CICEET Progress Report for the period 08/01/01 through 01/31/02

Project Title: Inflow Loadings from Ground Water to the Great Bay Estuary
Principal Investigator(s): Larry K. Brannaka, Thomas P. Ballestero, Tom Mack (USGS), and Rob Roseen

Accomplishments
Scheduled Tasks:
The primary efforts were the construction of map coverages resulting from the previous three phases: construction of a groundwater map for the Great Bay area; the evaluation of inflow (accomplished independently by two methods, one, which used thermal imagery, and the other, by piezometric mapping); and estimating nutrient loading. Composite maps were to be assembled, and incorporated into GIS data layers. Project summary results were to be submitted to peer-reviewed journals. Of particular interest is the relevance of the new TIR methodology for use in determining Total Maximum Daily Loads. Well data was to be shared with the state water well board. A several page project summary will be written and disseminated to project participants, including information gathered for the respective homeowner wells. Data sets will be completed and packaged such that they can be shared and used for other related research.

Progress on Tasks
The construction of map coverages from the three phases is complete. The coverages include a map of Groundwater Discharge Locations, and one of Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (mg/L) Concentration Distribution for Groundwater Discharge Zones and Monitoring Wells.

Project summary results have been assembled as three articles to be submitted to peer-reviewed journals in the coming months (Ground Water, Biogeochemistry. and Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing). Two articles have been invited for submission. The first, Methodology Verification for Assessing Groundwater Discharge to Coastal Waters: Thermal Imagery and Field Techniques Vs. Piezometric Mapping, examines and compares two methodologies for assessing groundwater discharge to coastal waters. Specifically, the use of piezometric mapping and aquifer characterization to estimate flow compared with the innovative use of thermal imagery, GIS based analysis, and field characterization to estimate flow. This paper has been invited for publication in Ground Water, to be submitted Summer 2002. The second, entitled Thermal Imagery for Evaluating Coastal Groundwater Discharge and It's Significance in Nutrient TMDL's, reports water quality and nutrient loading from groundwater discharge to the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire. Groundwater discharge zones were field investigated to obtain specific discharge and water quality data, which in turn were used to estimate nutrient loading. GIS analysis of TIR imagery was used to calculate seepage face surface area. Monitoring wells were examined for upgradient source water quality. The groundwater loading results was compared with nutrient loading from nearby wastewater treatment facilities, surface water, and atmospheric inputs, all of the components required for TMDLs. This paper has been invited for publication in Biogeochemistry, to be submitted Summer 2002.

Well data has been supplied to the state. In addition, information has been supplied to the state in regards to a state effort to establish sentinel wells for long term monitoring of groundwater levels.

A several page project summary will be written and disseminated to project participants in the coming months, including information gathered for the respective homeowner wells. Data sets will be completed and packaged such that they can be shared and used for other related research.

Additionally, project data has been presented at many conferences over the past year. An oral presentation was given as part of a special session entitled Groundwater Flux at the Land-Ocean Margin: Physics, Chemistry, and Ecology at the American Geophysical Union's 2001 Spring Meeting. A poster presentation was presented at the NOAA Coastal Zone 2001 Meeting. An oral presentation was given as part of a special session entitled Groundwater Discharge to Estuaries at the Geological Society of America's 2001 Annual Meeting. An oral presentation was given at the American Groundwater Trust's Conservation Issues Forum entitled Ground Water and Aquatic Habitat Protection in New Hampshire. An oral presentation was given at the Strafford Regional Planning Commission and at the Nottingham Planning Commission. Additionally, a two guest lectures (at Harvard and at Tufts Universities) were given. Most recently, an oral presentation was given at the Great Bay Coast Watch Annual Meeting to solicit potential involvement in long-term monitoring of groundwater discharge zones around the bay.

Difficulties Encountered
None to report.

Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives in Scheduled Project Period
Project objectives will be met on time.

Preliminary Results
Figure 1 illustrates groundwater discharge zones identified by thermal imagery around the Great Bay. Over 160 discharge zones have been identified. Over 34 sites have been visited. Figure 2 illustrates the water results for over 200 monitoring wells around the bay and 16 groundwater discharge zones

Tasks and activities for next reporting period

Tasks for the next reporting period
This was the final reporting period. The next report to follow is the final report.

Work plan to accomplish tasks
Data has been reviewed and report preparation is underway.

Concerns or difficulties
None at this time.

Expenditures
Expenditures were in the range anticipated for the work accomplished to date.