West Branch Octoraro Creek UPS Academy Rd
Continuous Physicochemical Monitoring Results
*The objective of this report is to present detailed summaries and analyses of collected data. These data may inform protected use assessment decisions, but this report does not include such determinations, which may incorporate additional data or information not included in this report.
Waterbody and Site Descriptions
Stream Name: West Branch Octoraro Creek Stream Code: 07033
Tributary to: Octoraro Creek
Stream type: Freestone
Strahler stream order: 3
Designated use(s): High Quality - Cold Water Fishes, Migratory Fishes
HUC: 02050306 - Lower Susquehanna
Site Name: West Branch Octoraro Creek UPS Academy Rd
Site Code: 57469375-001
County: Lancaster
Latitude: 39.8254439
Longitude: -76.090441
Description: Deployed just DWS pipeline crossing approximately 90m UPS Academy Rd
Watershed
Drainage area: 102.3 km2
Land uses: 18% Forest, 7% Urban, 72% Agriculture
Physiographic province(s): Piedmont
Notes: Data were collected as part of the larger Susquehanna River smallmouth bass investigations. This site and others in Lancaster County were targeted as agriculturally impacted streams.
Methods
Continuous data are collected and evaluated according to the Continuous Physicochemical Data Collection Protocol. Plots, summary tables, and data downloads are available below. Data are evaluated for exceedances of relevant water quality criteria from 25 Pa. Code § 93.7 and the 99% frequency rule from 25 Pa. Code § 96.3(c) following the Continuous Physicochemical Assessment Method. These evaluations are included to inform assessment decisions, but are not, by themselves, assessment determinations. Calculations for all criteria are shown regardless of whether they apply for this waterbody’s designated use or the specific time of year. To provide context to changes in water quality, a flow-based parameter such as stream stage or discharge data is reviewed. These data may come from equipment maintained by DEP at the site or data collected nearby by an outside agency. When possible, these data are displayed alongside the water quality data.
Flow-based Reference
Parameter: Stage
Collected by: DEP
Site ID: 57469375-001
Distance from sonde location: N/A
Direction from sonde location (upstream or downstream): N/A
Results
All water quality data are provided for review and download in the table below. Data can be filtered prior to download. Time stamps are UTC-5; daylight savings is not recognized in the dataset. Plots and summaries of individual parameters can be viewed and downloaded within the respective sections below. Use caution when comparing periods, as time-series may not be complete in each period.
All Water Quality Data
Temperature
Full-Range Temperature (C) Statistics
Monthly Temperature (C) Statistics
Specific Conductance
Full-Range Specific Conductance (µS/cm) Statistics
Monthly Specific Conductance (µS/cm) Statistics
pH
Full-Range pH (SU) Statistics
Monthly pH (SU) Statistics
Dissolved Oxygen - Concentration
Full-Range Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) Statistics
Monthly Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) Statistics
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7-day Average Statistics
Dissolved Oxygen - Saturation
Full-Range Dissolved Oxygen (%) Statistics
Monthly Dissolved Oxygen (%) Statistics
Turbidity
Full-Range Turbidity (FNU) Statistics
Monthly Turbidity (FNU) Statistics
Eutrophication Analysis
For small streams (≤50 mi2 drainage area), continuous water quality data can be used as part of a eutrophication cause determination of an aquatic life use impairment, as described in the Eutrophication Cause Determination Method for Small Streams. This method incorporates the data in the table below, exceedances of pH and DO criteria (summarized above), benthic chlorophyll-a concentration, and season-specific, regional benchmarks.
DISCLAIMER: these data are provided “as-is” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Neither The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania nor the Department of Environmental Protection and its’ employees (“Commonwealth”) assume responsibility for errors or omissions in the data or other documents which are referenced by or linked to these data. In no event, shall the Commonwealth be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages of any kind, or any damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, those resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether or not advised of the possibility of damage, and on any theory of liability, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this information. These data could contain technical or other inaccuracies, that could affect the quality for a particular purpose. The Commonwealth may make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or program(s) within this application at any time, with or without notice.