Impact of Tunnel Reconstruction on Stream Water Quality in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 11, Issue 6
Abstract
Few case studies are available on stream water quality monitoring during road construction, especially in highly protected watersheds. Recent reconstruction of two tunnels and approach roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park potentially could have impacted the adjacent stream due to sediment and acid-generating geology. To determine whether impact occurred, grab and passive sampling were conducted at stream sites above and below each construction area before, during, and after construction. Performance of individual structural best management practices (BMPs) was also monitored. Due to the small disturbance area, the results showed that tunnel reconstruction had no statistical impact on stream water quality based on comparison of upstream and downstream pH and suspended solids. Surprisingly, median suspended solids concentrations for the stream sampling locations were lowest during construction, ostensibly because construction occurred in winter when the ground was frozen. Differences in stream pH and water quality between construction and pre- and postconstruction phases were attributed to normal seasonal variation. BMP performance was mixed; the efficiency of check dams was dependent upon their ability to pond water.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
Funding for this work was provided by the National Park Service.
References
Barrett, M. E., Kearney, J. E., McCoy, T. G., and Malina, J. F. (1995a). “An evaluation of the use and effectiveness of temporary sediment controls.” CRWR Online Rep. 95-6, 31–57, Center for Research in Water Resources, Univ. of Texas, Austin, ⟨http://www.crwr.utexas.edu/reports/pdf/1995/rpt95-6.pdf⟩ (Dec. 1, 2002).
Barrett, M. E., Zuber, R. D., Collins, E. R., III, Malina, J. A., Jr., Charbeneau, R. J., and Ward, G. H. (1995b). “A review and evaluation of literature pertaining to the quantity and control of pollution from highway runoff and construction.” CRWR Online Rep. 95-5, Center for Research in Water Resources, Univ. of Texas, Austin, ⟨http://www.crwr.utexas.edu/reports/1995/rpt95-5.shtml⟩ (Dec. 1, 2002).
Federal Interagency River Basin Committee on Water Resources. (1963). “The single-stage sampler for suspended sediment.” Rep. No. 13: A study of methods used in the measurement and analysis of sediment loads in streams, St. Anthony Falls, Hydraulic Laboratory, Minneapolis.
Flum, T., and Nodvin, S. C. (1995). “Factors affecting streamwater chemistry in the Great Smoky Mountains, USA.” Water, Air, Soil Pollut., 85, 1707–1712.
Huckabee, W., Goodyear, C. P., and Jones, R. D. (1975). “Acid rock in the Great Smokies: Unanticipated impact on aquatic biota of road construction in regions of sulfide mineralization.” Trans. Am Fish. Soc., 104, 653–856.
Kucken, D. J., Davis, J. S., Petranka, J. W., and Smith, C. K. (1994). “Anakeesta stream acidification and metal contamination: Effects on a salamander community.” J. Environ. Qual., 23, 1311–1317.
Maas, R. P. (1976). “Characterization of water chemistry of Anakeesta pyrite affected streams in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.” Master’s thesis, Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.
McCann, M. S. (2000). “An evaluation of relationships among streamflow and selected water quality parameters in a forested, high-altitude watershed.” Master’s thesis, Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.
Reed, L. (1978). “Suspended-sediment discharge, in five streams near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, before, during, and after highway construction.” Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2072, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
Robinson, R. B., Hedrick, K., and Tschantz, B. A. (2002). Water Quality and BMP Monitoring Rep. for Tunnel Reconstruction in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.
Robinson, R. B., Smoot, J. L., Harwell, G., and Shubzda, J. (2001). Water quality characteristics, temporal trends, and influencing factors for selected streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.
Sweka, J. A., and Hartman, K. J. (2001). “Influence of turbidity on brook trout reactive distance and foraging success.” Trans. Am Fish. Soc., 130, 138–146.
Swerdon, P. M., and Kountz, R. R. (1973). “Sediment runoff control at highway construction sites.” Engineering Research Bull. B-108, Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, Pa.
Webber, W. G., Jr., and Wilson, C. (1976). “Evaluation of sediment control dams.” Research Project N. 73-21, Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation, Bureau of Materials, Testing and Research, Harrisburg, Pa.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 26, 2005
Accepted: Jan 19, 2006
Published online: Nov 1, 2006
Published in print: Nov 2006
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.