Statistical, time series, and fractal analysis of full stretch of river Yamuna (India) for water quality management

River water is a major resource of drinking water on earth. Management of river water is highly needed for surviving. Yamuna is the main river of India, and monthly variation of water quality of river Yamuna, using statistical methods have been compared at different sites for each water parameters. Regression, correlation coefficient, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), box-Jenkins, residual autocorrelation function (ACF), residual partial autocorrelation function (PACF), lag, fractal, Hurst exponent, and predictability index have been estimated to analyze trend and prediction of water quality. Predictive model is useful at 95 % confidence limits and all water parameters reveal platykurtic curve. Brownian motion (true random walk) behavior exists at different sites for BOD, AMM, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN). Quality of Yamuna River water at Hathnikund is good, declines at Nizamuddin, Mazawali, Agra D/S, and regains good quality again at Juhikha. For all sites, almost all parameters except potential of hydrogen (pH), water temperature (WT) crosses the prescribed limits of World Health Organization (WHO)/United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).