Juniata River Subbasin Survey: A Water Quality and Biological Assessment, June - November 2004

Publication 240 July 2005 SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN COMMISSION TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . 1 Description . 2 Methods - Data Collection . 4 Methods - Data Analysis . 5 Results/Discussion . 6 Juniata River Sections . 10-15 Comparison of Historical Data. ... 15 Juniata River Subbasin Survey A Water Quality and Biological Assessment, June - November 2004 The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) conducted a survey of the Juniata Subbasin from June to November 2004. This survey was part of SRBC’s Subbasin Survey Program, which is funded in part through the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). This program consists of two-year assessments in each of the six major subbasins (Figure 1) on a rotating schedule. Included in this report are details of the Year-1 survey, which entailed point-in-time samples of the water quality, macroinvertebrate community, and habitat in the major tributaries and areas of interest throughout the Juniata River Subbasin. The Year-2 survey will be a more intensive study in the Morrison Cove area, which has been identified as a highly agricultural and potentially stressed groundwater area. Previous surveys of the Juniata Subbasin were conducted in 1985 (McMorran, 1986) and 1995 (McGarrell, 1997); a comparison of the 1995 data and the present results are included in this report. Subbasin survey information is used by SRBC staff and others to: • evaluate the chemical, biological, and habitat conditions of streams in the basin; • identify major sources of pollution and lengths of stream impacted; • identify high quality sections of streams that need to be protected; • maintain a database that can be used to document changes in stream quality over time; • review projects affecting water quality in the basin; and • identify areas for more intensive study. Figure 7. The Susquehanna River Subbasins Conclusions . 16 Acknowledgements . 17 Relerences . 18 Appendix . 19 This technical report was produced by: Susan R. LeFevre, Aquatic Ecologist 0> (Z JS C/3