LRHO Research

Some of the recently completed research projects in the Natural Resources Department include examining the influence of ecosystem properties, land use patterns, human population density, and property values on water quality by examining differences in water quality among sub-basins.  We are also addressing long-term changes in water quality associated with changes in these watershed attributes over time in the entire Lamprey River basin.  Results to date show a strong influence of population density on nitrate in stream water, but no effect on phosphate or dissolved organic matter.  Property values also affect nitrate levels, with higher property value per ha associated with higher nitrate concentration and flux.  New projects under way include measuring total nitrogen inputs and outputs to the basin, in-stream changes in nitrogen along the main stem, changes in nitrogen in the riparian zone of small tributaries and examination of linkages between the quality of groundwater, surface water and landscape characteristics. Initial results show that there is a large amount of nitrogen retention in the Lamprey River basin and that increased groundwater nitrate concentrations are associated with increased population density. 

Completed Projects

• Surface Water Quality vs. Landscape Characteristics
• Instream nutrient dynamics in five first order streams
• Suburbanization, Water Quality and Property Values

Current Projects

• Groundwater Quality vs. Landscape Characteristics
• Riparian Nitrogen Dynamics
• Nitrogen Retention and Transformation in Instream Wetlands
• Nutrient Budget for the Lamprey River Watershed and its Sub-basins
• Stream Chemistry During High Flow Events in the Lamprey River Basin
• Affects of a frost horizon on groundwater recharge in a stratified drift aquifer
• Hydrologic conditions along the North River
• Bedrock aquifer flowpaths

Ongoing Projects

• Long term monitoring of water quality in the Lamprey River