| The relationship between land cover characteristics and water pollutant concentrations in surface water was evaluated for 10 sub-basins in the Potomac Headwaters of West Virginia. Using water quality data collected between 1998 and 2004 by the WV Department of Agriculture (WVDA), in-stream concentrations of fecal coliform, total phosphorus, and nitrate were determined for specific periods of time. The percentages of forest, agriculture, cropland and urban land were determined. In addition, erodibility, organic matter content and permeability were aggregated. Correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the most significant land cover characteristics in relation to water chemistry concentrations. The most significant parameters were used in a step-wise multiple regression model to determine the extent that nutrient and bacteria concentrations could be explained by land cover characteristics. These relationships formed the basis for a ranking model that prioritized each watershed in terms of the need for further attention, research, funding and policy decisions. |
