Various Data – Water Quality
Topic Key
BEACON 2.0
Source: U.S. EPA
"Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act of 2000, EPA provides annual grants to coastal and Great Lakes states, territories, and eligible tribes to help local authorities monitor their coastal and Great Lakes beaches and notify the public of water quality conditions that may be unsafe for swimming."
For instructions on using BEACON 2.0, click here.
EnviroAtlas
Source: U.S. EPA
"The EnviroAtlas Interactive Map is a discovery and analysis tool for hundreds of data layers relating to ecosystem services, biodiversity, people, and the built environment. "
Estuary Data Mapper
Source: U.S. EPA
This tool "includes information about coastal rivers, tributaries, and watersheds. It gives users the ability to display background information, such as cities and roads, to help them explore areas of interest and learn more about the context. This data can help researchers gauge the status of estuary environments and possible threats—facilitating the use of decision-support tools to help them visualize the effects of potential management actions. For example, having access to nitrogen loading sources and predictive models of seagrass habitat can help communities and watershed organizations research ways to reduce nitrogen loads."
Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring
Source: NOAA
"Harmful algal blooms (HABs), sometimes known as "red tide", occur when certain kinds of algae grow very quickly, forming patches, or "blooms", in the water. These blooms can emit powerful toxins which endanger human and animal health. Reported in every coastal state, HABs have caused an estimated $1 billion in losses over the last several decades to coastal economies that rely on recreation, tourism, and seafood harvesting. Blooms can lead to odors that require more costly treatment for public water supplies. NCCOS conducts and funds research that helps communities protect the public and combat blooms in cost-effective ways, and we are breaking new ground in the science of stopping blooms before they occur."
Hydrocoast Maps
Source: Pontchartrain Conservancy
These hydrocoast maps provide data on salinity, water quality, weather, habitat, and biology in the Pontchartrain Basin. Users also have access to reports about water quality in the basin.
NEPAssist
Source: U.S. EPA
"NEPAssist is a tool that facilitates the environmental review process and project planning in relation to environmental considerations. The web-based application draws environmental data dynamically from EPA Geographic Information System databases and web services and provides immediate screening of environmental assessment indicators for a user-defined area of interest. These features contribute to a streamlined review process that potentially raises important environmental issues at the earliest stages of project development."
For more information about NEPAssist, click here.
Pollution in Lake Pontchartrain
Source: State of Louisiana, Department of Natural Resources
"Various components of the overall pollutant loading picture of the Lake are known or have recently been estimated from data that is available. For example, there are quite a few spot or point analyses of pollutant levels at most of the significant inflows into the Lake, such as at municipal discharge points and mouths of major tributaries. Generally lacking at these points to establish pollutant loading levels are volume flow measurements and a statistically significant number of samples over an extended period of time. Also notably lacking are measurements of non-point source inputs along the perimeter of the Lake."
Pontchartrain Environmental Atlas
Source: USGS
"Management of nitrogen loading into the watershed is a feasible proposition even with the likely further urban expansion on the northern shore of the Lake. The consequences of future nitrogen loadings resulting from population growth on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain can be compensated for by rather rudimentary sewerage treatment of existing non-point sources, from treatment or diversion of pumped urban runoff, and by sealing the leakage of water passing through the Bonnet Carré Spillway."
Water Quality Parameters Graphics
Source: Fondriest Environmental Learning Center, Islandwood, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
This graphics help users determine the biological and environmental impacts of pH and dissolved oxygen.
Weather Tower - New Canal Lighthouse
Source: NOAA
NOAA's Weather Tower at the New Canal Lighthouse provides real-time data for a variety of water and air testing parameters.