Delaware’s Non-TidalDelaware’s Non-TidalMonitoringMonitoring Update Update

for CY 2011for CY 2011

February 8, 2012February 8, 2012

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Monitoring SitesMonitoring Sites

Two sites in Two sites in Delaware:Delaware:

1.1. Nanticoke River Nanticoke River USGS - 01487000USGS - 01487000STORET – 304191STORET – 304191

2.2. Marshyhope Marshyhope CreekCreekUSGS - 01488500USGS - 01488500STORET - 302031STORET - 302031

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Monitoring SitesMonitoring Sites

NanticokeRiver

MarshyhopeCreek

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StatusStatus Monthly sampling started in Oct. 04Monthly sampling started in Oct. 04 Stations were upgraded to primary in Oct. Stations were upgraded to primary in Oct.

0505 Storm samples are sent to the USGS Storm samples are sent to the USGS

Kentucky lab for suspended Kentucky lab for suspended sediment/sand-fine particle analysis. The sediment/sand-fine particle analysis. The remaining parameters are analyzed by remaining parameters are analyzed by DNREC Environmental Laboratory DNREC Environmental Laboratory Services in Dover, DE.Services in Dover, DE.

The sampling protocol developed by the The sampling protocol developed by the Non-tidal workgroup is being followed.Non-tidal workgroup is being followed.

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The following parameters are The following parameters are analyzedanalyzed

at DNREC labat DNREC lab (or measured in (or measured in the field)the field) NutrientsNutrients

Total Phosphorus Total Phosphorus Soluble Ortho-Soluble Ortho-

phosphorusphosphorus Total Nitrogen Total Nitrogen Ammonia Nitrogen Ammonia Nitrogen Nitrite+Nitrate NNitrite+Nitrate N

Carbon and OrganicsCarbon and Organics Total Organic CarbonTotal Organic Carbon Dissolved Organic Dissolved Organic

CarbonCarbon Chlorophyll-a Chlorophyll-a BODBOD55, N-Inhib (CBOD), N-Inhib (CBOD) BODBOD2020, N-Inhib (CBOD, N-Inhib (CBOD) )

General Chemistry General Chemistry Dissolved oxygenDissolved oxygen Total Suspended SolidsTotal Suspended Solids AlkalinityAlkalinity ChlorideChloride HardnessHardness pHpH ConductivityConductivity SalinitySalinity TemperatureTemperature Secchi DepthSecchi Depth TurbidityTurbidity

BacteriaBacteria EnterococcusEnterococcus

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Sampling Performed Sampling Performed during 2011during 2011

Number of Number of Sampling Sampling

EventsEvents

GoalGoal CompletedCompleted

Base FlowBase Flow 1212 1212

StormflowStormflow 4-84-8 55

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ChallengesChallenges

Collection of required number of Collection of required number of storm samples is still a challenge. storm samples is still a challenge. However, we took some steps last However, we took some steps last year and as the result, we are doing year and as the result, we are doing better nowbetter now

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FundingFunding

Monitoring at the Non-tidal monitoring Monitoring at the Non-tidal monitoring sites in Delaware is supported by State sites in Delaware is supported by State General Fund and 106 Grant.General Fund and 106 Grant.

During last couple of years, we faced During last couple of years, we faced significant cuts in our monitoring significant cuts in our monitoring budget. However, it did not impact budget. However, it did not impact the Non-tidal monitoring programthe Non-tidal monitoring program

For 2012, we expect to be able to fully For 2012, we expect to be able to fully fund the Non-tidal monitoring.fund the Non-tidal monitoring.

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New Activity for CY 2012New Activity for CY 2012 We have recently signed a contract with We have recently signed a contract with

University of Delaware to relocate our high-University of Delaware to relocate our high-frequency water quality data analyzer (Aqulab by frequency water quality data analyzer (Aqulab by GreenSpan) from a site in the Inland Bays to GreenSpan) from a site in the Inland Bays to Bridgeville site on the Nanticoke RiverBridgeville site on the Nanticoke River

We expect data analyzer to be installed and be We expect data analyzer to be installed and be ready for operation by early spring 2012ready for operation by early spring 2012

The Aqualab can be programmed to collect The Aqualab can be programmed to collect samples with high frequency (for example , every samples with high frequency (for example , every hour or every 2 hours) and analyze them for hour or every 2 hours) and analyze them for several water quality parameters (including several water quality parameters (including nutrients)nutrients)

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We plan to keep Aqualab at We plan to keep Aqualab at Bridgeville site for at least 2 yearsBridgeville site for at least 2 years

Data collected by Aqualab can be Data collected by Aqualab can be used to very accurately calculate used to very accurately calculate nutrients loadnutrients load

New Activity for CY 2012, New Activity for CY 2012, cont.cont.

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