The 1988 Maryland Synopic Stream Chemistry Survey Report On

' MARYLAND SXNOPKlC STREAM 1 CMEM\mSTRY SURVEY ESTIMATING THE NUMBER AND DISTRIBUTION OF STREAMS a AFFECTED BY OR AT RISK FROM ACIDIFICATION a PREPARED BY a INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, INC. 11260 ROGER BACON DRIVE, SUITE 201 RESTON, VIRGINIA 22090 APRIL, 1988 PREPARED FOR 9 I MARYLAND ROWER PLANT 9 RESEARCH PROGRAM ------- =---7-w ---7 I MARYLAND SYNOPTIC STREAM CHEMISTRY SURVEY Estimating the Number and Distribution of Streams Affected By or At Risk From Acidification Prepared by: INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, INC. 11260 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 201 Reston, VA 22090 C.M. Knapp, Project Manager W.P. Saunders, Jr., Deputy Project Manager Contributing Staff: 1 D.G. Heirnbuch H.S. Greening G.J. Filbin 'COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 2829 Old North Point Road Baltimore, MD 21222 Prepared for: State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources P.3wer Plant Research Program April, 1988 FOREWORD This report is submitted to Mr. Michael Bowman, Acid Deposition Administrator, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Power Plant Research Program, under contract PR87-071-02 with International Science & Technology, Inc. (IS&T). Its purpose is to present estimates of the number and extent of Maryland stream resources that are presently affected by or sensitive to acidification, based on the results of a survey conducted in the spring of 1987. The survey results have been used to design a long-term stream chemistry monitoring program that can be implemented by the State of Maryland. This monitoring program is described in a four-volume companion report: Knapp, C.M., G.J. Filbin, and M.B. Bonoff. Maryland Long-Term Stream Chemistry Monitoring Program. 1988. Prepared by International Science & Technology, Inc., Reston, VA, for Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Power Plant Research Program. Annapolis, MD. AD-88-3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The design of the Maryland Synoptic Stream Chemistry Survey was developed in part during a Stream Survey Design Workshop, held November 19 and 20, 1986. Participants in this workshop included scientific and technical advisors to International Science & Technology, Inc. (IS&T) and to the Maryland Power Plant Research Program (PPRP), in addition to representatives of both IS&T and PPRP. Scientific and technical advisors included: Dr. Paul Godfrey, University of Massachusetts: Mr. Jim Gracie, J.W. Gracie and Associates: Dr. George Hornberger, University of Virginia: Dr. Ronald Klauda, Johns Hopkins University; Dr. John Kraeuter, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company: Dr. Jim Lynch, Pennsylvania State University; Dr. Douglas Robson, Cornell University (emeritus); Dr. Cullen Sherwood, James Madison University; and Dr. Kent Thornton, FTN Associates, Inc. Representatives of the State of Maryland attending this workshop were Mr. Michael Bowman, PPRP, and Mr. Paul Slunt, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (now Department of the Environment). IS&T representatives included: Mr. Michael Bonoff, Mr. Douglas Britt, Dr. Gerald Filbin, Mr. Charles Knapp, Mr. Ky Ostergaard, Mr. Peter Saunders, and Dr. Alan Steiner. -.. Many people contributed to the implementation of the Survey. The following Project Foresters of the Maryland Forest, Park, and Wildlife Service (MFPWS) assisted in contacting property owners to obtain permission to collect water samples: Mr. Mark Acker, Mr. Joe Barley, Mr. Randy Blass, Mr. David Chessler, Mr. Robert Clark, Mr. Scott Daniels, Ms. Terri Dickerson, Ms. Karen Gailey, Ms. Bonnie Johnson, Mr. John Jordan, Ms. Cynthia Junghans, Mr. Steven Koehrr, Mr. Stark McLaughlin, Mr. Wayne Merkel, Mr. Ernest Metz, Mr. John Michael, Mr. Philip Pannill, Ms. Cynthia Tuck, and Mr. Bernard Zlomek. Mr. James Burtis and Mr. James Roberts of the MFPWS coordinated the activities of the Project Foresters. Water samples were collected by 223 volunteers, who were recruited and organized by Mr. James Gracie, of J.W. Gracie and Associates. The following IS&T staff members participated in the implementation activities: Ms. Barbara Allen, Ms. Bonne Arnold, Mr. Ben Bell, Mr. Alan Biddlecomb, Mr. Michael Bonoff, Ms. Toni Borge, Mr. Jim Bukowski, Ms. Chris Cooper, Mr. Robert Danehy, Mr. Dave Dinsmore, Ms. Lisa Featherstone, Mr. James Gregory, Mr. Paul Gremillion, Ms. Karen Irby, Mr. James Fraser, Dr. Anthony Janicki, Mr. William Killen, Mr. John Kinsman, Ms. Rebecca Knapp, Dr. John Mudre, Mr. Ky Ostergaard, Mr. Jeff Owen, Ms. Sheila Pelczarski, Mr. Michael Pinder, Ms. Jodi Scott, Mr. Klaus Scott, Ms. Carole Shriner, Dr. Alan Steiner, Mr. Gary Turner, Mr. Mack Wallace, and Ms. Amy Woodis. In addition to the project staff listed on the title page, numerous individuals contributed to the preparation of this report. Dr. Douglas Robson (Cornell University, emeritus) assisted in development of the data analysis procedures. Dr. Ronald Klauda (Johns Hopkins University) assisted in the evaluation of fish sensitivity to pH. Dr. Alan Steiner was responsible for all data base management and statistical programming. Mr. Douglas Britt and Dr. Anthony Janicki provided valuable oversight, organizational, and editorial assistance throughout the project. Ms. Donna Dotson, Ms. Janet Heckber, and Ms. Terry Zeller typed all draft and final copies of this document. Ms. Bonne Arnold, Ms. Chris Cooper and Mr; Jeff Owen assisted in preparation of graphics. The authors extend their sincere appreciation to all of the individuals who contributed their expertise and efforts to this project. Special thanks must be directed to the many volunteers whose enthusiasm, tireless efforts, and outstanding performance made this survey possible. ABSTRACT The Maryland Synoptic Stream Chemistry Survey was designed to provide statewide estimates of the number and extent of stream resources presently affected by or at risk from acidification. Streams surveyed were selected as a stratified random sample from a statewide list of non-tidal stream reaches. The sample represented water quality conditions in a population of interest comprising the state's headwater -- - 2 (watershed area 5 100 km ) stream resources sampled during relatively constant phenological conditions during the spring of 1987. Of the 6875 non-tidal stream reaches in the state, an estimated 5411 stream reaches belong to the population of interest. Volunteers collected water samples from 559 randomly selected and 71 special interest reaches statewide. Samples were analyzed for acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), pH, conductivity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), color, and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), using analytical methods developed for the EPA National Surface Water Survey. Rigorous quality assurance/quality control procedures were followed throughout site selection, sample collection, and sample analysis. Population estimates of the number and total length of stream reaches at or below specific levels of ANC or pH were developed using data from 535 randomly sampled stream reaches. (Data from 24 randomly selected streams were eliminated from these analyses on the basis of potential contamination by NPDES permitted discharges or compromised sample quality.) In the Coastal Plain portion of the state, an estimated 1977 stream kilometers had pH values of 6.5 or lower (values that may cause decreased reproductive success in anadromous fish that utilize Coastal Plain streams). In upland portions of the state, 283 stream kilometers had pH values of 6.0 or lower (values that may cause decreased reproductive success of resident native fish populations). Based on a 1 sensitivity criterion of ANC 5200 ueq L - , approximately one-third (32%) of all stream reaches (nearly 4200 stream kilometers) are potent.ially sensitive to acidification or already acidified. Sensitive streams are present in all physiograpt~ic provinces in Maryland: the highest proportions are found in the South Coastal Plain (74%) and the -A-==- Appalachian Plateau (52%). ___L TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER -PAGE LIST OF TABLES viii LIST OF FIGURES X I. INTRODUCTION MSSCS Design Summary Report Organization 11. IMPLEMENTATION 111. DATA ANALYSIS Introduction Description of the MSSCS Data Population Estimates of Acidic and Acid Sensitive Streams Classification Analyses IV. DISCUSSION V. CONCLUSIONS VI. REFERENCES APPENDICES A SURVEY IMPLEMENTATION B QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL FOR THE MARYLAND SYNOPTIC STREAM SURVEY C POPULATION ESTIMATION EQUATIONS D POPULATION ESTIMATION RESULTS E RANDOMLY SELECTED STREAM REACH LOCATIONS AND CHEMICAL DATA F SPECIAL INTEREST STREAM LOCATIONS AND CHEMICAL DATA LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE Range of pH Values That Have Been Associated with Adverse Effects on Some Fish Species Found in Maryland Distribution of Stream Reaches in Maryland Distribution of Randomly Selected and Sampled Stream Reaches Laboratory Parameters Measured in the MSSCS Parameters and Measurement Units for Reaches Sampled in the MSSCS Description of the Distribution of Watershed Area (km2) in the MSSCS Random Sample Description of the Distribution of Drainage Length (km) in the MSSCS Random Sample Description of the Distribution of Strahler Order in the MSSCS Random Sample Description of the Distribution of Shreve Order in the MSSCS Random Sample Description of the Distribution of Drainage Density (km/km2) in the MSSCS Random Sample Description of the Distribution of pH in the MSSCS Random Sample Description of the Distribution of ANC (ueq L-l) in the MSSCS Random Sample Description of the Distribution of DIC (mg L-l) in the MSSCS Random Sample Description of the Distribution of DOC (mg L-l) in the MSSCS Random Sample Description

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