Turbidity–suspended-sediment concentration regression equations for monitoring stations in the upper Esopus Creek watershed, Ulster County, New York, 2016–19

First posted November 19, 2021 For additional information, contact: Director, New York Water Science CenterU.S. Geological Survey425 Jordan RoadTroy, NY 12180–8349 Upper Esopus Creek is the primary tributary to the Ashokan Reservoir, part of the New York City water-supply system. Elevated concentrations of suspended sediment and turbidity in the watershed of the creek are of concern for the system.Water samples were collected through a range of streamflow and turbidity at 14 monitoring sites in the upper Esopus Creek watershed for analyses of suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and measurements of turbidity. Analyses of the samples provided data that were used to develop cross-section coefficients and turbidity-SSC regression equations for the monitoring sites for the period October 2016 through September 2019. The equations can be used to estimate SSC at a 15-minute timestep for the monitored sites. The equations can be validated for future use by the collection and analysis of additional data.