A Transversal and Longitudinal Study of 4 Headwater Streams Using WQI and Hydrogeochemical Analysis

Elaine Langone Center, Terrace Room

Headwater streams are an important part of the river continuum and make up for more than 90 percent of the streams within a major rivers watershed (Leopold et al. 1964). Little is known about headwater streams and their impact on larger stream systems. The headwaters of Penn’s Creek provide clean water to a large river system and increase Penns creek’s volume as it makes its way to the Susquehanna River. To understand the impact of these headwaters a study was conducted, in which four streams at similar elevations and on the same geologic formations was studied transversally and longitudinally. Water samples and physical data was collected using a YSI™ multimeter while long term data collection was completed using Hydrolab™ sondes, HOBO™ pendent data loggers, and Solinst™ pressure transducers. The geochemical compositions of the streams went into Piper Diagrams, Stiff Diagrams and to identify trends in the data. Data was also used in the Water Quality Index (WQI) to create a numerical representation of the streams health. The streams are high in Bicarbonate, which is explained in the lower pH values and conductivity. Diagrams were skewed due to the lack of diversity in the Anions yet the streams are high in calcium and Magnesium, which is a characteristic of water within the geologic formations.