Real-time water-quality monitoring for protection of wildlife at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, South-Central Kansas

Abstract

Stream stage and discharge and the quality of water flowing from Rattlesnake Creek into the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in south-central Kansas are being monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service using an innovative, real-time monitoring approach. Continuously recorded data and data from periodic collection of water-quality samples are being used to develop surrogate relations between certain physical properties of water and chemical constituents of concern. These relations will allow resource managers to protect wildlife at the refuge by reacting quickly to significant changes in water quality.