NPS, Eastern River and Mountains Network
Solinst Eureka
2113 Wells Branch Pkwy, Suite 4400
Austin, TX, USA
78728
Tel: +1 512-302-4333
Fax: +1 512-251-6842
email: [email protected]
Overview
Since 1999, the National Park Service has conducted long-term ecological monitoring designed to identify and monitor conditions of their highest priority natural resources. The Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network is one of 32 networks formed to implement this integrated monitoring program which is tailored to specific needs of parks located in similar environmental settings. Due to its importance as a natural resource and as an important element of visitor experience, water-quality was selected as one of 12 core NPS natural resource inventories for which baseline data were collected system-wide.
Continuous water-quality data (i.e., temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen concentration [DO], turbidity) at large river index sites was identified as a high priority for Vital Signs Monitoring due to: 1) the importance of river ecosystems as focal natural resources among ERMN parks and 2) existing long-term water-quality monitoring programs.
Challenge:
The quality of water fundamentally determines which plant and animal species can live in aquatic ecosystems like streams, lakes, and rivers. It also determines if humans can use water for drinking, swimming, and other activities. Because the quality of river water typically changes on a seasonal, daily, and hourly basis, it was imperative to employ a continuous water-quality monitoring system in ERMN rivers with the primary objectives being:
- Document the status and trends of selected water-quality parameters (DO, pH, specific conductance, water temperature, and turbidity) at index sites on two of the network’s largest rivers (Delaware River and New River).
- Describe seasonal and annual patterns of parameters listed in objective 1.
- Document, where appropriate, whether applicable (e.g., state, federal, and/or special protection) water-quality standards are met for parameters listed in objective 1.
Communicating this knowledge to park staff and cooperators will improve their ability to make informed management decisions and help to maintain or improve water-quality in these rivers.
Solution:
A Manta data sonde from Solinst Eureka was continuously deployed in-situ on the Lordville Road bridge near the main flow of the Delaware River. Water quality measurements are recorded every 15 minutes.
The sonde is suspended from the top of the bridge approximately 0.5 m above the riverbed, inside a 10 cm (4”) diameter deployment pipe by nylon cord and a communication cable. The deployment pipe was attached to the concrete bridge pier just below the 45-degree taper to the downstream point of the pier, ensuring a representative flow of water past the sonde while protecting it from debris flowing downstream.
The bottom 1.5 m (5 ft.) of the pipe (i.e., from the riverbed up) was perforated schedule-80 PVC pipe whereas the remainder of the pipe was galvanized steel.
The installation was equipped with satellite telemetry capability so that ERMN staff and other interested stakeholders could remotely monitor the condition of the sensors and provisional water quality data.
Result:
A primary goal of the ERMN river water quality and quantity monitoring protocol is to help maintain or improve the condition of rivers that flow through ERMN parks. As the program progresses and is refined, findings are used to help prioritize and guide activities within ERMN parks. By consistently gathering data, officials can maintain high quality water where it exists and improve water quality where necessary .
Manta Series Water Quality Probes
Solinst Eureka offers the largest selection of water quality sensor technologies in the industry. So in addition to standard configurations, each probe may be customized for your specific application. Pick sensors of your choice to fully populate larger probes, or add a battery pack to convert a probe to a logging device.
Manta Trimeter Water Quality Probe
The Trimeter holds any one sensor* from the Sensor Parameters list, Plus temperature and depth sensors (both are optional). For example, a Trimeter configuration could be turbidity, temperature, and depth. Another example could be DO and temperature.
EasyProbe: Water Quality Sondes
The EasyProbe, by Solinst Eureka, is a high-performance, cost-effective water quality monitor. It's ideal for spot-checking, remote telemetry, education, research, aquaculture, and more. The EasyProbe20 includes sensors for temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH, while the EasyProbe30 adds a turbidity sensor. Eureka multiprobes are known for their reliability, with a three-year warranty covering all sensors, and have the lowest maintenance costs in the industry.
Related Products
Water Level, Temperature & Conductivity Datalogging
The Levelogger 5 LTC measures and logs water level fluctuations, temperature and conductivity. It is programmed to record at intervals as often as 2 seconds. It includes an 8-year battery, memory for 100,000 sets of readings, and comes in 6 pressure ranges. A PFAS-free coating (inside and out) provides superior corrosion and abrasion resistance.
TLC Meter – Measure Accurate Temperature, Level & Conductivity
A TLC Meter provides accurate, stable temperature and conductivity measurements, displayed on a convenient LCD display for easy reading. Static water level and depth of readings are read off Solinst flat tape, which is precisely laser-marked every mm or 1/100 ft. Tape lengths are available to 300 m (1000 ft).
