ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) from the Rio Chama upstream of the Abiquiu Reservoir in northern New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District Reservoir Operations by quantifying the delivery of sediment to Abiquiu Reservoir as well as impacts of the reservoir on sediment retention and water quality. This site is located immediately upstream of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) site named “Rio Chama Above Abiquiu Reservoir, NM (08286500)." Data were collected using a YSI EXO3 sonde, deployed in an ~20’ aluminum casing bolted to a cliff face and connected to a Campbell Scientific CR300 datalogger powered by a photovoltaic system. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning June 30, 2020 through June 30, 2024.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) from the Rio Chama downstream of the Abiquiu Reservoir in northern New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District Reservoir Operations by quantifying the delivery of sediment to Abiquiu Reservoir as well as impacts of the reservoir on sediment retention and water quality. This site is located immediately downstream of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) site named “Rio Chama Below Abiquiu Dam, NM (08287000)." Data were collected using a YSI EXO3 sonde, deployed in an ~12’ aluminum casing bolted to a concrete weir face and connected to a Campbell Scientific CR300 datalogger powered by a photovoltaic system. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning July 14, 2020 through June 30, 2024.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) from the Rio Grande upstream of the Cochiti Reservoir in northern New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District Reservoir Operations by quantifying the delivery of sediment to Cochiti Reservoir as well as impacts of the reservoir on sediment retention and water quality. This site is located immediately upstream of the Buckman Direct Diversion. Data were collected using a YSI EXO2 or EXO3 sonde, deployed in an ~8’ aluminum casing installed on a steel tripod driven into the stream substrate and connected to a Campbell Scientific CR300 datalogger powered by a photovoltaic system. Discharge values for this site were obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) site named "Rio Grande at Otowi Bridge, NM (08313000)", which is located ~5.5 km upstream of the water quality station. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning June 18, 2020 through June 30, 2024.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) from the Canadian River upstream of the Conchas Reservoir in northeastern New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District Reservoir Operations by quantifying the delivery of sediment to Conchas Reservoir. This site is located immediately upstream of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) site named “Canadian River Near Sanchez, NM (07221500)." Data were collected using a YSI EXO3 sonde, deployed in an ~6’ aluminum casing bolted to a rock face and connected to a Campbell Scientific CR300 datalogger powered by a photovoltaic system. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning August 12, 2020 through June 30, 2024.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) from the Rio Grande downstream of the Jemez Canyon Reservoir in north central New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District Reservoir Operations by quantifying the movement of sediment through Jemez Canyon Reservoir. This site is located at the U.S. Highway 550 Bridge in Bernalillo, NM. Data were collected using a YSI EXO2 or EXO3 sonde, deployed in an ~6’ aluminum casing banded to a catwalk immediately downstream of the bridge. Discharge values for this site were obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) site named "Rio Grande at San Felipe, NM (08319000)", which is located ~19 km upstream of the water quality station. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning June 18, 2020 through June 30, 2024.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) from the Arkansas River downstream of the John Martin Reservoir in southeastern Colorado, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District Reservoir Operations by quantifying the delivery of sediment to John Martin Reservoir as well as impacts of the reservoir on sediment retention and water quality. This site is located immediately downstream of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) site named "Arkansas River Below John Martin Reservoir, Co. (07130500)." Data were collected using a YSI EXO3 sonde, deployed in an ~8’ aluminum casing bolted to a concrete weir face and connected to a Campbell Scientific CR300 datalogger powered by a photovoltaic system. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning August 25, 2020 through June 30, 2024.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) from the Arkansas River upstream of the John Martin Reservoir in southeastern Colorado, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District Reservoir Operations by quantifying the delivery of sediment to John Martin Reservoir as well as the impacts of the reservoir on sediment retention and water quality. This site is located ~9.5 km downstream of the confluence of the Arkansas and Purgatory rivers. Data were collected using a YSI EXO3 sonde, deployed in an ~5’ aluminum casing bolted to a rock face. Discharge values for this site were obtained by combining data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sites named "Arkansas River at Las Animas, CO (07124000)" and “Purgatoire River Near Las Animas, CO (07128500),” both of which are located ~15 km upstream of the water quality station. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning August 25, 2020 through June 30, 2024.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) from the Pecos River downstream of the Santa Rosa Reservoir in northern New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District Reservoir Operations by quantifying the delivery of sediment to Santa Rosa Reservoir as well as impacts of the reservoir on sediment retention and water quality. This site is located under the U.S. Interstate 40 Bridge east of Santa Rosa, NM. Data were collected using a YSI EXO3 sonde, deployed in an ~5’ aluminum casing banded to a bridge piling. Discharge values for this site were obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) site named "Pecos River Below Santa Rosa Dam, NM (08382830)," which is located ~13 km upstream of the water quality station. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning August 22, 2020 through June 30, 2024.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) from the Pecos River upstream of the Santa Rosa Reservoir in northern New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District Reservoir Operations by quantifying the delivery of sediment to Santa Rosa Reservoir as well as impacts of the reservoir on sediment retention and water quality. This site is located ~2.3 km downstream of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) site named “Pecos River Above Santa Rosa Lake, NM (08382650)." Data were collected using a YSI EXO3 sonde, deployed in an ~8’ aluminum casing bolted to a boulder and connected to a Campbell Scientific CR300 datalogger powered by a photovoltaic system. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning July 20, 2020 through June 30, 2024.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) from the Purgatory River downstream of the Trinidad Lake Reservoir in southcentral Colorado, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District Reservoir Operations by quantifying the delivery of sediment to Trinidad Reservoir as well as impacts of the reservoir on sediment retention and water quality. This site is located immediately downstream of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gage "Purgatoire River Below Trinidad Lake, CO (07124410)." Data were collected using a YSI EXO3 sonde, deployed in an ~8’ aluminum casing bolted to a concrete weir. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning March 25, 2021 through June 30, 2024.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) from the Purgatory River upstream of the Trinidad Lake Reservoir in southcentral Colorado, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District Reservoir Operations by quantifying the delivery of sediment to Trinidad Reservoir as well as impacts of the reservoir on sediment retention and water quality. This site is located immediately upstream of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gage "Purgatoire River at Madrid, CO (07124200)." Data were collected using a YSI EXO3 sonde, deployed in an ~8’ aluminum casing bolted to a rock face under the Madrid Bridge. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning August 25, 2020 through June 30, 2024.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) collected from the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) near Bridge Blvd in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District operations by quantifying water quality conditions in habitats important for the conservation of the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow. Data were collected using a YSI EXO2 sonde. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning July 15, 2021 through March 31, 2025.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) collected from the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) near the I-25 bridge, south of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District operations by quantifying water quality conditions in habitats important for the conservation of the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow. Data were collected using a YSI EXO2 sonde. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning March 20, 2024 through April 1, 2025.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) collected from the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) upstream of the State Highway 346 bridge, south of Belen, New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District operations by quantifying water quality conditions in habitats important for the conservation of the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow. Data were collected using a YSI EXO2 sonde. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning February 21, 2023 through March 31, 2025.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) collected from the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) in the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District operations by quantifying water quality conditions in habitats important for the conservation of the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow. Data were collected using a YSI EXO2 sonde. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning July 22, 2021 through March 31, 2025.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) collected from the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) near the San Acacia Diversion Dam, San Acacia, New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District operations by quantifying water quality conditions in habitats important for the conservation of the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow. Data were collected using a YSI EXO2 sonde. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning February 21, 2023 through March 31, 2025.

ABSTRACT:

This data resource contains continuous water quality measurements (water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen) collected from the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) near Escondida, New Mexico, USA. These data support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District operations by quantifying water quality conditions in habitats important for the conservation of the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow. Data were collected using a YSI EXO2 sonde. Data collection is ongoing, with this release spanning August 5, 2021 through June 20, 2024.

ABSTRACT:

Over the past two decades, research in the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) has greatly advanced our understanding of water quality dynamics and ecosystem processes. A persistent gap, however, has been the lack of continuous data from sites south of Albuquerque, where habitat conditions for the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (Hybognathus amarus; RGSM) are particularly important. To address this, we established and maintained water quality monitoring stations in each of the three southern sub-reaches of the MRG (Angostura, Isleta, and San Acacia). Our primary objectives were to characterize site- and reach-specific water quality, quantify exceedances of ecological thresholds relevant to RGSM, and describe patterns of longitudinal variation across the system. Results demonstrate that water quality is strongly shaped by hydrologic variability and spatial context. Storm-driven flows from ephemeral tributaries produce extremes in dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and specific conductance, with non-urban inputs delivering high sediment and salts, and urban runoff primarily depressing oxygen. Conversely, low-flow conditions drive thermal extremes and magnify the role of primary production. Longitudinally, storm-driven impacts attenuate downstream, while agricultural drains contribute cooler water that provides localized refugia, and leakage below diversion dams maintains low-temperature flows in incised reaches. Collectively, these findings underscore strong seasonal and spatial tradeoffs in habitat suitability for RGSM conservation.