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Scientific Investigations Report 2008-5130

Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service

Review of Available Water-Quality Data for the Southern Colorado Plateau Network and Characterization of Water Quality in Five Selected Park Units in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, 1925 to 2004

By Juliane B. Brown

Abstract

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Historical water-quality data in the National Park Service Southern Colorado Plateau Network have been collected irregularly and with little followup interpretation, restricting the value of the data. To help address these issues, to inform future water-quality monitoring planning efforts, and to address relevant National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program objectives, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, compiled, reviewed, and summarized available historical water-quality data for 19 park units in the Southern Colorado Plateau Network. The data are described in terms of availability by major water-quality classes, park unit, site type, and selected identified water sources. The report also describes the geology, water resources, water-quality issues, data gaps, and water-quality standard exceedances identified in five of the park units determined to be of high priority. The five park units are Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico, Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona, Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Arizona and Utah, and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Statistical summaries of water-quality characteristics are presented and considerations for future water-quality monitoring are provided for these five park units.

First posted February 5, 2009

For additional information contact:

Director, USGS Colorado Water Science Center
Box 25046, Mail Stop 415
Denver, CO 80225

http://co.water.usgs.gov/

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Suggested citation:

Brown, J.B., 2008, Review of available water-quality data for the Southern Colorado Plateau Network and characterization of water quality in five selected park units in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, 1925 to 2004: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5130, 118 p.



Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Description of the Southern Colorado Plateau Study Area

Compilation of Data

Analysis of Data

Overview of Water Quality and Southern Colorado Plateau Network Park Units

Characterization of Water Quality for Five Southern Colorado Plateau Network Park Units

Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona

Summary

References Cited

Appendix. Overview of Water-Quality Properties of Interest to Southern Colorado Plateau Network Park Units


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