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G. A. Payne

Publications and source records attributed to G. A. Payne.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS1990

Effects of impoundments on water quality of streams in the Coteau des Prairies: Upper Minnesota River basin

Water-quality and streamflow data were collected in the Coteau des Prairies region of southwestern Minnesota and eastern South Dakota to document the water-quality characteristics of streams and impoundments in the Coteau, and to predict the effect of proposed impoundments on the quality of water in Coteau streams. Reconnaissance data collection at 66 stream and 24 impoundment sites plus 21 inlets and outlets during 1979, and intensive data collection at 4 stream and 4 impoundment plus 9 inlet and outlet sites during 1980-84, showed that major ions, nutrients, and suspended-sediment concentrations and suspendedsediment discharge differed widely in unimpounded streams, but that maximum and median suspended-sediment concentrations were significantly reduced in impounded streams. Peak daily suspended-sediment discharges were reduced at impoundment outlets relative to the sediment discharge at their inlets. The impoundments were found to have little or no effect on stream temperature and concentrations of dissolved oxygen, dissolved solids, and major ions. Elevated concentrations of fecal bacteria were found in unimpounded streams throughout the study area and the impoundments did not substantially reduce the number of bacteria transported in the impounded streams. During summer, elevated concentrations of nitrate, ammonia, and phosphorus were present in all the impoundments. Levels of productivity were not significantly related to concentrations of total phosphorus in the euphotic zone. Real levels of productivity differed among the impoundments however, and seemed to be affected by the occurrence and duration of thermal stratification. Periods of summer stratification and accumulation of late winter snow on pool ice were frequently accompanied by near total depletion of dissolved oxygen. During summer stratification the concentration of ammonia increased with time in the lower part of the water column in some impoundments.

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USGS1989

Flow characteristics of the Clearwater River and tributaries from Clearbrook to Plummer, northwestern Minnesota

During March through October 1986, 52,560 acre-feet of water passed the continuous-record stream gaging station on the Clearwater River near Clearbrook, Minnesota, 4.8 river miles upstream from the Red Lake Indian Reservation. Flow at the downstream boundary of the Reservation totaled 93,770 acre-feet. The increase in Clearwater River flow in the reach bordering the Reservation equaled 32,950 acre-feet; 60 percent of the increase occurred during March, April, and May. During those months, flow in the Clearwater River was augmented by flow from Kiwosay Reservoir and Butcher Knife Creek, which are located on the Reservation. Daily streamflow records showed that flow in the river increased in the Reservation reach throughout the study except for 13 days during October when losses occurred. At the downstream Reservation boundary, all daily mean flows exceeded the 36 cubic feet per second minimum flow required by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the gaging station at Plummer, Minnesota located 29.9 miles downstream from the Reservation boundary. Monthly flows generally followed expected seasonal trends, with the highest monthly totals occurring in April and May and the lowest monthly totals occurring during August, September, and October. Seasonal trends were modified by reservoir releases, withdrawals for irrigation, and return flows that resulted from drainage of adjacent wild-rice fields. A series of flow measurements showed that localized withdrawals and return flows at times exceeded 20 percent of total streamflow. Discharge measurements made during low flow indicated higher rates of groundwater discharge in the vicinity of the Kiwosay Reservoir than in other parts of the study reach. Measurements made during August indicated that groundwater discharge in the reach of the river bordering the Reservation resulted in a flow gain of about 20 percent. Analysis of long-term streamflow records showed that near-average hydrologic conditions prevailed during the study period.

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USGS1983

Streamflow and suspended-sediment transport in Garvin Brook, Winona County, southeastern Minnesota: Hydrologic data for 1982

Streamflow and suspended-sediment-transport data were collected in Garvin Brook watershed in Winona County, southeastern Minnesota, during 1982. The data collection was part of a study to determine the effectiveness of agricultural best-management practices designed to improve rural water quality. The study is part of a Rural Clean Water Program demonstration project undertaken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Continuous streamflow data were collected at three gaging stations during March through September 1982. Suspended-sediment samples were collected at two of the gaging stations. Samples were collected manually at weekly intervals. During periods of rapidly changing stage, samples were collected at 30-minute to 12-hour intervals by stage-activated automatic samplers. The samples were analyzed for suspendedsediment concentration and particle-size distribution. Particlesize distributions were also determined for one set of bedmaterial samples collected at each sediment-sampling site. The streamflow and suspended-sediment-concentration data were used to compute records of mean-daily flow, mean-daily suspended-sediment concentration, and daily suspended-sediment discharge. The daily records are documented and results of analyses for particle-size distribution and of vertical sampling in the stream cross sections are given.

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USGS1982

Quality of runoff from small watersheds in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Minnesota: Hydrologic data for 1980

An intensive study of nonpoint-source runoff was conducted in the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Minnesota during 1980. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationships between land use, watershed characteristics, and the quantity, quality, and timing of runoff. Discharge and water-quality data were collected at 19 sites located in 6 rural and 4 urban watersheds. Basin characteristics and land use were determined for each watershed. Recording instruments provided continuous discharge records at 17 sites and continuous rainfall records at 12 sites. Automatic samplers were used at 12 sites. Water-quality samples were collected at 15- to 60-minute intervals during periods of increased runoff. Samples were collected periodically during low flow. Primary emphasis was placed on analysis of samples for suspended solids, nutrients, and oxygen-demanding constituents. Secondary emphasis was placed on analysis for chloride, metals, bacteria, pesticides, and PCB's. Wetfall and dryfall precipitation-quality data were collected at six sites. Discharge and water-quality data were used to calculate storm and daily loads of chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, ammonia plus organic nitrogen, nitrite plus nitrate-nitrogen, total phosphorus, chloride, and lead. All data collected during the study are documented in tables that contain watershed characteristics and land use, daily and unit values for discharge and rainfall, rainfall characteristics, water-quality data for runoff and precipitation, results of laboratory settling tests, results of quality-assurance tests, dally loads, and storm loads.

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USGS1981

Water quality of Alimagnet, Farquar, and Long Lakes in Apple Valley, Minnesota

Alimagnet, Farquar, and Long Lakes, in Apple Valley, Minnesota, were sampled from 1973-79 to determine their physical and chemical characteristics. A storm-sewer inlet to Alimagnet Lake was also sampled during two storms in 1978. The 1976-77 drought caused a more noticeable effect on the quality of the lakes than any other factor. Chloride concentrations were 10 to 15 milligrams per liter before the drought, but increased 2 to 4 times during the drought. Dissolved solids reacted similarly. Dissolved oxygen and pH were governed mainly by biological activity. In February 1977, dissolved-oxygen concentration was less than 0.5 milligrams per liter in the three lakes. Ratios between mean total nitrogen and mean total phosphorus ranged from 22:1 to 26:1. Trophic-state indices indicate that the lakes are eutrophic. Blue-green algae dominated the phytoplankton populations. Storms sampled at a storm-sewer inlet to Alimagnet Lake showed higher concentrations of chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc than of lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Total phosphorus for the September 1978 storm had a concentration of 1.7 milligrams per liter, which means that approximately 29 pounds entered the lake during the 5.5-hour sampling period.

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USGS1980

Quality of runoff from small watersheds in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota - A project plan

A program of water-quality sampling to define the relationships between land use, watershed characteristics, and the quantity, quality, and timing of runoff has been started for the Twin Cities metropolitan area of Minnesota. Ten major watersheds were chosen as representative of conditions in the metropolitan area. Each will be sampled at one location near the outlet. Six of the watersheds are agricultural and range in size from 14.3 to 82.9 square miles. The four remaining watersheds are urbanized and range in size from 1.22 to 31.7 square miles. In addition, seven urban subwatersheds, which range in size from 0.12 to 0.47 square miles and reflect a dominant land-use type, will be sampled. Data collection is designed around the hydrologic conditions expected for each site. Sixteen of 17 sites are instrumented to define stream discharge, and 12 sites have automatic water samplers and recording rain gages. In addition, six sites will have automatic wetfall/dryfall precipitation collectors. Samples for analysis of 32 chemical, physical, and biological constituents will be collected at varying frequencies, with emphasis on storm sampling for suspended solids and nutrients. A data-management system being designed for the U.S. Geological Survey Urban Hydrology Studies Program will facilitate data processing. Data interpretation will be aimed at defining the quantity and quality characteristics of runoff from study watersheds. These findings will be extrapolated to unsampled watersheds in the metropolitan area.

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USGS1980

Baseline water quality of Schmidt, Hornbeam, and Horseshoe Lakes, Dakota County, Minnesota

Three lakes in Dakota County were sampled five times during an 18-month period to determine baseline water quality prior to construction of an interstate highway. Results of physical measurements and chemical analyses showed that the lakes were shallow, nonstratified, and nutrient enriched. Considerable seasonal variations in dissolved solids, nutrient, and dissolved-oxygen concentrations were observed. Oxygen depletion and high nutrient concentrations were characteristics of conditions under an ice cover. Blue-green algal blooms typically were established soon after ice breakup and persisted until late fall. Data from the study will be supplemented with data--collected during and after construction of the highway to assess the impact of highway construction s \d drainage on water quality of the lakes.

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USGS1980

Effects of urbanization on the water quality of lakes in Eagan, Minnesota

Water-quality characteristics of 17 lakes and ponds in the city of Eagan were described from data collected from 1972 through 1978. The data showed that differences in water quality between lakes were related to differences in the percentage of urbanization. However, water-quality variations within each lake were affected more by climatic variations than by land-use changes during that period. Dissolved solids, alkalinity, and chloride concentrations varied most in lakes with urbanized watersheds, in lakes with outlets, and in lakes less than 6 feet deep. Certain lakes without outlets showed an increase in chloride during the study, caused in part by urbanization but intensified by drought conditions of 1976-77. Fifteen of the lakes studied are less than 10 feet deep and frequently mix during open water. These lakes are highly eutrophic, primarily because of high nutrient loading and recycling of nutrients. Holland and Fish Lakes, with depths of 52 and 30 feet, respectively, were the least eutrophic. These lakes limit continuous recycling of nutrients from bottom materials to water surface by thermal stratification and entrapment of nutrients in the hypolimnion. Three phosphorus-prediction models developed during the study are applicable to shallow (less than about 12 feet), nonstratifying lakes and ponds. The data base was not sufficient to select an appropriate model to predict the effects of future loading from continuing urbanization on the deeper lakes.

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USGS1979

Water-quality reconnaissance of lakes in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Water samples were collected from three lakes in Voyageurs National Park to assess chemical and biological water quality in March and August 1977. Bottom material samples were also collected and analyzed for chemical quality. Results of the analyses show that the water system was dilute; specific conductance ranged from 32 to 111 micromhos. Blue-green algae, particularly Oscillatoria , were the most common phytoplankton in the samples. Differences in water quality, shown particularly by concentrations of nutrients and dissolved solids, were detected between samples collected in different areas of the park. The collected data were used to design a monitoring program to assess eutrophication that may occur during the development of the park.

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USGS1977

Baseline water quality of Long Meadow Lake, Ponds AP-9 and AP-10, and Black Dog Creek, Hennepin and Dakota counties, Minnesota

Long Meadow Lake, Black Dog Creek, and Ponds AP-9 and AP-10 which lie in an area designated for a trunk highway bridge crossing the Minnesota River, were sampled for baseline water quality prior to construction of the bridge. Data collected show that dissolved solids fluctuate seasonally. Dissolved oxygen:/ranged from less than 1 milligram per liter under an ice cover to 13-9 milligrams per liter in the September sample at site 4 in Long Meadow Lake. The phytoplankton analyses showed pulses in algae populations, blue-green algae being the dominant type in at least one sample from each of the water courses.

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