Truckee River Biomass Monitoring Program...July 2001 to Aug 2002

Truckee River Biomass Monitoring Program: Data Encompassing Field Studies of July 2001 to August 2002
Jeramie Memmott, Megan Robinson, Annika Mosier, Christian H. Fritsen
Division of Earth and Ecosystem Science, Desert Research Institute
2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno NV 89512.   phone: (775) 673-7487
 
The Truckee River Biomass Monitoring (TRBM) program has collected data regarding algal
biomass in the lower Truckee River [expressed as plant pigments (chlorophyll a), carbon,
nitrogen and phosphorous] that can be used for independent analysis of ecosystem health and
nutrient budgets. Furthermore, the biomass sampling program has been implemented in such a
manner that the results will be used to validate water quality models and, hence, to make model
formulations more scientifically defensible as management tools.
Data reported within this draft were generated as part of the second round of monthly biomass
sampling that began in November 2001 and was completed as of August 2002.
THE STUDY:
In monitoring plant and algal biomass in the lower Truckee River we conducted the following
field activities:
Samples were collected four times at eleven sites (HERS, FLEI, PATA, EMCC, LOCK,
PATR, TRAC, PAIN, JOHN, DEAD, LNIX) on the Truckee River (Figure 2) and an additional
six times at eight of the eleven sites (HERS, FLEI, PATA, LOCK, PATR, TRAC, JOHN,
LNIX). Sampling at all eleven sites was conducted on a quarterly basis to be consistent with
the previous monitoring program (July 2000 to July 2001), which also included more
spatially intensive sampling for increased spatial information on a quarterly basis. Eight of
the eleven sites were sampled on a monthly basis.
During the majority of sampling, temperature, pH, specific conductance, and dissolved
oxygen were recorded in real-time using YSI Incorporated sondes provided by Washoe
County. River velocity measurements were made at points where samples were collected to
constrain the physical flow regime of the plant communities beyond levels previously
attained.
· Samples for water quality analysis were collected at each sampling site (consistent with
monthly or quarterly sampling) using a depth-integrating sampler and were delivered to
Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF) for analysis. Vertical profiles of
solar irradiance in the water column were conducted to constrain previously estimated light
penetration values used for modeling primary productivity and in community metabolism
studies.
At each site during each round of sampling, an average of 14 periphyton samples were
collected for ash free dry weight (AFDW) and chlorophyll a. A minimum of three samples
from each site were collected for determining periphyton functional groups (e.g. blue green
algae, filamentous green algae, green algae, and diatoms) that are consistent with
groupings currently used in water quality models (e.g. DSSAMt). On average, five
subsamples of periphyton from each site were analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, and
phosphorous contents.
Please find report in pdf attached.