Total phosphorus
Overview
Phosphorus is a nutrient necessary for growth and reproduction. Large inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds to the aquatic environment can cause excessive algal growth. When algal blooms die, concentrations of dissolved oxygen can become depleted, which can stress aquatic organisms and may cause taste-and-odor problems in water supplies.
Water-quality standards and criteria are developed by the States, approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and then promulgated (passed into law) as standards by each State. Graphs on this website allow comparison of measured and computed data to these standards and criteria by plotting them as straight lines. When evaluating data to decide whether water quality is suitable for the intended use, viewers are cautioned to consider the uncertainty associated with these computed data.
Water-quality Standards and Criteria
USEPA proposed maximum for streams in Ecoregion VI: 0.076 mg/L-P
To prevent excessive growth of plants and algae and accelerated eutrophication, a criterion of 0.076 milligrams per liter has been recommended by the USEPA.
Source: USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria Recommendations, Region VI (view online)
Benchmark maximum for Cheney Reservoir: 0.1 mg/L-P
A benchmark maximum value of 0.1 milligrams per liter has been defined for total phosphorus at Cheney Reservoir.
Stations That Measure or Compute Continuous Total phosphorus
Click a station to view measurements of total phosphorus.