USGS Water-Year Summary 2023

04213152 WALNUT CREEK UPSTREAM POOL, NEAR ERIE, PA

LOCATION - Lat 42°04'26", long 80°14'05" referenced to North American Datum of 1983, Erie County, PA, Hydrologic Unit 04120101, on right bank, about 150 ft downstream of the Manchester Road bridge along the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission access road, approximately 0.35 mi upstream from mouth, and 0.67 mi north of SR 5.

DRAINAGE AREA - 37.3 mi².

REVISIONS HISTORY - Revisions: The datum of gage was erroneously reported as 600 ft above National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 prior to February 14, 2024.

SURFACE-WATER RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - April 2008 to current year.

GAGE - Water-stage recorder and crest-stage gage. Datum of gage is 572.1 ft above North American Vertical Datum of 1988.  Prior to February 14, 2024, the datum of gage was erroneously reported as 600 ft above National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929. Satellite telemetry at station.

COOPERATION - Station established and maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

REMARKS - Records for water year, stage and discharge records are good, with the exception of estimated periods and discharge over 500 CFS, which are rated poor.

WATER-QUALITY RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - May 2008 to current year. Water quality monitor operated seasonally (April 1 - November 30).

PERIOD OF DAILY RECORD -

WATER TEMPERATURE: October 2010 to current year (seasonal operation, period can vary).

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE: October 2010 to current year (seasonal operation, period can vary).

DISSOLVED OXYGEN: October 2010 to current year (seasonal operation, period can vary).

PH: October 2010 to current year (seasonal operation, period can vary).

TURBIDITY: October 2010 to current year (seasonal operation, period can vary).

COOPERATION - Station established and maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

INSTRUMENTATION - Water-quality monitor equipped with water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity sensors at 15-minute recording interval. Satellite telemetry at station.

REMARKS -

Data collection is suspended in winter months. Other interruptions in the record are due to excessive fouling and/or equipment malfunctions.

The reporting precision of the turbidity probe in low turbidity water is +/-0.3 FNU. The lowest reportable value, 0 FNU, does not necessarily indicate a condition of zero turbidity. Prior to May, 2016, turbidity values greater than 1,000 FNU exceed the accuracy specifications of the manufacturer. In May 2016, the location of the monitor was moved 600 ft. downstream of the original location, and 1200 ft. upstream from the mouth.

Historically, water temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius were not reported. Water temperature sensors now have the ability to accurately read water temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius. 

Cross-sectional water quality data is available upon request.

For water year 2014: Water temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen records are rated good. Specific conductance records are rated good, except for October 31 to November 16, April 26-29, May 18-20, and June 10 to July 23, which are fair, and November 17 to December 6, April 30 to May 12, May 21-29, and July 14-17, which are poor. Turbidity records are fair, except for values less than 10 FNU, which are poor.

For water year 2015: Water temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen records are rated poor due to limited data collection throughout the season associated with the water-quality mount being destroyed in late 2014 and subsequent issues with establishing a new monitoring location.

For water year 2016 records for water temperature are rated good. Records for specific conductance are rated good, except for August 3-12, which are fair. Records for pH are rated good, except for May 14-June 24, which are poor. Records for dissolved oxygen are rated good, except for August 6-12, which are fair. Records for turbidity are rated fair, except for values less than 10 FNU, which are rated poor.

 For water year 2017, records for water temperature and dissolved oxygen are rated good. Records for specific conductance are rated good, except for June 3-18 and September 22-30, which are fair, and June 19-20, which are poor.  Records for turbidity are rated fair, except for values less than 10 FNU, which are rated poor.

For water year 2018:  Water temperature record and  specific conductivity record are rated good.  Dissolved oxygen record is rated good, except for May 24 to June 18 and August 14 to October 1 which is rated fair.  pH record is rated good, except for October 1 to October 20 2017 which is rated fair, and June 18 to August 14 which is rated poor.  Turbidity record is rated fair, except for values less than 10 FNU, which are rated poor.

For water year 2019, records for water temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen are rated good. Records for specific conductance are rated good, except for August 6 to September 30, which are fair. Records for turbidity are rated poor.

Beginning water year 2020, records for water temperature, specific conductance and dissolved oxygen, pH, Turbidity are no longer given qualitative ratings.