Long-Term Hydrologic Monitoring Protocol for Coastal Ecosystems

Long-term monitoring of hydrologic change using a standard data-collection protocol is essential for the effective management of terrestrial, aquatic, and estuarine ecosystems in the coastal park environment. This study develops a consistent protocol for monitoring changes in ground-water levels, po...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: McCobb, Timothy D, Weiskel, Peter K
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
COASTAL REGIONS
DATA ACQUISITION
ECOSYSTEMS
GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS
GROUND WATER
HYDROGRAPHY
HYDROLOGY
Hydrology, Limnology and Potamology
MEASUREMENT
METHODOLOGY
MONITORING
PONDS
SAMPLING
STREAMS
WATER RESOURCES
WATER TABLE
WETLANDS
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Summary:Long-term monitoring of hydrologic change using a standard data-collection protocol is essential for the effective management of terrestrial, aquatic, and estuarine ecosystems in the coastal park environment. This study develops a consistent protocol for monitoring changes in ground-water levels, pond levels, and stream discharge using methods and techniques established by the U.S. Geological Survey for use in the Long-term Coastal Monitoring Program at the Cape Cod National Seashore. The protocol establishes a hydrologic sampling network in the four ground-water-flow cells in the Seashore area, and provides justification for the measurement methods selected and for the spatial and temporal sampling frequency. Data collected during the first year of monitoring are included in this report; common hydrologic analyses such as hydrographs for groundwater and pond levels, and rating curves between stream stage and discharge for streamflow, are presented for selected sites. Long-term hydrologic monitoring at the Seashore will aid in interpretation of the findings of other monitoring programs. Developing and initiating long-term hydrologic monitoring programs will provide a better understanding of effects of natural and human-induced change at both the local and global scales on coastal water resources in park units.