U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1235
This circular is available as a pdf.
This report contains the major findings of a 1999–2001 assessment of water quality in the Northern Rockies Intermontane Basins. It is one of a series of reports by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program that present major findings in 51 major river basins and aquifer systems across the Nation.
In these reports, water quality is discussed in terms of local, State, and regional issues. Conditions in a particular basin or aquifer system are compared to conditions found elsewhere and to selected national benchmarks, such as those for drinking-water quality and the protection of aquatic organisms.
This report is intended for individuals working with water-resource issues in Federal, State, or local agencies, universities, public interest groups, or in the private sector. The information will be useful in addressing a number of current issues, such as the effects of agricultural and urban land use on water quality, human health, drinking water, source-water protection, hypoxia and excessive growth of algae and plants, pesticide registration, and monitoring and sampling strategies. This report is also for individuals who wish to know more about the quality of streams and ground water in areas near where they live, and how that water quality compares to the quality of water in other areas across the Nation.
The water-quality conditions in the Northern Rockies Intermontane Basins summarized in this report are discussed in detail in other reports that can be accessed from (http://id.water.usgs.gov/nrok/). Detailed technical information, data and analyses, collection and analytical methodology, models, graphs, and maps that support the findings presented in this report in addition to reports in this series from other basins can be accessed from the national NAWQA Web site (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa).
National Water-Quality Assessment Program
What kind of water-quality information does the NAWQA Program provide?
Introduction to this Report
Summary of Major Findings
Stream and River Highlights
Ground-Water Highlights
Introduction to the Northern Rockies Intermontane Basins
Major Findings
Historical mining activities have degraded water-quality conditions in numerous streams
Nutrient concentrations in streams generally are low
Fish in the Spokane River contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at elevated concentrations
The Spokane River also contains low concentrations of pesticides and volatile organic compounds
Ground water in aquifers used for drinking-water supply in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and Missoula is generally of good quality
Study-Unit Design
Stream Chemistry and Ecology
Ground-Water Chemistry
References Cited
Glossary
Appendix
The companion Web site for NAWQA summary reports:
http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/nawqa_sumr.html
USGS State Representative
U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Discipline
230 Collins Rd.
Boise, ID 83702
e-mail: dc_id@usgs.gov
http://id.water.usgs.gov/nrok/
Chief, NAWQA Program
U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Discipline
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M.S. 413
Reston, VA 20192
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The text and graphics are presented here in pdf format (print quality). The full report is 15.7MB.
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