The suspended solids dynamics of the Lamprey River exhibit large and rapid fluctuations in the amount of total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity on the rising limb of hydrographs during high flow events. These short lived but highly important flushing events of suspended solids can be easily overlooked by traditional low frequency sampling techniques. Results indicate that using continuous in-situ water quality sensors along with an automated water sampler provides considerable insight into the concentration of suspended solids, the variation in particle sizes, the changing levels of particulate nitrogen and phosphorus, and the timing of when the majority of suspended solids are being transported by storm events in the Lamprey River. High frequency in-situ measurements of suspended solids, when used to observe flashy hydrological conditions, can produce better estimates and models of the suspended solids regime within a river and the associated nutrients that are transported downstream. |