Evaluating Existing Water Quality Data for the NPS Vital Signs Monitoring Program in Bighorn Canyon, Grand Teton, & Yellowstone

A goal of the National Park Service’s Vital Signs Monitoring program is to develop and implement a long-term water quality monitoring plan for Greater Yellowstone Network parks. The first step towards achieving this goal is to collate and evaluate existing water quality data that have been collected from water bodies in the park and surrounding area. The objectives of these studies were to: 1) catalog the existing water quality data for GRYN parks; 2) review the data for their utility in determining the status and trends in park water quality; 3) determine the status and trends and the range of variability in water quality at each park, and 4) identify and prioritize water quality monitoring needs in accordance with the goals of the Vital Signs monitoring program.