The Impact of a Rapidly Growing Community on Surface Water Quality: a Study of Branson, Missouri and Lake Taneycomo in Southwestern Missouri

This study monitors the water and sediment quality of Lake Taneycomo in southwestern Missouri, Ozarks region. The lake is partially bordered to the north by the rapidly growing tourism community of Branson, Missouri. The source water is primarily from Table Rock Lake, which is located west of Lake Taneycomo. The water quality was determined by analyzing the following parameters: temperature, pH, conductivity, nitrates, chlorides, fecal coliform, cadmium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc. Sediment quality was determined by a study of the above metals. Results show that a known point source of copper caused a trend of metal quantities that would enable researchers to locate an emission source. Various parameters revealed consistently higher concentrations of nitrates, coliform and conductivity at sample site eight (the mouth of a drainage ditch), although no clear trends appeared. Volume of water had no detectable effect on the level of heavy metals found in the sediments. Regression analysis showed no definite positive correlation between most metals. Therefore there is no evidence of a single major point source for all variables except copper.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Geospatial Sciences

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geography, Geology, and Planning

Year

1993

Author dc:creator

• Meyers, Charles E.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Charles Rovey II

• Earth Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• © Charles E Meyers

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/760

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1761