Estimation of suspended loads in the Danube River at Göd (1668 river km), Hungary

- The SRC method was used to estimate SPM loads in the Danube River, Hungary.
- Modification of the sampling strategy is suggested.
- The SPM content has declined by 50% during the last two decades.

SummarySediment rating curves were used to estimate suspended particulate matter (SPM) loads in the Danube River at Göd (1668 river km), Hungary, in conjunction with a sampling program conducted between 2003 and 2012. Contrary to its water quality significance, only a few studies have focused on the annual transport of SPM in this section of the river. Based on the results, we can state that (1) the SRC method (in certain cases with correction factors) provided reliable estimates of the annual SPM loads in this section of the river; (2) the division of the dataset into seasonal or temperature subsets did not significantly improve the estimations, moreover, annual datasets may provide additional hydrologic information on the water year or the annual water regime; (3) large amounts of the SPM were transported during short, but high water discharge periods, hence, calendar based-sampling should be supplemented with event-based sampling, and (4) the SPM load of the river has declined by about 50% over previous decades, which is most likely due to the installation of hydropower plants on the upper (German, Austrian, Slovakian) stretches of the Danube River.