2014 Savannah River Monitoring Report
Phinizy Center for Water Sciences 1858 Lock & Dam Road Augusta, GA 30906 706.828.2109 www.phinizycenter.org 2014 Savannah River Monitoring Report 1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Phinizy Center for Water Sciences would like to thank the following entities for their generous and loyal support, without which this important research would not have been possible:
Augusta-Richmond County - Utilites Department
Columbia County - Water Utility
City of North Augusta, SC
Potash Corporation
International Paper
2014 Savannah River Monitoring Report 2
Contents Contents...... 2
Table of Tables ...... 3
Table of Figures...... 4
Introduction ...... 5
Methods ...... 8
Monitoring Locations ...... 8
Hydrology and Climate Data ...... 11
Lake Profile Data ...... 11
Continuous Monitoring ...... 11
Long-Term BOD Study ...... 11
RESULTS - HYDROLOGY & CLIMATE ...... 13
RESULTS - LAKE PROFILES ...... 16
RESULTS - CONTINUOUS MONITORING ...... 18
RESULTS - LONG-TERM BOD ...... 31
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Table of Tables Table 1. Savannah River Monitoring Locations ...... 9
Table 2. Monthly mean water temperature (degrees Celsius) ...... 18
Table 3. Monthly mean specific conductance (µs/cm2) ...... 18
Table 4. Monthly mean pH ...... 19
Table 5. Monthly mean dissolved oxygen concentrtion (mg/L) ...... 19
Table 6. Monthly mean dissolved oxygen percent saturation ...... 20
Table 7. Results of 2014 long-term BOD tests ...... 31
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Table of Figures Figure 1. Map of the Savannah River Basin ...... 7
Figure 2. Monitoring location map ...... 10
Figure 3. 2014 Monthly total and long-term monthly mean precipitation (in) (NCDC 2015) ...... 13
Figure 4. 2014 Palmer Hydrologic Drought Index (PHDI) for Savannah River Basin ...... 14
Figure 5. 2014 daily mean discharge (ft3/sec) and long-term (1954-2013) monthly mean discharge (open circles)...... 15
Figure 6. Depth-Time diagram of temperature at J. Strom Thurmond Lake (ACOE 2014) ...... 16
Figure 7. Depth-Time diagram of dissolved oxygen (mg/L) in J. Strom Thurmond Lake (ACOE 2014) ...... 17
Figure 8. 2014 daily mean water temperature (station location by river mile in top right corner of each plot; x- axis indicates month #) ...... 22
Figure 9. 2014 daily mean specific conductance (station location by river mile in top right corner of each plot; x- axis indicates month #) ...... 24
Figure 10. 2014 daily mean pH (station location by river mile in top right corner of each plot; x-axis indicates month #) ...... 26
Figure 11. 2014 daily mean dissolved oxygen concentration (station location by river mile in top right corner of each plot; x-axis indicates month #) ...... 28
Figure 12. 2014 daily mean dissolved oxygen saturation (station location by river mile in top right corner of each plot; x-axis indicates month #) ...... 30
Figure 13. Results of 2014 long-term BOD test compared to box plots of historical results ...... 31
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Introduction Phinizy Center for Water Sciences (PCWS) has been monitoring the Savannah River using continuous datasondes since 2005. The main goal LOCATIONS OF MAJOR of this monitoring program is to provide a “backbone” of basic water SAVANNAH RIVER quality data that supports and informs research aimed at understanding FEATURES how the Savannah River functions. To date, PCWS’s river research program has River Mile 288 • produced the most geographically and temporally comprehensive Hartwell Dam water quality database in the history of the Savannah River, • been used by Georgia EPD to calibrate its Savannah River water River Mile 258 quality model, Richard B. Russell Dam • informed resource managers about the impacts of low flows and River Mile 221 drought, J. Strom Thurmond Dam • provided insight into the movements of the endangered shortnose sturgeon, and River Mile 209 • revealed the importance of the Augusta Shoals and the effects of Steven’s Creek Dam Thurmond Dam operations. River Mile 208 In 2013, through the generous support of individuals, and local Augusta Diversion Dam governments, PCWS began converting to a real-time, web accessible River Mile 187.5 monitoring system. Continuous monitoring data from these station is New Savannah Bluff Lock & available to the public at: http://goo.gl.kFn6H. Dam This report summarizes the continuous monitoring data collected by River Mile 150 PCWS during the 2014 calendar year. As additional information, this Plant Vogtle report also summarizes some basic climatological and hydrologic data collected by other state and federal resource agencies. River Mile 119 HWY 301 Bridge ABOUT THE SAVANNAH RIVER River Mile 61 Savannah River flows for approximately 312-miles from its headwaters in HWY 119 Bridge the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean near Savannah, Georgia. The river forms much of the border between Georgia and South Carolina, River Mile 27 bisecting three distinct physiographic regions - the Blue Ridge, Piedmont, Interstate 95 Bridge and Coastal Plain. The Savannah River Basin (Figure 1) receives drainage from approximately 10,600 square miles of watershed located in North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Near the headwaters, the Seneca and Tugaloo Rivers join and are impounded to form Lake Hartwell. Below Hartwell Dam, the river is further regulated by Richard B. Russell and J. Strom Thurmond dams and their associated impoundments. These three impoundments stretch 120
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river miles (USACE 1996), and are primarily constructed for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. Beginning approximately 13 miles below Thurmond Dam, three additional features impact river flow: Stevens Creek Dam, Augusta Diversion Dam, and New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam (NSBLD).
The Savannah River becomes a free flowing river below NSBLD. Flow patterns have also been influenced by down-river dredging, 26 miles of channelization, and navigation cuts (Hale and Jackson, 2003). Dredging operations from River Mile 21.3 (RM, measured from the mouth of the Savannah River) up to RM 204.4 (just above NSBLD) ended in 1979 due to a lack of barge traffic around Augusta.
The endangered shortnose sturgeon and Atlantic sturgeon inhabit the Savannah River, as well as other important diadromous species such as American shad, blueback herring, and striped bass.
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Gastonia NORTH CAROLINA Charlotte
Rock Hill
Greenville
SOUTH CAROLINA Columbia Athens
Augusta
GEORGIA
Macon
Warner Robins
Savannah
Figure 1. Map of the Savannah River Basin
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Methods
Monitoring Locations In 2014, PCWS performed continuous monitoring at 9 stations in the Savannah River mainstem. A description of each site, as well as a table of site locations (Table 1) and location map (Figure 2) are presented below.
RM 214 Hydrology at RM 214 was highly influenced by hydropower discharges from the USACE’s J. Strom Thurmond Dam, located approximately eight miles upstream. This section of the river is also referred to as the Stevens Creek pool, as it is impounded by SCE&G’s Stevens Creek Dam, located approximately six miles downstream (RM 208). Depending on the magnitude, duration, and timing of generation at both dams, water velocities typically range from 0.4 to 2 ft/sec and depths fluctuated an average of two feet daily, with a mean cross-sectional depth of approximately 11 feet. The river channel is relatively wide with a bed consisting primarily of coarse sand. Fallen trees and limbs (snags) were common along the banks.
RM 202 The station at RM 202 was located approximately five miles below the Augusta Diversion Dam (ADD) at the base of the shoals and at the upstream limit of the Augusta Pool, which extends approximately 15 miles downstream to New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam (NSBLD). Hydrology at RM 202 is influenced greatly by the ADD, which, during low flows, diverted up to 75% of the river flow into the Augusta Canal (FERC, 2006). Water levels here are held relatively constant by NSBLD, with pool level fluctuations averaging less than one foot daily. Mean cross-sectional depths are typically 10 - 18 feet, with measured velocities ranging from 0.28 -1.36 ft/second. This station was immediately below the most downstream river island, where a majority of the water flows through a channel on the South Carolina side of the river. The streambed was predominantly composed of bedrock and coarse sand.
RM 190 The RM 190 station was the last station in the pool section of the Savannah River, located approximately 3 miles upstream of NSBLD. Cutgrass (Zizianopsis miliacea) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) were the primary aquatic plants inhabiting the shallow stream margins. Mean cross-sectional depth ranged from 15-18 ft. with velocities between 0.4-1.02 ft/sec. Bottom substrate here consists primarily of coarse sand.
RM 146 The RM 146 station was located approximately three miles downstream of Plant Vogtle nuclear electric plant, and was the third station in the free-flowing section of the river. This station was downstream from the mouth of Upper Three Runs Creek, located on the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site. Mean cross-sectional depths at this site range from 7 to 11 feet with velocities between 1.8 and 2.1 ft/sec. The bed material consists primarily of coarse sand.
RM 119 The RM 119 station was located just upstream of the Highway 301 bridge and USGS Station No. 02197500. Mean cross-sectional depths and velocities at this site average 8.9 feet and 2.26 ft/sec, respectively. Snags are common in this section, with black willows (Salix nigra) lining the shallower margins of the channel.
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RM 61 The RM 61 station was located 0.4 miles below Georgia Highway 119. This was the most downstream station in the freshwater, non-tidally influenced reach of the river. Mean cross-sectional depth and velocity at this site average 9.6 ft and 2 ft/sec, respectively.
RM 27 The RM 27 station was located beneath the Interstate 95 bridge, approximately one mile downstream of the mouth of Abercorn Creek, and adjacent to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. The river at this location is highly influenced by semidiurnal tidal fluctuations resulting in mean water level fluctuations of 7 feet.
Table 1. Savannah River Monitoring Locations
River Location Latitude Longitude Mile 214 8 miles below Thurmond Dam 33.5904790 -82.1305320 202 Just below Augusta Shoals 33.5027653 -81.9906723 190 2.5 miles upstream of NSBLD 33.3839097 -81.9317347 185 2.5 miles downstream of NSBLD 33.3453000 -81.9410000 179 8.5 miles downstream of NSBLD 33.3179140 -81.8909290 146 3 miles downstream of USGS gauge 021973269 33.1160790 -81.6977210 119 US HWY 301 32.9403800 -81.5019190 61 0.5 miles downstream of USGS gauge 02198500 @ HWY 119 32.5247390 -81.2623880 27 I95 bridge, near USGS gauge 02198840 32.2356380 -81.1508680
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Figure 2. Monitoring location map
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Hydrology and Climate Data Hydrology and climate data were obtained from three sources: (1) USACE Water Management Page for The Savannah River Projects (USACE 2014), (2) USGS National Water Information System (USGS 2014), and (3) NOAAs National Climatic Data Center (NCDC 2014).
Lake Profile Data Data from monthly vertical profiles collected in the J. Strom Thurmond Lake forebay was obtained from the USACE. The USACE performed these monthly profiles approximately 0.5 miles upstream of the dam. Temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and pH were recorded from the surface to the lake bottom at approximately 6 ft intervals.
Continuous Monitoring Each monitoring station was equipped with a YSI 6820 V2-1 multiparameter sonde (YSI, Inc., Yellow Springs, OH). Each sonde was equipped with probes that measure temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and pH. Specifications for each probe are presented in Table 2. All sondes were programmed to measure the above- listed parameters at 15-minute intervals.
Sondes were cleaned and recalibrated at each location at approximately 1-month intervals. Where possible and necessary, sonde data was corrected for calibration and fouling drift using field and lab QA/QC data. Statistical summaries and drift corrections were performed using Aquarius WorkStation (v 3.10.71; Aquatic Informatics).
Long-Term BOD Study Samples were collected in May 2014. The amplified BOD test was conducted according to Georgia Environmental Protection Division protocols (GAEPD 1989, 2005). Each sample was incubated at 20 C for 120 days. Dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) of each sample was measured and recorded daily for days 1-7, every two days for days 8-22, every three days for 23-44, and every seven days for days 45-120. A subsample from each sample was collected on the same days and analyzed for nitrate/nitrite, nitrite, and ammonia (EPA methods 353.2 rev. 2 and 350.1), and subsamples from day 1 and 120 were analyzed for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (EPA method 351.1) on an AQ2 Advanced Discrete Analyzer. Blank and replicate samples were included in each lot of samples.
Sample data were analyzed using GAEPD’s LtBOD analysis software (GAEPD 2010). Within this software, a least squares regression was used to model the nitrogenous and carbonaceous components of BODU. For the nitrogenous component, a lagged first order model was first applied according to the following equation:
( ) = (1 − )
The lagged first order curve was then subtracted from the total BOD curve, and a dual first order model was applied to the residuals to estimate the carbonaceous component according to the following equation:
= 1− + 1−
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Where:
BODt = BOD, mg/L, at time t, days
BODu = ultimate BOD, mg/L
t = elapsed time, days
k1 = first first-order decay rate, days-1 k2 = second first-order decay rate, days-1
Lag = time to onset of first order reaction, days
After determining the best fit for each BODU component, residuals were analyzed to ensure symmetry.
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RESULTS - HYDROLOGY & CLIMATE
Precipitation Total annual precipitation in 2014 (38.72 in) was 11% below normal compared to the long-term (30-year) average (43.6 in.)(Figure 3). According to the NCDCs drought monitoring program, the Palmer Hydrologic Drought Index (PHDI) for the Southeast region averaged 1.13 for 2014, indicating slightly moist conditions (Figure 4)(NCDC 2015).
6
2014 5 1981-2010 Mean
4
3
Precipitation (in) Precipitation 2
1
0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Figure 3. 2014 Monthly total and long-term monthly mean precipitation (in) (NCDC 2015)
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6
1954-2013 2014
4
2
0 PHDI
-2
-4
-6 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Figure 4. 2014 Palmer Hydrologic Drought Index (PHDI) for Savannah River Basin
Hydrology Due to the below-average precipitation mentioned above, discharge in the Savannah River was lower than the long-term average for much of the year. The 2014 mean annual discharge at USGS gauge #02197000 (Savannah River at Augusta) was 8,550 ft3/sec, compared to the long-term (1954-2013) annual average of 8,844 ft3/sec. Figure 5 depicts the daily average discharge and long-term average monthly discharge USACE gauge at Thurmond Dam (RM221), and USGS gauges at RM 187.5 (#02197000), RM 148 (#021973269), RM 119 (#02197500), and RM 61 (#02198500).
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40000 40000 221 187.5
30000 30000
20000 20000
10000 10000
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
40000 40000 146 119
30000 30000
20000 20000
10000 10000
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
40000 61
30000
20000
10000
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Figure 5. 2014 daily mean discharge (ft3/sec) and long-term (1954-2013) monthly mean discharge (open circles).
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RESULTS - LAKE PROFILES
Monthly vertical profiles performed by the USACE in the Thurmond forebay indicated the lake began to thermally and chemically stratify in April (Figure 6 and Figure 7). In June 2011, the USACE began operating it’s newly installed oxygenation system located approximately five miles upstream of the dam. With oxygen diffusers located between 80 - 120 ft below the lake’s surface, the effect of this system can be seen in Figure 7, within a 20-foot band between 270 and 290 ft msl from July to October.
320 10 15 20 25 300 30
280
260
Elevation (ft msl) Elevation 240
220
200
Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec
Figure 6. Depth-Time diagram of temperature at J. Strom Thurmond Lake (ACOE 2014)
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320
300 0 2 4 280 6 8 10 12 260
Elevation (ft msl) (ft Elevation 240
220
200
Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec
Figure 7. Depth-Time diagram of dissolved oxygen (mg/L) in J. Strom Thurmond Lake (ACOE 2014)
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RESULTS - CONTINUOUS MONITORING
Water Temperature Water temperatures in the river were generally lowest January and February, and highest in August (Table 2 and Figure 8). Notable was the characteristic left-skewed annual temperature pattern at RM 214 which is a result of hypolimnetic releases from Thurmond Dam. The largest range of values was at RM 27 (24.05° C). Average annual water temperature was lowest at RM 215 (14.83° C), and generally increased in a downstream direction.
Table 2. Monthly mean water temperature (degrees Celsius)
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 214 9.68 8.09 9.97 12.53 14.32 15.48 16.92 18.82 20.67 21.20 17.13 12.69 202 9.11 8.70 10.97 15.12 18.86 21.25 21.35 22.52 23.18 21.66 15.09 12.47 190 9.42 8.80 11.08 14.87 19.02 21.86 21.65 22.70 23.38 22.12 15.89 12.80 185 9.41 8.88 11.29 15.15 20.28 22.23 22.29 22.86 23.52 22.11 15.83 12.80 179 ------23.82 23.73 22.12 15.72 12.71 146 8.29 9.10 11.55 15.86 20.43 23.99 23.59 24.25 24.13 21.82 15.09 12.50 119 8.44 9.40 11.78 16.34 20.99 25.02 24.36 25.07 24.59 21.89 15.00 12.40 61 8.20 9.84 12.30 17.02 21.48 26.38 26.22 26.01 24.95 21.56 14.66 12.26 27 8.32 10.14 12.61 17.40 22.49 26.71 27.32 27.17 26.65 23.01 15.18 12.28
Specific Conductance Specific conductance (conductivity) in the freshwater section of the Savannah River generally increased in the downstream direction (Table 3, Figure 9). Conductivity in the freshwater section ranged from an annual average of 46 μs/cm2 at RM 214 to 90 μs/cm2 at RM 27. At RM 27, conductivity was partially influenced by tidal activity, with the highest values occurring during spring tides, and the lowest values occurring during neap tides.
Table 3. Monthly mean specific conductance (µs/cm2)
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 214 47 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 49 50 47 48 202 47 51 50 51 49 47 46 45 47 51 50 48 190 49 51 52 49 51 53 51 52 54 58 53 52 185 69 71 70 64 64 61 66 63 67 69 71 66 179 ------82 88 99 96 93 146 59 73 71 71 86 93 81 86 93 105 96 92 119 55 70 70 73 89 98 86 92 100 105 99 94 61 59 73 76 74 89 101 89 95 100 109 105 102 27 59 73 78 74 90 98 94 102 111 113 111 105
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pH Savannah River pH levels were relatively circumneutral (~7) at most sites, ranging from an annual average of 6.39 at RM 214 to 7.13 at RM 202 (Table 4, Figure 10). Levels below a pH of 7 were typically associated with larger precipitation events in previous years. RM 202 exhibited both the highest (9.24) and most variable (0.40 standard deviation) pH levels of all monitored sites, likely due to high levels of production (i.e., photosynthesis) with the Augusta Shoals.
Table 4. Monthly mean pH
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 214 6.72 6.68 6.69 6.57 6.37 6.14 6.01 5.98 6.04 6.29 6.58 6.68 202 6.88 6.91 6.92 7.11 7.14 7.11 6.98 7.03 7.12 7.49 7.51 7.34 190 6.79 6.70 6.73 6.79 6.77 6.63 6.62 6.55 6.46 6.55 6.66 6.64 185 6.82 6.79 6.88 6.98 6.91 6.79 6.77 6.65 6.69 6.70 6.77 6.82 179 ------6.53 6.51 6.54 6.62 6.63 146 6.67 6.69 6.61 6.58 6.57 6.54 6.57 6.56 6.51 6.62 6.82 6.85 119 6.46 6.60 6.63 6.60 6.69 6.72 6.66 6.69 6.62 6.67 6.60 6.42 61 6.60 6.76 6.80 6.75 6.92 6.92 6.83 6.85 6.91 7.00 6.96 6.85 27 6.33 6.53 6.55 6.46 6.64 6.90 6.82 6.80 6.85 7.27 7.23 7.07
Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved oxygen levels met or exceeded state water quality standards at all stations except RM 214. Dissolved oxygen levels ranged from a high of 12.39 mg/L at RM 202 and 185, to a low of 4.32 mg/L at RM 27 (Table 5, Figure 11). The highest variability was experienced at RM 214 (2.25 mg/L). Percent saturation ranged from a high of 141.9 % at RM 202, to a low of 47.6 % at RM 214 (Table 6 and Figure 12).
Current dissolved oxygen standards for the Savannah River stipulate daily average concentrations of 5 mg/L, and instantaneous concentrations equal to or greater than 4 mg/L. At the RM 214 station, daily averages were below 5 mg/L for 21 days, though no instantaneous measurements were below 4 mg/L.
Table 5. Monthly mean dissolved oxygen concentrtion (mg/L)
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 214 10.74 11.32 11.12 9.85 8.19 6.97 6.29 5.24 5.22 6.31 8.76 9.90 202 11.51 11.46 10.90 10.36 9.74 9.10 8.98 8.53 8.14 8.62 9.71 10.55 190 11.37 11.40 10.93 - 8.81 8.33 8.10 7.74 7.33 7.93 9.18 10.02 185 11.91 11.88 11.16 10.29 9.46 9.01 9.09 8.66 8.51 8.88 10.42 11.18 179 ------7.22 6.81 8.31 9.47 10.10 146 - - 10.16 8.77 7.67 6.78 7.41 7.25 7.01 7.45 8.32 8.88 119 9.89 10.36 9.86 8.29 7.42 7.01 6.97 6.58 6.49 7.28 8.64 9.09 61 9.98 10.08 9.47 7.74 7.07 6.91 7.42 7.16 7.22 7.84 9.09 9.49 27 9.98 10.09 9.34 7.55 7.12 7.18 7.13 6.84 6.32 7.10 8.31 8.68
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Table 6. Monthly mean dissolved oxygen percent saturation
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 214 94.3 95.8 98.4 92.5 80.0 69.8 64.9 56.3 58.2 71.0 90.7 93.3 202 99.7 98.3 98.7 103.0 104.7 102.7 101.5 98.6 95.3 97.9 96.4 99.0 190 99.3 98.1 99.2 - 94.7 95.0 92.1 89.7 86.1 90.8 92.6 94.7 185 100.6 101.6 102.4 100.6 104.8 103.3 106.4 102.8 100.2 100.8 102.4 102.8 179 ------84.8 80.6 94.4 94.8 95.4 146 - - 93.3 88.4 84.8 80.4 87.4 86.5 83.4 83.9 83.5 83.2 119 84.3 90.3 90.9 84.4 83.1 84.9 83.3 79.8 77.9 82.9 85.5 85.1 61 84.5 88.7 88.4 79.9 82.7 87.5 91.9 88.3 87.3 88.8 89.3 88.5 27 84.7 89.4 87.8 78.6 82.2 89.6 90.0 86.1 78.8 82.6 82.6 81.0
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30 30 214 202 25 25
20 20
15 15
10 10
Water Temperature (C) 5 Water Temperature (C) 5
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
30 30 190 185 25 25
20 20
15 15
10 10
Water Temperature(C) 5 Water Temperature(C) 5
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
30 30 179 146 25 25
20 20
15 15
10 10
Water Temperature(C) 5 (C) Water Temperature 5
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
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30 30 119 61 25 25
20 20
15 15
10 10
Water Temperature (C) 5 Water Temperature (C) 5
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
30 27 25
20
15
10
Water Temperature (C) 5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Figure 8. 2014 daily mean water temperature (station location by river mile in top right corner of each plot; x-axis indicates month #)
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200 200 214 202
150 150
100 100
50 50 Specific Conductance Specific Conductance Specific
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
200 200 190 185
150 150
100 100
50 50 Specific Conductance Specific Conductance Specific
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
200 200 179 146
150 150
100 100
50 50 Specific Conductance Specific Conductance Specific
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
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200 200 119 61
150 150
100 100
50 50 Specific Conductance Specific Conductance Specific
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
200 27
150
100
50 Specific Conductance Specific
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Figure 9. 2014 daily mean specific conductance (station location by river mile in top right corner of each plot; x-axis indicates month #)
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10 10 214 202 9 9
8 8
7 7 pH pH
6 6
5 5
4 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
10 10 190 185 9 9
8 8
7 7 pH pH
6 6
5 5
4 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
10 10 179 146 9 9
8 8
7 7 pH pH
6 6
5 5
4 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
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10 10 119 61 9 9
8 8
7 7 pH pH
6 6
5 5
4 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
10 27 9
8
7 pH
6
5
4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Figure 10. 2014 daily mean pH (station location by river mile in top right corner of each plot; x-axis indicates month #)
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14 14 214 202 12 12
10 10
8 8
DO mg/L 6 DO mg/L 6
4 4
2 2
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
14 14 190 185 12 12
10 10
8 8
DO mg/L 6 DO mg/L 6
4 4
2 2
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
14 14 179 146
12 12
10 10
8 8
DO mg/L 6
DO mg/L 6
4 4
2 2
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2014 Savannah River Monitoring Report 28
14 119 14 61
12 12
10 10
8 8
DO mg/L 6 DO mg/L 6
4 4
2 2
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
14 27
12
10
8
DO mg/L 6
4
2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Figure 11. 2014 daily mean dissolved oxygen concentration (station location by river mile in top right corner of each plot; x-axis indicates month #)
2014 Savannah River Monitoring Report 29
140 140 214 202 120 120
100 100
80 80
DO % DO 60 % DO 60
40 40
20 20
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
140 140 190 185 120 120
100 100
80 80
DO % DO 60 % DO 60
40 40
20 20
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
140 140
120 179 120 146
100 100
80 80
DO % DO 60 % DO 60
40 40
20 20
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2014 Savannah River Monitoring Report 30
140 140 119 61 120 120
100 100
80 80
DO % DO 60 % DO 60
40 40
20 20
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
140 27 120
100
80
DO % DO 60
40
20
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Figure 12. 2014 daily mean dissolved oxygen saturation (station location by river mile in top right corner of each plot; x-axis indicates month #)
2014 Savannah River Monitoring Report 31
RESULTS - LONG-TERM BOD We collected and analyzed one set of long-term BOD (BOD120) samples from 7 locations on the Savannah River
in 2014. Results indicated BOD120 was lowest at RM 214 and highest at RM 61 (Table 7, Figure 13).
According to results generated by the GAEPD’s LtBOD software, decay rates for the fast-reacting carbonaceous component (CBODU1 k) were highest at RM 146 and lowest at RM 214. Decay rates for the slow-reacting
carbonaceous component (CBODU2 k) were fairly similar at most sites.
Table 7. Results of 2014 long-term BOD tests
BODU BOD120 NBODU NBOD k CBODU1 CBODU2 CBODU1 k CBODU2 k Location (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (1/day) (mg/L) (mg/L) (1/day) (1/day) 214 2.56 2.43 0.63 0.032 0.51 1.42 0.158 0.017 190 5.20 3.73 1.40 0.046 1.06 2.74 0.131 0.005 185 4.78 3.50 0.92 0.050 0.86 3.00 0.118 0.007 146 9.20 5.64 1.44 0.063 1.36 6.40 0.262 0.005 61 8.83 6.44 1.68 0.033 1.72 5.43 0.177 0.007 27 5.05 4.33 0.90 0.024 1.10 3.05 0.177 0.014
16
2009-2013 14 2014
12
10
(mg/L) 8 U
BOD 6
4
2
0 214 190 185 146 61 27 River Mile
Figure 13. Results of 2014 long-term BOD test compared to box plots of historical results