Surface Water Monitoring and Assessment

The Surface Water Monitoring and Assessment programs collect physical, chemical, and biological water quality samples from streams and lakes, implements surface water improvement projects, and prepare surface water quality reports. Several monitoring programs collect stream and lake samples throughout the state; however, most monitoring is focused in one to three river basins each year in conjunction with a basin rotation monitoring strategy.

Below is a summary of the rotation monitoring approach and the surface water monitoring programs:

A brief description of the basin monitoring strategy, as well as surface water implementation, monitoring, and assessment programs follows.

[For a more detailed overview of the programs, go to the Nebraska Water Monitoring Programs Report.]

Basin Rotation Monitoring Program

Targeting specific areas in the state each year improves NDEE's ability to identify and remediate water quality problems and allows resources to be focused where they can produce the greatest environmental results. During a six-year cycle, all 13 river basins in the state are intensively monitored. Monitoring data are used to document existing water quality conditions, assess the support of beneficial uses (such as aquatic life, recreation, and public drinking water supply), and prioritize water quality problems.

Typically, a total of nearly 8,000 analyses are performed for the 8 parameters monitored for this program annually.

Public Beach Monitoring Program

Monitors public lakes with designated swimming beaches and/or a large amount of water based recreation. E. coli bacteria and toxic blue-green algae (microcystin toxin) are monitored weekly from May through September. Currently, 54 beaches on 51 different lakes are monitored with approximately 1200 samples assessed annually for each parameter. The ingestion of E. coli and/or the microcystin toxin can lead to serious illness in humans. Ingestion of the microcystin toxin by pets can lead to their death. The bacteria and toxic algae information is updated weekly and posted on our web site at: Harmful Algae Blooms - Toxic Blue-Green Algae and Bacteria Sampling Results.

Fish Tissue Monitoring Program

Each year fish samples are collected from numerous streams and lakes across Nebraska to determine their suitability for human consumption. This is important because certain contaminants have a tendency to bio-accumulate in fish tissue and, when eaten, can cause an increased risk for human health problems. In waterbodies where contaminant levels in fish are of concern, “fish consumption advisories” are issued. These advisories do not ban the consumption of fish from a particular waterbody. Rather, advisories are designed to inform the public of how to safely prepare and eat what they catch, and provide suggested guidelines for limiting consumption. A as food source, fish are a high quality protein, low in saturated fat, and high omega-3 fatty acid food source, so anglers should not be discouraged from consuming fish in moderation.

Related Links

• Fish Consumption Advisories
• Regional Ambient Fish Tissue Program: 2022 Assessment Report

Stream Biological Monitoring Program

This program is used to evaluate the health of aquatic life populations and involves a unique randomized sample design that allows water quality status and trend assessments to be determined with a known level of confidence. Sampling is conducted in conjunction with the basin rotation monitoring strategy.

Ambient Stream Monitoring Program

This program has a network of 101 fixed stations located on main stem and tributary streams across the state, including six stations on the Missouri River. The program’s primary objectives are to provide information on the status and trends of water quality in streams within each of the state's 13 river basins and link assessments of status and trends with natural and human factors that affect water quality. Ecoregion and land use considerations were used in selecting many of the stream locations. A representative number of State Resource Waters as well as streams within major urban areas were also selected. Samples are collected monthly and analyzed for traditional chemical and physical parameters and include nutrients, select herbicides and heavy metals.

Lake Monitoring Program

Lake monitoring is currently conducted on 44 lakes across the state. Monitoring involves the collection of monthly water samples from May through September. These data are used to document existing water quality conditions, evaluate long-term trends, design watershed and lake restoration/protection projects, and evaluate project effectiveness. Monitoring focuses on nutrients, sediment, pesticides, heavy metals, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, conductivity, and water clarity.

Monitoring for Fish Kills and Surface Water Complaints

The Monitoring Section responds to reports of fish kills and other environmental concerns of citizens related to surface water. On-site investigations are conducted, as needed, to document existing water quality conditions, surface water quality standards violations, and identify pollution sources and responsible parties.

Integrated Report

Beginning in 2004, and every two years thereafter, states are required to prepare a biennial water quality report called the Integrated Report, which is a combination of the Section 305(b) and Section 303(d) reporting requirements of the Clean Water Act. The Integrated Report provides a comprehensive summary of the status and trends of surface water quality in Nebraska and includes a list of impaired surface waters that do not support their assigned beneficial uses.