Water-Quality Flood Plan In Reply Refer To: Mail Stop 412 October 24, 1995 OFFICE OF WATER QUALITY TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 96.01 Subject: Water-Quality Flood Plan This memorandum transmits guidelines for developing a water- quality component for District flood plans. The 1993 Mississippi River Basin floods illustrated the paucity of historical information to document water quality during wide-spread flooding. Data were collected during that flood and in a subsequent flood in Georgia to begin filling this information gap; however, much work remains. The U.S. Geological Survey is uniquely qualified to collect flood water-quality data because of its dispersed District structure and cadre of skilled water-quality personnel. Each District has a plan for measuring stage and discharge during floods. Each District is now asked to develop a complementary plan for measuring water quality during floods. The goal is to develop a culture and a means to do "whatever is necessary" to document water-quality conditions during a flood and to share the information with agencies involved in public health, public safety, and resource decision making. The purpose of the attached guidance document is to assist Districts in preparing plans for collecting water-quality data during floods and for quickly disseminating the results. Districts should develop this plan in coordination with other Federal, state, and local agencies to define their data-collection needs, coordinate sample collection, and determine how quickly the results will be needed. Funding is an obstacle to collecting water-quality data during floods. Districts which have active National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Projects and/or National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) II stations already receive funds to collect high-flow samples. These Districts should collect sample sets during floods at the stations designated by the NAWQA and/or NASQAN programs. For other stations, Districts should develop flood-sampling plans around the core of NAWQA and NASQAN stations in coordination with city, county, State, and other Federal agencies and attempt to interest other agencies in paying for the additional work. Districts that do not have NAWQA or NASQAN stations should work with cooperators to develop a flood water-quality monitoring plan. In some cases, funding for the plan may be available from other agencies and within the Federal-State Cooperative Program. In other cases, full cost recovery may not be available. When a flood is imminent, Districts can use their plans to discuss potential, unmet funding needs with the Regional office, which will work with the Office of Water Quality (OWQ) to determine if partial funding can be made available. During fiscal year 1996, the Division will be reviewing the use and allocation of Federal Collection of Basic Records (CBR) funding. As part of this process, the OWQ will evaluate the pros and cons of allocating an annual percentage of water-quality CBR funds to flood-sampling work. The OWQ would like to receive feedback and comments as the guidance document is used to develop water-quality flood plans. Please provide comments to Steve Blanchard by geomail (sfblanch) or by phone (217/344-0037 x3003). Attachment Keywords: Floods, water quality Distribution: A, B, S, FO, PO District Water-Quality Specialists Regional Water-Quality Specialists U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS) WATER-QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR DISTRICT FLOOD PLANS In recent years, water-quality data-collection efforts during wide-spread floods in the upper Mississippi River Basin, and in Georgia, provided valuable information on the quality of the flood waters. However, these efforts also illustrated the paucity of historical information for documenting flood-water quality. This guidance document was developed to assist Districts in preparing a plan for water-quality sampling during floods, and for disseminating results quickly. Information provided herein should be used to develop a formal water-quality component for the District Flood Plan. The goal is to develop a culture, structure, and means to do "whatever is necessary" to document water-quality conditions during floods. The objectives of USGS flood-water-quality sampling are to: (a) provide information on critical aspects of water quality, particularly relating to health concerns, to a broad audience in a timely manner, and (b) document the quality of important waters under various flood conditions. DATA OBJECTIVES The objective and scope of USGS water-quality data-collection activities during a flood will vary depending on factors such as the geographic location and areal extent of flooding, type of flooding, land-use of the flooded area, data-collection activities conducted by other agencies, and funding level and source(s). Flood data-collection activities will be aimed at complementing available water-quality data and current water-quality data-collection programs to spatially and temporarily describe constituent concentrations and transport during floods. Flood data-collection activities in cooperation with state, local, and other Federal agencies will be aimed at accomplishing the shared objectives of the agencies involved and may, at times, be very specific (i.e., documenting constituent concentrations near the intake of major public water supply). Three primary reasons for collecting water-quality information during flooding are: 1. Public Health Issues. Public-health issues are a common concern associated with flooding, especially drinking-water safety. Information on fecal coliform bacteria counts, and concentrations of trace metals, and synthetic organic compounds is needed. State regulatory agencies can provide information for developing a priority list of constituents that relate to public health concerns. In addition to in-stream public health issues, contamination of public supply wells and rural drinking-water wells in areas inundated by floods is often a concern. 2. Characterization of Constituent Concentration During Floods. Data on the spatial and temporal variation of constituent concentrations are needed to address issues such as: · The effects of dilution on the concentration of various constituents; · Whether resuspension is a cause of water-quality degradation; · Whether water-quality changes over a hydrograph in a large basin are similar to those that occur in small basins; and · Whether high constituent concentrations persist during sustained flooding. 3. Quantification of Constituent Transport. Most of the transport of constituents -- particularly sediments, and sediment associated contaminants -- occurs during floods. To understand constituent transport in most riverine systems, one must understand constituent-transport characteristics at high flows. Data from samples collected frequently over a hydrograph can be used with stream-discharge data to determine constituent transport. If funding is limited, a composite of several samples collected over the hydrograph can be used to determine constituent load for an entire flood period. FUNDING Funding is the biggest obstacle hindering Districts from collecting water-quality data during floods. Ideally, Headquarters would disburse funds to collect data at other stations during floods, such as we periodically do for surface-water measurements. At present, Headquarters lacks specified funding to cover water-quality sampling during floods. During fiscal year 1996, the Division will be reviewing the use and allocation of Federal Collection of Basic Records (CBR) funding. As part of this process, the OWQ will evaluate the pros and cons of allocating an annual percentage of water-quality CBR funds to flood-sampling work. In the meantime, Districts which have active National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Projects and/or National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) II stations already receive funds to collect high-flow samples. These Districts should collect sample sets during floods at the stations designated by the NAWQA and/or NASQAN programs. For other stations, Districts should develop flood-sampling plans around the core of NAWQA and NASQAN stations in coordination with city, county, State, and other Federal agencies and attempt to interest other agencies in paying for the additional work. Districts that do not have NAWQA or NASQAN stations should work with cooperators to develop a flood water-quality plan. In some cases, funding for the plan may be available from other agencies and within the Federal-State Cooperative Program. In other cases, full cost recovery may not be available. When a flood is imminent, Districts can use their plans to discuss potential, unmet funding needs with the Regional office, which will work with the Office of Water Quality (OWQ) to determine if partial funding can be made available. PLANNING ACTIVITIES 1. Agency Coordination and Background Information. To the extent possible, preflood activities should include: (a) meetings with Federal, State, and local agencies to plan each agency's role during flooding, and (b) compilation of background data and ancillary information. Lack of coordinated planning among agencies may result in duplication of effort and excessive lead time to prepare for sampling resulting in missed opportunities. Plans should specify sampling locations, data-collection responsibilities, and mode of information dissemination. Background information should be compiled on maps to show major tributaries; potential contaminant sources such as hazardous-waste sites and landfills; waste-water treatment plants; intakes for water-treatment plants; major industrial plants; storm/combined sewer outflows; agricultural drains; levee locations, and critical instream habitat for aquatic life such as spawning beds. 2. Identify Potential Sampling Stations. In general, to define water- quality during a flood, sites should be selected that have historical water-quality data (NASQAN, NAWQA, or other Federal, State, or local monitoring site), and for which stage/discharge data are currently collected. A priority list of stations to be sampled should be compiled, keeping site accessibility and safety in mind. The priority list should be included in the District flood plan in the form of an information matrix, listing field and lab constituents to be sampled by station. 3. Identify Desired Constituents for Field Measurements and Laboratory Analysis. Districts should consider data objectives and other factors, such as upstream land use, when determining which constituents to analyze for in flood samples. To aid in selection of analytes, the current analytical list for NASQAN II is attached. This list may be used as a menu to select constituents to fit various objectives and to ascertain requisite sample volumes and methods for sample collection and preparation. Provided that costs can be covered, we suggest that the complete list of identified constituents be sampled for general characterization of the flood-water quality and for quantifying transport. Field Measurements: Collection and analysis for the following constituents should be considered "required" at all sites--dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, alkalinity, and fecal coliform bacteria. Laboratory Analyses: Samples will be collected and submitted to the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) or a local lab (if prior approval has been obtained) for analysis. The lab should analyze the samples for the current standard set of NASQAN II constituents, which can be requested individually or as custom schedules through the NWQL. Immunoassay field kits are now available for atrazine, alachlor, 2,4-D, PCBs, and cyclodienes (chlordane and toxaphene), and should be considered for use as screening tools. All "hits" using the field kits should be confirmed by GC/MS analysis. 4. Determine Sample-Collection Frequency and Method. Data objectives and available funding will determine sampling frequency. Ideally, samples should be collected on the rising limb (just before the peak), at peak discharge, and during the recession. This may not be possible because of cost and/or time constraints. The single most desirable sample is usually the sample collected just before the peak; it is also typically the most difficult to collect. At a minimum, at least one sample should be collected at or near the peak. Existing data should be examined to determine if samples have been previously collected at high flows. This can be done by plotting the discharge at which water-quality samples were collected on a flow- duration plot for each station. Samples should be collected at those discharges where there are little or no data, or where previously collected data indicate the need for additional information. Ideally, discharge-weighted samples (EDI or EWI) should be collected. This, however, may not be practical because of sampling conditions. The following sampling-method guidelines are listed in order of preference: a) Discharge-weighted sample (EDI or EWI) b) Composite sample of 3-5 depth-integrated verticals in the cross section c) Sample from single depth-integrated vertical at the centroid d) Sample from partial depth-integrated vertical at the centroid e) Surface-dipped grab sample at the centroid Choosing the sampling method will depend on knowledge of the characteristics of the site to be sampled and sampling conditions (rising or falling stage; cross-sectional mixing; amount of debris; and safety). The method of collection should be carefully documented. 5. Identify Appropriate Field Equipment. The type and proper use of the required sampling equipment is documented in Office of Surface Water Technical Memorandum 94.05 and Open-File Report (OFR) 86-531 for suspended sediment, and in Office of Water Quality Technical Memorandum 94.09 and OFR's 86-531 and 94-539 for water-quality sampling. Samplers may require additional weight for immersion in swift currents. Streamgagers have long used the following rule-of-thumb to select the appropriate minimum sounding weight: Sounding weight required, in pounds, is estimated as equal to or greater than the product of flow velocity, in feet per second, and the depth, in feet (for example, a flow velocity of 5 feet per second in 10 feet of water will require a minimum 50-pound sounding weight for streamgaging). Because the drag force on most samplers is larger than that on a current meter, more weight than that estimated by this rule-of-thumb equation may be required to stabilize the sampler. Field measurements of dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, and temperature should be recorded at the time of collection, preferably with a 4-parameter monitor such as a Hydrolab or YSI. If volatile organic compound (VOC) or biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) are to be measured, the samples should be collected in a non-aerated fashion using a sampler similar in design to a stainless-steel sewage sampler. VOC, BOD, and bacteria samples should be collected at the centroid of flow. Bacteria should be collected with a sterile bottle in a weighted bottle holder or a D-77/DH-81 with a sterile bottle, cap and nozzle. District vehicles and boats should be equipped with the appropriate power equipment necessary to move the heavy samplers needed to collect samples at the increased depths and velocities characteristic of floods. Districts should consider upgrading their power equipment to hydraulic systems when bag samplers or D-77s are used; this will allow for depth integration at more controlled rates. 6. Identify Laboratory Facilities. It is USGS policy to use USGS laboratories whenever possible. Because analytical turnaround time is critical for some flood samples, especially health-related analyses, use of a non-USGS lab may be necessary. Therefore, the plan may require a memorandum of understanding or a cooperative agreement with a non-USGS lab. Division approval from the Branch of Technical Development and Quality Systems is required for certification of non-USGS labs (Water Resources Division Memorandum 92.35). Please obtain approval from the NWQL for "rush" samples before shipping such samples. There will be a surcharge for the "rush" samples; the rates are + 200 percent for 1-week turn-around time + 100 percent for 2-week turn-around time + 75 percent for 3-week turn-around time 7. Identify Health and Safety Issues. All personnel doing flood sampling should have typhoid, polio, and tetanus immunizations. Cholera shots are recommended for personnel performing flood work in coastal states. Some immunizations take several weeks to become effective, so prior planning is necessary. Safety considerations may require three or more people when sampling from a bridge or cableway. At least one person should monitor river conditions to alert the sampling crew of debris, boat traffic, or other potential hazards. Cable cutters should be attached to suspension equipment booms for safety purposes. Some samples may need to be collected from a boat. All personnel operating boats must have had the required boat safety training and meet all applicable state and U.S. Coast Guard requirements. Life jackets should be worn at all times, whether working from a boat, bridge, or cableway. 8. Identify Quality-Control Practices. Quality-control practices cannot be ignored during floods. Field crews should follow the guidelines in OFR 94-539 whenever possible; however, safety considerations may preclude the use of the double-bagged, enclosed churn splitter at bridge or cableway sites. As suggested in OFR 94-539 a minimum of 10 percent of the samples analyzed ideally should be quality-control samples. 9. Identify Data Dissemination Procedures. Because of the intense interest in data collected during flooding, review and release of these data, especially public health-related data (e.g., fecal coliforms and trace metals) in the shortest time possible is desirable. All USGS flood data should initially be released as "unpublished, subject to revision." For verbal release of flood-related information, one spokesperson should be appointed; this helps control the type of information and manner of release to the media and general public. The use of WWW (World Wide Web) pages on the internet for release and dissemination of flood data should also be planned for and used. Following the flood, more permanent types of documentation should be pursued. Two- and four-page Fact Sheets, Circulars, and other types of USGS reports should be used to provide an appropriate permanent documentation of the flood. This allows for data previously qualified as "unpublished, subject to revision" to be finalized and released as published and approved data. Circular 1120 A-F, published following the 1993 Mississippi River flooding, and the Fact Sheet "Suspended sediment and agricultural chemicals in floodwaters caused by tropical storm Alberto," are excellent examples of the types of flood information that can be documented in short reports. ATTACHMENT OCTOBER 1995 NASQAN II ANALYTICAL LIST Constituent Lab Code WATSTORE Bottle Types Nutrients--Schedule 2702 N, nitrite, filtered 1973 00613 FCC--125 mL P, ortho-phosphate, filtered 1974 00671 N, nitrite plus nitrate, filtered 1975 00631 N, ammonia, filtered 1976 00608 P, phosphorus, filtered 1983 00666 N, ammonia plus organic nitrogen, 1985 00623 filtered P, phosphorus, unfiltered 1984 00665 RCC--125 mL N, ammonia plus organic nitrogen 1986 00625 Major ions and dissolved trace elements--Schedule 176 Turbidity (NTU) 50 00076 LC0050--125 mL pH (laboratory) 68 00403 RU--250 mL Specific conductance (laboratory) 69 90095 Alkalinity, total (laboratory) as CACO3 70 90410 Solids, filtered, ROE at 180oC 27 70300 FU--500 mL Fluoride, filtered 31 00950 Potassium, filtered 54 00935 FA--250 mL Selenium, filtered 87 01145 Barium, filtered 641 01005 Cobalt, filtered 644 01035 Iron, filtered 645 01046 Manganese, filtered 648 01056 Molybdenum, filtered 649 01060 Strontium, filtered 652 01080 Vanadium, filtered 653 01085 Calcium, filtered 659 00915 Magnesium, filtered 663 00925 Lithium, filtered 664 01130 Silica, filtered 667 00955 Sodium, filtered 675 00930 Aluminum, filtered 1284 01106 Silver, filtered 1552 01075 Nickel, filtered 1562 01065 Chloride, filtered 1571 00940 Sulfate, filtered 1572 00945 Trace elements to be added Beryllium, filtered 655 01010 Cadmium, filtered 673 01025 Chromium, filtered 722 01030 Lead, filtered 1560 01049 Arsenic, filtered 112 01000 Zinc, filtered 671 01090 Copper, filtered 1558 01040 Organic carbon--Schedule 2075 Carbon, organic, filtered 113 00681 125-mL amber glass Carbon, organic, suspended 305 00689 Silver filter, petri dish Pesticides--Schedule 2001 Alachlor 4001 46342 1-L baked Atrazine 4003 39632 amber glass Benfluralin 4005 82673 Butylate 4006 04028 Chlorpyrifos 4009 38933 Cyanazine 4010 04041 DCPA (Daethal) 4011 82682 DDE, p, p'- 4012 34653 Diazinon 4013 39572 Dieldrin 4015 39381 Diethylaniline 4016 82660 Disulfoton 4018 82677 EPTC (Eptam) 4019 82668 Ethalfuralin 4020 82663 Ethoprop 4021 82672 Fonofos 4022 04095 HCH, alpha- 4023 34253 HCH, gamma- (Lindane) 4025 39341 Linuron 4026 82666 Malathion 4027 39532 Metolachlor 4029 39415 Metribuzin 4030 82630 Molinate 4031 82671 Napropamide 4032 82684 Parathion, ethyl- 4033 39542 Parathion, methyl- 4028 82667 Pebulate 4034 82669 Pendimethalin 4035 82683 Permethrin, cis- 4036 82687 Phorate 4037 82664 Pronamide 4038 82676 Prometon 4039 04037 Propachlor 4040 04024 Propanil 4041 82679 Propargate I and II 4042 82685 Simazine 4043 04035 Thiobencarb 4044 82681 Tebuthiuron 4045 82670 Terbufos 4047 82675 Triallate 4049 82678 Triflualin 4050 82661 Atrazine, desethyl- 4002 04040 Azinphos, methyl- 4004 82686 Carbaryl (Sevin) 4007 82680 Terbacil 4046 82665 Acetochlor 4053 49260 Diazinon, d10-surrogate % 4014 91063 HCH, alpha d6-surrogate % 4024 91065 Terbuthylazine surrogate % 4048 91064