Sample and Analysis Plan for Evaluating Sediment and Biological …deq.wyoming.gov/media/attachments/Water Quality/Watershed... · 2018. 1. 31. · Sample and Analysis Plan for Evaluating

Sample and Analysis Plan

for Evaluating Sediment

and Biological Criteria in

the Shoshone River

2017

WYOMING DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WATER QUALITY DIVISION, WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM

JASON MARTINEAU, WY DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY | 2100 W. 5th St., Sheridan, WY 82801

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Table of Contents 1.0 SIGNATURE PAGE .................................................................................................................................... 3

2.0 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 4

3.0 BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................................................... 4

Figure 1 - Spatial relationship between suspended sediment and macroinvertebrate condition

according to the WSII developed for the Bighorn River. ...................................................................... 5

Figure 2 - Trout and total fish density based on single-pass electroshocking. ..................................... 6

4.0 OBJECTIVE ............................................................................................................................................... 7

5.0 CREDIBLE DATA ....................................................................................................................................... 7

6.0 SAMPLING ............................................................................................................................................... 7

6.1 Sample Design ..................................................................................................................................... 7

6.2 Sampling Personnel ............................................................................................................................. 8

6.3 Sampling Locations ............................................................................................................................. 8

Figure 3 - Map of Shoshone River sites. ................................................................................................ 9

Figure 4 - Map of project area from Buffalo Bill Reservoir to below Corbett Dam. ........................... 10

Figure 5 - Map of project area from below Corbett Dam to below Penrose Dam. ............................ 11

Figure 6 - Map of project area from below Penrose Dam to Bighorn Reservoir. ............................... 12

6.4 Parameters/Sampling Methods ........................................................................................................ 13

6.5 Sampling Schedule ............................................................................................................................ 15

6.6 Sample Labeling ................................................................................................................................ 15

7.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL (QA/QC) ............................................................................. 15

7.1 Chain of Custody ............................................................................................................................... 15

7.2 Blanks and Duplicates ....................................................................................................................... 15

7.3 Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) ........................................................................................................ 16

7.4 Equipment Calibration, Maintenance and Calibration Logs ............................................................. 17

7.5 Field Notes ........................................................................................................................................ 17

7.6 Corrective Action .............................................................................................................................. 17

7.7 Reconciliation with DQOs ................................................................................................................. 18

7.8 Field Audits ........................................................................................................................................ 18

8.0 LABORATORIES ...................................................................................................................................... 18

9.0 DATA ..................................................................................................................................................... 19

9.1 Data verification and Validation ....................................................................................................... 19

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9.2 Data Management ............................................................................................................................ 19

9.3 Data Archiving ................................................................................................................................... 19

9.4 Data Analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 20

9.5 Evaluation of Data ............................................................................................................................. 21

10.0 REPORTS .............................................................................................................................................. 21

11.0 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................ 21

Appendices .................................................................................................................................................. 22

APPENDIX A – Route Maps ..................................................................................................................... 23

APPENDIX B - Forms ................................................................................................................................ 28

Table 1 - Summary of site locations. ........................................................................................................... 13

Table 2 - Chemical and biological parameters to be collected at all sites. ................................................. 14

Table 3 - Blank and duplicate sample collection parameters and frequency. ............................................ 15

Table 4 - Data Quality Indicators. ............................................................................................................... 16

Table 5 - Field meter calibration, maintenance and logbook information. ................................................ 17

Table 6 - Summary of how data will be managed. ..................................................................................... 19

Table 7 - Summary of where and how data will be stored. ........................................................................ 19

Table 8 - Proposed analytical methods. ...................................................................................................... 20

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1.0 SIGNATURE PAGE

Signature/Date:

Name: Jeremy ZumBerge

Title/Organization: Monitoring and Assessment Supervisor

Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality

Signature/Date:

Name: Cathy Norris

Title/Organization: QA/QC Program Coordinator


Signature/Date:

Name: Jason Martineau

Title/Organization: Natural Resource Analyst (Project Manager)


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2.0 INTRODUCTION This Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) has been prepared for the Wyoming Department of Environmental

Quality (WDEQ) to serve as a guide for personnel conducting the water quality monitoring of the Shoshone

River. The SAP outlines why data will be collected, how data will be collected and analyzed, how data

quality will be assured, and how data will be stored. Ultimately, this SAP should provide internal concensus

about whether data will fulfill credible data requirements.

3.0 BACKGROUND In April, 2007, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) personnel received a citizen

complaint regarding the discharge of a large amount of sediment to the Shoshone River from Iron Creek.

Iron Creek is impounded during the irrigation season at its confluence of Corbett Tunnel. At the conclusion

of the irrigation season, the impounded water, along with much of the sediment that has accumulated

over the summer, is released through a headgate to the Shoshone River a short distance downstream.

The headgate remains open during the winter and spring eroding the deposited sediment.

In June 2007, in response to concerns issued by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD)

regarding a negative trend in the fishery possibly associated with turbidity and/or suspended sediment, a

joint WGFD/WDEQ tour of the Shoshone River watershed was completed and preparations were made

for an assessment of the segment from Buffalo Bill Dam to Willwood Dam beginning in August, 2008. Both

agencies had observed seasonal variation in turbidity of Shoshone River tributaries contrary to

expectations. Generally, turbidity increases during runoff events and decreases during dry periods, but

tributaries to the Shoshone River are turbid in dry conditions.

In October 2007, WDEQ personnel received a citizen complaint concerning a sediment release from the

Willwood Dam on the Shoshone River to its tailwaters resulting in a large fish kill. The Willwood Dam was

constructed in 1927 to divert water for irrigation on 11,400 acres in Park and Big Horn Counties as part of

a Bureau of Reclamation project. Operation and maintenance of the dam was turned over to the Willwood

Irrigation District (WID), an organization with considerably fewer resources, in 1949. Ultimately, it was

learned that operation of the aging structure is complicated by the fact that only one of three sluice gates

is functioning properly and accumulating sediment has completely buried the two inoperable sluice gates.

The fluctuating releases through the sole operational sluice gate appear to be the source of violations of

WDEQ’s turbidity standard below the dam. A rehabilitation and GIS study was completed for the Willwood

Dam in 2009 by the Wyoming Water Development Commission. The study identified many concerns

regarding the structural integrity of the facility, all costly fixes. New interim operating criteria were agreed

upon between the WDEQ and WID in 2011 addressing operational details and communication between

the two entities with regard to affects from Willwood dam on Shoshone River turbidity.

In August 2008, personnel from the Sheridan WDEQ office were accompanied by WGFD personnel on a

float of the Shoshone River from Cody downstream to the Willwood Dam to visually identify the major

contributors of sediment. Based on observations from the float, monitoring sites were selected at the

mouth of Sulphur Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Sage Creek, Dry Creek, Buck Creek and six sites along the

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mainstem of the Shoshone River. Water chemistry samples were collected seasonally (spring, late summer

and fall) at all sites in 2008 and 2009 with the expectation (based on previous observations) that

suspended sediment concentrations would be highest in the late summer. Additionally,

macroinvertebrates and periphyton were sampled at the six sites on the Shoshone River during the late

summer in both 2008 and 2009. Based on a cursory review of data collected, seasonal trends in water

chemistry suggest that only Dry Creek is affected by substantially elevated sediment in dry periods (mean

total suspended solids concentrations were <5mg/L, 288mg/L and 23mg/L in spring, summer and fall,

respectively), but due to its size Dry Creek’s influence on the Shoshone River mainstem was negligible.

Mainstem total suspended solids (TSS) measurements during the irrigation season were consistently

between 20 mg/L and 40 mg/L with no spatial trend and only a few exceptions.

In 2010, the WDEQ began a new rotating basin approach as the primary method for assessing current

water quality conditions of Wyoming’s streams and rivers. In its inaugural year, the WDEQ sampled 50

randomly selected sites in the Bighorn and Yellowstone basins. Moving from upstream to downstream

suspended sediment increased slightly from 21 mg/l at “Corbett Tunnel” to 22 mg/l at “Below Eaglenest

Creek”, then increased to 92 mg/l at “above Willwood Draw and 230 mg/l at “Above Sage Creek”. The

“Corbett Tunnel” site is located within the reach assessed in 2008 and 2009. The “Below Eaglenest Creek”

site is located just downstream of the reach assessed in 2008 and 2009 and captures the influence of both

Willwood Dam and Eaglenest Creek. Based on plumes visible on Google Earth imagery captured between

1994 and the present, the “Above Willwood Draw” site is located downstream of major sediment

contributions from Alkali Creek and Deer Creek. The “Above Sage Creek” site is located downstream of

major sediment contributions from Roan Wash, Bitter Creek and Whistle Creek, and immediately

upstream of Sage Creek. TSS at “Corbett Tunnel” was 21 mg/L, lower, but similar to what was observed in

the same area in 2008 and 2009. Moving downstream, available data suggest that the large increase in

suspended sediment from tributaries may be affecting aquatic life in the Shoshone River (Figure 1

provides a graphic representation of the perceived relationship between suspended sediment and the

macroinvertebrate community using the Bighorn River large river index).

Figure 1 - Spatial relationship between suspended sediment and macroinvertebrate condition according to the WSII developed for the Bighorn River.

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1 6 11 16 21 26 31 36 41 46

WSI

I (B

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Riv

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TSS

(mg/

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Approx. Distance From Buffalo Bill Dam (miles)

TSS

WSII (Bighorn)

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Based on the perceived negative trend in biological condition associated with suspended sediment from

tributaries, a targeted study was completed in 2012 and 2013. The design was similar to the 2008 and

2009 study, focusing on seasonal inputs from select tributaries. Tributaries were selected based on google

imagery. Those that appeared to have the greatest influence on water quality in the Shoshone River were

selected, included: Eaglenest Creek, Alkali Creek, Deer Creek, Roan Wash, Whistle Creek and Sage Creek.

Ultimately, it was determined that Shoshone River water quality was affected by land use at a sub-

watershed scale. Seasonal increases to flow and suspended solids in tributaries, during the irrigation

season, appear to degrade water quality in the Shoshone River. Contrary to 2010 data, 2012 and 2013

macroinvertebrate data did not corroborate these findings.

There appears to be two reasons for the change in 2012 and 2013 macroinvertebrate data. First, in an

attempt to avoid type II errors, a new macroinvertebrate sampling device was used. Some evidence from

the 2010 data suggest that macroinvertebrate sample locations (confined to margins of riffles) may have

been influenced by unnatural fluctuations in flow. In order to collect a more representative

macroinvertebrate sample, avoiding marginal ephemeral habitats, a net modified for use in deeper, faster

and coarser riffle habitat was used. Second, it is well-established that macroinvertebrate communities

below hypolimnetic-release dams favor a consistent set of generalist species. It is speculated that because

these species are more tolerant of additional stressors than what would be expected of a reference

macroinvertebrate community, no response was realized.

Semi-quantitative fish data collected in 2012 to support macroinvertebrate data suggest that changes to

water quality may be manifest at higher trophic levels. Moving downstream from Willwood Dam it

appeared that both trout and total fish densities were reduced. Figure 2 illustrates what appears to be a

substantial decrease in fish density from Willwood Dam (river mile 25) to sites below Penrose Dam (river

mile 49). The semi-quantitative nature of the fish data made its use assessing standards attainment

(Section 32, Chapter 1) inappropriate.

Figure 2 - Trout and total fish density based on single-pass electroshocking.

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1 11 21 31 41 51 61

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/Mile

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Trout/Mile

Fish/Mile

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A prolonged sediment release occurred between mid-October and November 2016 at Willwood Dam

during planned repairs to the facility. Over a six week period, discharged sediment from behind Willwood

Dam blanketed coarser substrates and degrading aesthetics to Yellowtail Reservoir. Public demand for

both short and long-term solutions to this recurring problem, once again, brought to light the need to

understand how sediment management in the lower Shoshone watershed is impacting biological

integrity.

4.0 OBJECTIVE The purpose of a third targeted study on the Shoshone River is to determine whether changes to water

quality, particularly sediment, observed during the irrigation season downstream of Willwood Dam,

persist throughout the irrigation season and how they relate to biological condition, particularly fish.

Ultimately, a determination will be made on whether Wyoming surface water quality criteria are met. As

a secondary interest, we would also like to capture whether there are any lasting effects from the 2016

sediment release.

5.0 CREDIBLE DATA Data will be collected according to the credible data procedures outlined in Section 35 of the Wyoming

Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ), Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1

(WDEQ/WQD 2007).

6.0 SAMPLING

6.1 Sample Design Given the amount of data previously collected on the Shoshone River, data collection beginning in 2017

will focus on detailing duration of previously observed perturbations to water quality on the Shoshone

River, and will include more quantitative fish data provided by the WGFD. The irrigation season in the

lower Shoshone watershed runs from around April 15 through October 15. Data collected previously

suggest that during this period suspended sediment concentrations downstream of Willwood Dam are

elevated substantially above what would be expected naturally, potentially violating Sections 15, 16 and

23 of Chapter 1 in Wyoming’s Surface Water Quality Standards (WDEQ 2013). Monthly water chemistry

data will be collected at sites along the Shoshone River. Sites were to isolate potential sediment sources

and facilitate access due to the potentially large number of visits. Riffle macroinvertebrate and periphyton

data along with accompanying habitat data (riffle substrate and embeddedness) will be collected at the

same sites in late-October or November, providing biological data for comparison to water quality data.

It is hoped biological data will capture the effects of the 2016 release when compared with data collected

previously.

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6.2 Sampling Personnel The following personnel may be involved in the project, including the WDEQ office they are located and

phone number. The Sheridan field office personnel are primary personnel that are most likely to perform

the sampling and analysis.

Sheridan field office staff: Jason Martineau (307-675-5632), Chad Rieger (307-675-5637) and Jeremy

ZumBerge (307-675-5638)

Lander field office staff: Tavis Eddy (307-335-6957) and Mike Wachtendonk (307-335-6751)

Cheyenne office: Sol Brich (307-777-7096)

6.3 Sampling Locations Nine sampling locations are proposed on the Shoshone River (Table 1 and Figure 3). Route maps to each

site are provided in Appendix A. All sites and their potential influences on water quality captured follow:

“Below Sulphur Creek” – Buffalo Bill Dam, Sulphur Creek and DeMaris Springs

“Below Corbett Dam” – Sage Creek, Dry Creek and Corbett Dam

“Below Buck Creek” – McCullough Hills, Iron Creek and possibly Buck Creek

“Below Willwood Dam” – Willwood Dam

“Below Eaglenest Creek” – Eaglenest Creek

“Below 295” – Alkali Creek and Deer Creek

“Below Penrose” – Roan Wash, Mormon Dam and Penrose Dam

“Old Hwy 14A Bridge” – Bitter Creek and Whistle Creek

“Below Sage Creek” – Sage Creek

Figure 3 - Map of Shoshone River sites.

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Figure 4 - Map of project area from Buffalo Bill Reservoir to below Corbett Dam.

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Figure 5 - Map of project area from below Corbett Dam to below Penrose Dam.

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Figure 6 - Map of project area from below Penrose Dam to Bighorn Reservoir.

Table 1 - Summary of site locations.

Site Legal Latitude Longitude Access* Years previously sampled

Below Sulphur Creek

NWSE, Sect. 36, T53N, R102W

44.527498 -109.085105 Municipal to BOR 2008 and 2009

Below Corbett Dam

NENW, Sect. 7, T53N, R100W

44.592505 -108.947881 WGFD easement 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013

Below Buck Creek

SENW, Sect. 17, T54N, R100W

44.659376 -108.930510 Private access to BOR Not previously sampled

Below Willwood Dam

SWNW, Sect. 9, T54N, R100W

44.676425 -108.912998 BOR 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2016

Below Eaglenest Creek

SENE, Sect. 4, T54N, R100W

44.691164 -108.896870 BOR 2012, 2013 and 2016

Below 295 NENE, Sect. 34, T55N, R99W

44.706857 -108.755548 WGFD easement 2016

Below Penrose SESE, Sect. 13, T55N, R98W

44.740859 -108.593059 State 2016

Old Hwy 14A NENE, Sect. 17, T56N, R96W

44.837932 -108.435056 County 2016

Below Sage Creek

SENW, Sect. 10, T56N, R96W

44.848311 -108.401661 BLM 2012 and 2013

*For access to or across private lands, authorization will be sought according to the internal SOP for Private Land Access. To access

Wyoming State Trust lands, authorization will be sought from the Office of State Lands and Investments (OSLI) and their policies

followed.

6.4 Parameters/Sampling Methods Water quality samples will be collected on a monthly schedule at all sites. Macroinvertebrates and

periphyton data will be collected in fall, during low flow. The only physical parameter collected in

conjunction with biological data will be riffle gradient. A summary of chemical and biological parameters

and methods are provided in Table 2.

Macroinvertebrate collection on the Shoshone River is complicated by its size. Depth, velocity and

substrate size necessitate the use of something other than the preferred WDEQ method, a Surber

Sampler. We will be using a modified rectangular-frame net to collect macroinvertebrates. The chosen

device will allow collection from larger substrates, higher velocities and depths to ~18 inches, providing

for a more representative segment of the macroinvertebrate community to be sampled. In order to match

the method used to sample in 2016, eight randomly located placements will be sampled at each site.

2017 SHOSHONE RIVER SAP

Table 2 - Chemical and biological parameters to be collected at all sites.

Chemical and Biological Parameters; Sample Analysis Methods Parameter Sample Method Reporting

Units Test Method Preservative Holding

Time Water temperature In situ Degrees

Celsius A2550 None; field

measurement N/A

pH In situ Standard units

A4500-H+ None; field measurement

N/A

Electrical Conductivity In situ µS/cm A2510-B None; field measurement

N/A

Dissolved Oxygen In situ mg/L; % saturation

ASTM D 885-05 (optical); A4500-O(G) and EPA 360.1(membrane)

None; field measurement

N/A

Turbidity Grab NTUs E 180.1 None; field measurement

N/A

Nitrogen, Nitrite + Nitrate

Grab µg/L E 353.2 Iced; H2SO4 to pH<2 28 days

Nitrogen, Total Grab µg/L Calculation Iced; H2SO4 to pH<2 28 days Phosphorus, Total Grab µg/L E 365.1 Iced; H2SO4 to pH<2 28 days Alkalinity, Total (as CaCO3)

Grab mg/L A2320B Iced 14 days

Total Dissolved Solids Grab mg/L A2540 C Iced 7 days Total Suspended Solids

Grab mg/L A2540 D Iced 7 days

Chlorophyll a SOP for Periphyton Sampling Method

mg/M3 E447.0 (HPLC) Ethyl alcohol; see SOP for Chlorophyll a sample preservation

28 days

Macroinvertebrates Riffle habitat collection using modified rectangular frame net (described below)

Raw counts and density of taxa

SOP for macroinvertebrate sample identification

Ethyl alcohol; see SOP for macroinvertebrate sample preservation

Indefinite; samples may need to be decanted and re-preserved

Periphyton SOP for Periphyton Sampling Method

Raw counts and density of taxa

SOP for periphyton sample identification

3-5% Lugol’s solution; see SOP for periphyton preservative

indefinite

Fish Raft Electroshocking

Population estimates

Mark and recapture (WGFD)

Not applicable Not applicable

Fish data will likely be a critical component for assessing standards on the Shoshone River. The WGFD

manages the Shoshone River below Buffalo Bill Dam in reaches between migration barriers. In 2016, mark-

recapture population estimates where made between Corbett Dam and Willwood Dam, and between

Willwood Dam and Mormon Dam following the sediment release. Currently, mark-recapture population

estimates from Buffalo Bill Dam to Corbett Dam and from Willwood Dam to Mormon Dam are scheduled

to be completed in 2017. We hope to work with the WGFD to add population estimates from Mormon

Dam to Penrose Dam and/or below Penrose Dam in 2018.


6.5 Sampling Schedule Water chemistry samples will be collected at all sites monthly for up to three years. One

macroinvertebrate, periphyton and physical habitat data collection will occur each year of the project

sometime from late October through November, depending on conditions. We hope to work with the

WGFD to collect fish data between each of the migration barriers before the end of the project.

6.6 Sample Labeling All sample labels will include the waterbody and site names, date of collection, military time, and a distinct

sample ID. Distinct sample IDs should be of the following format:

Example sample ID – JJM-17-300-1

JJM=Sampler initials 17=Year sampled 300=Julian date 1=First sample of the day/Sample number

Macroinvertebrate samples will be followed by an M (JJM-17-300-1M), periphyton by a P (JJM-17-300-1P)

and chlorophyll-α by chla (JJM-17-300-1chla).

7.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL (QA/QC) All data will be collected, recorded and validated in accordance with Wyoming’s Quality Assurance Project

Plan (QAPP), and Manual of Standard Operating Procedures for Sample Collection and Analysis unless

otherwise noted (WDEQ/WQD 2017a and WDEQ/WQD 2017b).

7.1 Chain of Custody The WDEQ provides separate Chain of Custody forms for laboratory chemistry and chlorophyll- α

samples, macroinvertebrate samples and periphyton samples. Copies of each of these Chain of Custody

forms are provided in Appendix B.

7.2 Blanks and Duplicates Blanks and duplicates will be collected for QC according to WDEQ 2017b. Table 3 outlines the parameters

and minimum frequency and parameters for which blanks and duplicates will be collected.

Table 3 - Blank and duplicate sample collection parameters and frequency.

Field QA/QC Samples Collection Frequency Parameters

Field Blank Minimum of 1 per 10 samples All chemistries

Duplicate Minimum of 1 per 10 samples Chemistries, macroinvertebrates and periphyton


7.3 Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) Data quality objectives are qualitative and quantitative statements derived from the systematic planning

process that specify the level of uncertainty that decision makers are willing to accept in the collected

monitoring data while still meeting the project objectives. Measurement performance criteria are

expressed in terms of Data Quality Indicators (DQIs) which include precision, accuracy, and completeness.

Table 4 summarizes data quality indicators pertinent to this SAP.

Table 4 - Data Quality Indicators.

Parameter Precision Accuracy Completeness Temperature +/-0.3 S.U. 90%-110%

95%

pH 20% ±0.3 Units

Conductivity 10% 90%-110%

Dissolved Oxygen 10% 90%-110%

Turbidity 20% when > 10 x RL* 80%-120%

Nitrogen, Nitrite + Nitrate 20% when 3 x RL to 10 x RL, 20% when > 10 x RL

85%-115%**

Nitrogen, Total 30% when 3 x RL to 10 x RL, 20% when > 10 x RL

85%-115%**

Phosphorus, Total 30% when 3 x RL to 10 x RL, 20% when > 10 x RL

85%-115%**

Alkalinity, Total (as CaCO3) 20% when > 10 x RL* 90%-110%**

Total Dissolved Solids 20% 69%-131%**

Total Suspended Solids 20% when > 10 x RL* 60%-120%**

Chlorophyll a 30% when > 10 x RL* 80%-120%**

Macroinvertebrates and Periphyton, Number of Taxa

15% Macroinvertebrates – Sorting efficiency >95%, Identification based on Bray-Curtis >95% Periphyton – Identification based on Bray-Curtis >75%

Macroinvertebrates and Periphyton, Total Abundance

50%

*RL=Reporting Limit **Based on data received from lab in 2016. Actual recoveries will be set by WDEQ Lab.

Accuracy is the degree to which a recorded measurement varies from a true value. It includes a

combination of random error (precision) and systematic error (bias) components of both sampling and

analytical operations. Field instruments are calibrated, maintained, and checked against standard

reference materials (SRMs) to ensure accurate measurement of water quality parameters. Accuracy can

be improved in the field through the adherence to SOPs. Laboratories test instruments using spiked matrix

samples of known concentrations. Routine laboratory recoveries for spiked samples is 85%-115%.

Precision is the measure of agreement among repeated measurements of the same property under

identical or substantially similar conditions (duplicates). The Relative Percent Difference (RPD) of

duplicates provides a numeric representation of precision. From a QC perspective, precision provides

information on sample collection, processing and analysis. Again, precision can be improved through the

adherence to SOPs.

Completeness is a measure of the amount of valid data obtained from a sampling plan or project

compared to what was expected to be obtained. It is calculated by dividing the number of valid

measurements by the number of planned measurements times 100, and is expressed as a percentage.


7.4 Equipment Calibration, Maintenance and Calibration Logs Table 5 - Field meter calibration, maintenance and logbook information.

Item Calibration Calibration Check

Maintenance Calibration Log

pH meter - Hydrolab MS5**

Once daily using pH 7 & 10 standards

Once daily at end of sampling event with pH 7.38 standard*

Re-condition according to owner’s manual. Remove precipitate/debris and keep probe bulb moist

See Owner’s Manual for calibration and Appendix B for Hydrolab MS5 Calibration Logs

Conductivity meter – Hydrolab MS5**

Once daily using 100 or 1,000 µS/cm standard

Once daily at end of sampling event with 100 or 1,000 µS/cm standard

Re-condition according to owner’s manual. Remove precipitate/debris


D.O. meter – Hydrolab MS5**

Once daily or with each 500 ft change in elevation

Once daily at end of day

Re-condition according to owner’s manual. Remove precipitate/debris and keep probe bulb moist


Turbidimeter – Hach 2100Q***

Monthly 3-point with Stablcal 20, 100 and 800 standards

Once daily with one of the 20, 100 or 800 standards

Keep sample vials clean.

See Owner’s Manual for calibration and Appendix B for Turbidimeter 2100Q Calibration Logs

*If 7.38 standard is unavailable, 7 standard will be used.

**Serial number 070500045314

***Serial number 13020C023356

7.5 Field Notes Field notes will follow the WDEQ SOP Manual, SOP for Field Log Books, and will include the sampler’s

name, the date and time of sample collection, weather conditions, environmental conditions, notes on

any equipment issues, and any modifications made to the SAP or SOPs. A copy of the field data sheets are

presented in Appendix B.

7.6 Corrective Action All aspects of this SAP will be continually evaluated for the duration of the project. If a need to substantially

modify the SAP arises, the project manager will insert a dated amendment and notify all pertinent WDEQ

personnel.

Field personnel are responsible for immediate corrective actions in the field if a QC issue is found during

a QC check (calibration or verification of meters). This could involve instrument maintenance,

recalibration and/or re-sampling depending on the situation. All field corrective actions should be

documented, including the personnel’s initials, date and military time.


7.7 Reconciliation with DQOs Project data will be compared to the list of data quality objectives. In cases where objectives were not

met, possible reasons will be listed and project officers will decide whether the data should be accepted,

qualified, or rejected.

7.8 Field Audits If requested, the project manager will work with the WDEQ QA/QC officer to complete a field audit.

8.0 LABORATORIES The following laboratories will provide analytical services for samples collected as part of the project

described in this SAP:

1. Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division Laboratory (WQD lab)

The WQD lab will be the primary provider of analytical services for water and chlorophyll-α

samples collected as part of this project. The WQD lab will provide customized packages of

bottles, labels, preservatives, and chain of custody forms prior to samples being collected as

requested by the samplers. Samplers will send samples to the WQD lab within one week of

collection using the United Parcel Service or Federal Express. The WQD lab will analyze samples

in accordance with established standards for holding time, analytical method, and data quality

assurance and control. Results of analyses will be returned to samplers within one month of

receipt of samples by the WQD lab. The WQD lab will follow the Watershed Program standard

operating procedures (http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed/Downloads/QA/4-1089.pdf) and

QAPP (http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed/Downloads/QA/QAP.pdf).

2. Rhithron Associates (Rhithron)

Rhithron will provide taxonomic identification services for macroinvertebrate and periphyton

samples collected as part of this project. Rhithron has provided taxonomic services to the

Watershed Program since 2004 and is under contract through July 30, 2018. Preserved

macroinvertebrate and periphyton samples will be sent to Rhithron at the end of the field season.

Rhithron will provide results to samplers within 90 days of receipt of samples. Rhithron will

subsample, sort and identify specimens according to contract terms and the SOP for

Macroinvertebrate Sample Identification. Established standards for taxonomic identification will

be followed. Rhithron quality system documentation is available from Rhithron upon request.

http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed/Downloads/QA/4-1089.pdf

http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed/Downloads/QA/QAP.pdf


9.0 DATA

9.1 Data verification and Validation The project manager will perform the following data verification and validation procedures:

Review the data to make sure all forms were filled out correctly and completely, including Field

Log Books, Laboratory Data Sheets, Field Data Sheets, and Equipment Calibration Logs.

Verify holding times, techniques, duplicates, and blanks were conducted according to the

methods outlined in this SAP.

Examine the data to verify that raw data is accurately transcribed for data management and

storage.

Review data to ensure that DQIs for all parameters have been met.

The project manager will review the water quality data at the end of each fall sampling season to look for

consistency, completeness, and accuracy of the data records.

9.2 Data Management Table 6 - Summary of how data will be managed.

Data Type Storage Location

Chemical SWM 2.0 database Spreadsheet and .pdf

WDEQ/WQD Cheyenne and Sheridan

Biological, Macroinvertebrate

SWM 2.0 database Spreadsheet and .pdf


Biological, Periphyton EDAS-Periphyton database Spreadsheet and .pdf


Biological, Fish Spreadsheet WDEQ/WQD Sheridan

Physical, Other SWM 2.0 database Spreadsheet

WDEQ/WQD Sheridan

9.3 Data Archiving Table 7 - Summary of where and how data will be stored.

Data Item Format Backup Copy & Format

Location Retention

Field Data Sheets Paper None WDEQ/WQD Sheridan and Cheyenne

Permanent

Photographs Electronic (.jpg and .wpd) & Paper

Electronic (.jpg and .wpd)

WDEQ/WQD Sheridan and Cheyenne

Permanent

Field Log Books Paper Paper WDEQ/WQD Sheridan

Permanent


Laboratory Results/Qa

Electronic (.pdf) & Paper

Electronic (.pdf) & Paper


Permanent

Agency Qa Reports Electronic (.wpd and .pdf) & Paper

Electronic (.wpd and .pdf) & Paper


Permanent

Calibration Logs Paper Electronic (.pdf) WDEQ/WQD Cheyenne and Sheridan

Permanent

Chain of Custody Forms

Electronic (.xlsx) & Paper

Electronic (.xlsx) & Paper


Permanent

Spreadsheets, other electronic storage and analysis files

Electronic (.xlsx, .rmp, .txt, .dbf, other) & Paper

Electronic (.xlsx, .rmp, .txt, .dbf, other) & Paper

WDEQ/WQD Sheridan

Permanent

Database Electronic (.mdb, other)

Electronic (.mdb, other)

WDEQ/WQD Permanent

Reports, emails, letters

Electronic (.wpd, .pdf, .html) & Paper

Electronic (.wpd, .pdf, .html) & Paper

WDEQ/WQD Sheridan

Permanent

-All records are the property of the State and therefore subject to the Wyoming Public Records Act.

-Records may be transferred to the Wyoming State Archives according to procedures in the Wyoming Records Management

Manual.

Completed data sheets will be kept on file in the WDEQ Sheridan field office. A copy of the data will also

be sent and filed in our Cheyenne office. A copy of calibration logs will be sent to the Quality Assurance

Officer (QAO). A digital copy of all data will be kept on the Sheridan field office server.

9.4 Data Analysis Analytical methods for this study include but are not limited to the following: Table 8 - Proposed analytical methods.

Data Type Analytical Method

Chemical, all Chemical data will be directly compared to applicable State acute and chronic numeric criteria protective of assigned designated uses (WDEQ/WQD 2017 (draft) and 2013).

Biological, Macroinvertebrate, Periphyton and Fish*

Biological data will be evaluated with respect to applicable State narrative criteria protective of aquatic life using a weight-of-evidence approach (WDEQ/WQD 2017 (draft) and 2013). Surrogate metrics, representing the structure and function of aquatic life communities, will be compared to the stressor gradient identified by chemical and physical data.

Physical, Other Physical data will be evaluated with respect to applicable State narrative criteria protective of assigned designated uses using a weight-of-evidence approach (WDEQ/WQD 2017 (draft) and 2013).

*Because it is outside of WDEQ’s expertise, collection and analysis of fish data will rely almost exclusively on WGFD cooperation.


9.5 Evaluation of Data Data will be evaluated with historic data collected from previous WDEQ monitoring studies. If data

pertinent to the objectives of this SAP are identified, results of this evaluation will be included in the final

data report.

10.0 REPORTS At the conclusion of data collection, the WDEQ will develop a scientific report analyzing all credible data

and make a determination about standards attainment on the Shoshone River. This report is utilized in

the development of the biennial Integrated Report (305(b) and 303(d)) that details water quality

throughout the state of Wyoming.

11.0 REFERENCES Rosgen, D.L. 2006. Watershed Assessment of River Stability and Sediment Supply (WARSSS). Wildland Hydrology. Fort Collins, CO.

WDEQ/WQD. 2013. Water Quality Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1, Wyoming Surface Water Quality

Standards. Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, Cheyenne,

Wyoming.

WDEQ/WQD. 2017a. Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Project

(BURP) Water Quality Monitoring. Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality

Division, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

WDEQ/WQD. 2017b. Manual of standard operating procedure for sample collection and analysis.

Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

WDEQ/WQD. 2017 (draft). Wyoming’s method for determining water quality condition of surface

waters and TMDL prioritization criteria for 303(d) listed waters. Wyoming Department of Environmental

Quality, Water Quality Division, Cheyenne, Wyoming.


Appendices

Appendix A – Route Maps

Appendix B - Forms


APPENDIX A – Route Maps






APPENDIX B - Forms












Documents

Sample and Analysis Plan for Evaluating Sediment and Biological …deq.wyoming.gov/media/attachments/Water Quality/Watershed... · 2018. 1. 31. · Sample and Analysis Plan for Evaluating