New USGS Report and Webinar on Dissolved Solids in Streams

A new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report provides science-based information on where dissolved solids concentrations are elevated and the dominant sources contributing to these conditions.  Using the USGS National Water Quality Assessment Program SPAtially-Referenced Regression on Watershed Attributes (SPARROW) model, long-term mean annual dissolved-solids loads from 2,560 water-quality monitoring stations were statistically related to several spatial datasets that are surrogates for dissolved-solids sources and land-to-water delivery processes.  Sources in the model included variables representing geologic materials, road deicers, urban lands, cultivated lands, and pasture lands.
Maps of concentrations, yields, and loads of dissolved solids in streams are available on the online, interactive decision support tool. The online tool can also be used to evaluate dissolved-solids loads to any user selected watershed outlet or to predict how changes in selected sources of dissolved solids within a selected watershed may change loadings to the watershed outlet.  Visit the related USGS web sites to view the Report, Maps, and Decision support system.  For questions, please contact David Anning at dwanning@usgs.gov or (928) 556-7139.
REGISTER for the USGS Webinar on July 22nd from 1:00 – 2:30pm (eastern) entitled, “Human Actions Increase Salt Content in many of the Nation’s Streams.”