtained from these studies is being used to better understand streamflow characteristics such as flooding and urban hydrology and factors that affect water quality and ecosystem health. In addition, these studies identify current and changing conditions and help municipalities address regulatory requirements related to the Clean Water Act.
Streams in Johnson County in northeast Kansas are important for human and environmental health, water supply, recreation, and aesthetic value. Rapid population growth and urbanization in Johnson County has affected stream quality. Urbanization results in more residential, commercial, and industrial developments, and generally affects streams by altering hydrology, geomorphology, chemistry, and biology. These changes affect aquatic communities. Contamination entering streams in rural and urban areas can originate from point sources (such as wastewater treatment discharges) and nonpoint sources (such as stormwater runoff, leaking sewer lines, septic tanks, and atmospheric deposition).
Results from these studies are used to define current water-quality conditions, understand variability in conditions, evaluate effects of urbanization, develop effective water-quality management plans, document changes in water quality, and evaluate conditions relative to total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements, and water-quality standards.
Monitoring Water Quality to Assess Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) are water-quality criteria that originate from national recommended criteria (US EPA) and state water-quality standards (Kansas Department of Health and Environment). In Johnson County, most water-quality impairment is caused by excessive nutrients, sediment, and fecal bacteria. This project monitors water-quality constituents in stormwater that are regulated by TMDLs in Johnson County streams and lakes and evaluates the utility of the monitoring data in assessing water-quality improvements. Water-quality samples are being collected at 26 sites and analyzed for nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), sediment, and E.coli bacteria.
Assessment of Streamflow Alteration in Johnson County Streams
Alteration of the natural streamflow regime, or hydromodification, is a primary factor affecting stream health in urban areas and is potentially a major cause of ecological stream impairments. This study will quantify hydromodification in selected watersheds, identify streamflow metrics that may have important implications for stream quality, and develop tools for monitoring streamflow changes that may be used to evaluate management practices that affect streamflow.
Effects of Wastewater Discharge and Treatment Facility Upgrades on Stream Quality
The effects of wastewater effluent discharge on stream quality were assessed in Indian Creek and in the Blue River during 2008-2014. Physical and chemical conditions were evaluated using previously and newly collected discrete and continuous data. Conditions were compared with an assessment of biological community composition and ecosystem function along the upstream-downstream gradient to understand the potential effects of wastewater effluent on water quality, biological community structure, and ecosystem function.
Evaluation of Water Quality of Johnson County Streams
Water quality of Johnson County streams was evaluated during 2002-2010 to describe water quality in streams throughout Johnson County; identify contaminant source areas; assess biological conditions in relation to environmental variables; evaluate the effects of urbanization; and estimate water-quality constituent concentrations, loads, and yields.
Types of data collected for evaluation included streamflow, water chemistry (discrete and continuous data), streambed sediment chemistry, benthic macroinvertebrates, periphyton (algae), habitat measurements, and land-use information. Constituents analyzed in water and sediment were suspended sediment, dissolved solids and major ions, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), indicator bacteria (E.coli), pesticides, and organic wastewater and pharmaceutical compounds. This information is used to define current water-quality conditions, document changes in water quality, and evaluate effects of urbanization.
Sediment Transport to Streams and Lakes in Johnson County
Sediment transport was studied during 2006-2008 to better understand the effects of urbanization, construction activity, management practices, and impoundments on suspended-sediment concentrations and loads in Johnson County streams and lakes. This information is used to better understand where and at what scale impacts from landscape disturbance can be controlled to protect stream water quality and stream ecosystems.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 20Spatiotemporal variability of inorganic nutrients during wastewater effluent dominated streamflow conditions in Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas, 2012–15
Nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, are a leading cause of water-quality impairment in Kansas and the Nation. Indian Creek is one of the most urban drainage basins in Johnson County, Kansas, and environmental and biological conditions are affected by contaminants from point and other urban sources. The Johnson County Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin (hereinafter Middle Basin) wastewaterAuthorsGuy M. Foster, Jennifer L. Graham, Thomas J. Williams, Lindsey R. KingSediment oxygen demand in eastern Kansas streams, 2014 and 2015
Dissolved oxygen concentrations in streams are affected by physical, chemical, and biological factors in the water column and streambed, and are an important factor for the survival of aquatic organisms. Sediment oxygen demand (SOD) rates in Kansas streams are not well understood. During 2014 and 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,AuthorsGuy M. Foster, Lindsey R. King, Jennifer L. GrahamEffects of wastewater effluent discharge on stream quality in Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas
Contaminants from point and other urban sources affect stream quality in Indian Creek, which is one of the most urban drainage basins in Johnson County, Kansas. The Johnson County Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin and Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facilities discharge to Indian Creek. Data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Johnson County Wastewater, during June 2004 thAuthorsJennifer L. Graham, Guy M. FosterEffects of wastewater effluent discharge and treatment facility upgrades on environmental and biological conditions of Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas, June 2004 through June 2013
Indian Creek is one of the most urban drainage basins in Johnson County, Kansas, and environmental and biological conditions of the creek are affected by contaminants from point and other urban sources. The Johnson County Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin (hereafter referred to as the “Middle Basin”) and Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) discharge to Indian Creek. In summer 2010,AuthorsJennifer L. Graham, Mandy L. Stone, Teresa J. Rasmussen, Guy M. Foster, Barry C. Poulton, Chelsea R. Paxson, Theodore D. HarrisModel documentation for relations between continuous real-time and discrete water-quality constituents in Indian Creek, Johnson County, Kansas, June 2004 through May 2013
Johnson County is the fastest growing county in Kansas, with a population of about 560,000 people in 2012. Urban growth and development can have substantial effects on water quality, and streams in Johnson County are affected by nonpoint-source pollutants from stormwater runoff and point-source discharges such as municipal wastewater effluent. Understanding of current (2014) water-quality conditioAuthorsMandy L. Stone, Jennifer L. GrahamWater-quality variability and constituent transport and processes in streams of Johnson County, Kansas, using continuous monitoring and regression models, 2003-11
The population of Johnson County, Kansas increased by about 24 percent between 2000 and 2012, making it one of the most rapidly developing areas of Kansas. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program, began a comprehensive study of Johnson County streams in 2002 to evaluate and monitor changes in stream quality. The purpose of this report is toAuthorsTeresa Rasmussen, Jackline GatothoQuality of streams in Johnson County, Kansas, 2002--10
Stream quality in Johnson County, northeastern Kansas, was assessed on the basis of land use, hydrology, stream-water and streambed-sediment chemistry, riparian and in-stream habitat, and periphyton and macroinvertebrate community data collected from 22 sites during 2002 through 2010. Stream conditions at the end of the study period are evaluated and compared to previous years, stream biological cAuthorsTeresa J. Rasmussen, Mandy S. Stone, Barry C. Poulton, Jennifer L. GrahamEffects of urbanization, construction activity, management practices, and impoundments on suspended-sediment transport in Johnson County, northeast Kansas, February 2006 through November 2008
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Johnson County, Kansas, Stormwater Management Program, investigated the effects of urbanization, construction activity, management practices, and impoundments on suspended-sediment transport in Johnson County from February 2006 through November 2008. Streamgages and continuous turbidity sensors were operated at 15 sites within the urbanizing 57-sAuthorsCasey J. Lee, Andrew C. ZieglerEffects of wastewater effluent discharge and treatment facility upgrades on environmental and biological conditions of the upper Blue River, Johnson County, Kansas and Jackson County, Missouri, January 2003 through March 2009
The Johnson County Blue River Main Wastewater Treatment Facility discharges into the upper Blue River near the border between Johnson County, Kansas and Jackson County, Missouri. During 2005 through 2007 the wastewater treatment facility underwent upgrades to increase capacity and include biological nutrient removal. The effects of wastewater effluent on environmental and biological conditions ofAuthorsJennifer L. Graham, Mandy L. Stone, Teresa J. Rasmussen, Barry C. PoultonQuality of Streams in Johnson County, Kansas, and Relations to Environmental Variables, 2003-07
The quality of streams and relations to environmental variables in Johnson County, northeastern Kansas, were evaluated using water, streambed sediment, land use, streamflow, habitat, algal periphyton (benthic algae), and benthic macroinvertebrate data. Water, streambed sediment, and macroinvertebrate samples were collected in March 2007 during base flow at 20 stream sites that represent 11 differeAuthorsTeresa J. Rasmussen, Barry C. Poulton, Jennifer L. GrahamTransport and sources of suspended sediment in the Mill Creek Watershed, Johnson County, Northeast Kansas, 2006-07
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program, evaluated suspended-sediment transport and sources in the urbanizing, 57.4 mi2 Mill Creek watershed from February 2006 through June 2007. Sediment transport and sources were assessed spatially by continuous monitoring of streamflow and turbidity as well as sampling of suspended sediment at nine sitesAuthorsCasey J. Lee, Patrick P. Rasmussen, Andrew C. Ziegler, Christopher C. FullerStormwater runoff: What it is and why it is important in Johnson County, Kansas
Stormwater runoff is a leading contributor to pollution in streams, rivers, and lakes in Johnson County, Kansas, and nationwide. Because stormwater runoff contains pollutants from many different sources, decreasing pollution from stormwater runoff is a challenging task. It requires cooperation from residents, businesses, and municipalities. An important step in protecting streams from stormwater pAuthorsTeresa J. Rasmussen, Heather C. Schmidt - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.