United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory
Las Vegas NV 89114
Research and Development
EPA/600/S8-87/018 May
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Project Summary
National Surface Water Survey,
Western Lake Survey-Phase I
(Synoptic Chemistry),
Field Operations Report
Michael B. Bonoff and Alan W. Groeger
The Western Lake Survey-Phase I
was conducted during Fall, 1985. This
Survey is a component of the National
Surface Water Survey of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency and is
designed to characterize the chemistry
of waters which are susceptible to
acidic deposition and which are in the
United States.
Five subregions in the West and
Northwest were identified for lake
sampling: the Sierra Nevada and Kla-
math Mountains (California, Nevada);
the Cascade and Olympic Mountains
(Oregon, Washington); the northern
Rocky Mountains (Oregon, Idaho,
Montana); the central Rocky Moun-
tains (Montana, Wyoming, Utah); and
the southern Rocky Mountains (Wyom-
ing, Colorado, New Mexico). To facil-
itate sampling, field stations were
established in each of the subregions.
A total of 757 lakes were sampled
between September 11 and November
5,1985. The lakes were sampled either
by helicopter crews or by ground
crews. To determine the comparability
of data, 45 lakes were sampled by both
methods.
Water samples were delivered to
mobile laboratories at each field sta-
tion, where some analyses were con-
ducted. The samples were processed
into aliquots which were preserved and
shipped to contract analytical labora-
tories for further analysis.
All sampling was completed within
the scheduled sampling windows, and
the safety record of the Survey was
excellent.
This Project Summary was devel-
oped by EPA's Environmental Monitor-
ing Systems Laboratory, Las Vegas,
NV. to announce key findings of the
research project that is fully docu-
mented in a separate report of the same
title (see Project Report ordering
information at back).
Introduction
The Western Lake Survey-Phase I
(WLS-I), part of the National Surface
Water Survey of the Environmental
Protection Agency, was conducted dur-
ing Fall, 1985. WLS-I was designed to
characterize the present chemistry of
lakes in areas of the western United
States at risk from acidic depositon.
WLS-I is a counterpart to the Eastern
Lake Survey-Phase I (ELS-I), completed
in Fall, 1984.
Five target subregions were delineated
for WLS-I on the basis of climatic,
geologic, and edaphic similarities. These
subregions were (1) the Sierra Nevada
andKlamath Mountains of California and
Nevada; (2) the Cascade and Olympic
Mountains of Oregon and Washington;
(3) the northern Rocky Mountains of
Montana, Idaho, and northeastern
Oregon; (4) the central Rocky Mountains
of Montana, Wyoming, and Utah; and (5)
the southern Rocky Mountains of Wyom-
ing, Colorado, and New Mexico. Lakes
within these subregions were selected
randomly by using statistically-based
procedures.
Field sampling and laboratory opera-
tions were conducted from temporary
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V
field stations established in each of the
subregions. Sampling took place
between September 11 and November
5,1985. Nearly half of the lakes sampled
were in wilderness areas where moto-
rized vehicles are prohibited. These lakes
were sampled by ground crews. Lakes
outside wilderness areas were sampled
by helicopter crews, as had been done
for ELS-I. To determine the comparability
of results from both methods, a group
of lakes was designated for sampling by
both helicopter and ground crews.
Laboratories at each field station made
determinations of labile constituents and
processed bulk samples into aliquots that
were preserved and shipped to contract
analytical laboratories for further
analysis.
Field Operations
Planning for WLS-I involved selecting
sites for field stations, developing sam-
pling protocolsfor ground crews, training
field personnel, and procuring equipment
and supplies. Coordination among the
Environmental Monitoring Systems
Laboratory (EMSL) of the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Lockheed
Engineering and Management Services
Company, Inc., both in Las Vegas,
Nevada, the Environmental Research
Laboratory of the EPA in Corvallis,
Oregon, and the Forest Service was
essential to all aspects of Survey plan-
ning.
Field station sites were selected for
each subregion on the basis of suitability
for helicopter and field laboratory oper-
ations, availability of express courier and
charter aircraft services, and proximity
to the majority of lakes targeted for
sampling. When a group of target lakes
was beyond normal helicopter sampling
range (about 150 miles), a remote base
site was established, and samples were
sent to the field laboratory by charter
plane.
All field personnel were thoroughly
trained in proper equipment and instru-
ment operations, collection and mea-
surement procedures, sample handling,
data reporting, quality assurance prac-
tices, and safety.
At each field station, an EPA base
coordinator had responsibility for overall
operations; a Forest Service field man-
ager coordinated ground sampling oper-
ations. In addition, each field station was
staffed by 6 to 15 ground crews, 1 or
2 helicopter crews, an EPA duty officer
who assisted the base coordinator, and
the laboratory crew. A logistics coordi-
nator was responsible for disbursing
equipment and supplies to the ground
sampling crews. Field laboratory crew
and helicopter sampling crew responsi-
bilities were identical to those in ELS-
I. Overall WLS-I field operations were
coordinated through a communications
center operated by Lockheed-EMSCO in
Las Vegas.
Field Sampling Operations
Sampling requirements for WLS-I
were similar to those for ELS-I. After
verifying the identity of the lake, the
location judged by the samplers to be in
the deepest part of the lake was chosen
as the sample site. Thermal stratification
status was determined, and if the lake
was stratified, it was re-scheduled for a
later visit. Water samples collected from
each lake included a 4-L bulk sample and
two 60-mL syringe samples. These were
collected by using a Van Dorn sampler
modified so that syringe samples could
be taken without atmospheric contact. A
125-mL sample for nitrate and sulfate
was collected and was immediately
preserved with HgCI2 at all the lakes
which were sampled by ground crews
and only at calibration study lakes which
were sampled by helicopter crews. All
water samples were stored in coolers at
about 4°C for transport to the field
laboratory.
Helicopters capable of prolonged high-
altitude flying, equipped with floats, were
used to reach the lakes. Field protocols
and equipment were similar to those
used for ELS-I: site depth was measured
with a depth sounder mounted on the
helicopter, lake transparency was mea-
sured using a Secchi disk, and in situ
pH, temperature, and conductance were
measured by using Hydrolab units.
Forest Service sampling crews hiked
or used pack teams to travel to
wilderness-area lakes and used rafts to
reach the lake sample sites. Protocols for
lakes accessed by ground crews were
designed to follow helicopter sampling
protocols as closely as possible. The
types of data collected were similar, but
direct-reading instruments were not
used. Depth was measured by using a
sounding line, temperature was mea-
sured with a telethermometer, and pH
was measured by using indicator strips.
Conductance was not measured by
ground crews.
Blank and duplicate quality assurance
(QA) samples were collected by all
sampling crews according to a QA plan.
Field observations and in situ measure-
ments were recorded on multi-copy
forms. Copies of each form were sent to
the QA group at Lockheed-EMSCO for ,
verification that all information was '
properly recorded and to Oak Ridge
National Laboratory for entry into the
WLS-I database.
Field Laboratory Operations
The field laboratories used during
WLS-I were the same ones that had been
used for ELS-I. Laboratory procedures
were similar to those followed during
ELS-I. Survey specifications required
that samples be processed as soon as
possible after collection. At the field
laboratory, the bulk samples were sub-
divided into aliquots which were pre-
served and were shipped within 24 hours
of processing to contract analytical
laboratories for detailed analyses. Dis-
solved inorganic carbon (DIC), pH, true
color, and turbidity were determined at
the field laboratories because of con-
cerns about the stability of these parame-
ters. The syringe samples were used for
field laboratory measurement of DIC and
pH, and aliquots of the bulk sample were
used for color and turbidity
determinations.
Results
Sampling at all five field stations was
completed on schedule, with 757 (83 .
percent) sampled. Most of the lakes that
could not be sampled were frozen,
stratified, too shallow, or had hazardous
conditions that precluded sampling.
Forty-five of the 50 lakes designated as
calibration study lakes were sampled by
both ground and helicopter crews. The
calibration study lakes that were not
sampled were frozen or too shallow.
Important observations and recommen-
dations, based on experience gained
during the Western Lake Survey, are
presented in this report for consideration
by other investigators.
This report was submitted in partial
fulfillment of Contract No. 68-03-3249
by Lockheed Engineering and Manage-
ment Services Company, Inc., under the
sponsorship of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. This report covers a
period from February 1985 to December
1985, and work was completed as of
December 1986.
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Michael B. Bonoff and Alan W. Groeger are with Lockheed Engineering and
Management Services Company, Inc.. Las Vegas, NV 89119.
Wesley L. Kinney is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "National Surface Water Survey, Western Lake
Survey—Phase I (Synoptic Chemistry) Field Operations Report," (Order No.
PB 87-182 630/AS; Cost: $11.95, subject to change) will be available only
from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield. VA22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV 89114
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
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Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA/600/S8-87/018
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