Courtesy Photo | David Gade, regional planning and environmental center limnologist, labels water...... read more read more
TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa District Corps of Engineers recently overhauled its water quality program to enhance transparency, efficiency, and usability.
This change aims to align the program with district resources and stakeholder needs while ensuring compliance with regulations mandating public access to water quality data and reports, providing a basis for future water quality investigations, and supporting operational and environmental missions of the Tulsa District.
"Historically, the Tulsa District had a robust water quality program that generated quite large reports that were very heavy on the technical aspects of water quality," said Chris Gilliland, a Tulsa District biologist.
"Moving forward with the water quality program, I wanted to align more with the current resources we have as a district, said Gilliland. "It is important to run a program that results in helpful products for our users and internal and external stakeholders."
The district's revamped program focuses on providing concise, user-friendly summary reports. By aligning with other districts' practices, these summaries cater to a diverse array of stakeholders, including lake managers, project staff, academia, and the general public.
“With the changes to the program, we will be able to inform the public better than we have in the past about the general water quality of the lake,” said Jeff Knack, chief natural resources and recreation branch. “The way Chris has approached this has set us up for success with this program.”
The program's primary objectives remain the same: to clarify water conditions, comprehend the intricate relationship of physical, chemical, and biological factors, and provide a foundation for future investigations if needed.
The water quality program is an umbrella support mission for many USACE projects and activities associated with navigation, flood risk management, water supply, water control manuals, ecosystem restoration, recreation, fish kills, harmful algae blooms, fish and wildlife, endangered species, and many more.
Execution of the program involves annual sampling of three lakes, ensuring comprehensive coverage over a ten-year rotation cycle. Monthly sampling from April to September captures seasonal variations within strategic site selections.
Laboratory analysis further supplements field measurement parameters such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and specific conductance.
Gilliland worked with Jocelyn Ashcraft, Tulsa District cartographic technician to build a webpage for the program, which gives stakeholders easy access to information.
For more information on Tulsa District's water quality program, visit us at: https://www.swt.usace.army.mil/Locations/Water-Quality/
| Date Taken: | 04.29.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2024 12:32 |
| Story ID: | 469765 |
| Location: | TULSA , OK, US |
| Web Views: | 115 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Tulsa District revamps water quality program, by Stacey Reese, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT