Surface-water sampling began in October 1995. Between October 1995 and September 1997, twelve stations were sampled monthly for field parameters (pH, water temperature, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen), nutrients, major ions, organic carbon, bacteria, and suspended sediment. Pesticides were measured quarterly. The stations are:

02143040 – Jacob Fork at Ramsey, N.C.
02143500 – Indian Creek near Laboratory, N.C.
02145112 – South Fork Catawba River at McAdenville, N.C.
021603257 – Brushy Creek near Pelham, S.C.
021607224 – Indian Creek above Newberry, S.C.
02169000 – Saluda River near Columbia, S.C.
02169500 – Congaree River at Columbia, S.C.
02169570 – Gills Creek at Columbia, S.C.
02172300 – McTier Creek (Rd. 209) near Monetta, S.C.
02174250 – Cow Castle Creek near Bowman, S.C.
02175000 – Edisto River near Givhans, S.C.
02176517 – Coosawhatchie River near Early Branch, S.C.

One additional station, 02148000 – Wateree River near Camden, S.C., was sampled quarterly for the same parameters listed above.

Of the above stations, Gills Creek and Cow Castle Creek were sampled weekly and the Edisto River was sampled biweekly for field parameters, nutrients, major ions, organic carbon, pesticides, and suspended sediment from February 1996 through September 1996. Gills Creek, an urban indicator station, was also sampled for volatile organic compounds.

Special Studies

Robert Kelley and Terry Maluk sampling for VOCs during storm event at Gills Creek.

At each of the stations, high-flow samples have been collected. Samples were collected during the all parts of the hydrograph during storm events.

As part of a continuing cooperative effort with the National Park Service, four stations are being sampled in tributaries to or in the Congaree National Swamp Monument in South Carolina. Stations are sampled quarterly for field parameters, nutrients, major ions, organic carbon, pesticides, and suspended sediment. Streamflow measurements also are made at the time of sample collection.

Sampling is being conducted at seasonal high and low flows at two sites in the Coosawhatchie River, S.C., in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service. Sampling is conducted at base flows and also during storm events at both sites to compare water quality upstream and downstream of a forested wetland. Parameters measured include field parameters, nutrients, major ions, organic carbon, and suspended sediment.

Gills Creek, an urban indicator site in Columbia, S.C., has been part of a study of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urban watersheds. Samples were collected before and over the entire hydrograph of storm events to investigate the occurrence of VOCs in urban runoff.

Pesticide metabolite sampling has been conducted at an agricultural indicator site, Cow Castle Creek, S.C., from April 1997 through March 1998. Samples have been collected to study the occurrence of pesticide breakdown products in the stream.

Synoptic Studies

Plating bacteria samples.

Plates ready for counting after incubation.

A low-flow synoptic study of the Gills Creek, S.C., urban watershed was conducted in 1996. Sixteen sites were sampled in the 60 mi² watershed, from the headwaters of Gills Creek and its tributaries to the basic fixed site. Samples were collected for field parameters, nutrients, major ions, organic carbon, pesticides, bacteria, VOCs, and suspended sediment. Streamflow was measured at each site at the time of sample collection to allow comparison of loads along the length of Gills Creek.

A synoptic study of the South Fork Catawba River, NC, watershed was conducted in 1997. Twenty sites were sampled from the headwaters of the tributary streams down to the basic fixed site near McAdenville, NC. Samples were collected for field parameters, nutrients, major ions, organic carbon, selected pesticides, bacteria, and suspended sediment. Streamflow also was  measured at each site at the time of sample collection.