PUBLICATIONS - Report--"A study of the chemical quality of streamflow in Arkansas, " by Timothy Doak Steele
  


                                      December 7, 1971

QUALITY OF WATER BRANCH TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 72.05

Subject: PUBLICATIONS - Report--"A study of the chemical 
         quality of streamflow in Arkansas, " by Timothy Doak 
         Steele

The design and operation of a water-resources information 
system requires that continuing reappraisal be made of that 
system through evaluation of the accumulated data. In recent 
years, the Water Resources Division has attempted to foster 
an orderly and scientific approach to the design and 
management of the water-quality information system 
represented by our Federal-State basic-data programs. One of 
the mechanisms used for this purpose has been the 
encouragement of pilot studies in water-quality data 
evaluation.

The development of computer techniques in data handling has 
allowed us to begin some scattered qualitative and special-
purpose studies centered on a suite of historical inorganic 
chemical constituents. The studies have been designed to test 
the usefulness of some of the available techniques for 
improving the design of district data-collection programs.

The attached report, prepared in cooperation with the 
Arkansas District, is in fulfillment of the first phase of 
Project Ark-l9-F, one of several pilot data-evaluation 
studies authorized and partially funded by the Division. In 
the report are presented examples of several types of 
statistical analyses that can be made of streamflow chemical-
quality data using routine computer programs. Application of 
the results of the analyses to synthesis and regionalization 
of data, and for assessing frequency-of-sampling 
alternatives, is described also.

A key conclusion in Mr. Steele's study is that where a 
regression relationship exists for the dominantions and 
specific conductance, it is possible to estimate monthly mean 
concentrations and loads generally within 15-20 percent of 
the measured daily values.                     

Through the use of a computer-oriented analytical approach 
such as that described in the report, the Division can 
improve the efficiency of its data programs and thereby free 
manpower and funds for expanding our data-collection efforts 
in the newly important aspects of water quality, such as 
organic compounds, minor elements, and biological studies.  
Techniques and computer programs are evolving beyond those 
used since the inception of this study.  We should use these 
programs, along with proper scientific and mathematical 
techniques, to constantly improve both the quality and the 
adequacy of our data programs.  It is hoped that the methods 
applied in the Arkansas study will be used increasingly by 
Division hydrologists to this end.  Examples of similar pilot 
studies will follow.


                              W.H. Durum
                              Chief, Quality of Water Branch

Attachment (in File Folder)

WRD Distribution:
A (Regional Hydrologists only), FO-LS