Fox River Watershed Investigation - Publication Details

Environmental Setting of the Upper Illinois River Basin and Implications for Water Quality

Arnold, T.L, Sullivan, D.J, Harris, M.A, Fitzpatrick, F.A, Scudder, B.C, Ruhl, P.M, Hanchar, D.W, and J.S. Stewart, 1999, U.S.Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigation Report 98-4268

Report Type: fulltext    Format: Paper Copy    

Abstract:
The upper Illinois River Basin (UIRB)is the 10,949 square mile drainage area upstream from Ottawa, Illinois, on the Illinois River. The UIRB is one of 13 studies that began in 1996 as part of the U.S.Geological Survey's National Water Quality Assesssment program. A compilation of environmental data from Federal, State, and local agencies provides a description of the environmental setting of the UIRB. Environmental data include natural factors such as bedrock geology, physiography and surficial geology, soils, vegetation, climate, and ecoregions; and human factors such as land use, urbanization trends, and population change. Characterization of the enviornmental setting is useful for understanding the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of surface and ground water in the UIRB and the possible implications of that environmental setting for water quality. Some of the possible implications identified include depletion of dissolved oxygen because of high concentrations of organic matter in wastewater, increased flooding because of suburbanization, elevated arsenic concentrations in ground water because of weathering of shale bedrock, and decreasing ground-water levels because of heavy pumping of water from the bedrock aquifers.

Data Record Period: 1978-1997
Data Record Notes:

Model Types: Statistical

Data Sources: IEPA

Features: Atmospheric, Biota, Lake, River/Stream, Sediment

Parameters: Nitrogen, total; Phosphorus, total; Suspended sediment

Sites - IEPA Station(USGS Station): DT06(5550000), DT09(5551000), DT46(5552500), DTD02(551700), DTK04(5548280)