Lee, C. J., Hirsch, R. M., Crawford, C. G. 2019. An Evaluation of Methods for Computing Annual Water-Quality Loads. Scientific Investigations Report 2019-5084. U.S. Geological Survey.

Analysis, Modeling, Nutrients, Planning, Streams, Water quality, Methods

This study evaluated the methods for calculating annual water quality loads for sites within the National Water Quality Network. The results indicate that the most accurate load estimation method is the Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season Method with Kalman Filtering (WRTDS_K). As a result of this study, the National Water Quality Network intends to publish load estimates calculating using the WRTDS_K method in 2020.