Spatial distribution of Rhodamine WT dye concentration measured in the Des Plaines River near Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Rockdale, Illinois (October 20-21, 2015)
Dates
Publication Date
2016-08-01
Start Date
2015-10-20
End Date
2015-10-21
Citation
Jackson, P.R., 2016, Spatial distribution of Rhodamine WT dye concentration measured in the Des Plaines River near Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Rockdale, Illinois (October 20-21, 2015): U.S. Geological Survey data release, http://dx.doi.org/10.5066/F70G3H8C.
Summary
Two survey boats equipped with differential Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and Turner Designs C3 submersible fluorometers were used to survey the spatial distribution of the Rhodamine WT dye in the Des Plaines River downstream of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam (BRLD) near Rockdale, Ilinois. Mapping of the dye plume commenced after the lock chamber at BRLD was dyed with 4 liters of Rhodamine WT dye during a routine filling procedure. Measurements of dye concentration downstream collected by these survey boats capture the leakage of dyed water from the lock, the pulse of dyed water exiting the lock during routine emptying of the lock, and the mixing of the dyed water downstream during a 17-minute flushing operation of the lock. [...]
Summary
Two survey boats equipped with differential Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and Turner Designs C3 submersible fluorometers were used to survey the spatial distribution of the Rhodamine WT dye in the Des Plaines River downstream of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam (BRLD) near Rockdale, Ilinois. Mapping of the dye plume commenced after the lock chamber at BRLD was dyed with 4 liters of Rhodamine WT dye during a routine filling procedure. Measurements of dye concentration downstream collected by these survey boats capture the leakage of dyed water from the lock, the pulse of dyed water exiting the lock during routine emptying of the lock, and the mixing of the dyed water downstream during a 17-minute flushing operation of the lock. The fluorometers were installed in a fixed, downlooking orientation approximately 1 foot below the water surface. Fluorometer readings were taken at a frequency of 1 measurement per second. Data were acquired on personal computers running Tera Term to log serial communication from the fluorometers. Raw (not georeferenced) data were stored internally on the fluorometers and downloaded following the survey. Survey techniques included streamwise transects through the dye plume in both the upstream and downstream direction, serpentine surveys, and near-bank surveys to capture the full spatial distribution. The boat survey crews also performed periodic, simultaneous discharge measurements at key locations in the approach channel to the BRLD and further downstream near the intakes and outfall of a power plant. Mooring of barges and active barge traffic restricted surveys in some locations and led to some contamination of fluorometer data by increasing local turbidity concentrations near the active vessels. These data have been screened out during processing. The C3 turbidity sensors were not calibrated and therefore reported only relative changes in background turbidity and not absolute turbidity values (in relative fluoroescence units (RFU)).
These data were collected during dye tracing surveys of the Des Plaines River downstream of Brandon Road Lock and Dam (BRLD) near Rockdale, Illinois. The purpose of this dye study was to assess the mixing, advection, and dispersion of dye within the BRLD lock chamber and in the approach channel downstream. These data will aid in the design of potential strategies for preventing upstream transport of invasive Asian carp through BRLD. Dye was injected into the intakes for the lock chamber at the start of the filling process. The dye was injected through grates atop the intake channels on both sides of the lock. Injection began at 1024 hours on October 20, 2015, and ended at 1030 hours on October 20, 2015. A total of 4 liters of Rhodamine WT in a 20 percent solution was injected (2 liters on each side of the lock). The target dye concentration in the lock chamber was 9 parts per billion (ppb). Key operation changes occurred at the following times: 10/20/2015 10:22 (start filling the lock chamber); 10/20/2015 10:43 (end filling the chamber); 10/20/2015 12:26 (start emptying lock chamber); 10/20/2015 12:43 (lock chamber empty, downstream gates remain closed); 10/20/2015 14:00 (downstream valves opened to drain leakage into lock chamber); 10/20/2015 14:08 (downstream gates opened); 10/20/2015 14:15 (lock chamber flushing procedure started; 1/4 opening of upstream valves); 10/20/2015 14:32 (flushing procedure ended); 10/20/2015 15:32 (begin filling lock chamber); 10/20/2015 15:49 (begin emptying of partially filled lock chamber); 10/20/2015 16:00 (Lock reopened to normal navigational traffic). All times are in Central Daylight Time.
