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Stuart W. McKenzie

Publications and source records attributed to Stuart W. McKenzie.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS1977

1976 water-quality data in Bear Creek basin, Medford, Oregon

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, is studying surface-water-quality problems and their causes in the Bear Creek basin of southwestern Oregon. Two specific areas of investigation include: measurements of the quality and quantity of water in the irrigation canals and drainage system and the diel (during a 24-hour period) variation of water-quality parameters in the main stem of Bear Creek. The irrigation and drainage study involves 25 sites in canals and natural drainageways. One hundred thirty-three samples were collected for analysis, and discharge was determined at the time of collection. The diel study includes six sites on Bear Creek. On August 23-24, four parameters were monitored at all six sites during a 24-hour period.

Oregon↗
USGS1977

Elutriation study of Willamette River bottom material and Willamette-Columbia River water

Bottom material from the Willamette River was collected and mixed with Willamette and Columbia River waters on May 17, 1977. The elutriate, as well as each sample, was analyzed for selected nutrients, metals, and pesticides. Results show that the average dissolved ammonia, manganese, and zinc concentrations would require dilution by receiving water to achieve aquatic-life criteria levels.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1976

Hydrologic analysis and river-quality data programs

For nearly half a century the Willamette River in Oregon experienced severe dissolved-oxygen problems related to large loads of organically rich waste waters from industries and municipalities. Since the mid-1950 's dissolved oxygen quality has gradually improved owing to low-flow augmentation, the achievement of basinwide secondary treatment, and the use of other waste-management practices. As a result, summer dissolved-oxygen levels have increased, salmon runs have returned, and the overall effort is widely regarded as a singular water-quality success. To document the improved dissolved-oxygen regimen, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted intensive studies of the Willamette during the summer low-flow seasons of 1973 and 1974. During each summer the mean daily dissolved-oxygen levels were found to be higher than 5 milligrams per liter throughout the river. Because of the basinwide secondary treatment, carbonaceous deoxygenation rates were low. In addition, almost half of the biochemical oxygen demand entering the Willamette was from diffuse (nonpoint) sources rather than outfalls. These results indicated that point-source biochemical oxygen demand was no longer the primary cause of dissolved-oxygen depletion. Instead, the major causes of deoxygenation were nitrification in a shallow ' surface active ' reach below Salem and an anomalous oxygen demand (believed to be primarily of benthal origin) in Portland Harbor. (Woodard-USGS)

Circular↗
USGS1976

Basic data on urban storm-water quality, Portland, Oregon

To assess urban storm-water-quality characteristics in the metropolitan area of Portland, Oreg., seven drainage basins were selected with varying drainage areas, basin slopes, impervious areas, land uses, and active construction areas. Automatic water-quality samplers, rain gages, and stream gages were installed in each basin. From September 1, 1975, to may 1, 1976, data were collected to determine rainfall intensities and define discharge hydrographs. Almost 500 samples from the seven basins were analyzed to describe pollutographs for at least four complete storms on each of the basins. In addition to the storm samples, several base-flow samples were collected and analyzed for each site.

Oregon↗