National Surface Water Survey: National Stream Survey Phase I--Pilot Survey

A pilot survey of streams in the Southern Blue Ridge Province was conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency during the spring and summer of 1985 as a means of testing a proposed methodology for (1) determining the present extent and location of acidic and low acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) streams in the United States and (2) classifying sampled streams that are representative of important classes of streams and, therefore, should be selected for intensive study or long-term monitoring. Data from the National Stream Survey Phase I-Pilot Survey are presented in the context of evaluating a statistical sampling design, logistics plan, quality assurance plan, and data management program. Results indicate that the design is capable of producing robust population estimates for important chemical variables using a single synoptic sampling of streams, and that it has the potential of producing a relatively simple geochemical classification of streams. The study showed that, with 95% confidence, less than 3.2% of the combined length of streams in the target population exhibited average spring non-episodic pH values below 6.4 (the lowest value for which a confidence level could be used). The best estimate of the percentage of stream length with ANC less than or equalmore » to 200 ..mu..eq L/sup /minus/1/ was 74.4%.« less

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