The National Park Service and US Geological Survey Collaborate to Assess Water Quality Issues in National Parks

Since 1998, the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have collaborated to study water quality concerns in National Parks.  The goal of the program is to develop information on park water quality to enable the National Park Service to address its most critical water quality management responsibilities.  While these studies are funded and conducted by USGS, the formulation of individual study project needs is a collaborative process between USGS researchers and National Park resource managers.  The annual selection of projects involves representation of both agencies to insure both that the highest priority National Park management needs are being addressed, and that the projects meet USGS standards for scientific relevance and excellence.
Examples of projects conducted over the 11 year history of this collaborative effort include investigations of nutrient transport in groundwater; nutrient, sediment and metal transport and loading in streams; atmospheric deposition in streams and lakes; microbiological contamination in recreational waters; organic contamination in stream and lake sediments; and aquatic biological health. In addition, fixed-station monitoring and technical assistance projects are implemented to address park needs related to providing baseline water quality data and advice on specific water issues.  Currently, 124 partnership projects have been implemented in 99 National Park units.
A complete listing of reports developed by this collaboration as well as additional information on this program can be found at: http://water.usgs.gov/nps_partnership/