Date of Award
1-20-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Environmental Sciences, MS
First Advisor
Jennifer Bouldin
Committee Members
Hans Hacker; John Harris; John Nowlin
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2024 D93
Abstract
Regulated by the National Park Service since 1972, the Buffalo River faces nitrogen, phosphorous, sediment, and fecal coliform contamination. Research assessing tributary water quality began with collecting water samples weekly from November 2019 until January 2023 (n = 156) near Tyler Bend Campgrounds. Pairwise analysis measured minimal water quality change from upstream to downstream on four headwater creeks. Data revealed that Tomahawk Creek’s fecal coliform bacteria were elevated above background levels, frequently exceeding state standards. National Land Cover Dataset class data were extracted to index land use at different scales. Simple linear regression, stepwise multiple linear regression, and a random forest model explored water quality and land use influences on fecal coliform levels. Research revealed elevated fecal coliforms were associated with pasture, developed spaces, and a lack of forested riparian zones. Total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, and local land use best predicted fecal coliform elevation.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Dyer, Patrick Michael, "Water Quality Contributions of Selected Buffalo River Headwaters in Searcy County, Arkansas, 2019–2023" (2025). Student Theses and Dissertations. 1029.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/1029
