U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Open-File Report 01–222

Daily and Seasonal Variability of pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Temperature, and Specific Conductance in the Colorado River Between the Forebay of Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry, Northeastern Arizona, 1998-99

This report is available online in pdf format (1 MB): USGS OFR 01–222 ()

Prepared in cooperation with the GRAND CANYON MONITORING AND RESEARCH CENTER

By M.E. Flynn, R.J. Hart, G.R. Marzolf, and C.J. Bowser

ABSTRACT

The productivity of the trout fishery in the tailwater reach of the Colorado River downstream from Glen Canyon Dam depends on the productivity of lower trophic levels. Photosynthesis and respiration are basic biological processes that control productivity and alter pH and oxygen concentration. During 1998–99, data were collected to aid in the documentation of short- and long-term trends in these basic ecosystem processes in the Glen Canyon reach. Dissolved-oxygen, temperature, and specific-conductance profile data were collected monthly in the forebay of Glen Canyon Dam to document the status of water chemistry in the reservoir. In addition, pH, dissolved-oxygen, temperature, and specific-conductance data were collected at five sites in the Colorado River tailwater of Glen Canyon Dam to document the daily, seasonal, and longitudinal range of variation in water chemistry that could occur annually within the Glen Canyon reach.

CONTENTS

Abstract

Introduction

Methods and study design

Discussion of variability of constituents

Summary

References cited

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