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Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the lower-Colorado River valley, Arizona, California, and Nevada, 1986-87

Water-Resources Investigations Report 88-4002
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri884002

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Abstract

The Lower Colorado River Valley Irrigation Drainage Project area included the Colorado River and its environs from Davis Dam to just above Imperial Dam. Water, bottom sediment, and biota were sampled at selected locations within the study area and analyzed for selected inorganic and synthetic organic constituents that are likely to be present at toxic concentrations. With the exceptions of selenium and DDE, this study found sampling locations to be relatively free of large concentrations of toxic constituents that could be a threat to humans, fish, and wildlife. Selenium was the only inorganic constituent to exceed any existing standard, criterion, or guideline for protection of fish and wildlife resources. Concentrations of DDE in double-crested cormorants, however, exceeded the criterion of 1.0 microgram per gram established by the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering for DDT and its metabolites for protection of wildlife. Dissolved-selenium concentrations in water from the lower Colorado River appear to be derived from sources above Davis Dam. At this time, therefore , agricultural practices in the lower Colorado River valley do not appear to exacerbate selenium concentrations. This fact, however, does not mean that the aquatic organisms and their predators are not in jeopardy. Continued selenium loading to the lower Colorado environment could severely affect important components of the ecosystem. (Author 's abstract)

Suggested Citation

Radtke, D.B., Kepner, W., and Effertz, R.J., 1988, Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the lower-Colorado River valley, Arizona, California, and Nevada, 1986-87: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 88-4002, vii, 77 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri884002.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the lower-Colorado River valley, Arizona, California, and Nevada, 1986-87
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 88-4002
DOI 10.3133/wri884002
Year Published 1988
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description vii, 77 p.
Country United States
State Arizona, California, Nevada
Other Geospatial lower Colorado River valley
Additional publication details