Summary of Surface-Water-Quality Data Collected Near the Tar Creek Superfund Site in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, in 2000 U. S. Geological Survey, in Cooperation with the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma

The U. S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Quapaw Tribe, conducted periodic water-quality sampling of five sites in Ottawa County, Oklahoma in 2000. Surface waters draining Quapaw Tribal lands may be substantially affected by runoff and discharges from lead and zinc mines in the historical Picher Mining District. Those surface waters may also be affected by agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, and municipal wastewater discharges.

Surface water in the area was determined to transport substantial loads of heavy metals during high streamflows. There were also substantial counts of fecal-indicator bacteria in streams during high flows. Traces of numerous pesticides were also detected. A few VOC's were also detected.

To view graphs of the data, click on files below.

Title Page

Purpose

Ottawa County Land Use in 1995

Note that most of Ottawa County is occupied by pasture and row crops, with greater percentage of forest toward the east. The Picher Mining District occupies the magenta-toned area in the north-central part of the County.

Ottawa County Sitemap

Discharge

• Mean Daily Discharge at Spring River near Quapaw, Oklahoma, Water Year 2000

Physical Parameters and Sulfate

• Tar Creek near Commerce, OK
• Tar Creek at 22nd Street Bridge in Miami, OK
• Spring River above Devil's Hollow near Quapaw, OK
• Beaver Creek near Quapaw, OK
• Beaver Creek above Spring River near Quapaw, OK
• Summary

Nutrients

• Tar Creek near Commerce, OK
• Tar Creek at 22nd Street Bridge in Miami, OK
• Spring River above Devil's Hollow near Quapaw, OK
• Beaver Creek near Quapaw, OK
• Beaver Creek above Spring River near Quapaw, OK
• Summary

Bacteria

• Tar Creek near Commerce, OK
• Tar Creek at 22nd Street Bridge in Miami, OK
• Spring River above Devil's Hollow near Quapaw, OK
• Beaver Creek near Quapaw, OK
• Beaver Creek above Spring River near Quapaw, OK
• Summary

Metals

Ranges of Metal Concentrations (boxplots)

• Tar Creek near Commerce, OK
• Tar Creek at 22nd Street Bridge in Miami, OK
• Spring River above Devil's Hollow near Quapaw, OK
• Beaver Creek near Quapaw, OK
• Beaver Creek above Spring River near Quapaw, OK
• Summary



Metal Loads (bar charts)

• Tar Creek near Commerce, OK
• Tar Creek at 22nd Street Bridge in Miami, OK
• Spring River above Devil's Hollow near Quapaw, OK
• Beaver Creek near Quapaw, OK
• Beaver Creek above Spring River near Quapaw, OK
• Summary

Pesticides

• Ranges of Concentrations
• Ranges of Concentrations (continued)
• Detection Frequencies
• Tar Creek near Commerce, OK
• Tar Creek at 22nd Street Bridge in Miami, OK
• Spring River above Devil's Hollow near Quapaw, OK
• Beaver Creek near Quapaw, OK
• Beaver Creek above Spring River near Quapaw, OK
• Summary

Volatile Organic Compounds

• Ranges of Concentrations
• Detection Frequencies
• Summary

Perchlorate Summary

Quality Assurance Summary