Fort Hood Data Summary

(Grab Sample Data)

 

The BREC Water Science Laboratory monitors sediment and other water quality parameters at fourteen locations on Fort Hood to determine the effectiveness of the land management practices. Thirteen monitoring sites are instrumented with rain gauges, stream level loggers and programmable water sampling equipment. The samples collected during storm water events are used to evaluate the effectiveness of  BMPs implemented by ITAM and NRCS to reduce sediment loading. BREC collects grab samples monthly to establish a base line water quality index for the streams. Sample analysis are conducted in the BREC Water Science Laboratory using EPA approved laboratory procedures. 

The BREC Water Quality laboratory follows this sample analysis protocol using EPA standard methods (Method 300.0 for Ion Chromatograph):

1.      Water Blank

2.      Standard Curve (example: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 ppm)

3.      Sample run with one duplicate and one spike per 10 samples

4.      Standard  (example: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 ppm)

5.      Water Blank

 Only Certified Standards are used. (Purchased from Dionex) 

Example: Assuming we were running 10 samples, a typical Dionex run for nitrates would look like this:  

  1. Blank
  2. 1 ppm std
  3. 2 ppm std
  4. 3 ppm std
  5. 4 ppm std
  6. Break (Establish standard curve)
  7. Blank
  8. Selected Standard (typically 2 ppm)
  9. Sample 1
  10. Duplicate (sample 1)
  11. Spike (sample 1)
  12. Sample 2
  13. Sample 3
  14. Sample 4
  15. Sample 5
  16. Sample 6
  17. Sample 7
  18. Sample 8
  19. Sample 9
  20. Sample 10
  21. Duplicate (Sample 10)
  22. Spike (Sample 10
  23. Selected Standard (2 ppm)
  24. Blank

If the sample run is longer, additional duplicates, spikes, blanks, and standards are added. Samples are run in the order they are checked into the laboratory. The use of sample duplicates, spiked samples and selected standards insures data accuracy and integrity. Standards with higher concentration are used when running samples (from House Creek for example) that have  higher concentrations.

The following charts were prepared using  grab samples collected during the 1996-2001 time period. Grab samples were collected (if the streams have flow) twice monthly during the 1996-97 period and monthly thereafter. Samples were analyzed in our laboratory using QA/QP procedures and SOP's developed specifically for the Fort Hood Water Quality Project.  The primary focus for this project is sediment, however we monitor other Water Quality  parameters including Nitrates, Ortho Phosphates, Fecal Coliform, pH, water temperature, rainfall, and flow. These four charts represent only nitrate concentrations on the date collected, it will be necessary to integrate the nitrate concentration data with flow data to calculate stream loading.

  • House Creek at FM 116 is located down stream (100 m) from a waste water treatment outflow and upstream from Fort Hood.

 

  • House Creek at West Range Road is in mid-Fort Hood and located just above the confluence with Cowhouse Creek. Nitrate Concentrations are substantially reduced from the upstream FM 116 site by biological process and dilution  .

 

  • The Cowhouse Creek at FM 116 sampling site is located at the point where the Cowhouse enters Fort Hood. Cowhouse Creek is a major Leon River sub-watershed which flows through Fort Hood and directly into Lake Belton. Upstream from Fort Hood Cowhouse Creek drainage area is predominantly rangeland.

 

  • Cowhouse at West Range Road, nitrate concentrations are usually similar to those from the FM116 site. Flow during the summer months and periods of drought are often negligible.

 

 

 

BREC Storm Water Data Summary

Fort Hood Main Page




March 5, 2002
Dennis Hoffman, Project Leader;