Water quality and hydrologic data for the West Branch Swift River and East Branch Fever Brook, Quabbin Reservoir drainage basin, Massachusetts

Abstract

Water quality and hydrologic data were collected as part of a study of the effects of acid precipitation on stream water quality in two watersheds in central Massachusetts, conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey from November 1983 through September 1985. The two watersheds, West Branch Swift River (12.7 square miles) and East Branch Fever Brook (4.85 square miles), located north of Quabbin Reservoir, differ in surficial geology and hydrologic characteristics. Data are reported on precipitation quality and quantity and streamflow quality and quantity at the outlet of each watershed and at several tributaries. Also reported are the quality of soil water and ground water, chemistry of soil leachates, and mineralogical analyses of the clay-sized fraction of watershed soils. A sample site numbering system for surface water and ground water was used to identify, record, organize, and track sample analyses. Eight-digit station numbers were assigned to each surface-water gaging station and surface-water sampling site. These numbers were assigned in downstream order. CO LECTION AND COMPUTATION OF DATA Wet deposition was collected weekly, using an Aerochem-Metrics1 Model 301 wet/dry deposition sampler. The sampler was operated on private Use of brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Factors affecting water quality and net flux of solutes in two stream basins in the Quabbin Reservoir drainage basin, central Massachusetts, 1983-85

“…The dominant clay mineral (less than 2 jo.m) in nearly all soil samples from the two basins was vermiculite (Rittmaster and Girouard, 1992). Minor amounts of illite and kaolinite also were present in nearly all samples.…”

“…Data were collected from December 1983 to August 1985. Site descriptions and basic data from these sites are in Rittmaster and Girouard(1992).…”

“…Bent (1994) analyzed the hydrologic results of that study. A report tabulating data on which the present report is based was prepared by Rittmaster and Girouard (1992). Finally, Shanley (1994) used data collected as part of the present study to determine that ion exchange of sodium in deicing salt for calcium and magnesium in soil altered the proportions of cations in stream solute fluxes.…”

“…The drainage of these silty, low-clay soils is moderate to good but may be poor in closed depressions (Lyford, 1964b). Soil samples collected in the Swift River and Fever Brook Basins are described by Rittmaster and Girouard (1992). The O horizon consists of fresh and decomposed organic material, and the loamy A horizon consists of mineral soil and organic matter.…”

“…Four soil profiles from each basin were analyzed for pH, exchangeable cations, and cation-exchange capacity (CEC) (Rittmaster and Girouard, 1992). CEC in both basins ranged from 0.5 to 12 jo.eq/100 g; base saturation ranged from 15 to 96 percent at Swift River, and from 10 to 57 percent at Fever Brook.…”