National Monitoring Network for U.S. Coastal Waters and Tributaries
National Monitoring Network Demonstration Areas
Activities in the three Network demonstration areas (DAs, formerly referred to as "pilots") — San Francisco Bay, Lake Michigan, and Delaware Estuary — are successfully improving estimates of oceanic and land-based inputs of sediment, nutrients, and contaminants to U.S. coastal waters and estuaries, and improving assessments on the sources, amounts, timing, and severity of natural and anthropogenic stressors on coastal ecosystems. Findings are useful to compare responses of different estuarine and coastal waters to these stressors, which help to facilitate water-management decisions in other U.S. waters. (Updates on the Demonstration Areas) In addition, the DA projects continue to provide added value in innovative technology and monitoring, such as in real-time monitoring with sensors and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), which also is transferrable to other parts of the Nation. The DA projects have been ongoing since 2007. During the first year, monitoring gaps were examined in relation to the proposed Network design. Individual reports are available and a national synthesis of findings highlights several aspects, including:
Beginning in 2008, additional monitoring was initiated in the three demonstration areas to fill in gaps needed to address water-quality issues, funded by USGS in support of the Ocean Research Priorities Plan, as well as through parternerships with local, state, regional, and federal organizations. Selected highlights include:
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| Characteristics of the Pilot Areas (PDF) | |
