Project ID: NH761

Title: Effects of Land Use on Water Quality in a Changing Landscape

Focus Categories: Water Quality, Nutrients

Keywords: lake, stream, water quality, nutrients, land use

Start Date: 03/01/2001

End Date: 02/28/2002

Federal Funds: $4,500

Non-Federal Matching Funds: $41,007

Congressional District: 1

Principal Investigators:
Jeffrey A. Schloss
Professional Staff, University of New Hampshire

William H. McDowell
Professor, University of New Hampshire

Abstract

The proposed work will document long-term changes in water quality in response to changing land use and management practices. The project has two major components. The first is an extensive survey of nutrients in lakes throughout New Hampshire, which is undertaken in conjunction with NH State Department of Environmental Services. The second is an intensive survey of nutrients, suspended sediments, dissolved organic carbon, and major cations and anions in College Brook, the primary drainage basin for the University of New Hampshire campus. This part of the research program is undertaken in cooperation with the University of New Hampshire Office on Sustainability, which is charged with assessing the environmental impact and sustainability of campus operations. The primary output from the proposed research will be a high-quality, long-term data base on surface water chemistry which can be used to test and refine water quality models, as well as to guide the development of effective best management practices and watershed restoration efforts across the state.

Progress/Completion Report PDF