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Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5214

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Prepared in cooperation with Routt County, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and the City of Steamboat Springs

Water-Quality Assessment and Macroinvertebrate Data for the Upper Yampa River Watershed, Colorado, 1975 through 2009

By Nancy J. Bauch, Jennifer L. Moore, Keelin R. Schaffrath, and Jean A. Dupree

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (9.82 MB)Abstract

A study was initiated in 2009 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Routt County, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and the City of Steamboat Springs, to compile and analyze historic water-quality data and assess water-quality conditions in the Upper Yampa River watershed (UYRW) in northwestern Colorado. Water-quality data for samples collected by federal, state, and local agencies for various periods from 1975 through 2009 were compiled and assessed for streams, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater in the UYRW, including the Elkhead Creek subwatershed and the Yampa River watershed that is upstream from Elkhead Creek. For selected physical-property and chemical-constituent data for samples collected from surface-water sites and groundwater wells in the UYRW, this report: (1) characterizes available data through statistical summaries, (2) analyzes the spatial and temporal distribution of water-quality conditions, (3) identifies temporal trends in water quality, where possible, (4) provides comparisons to federal and state water-quality standards and recommendations, and (5) identifies factors affecting the quality of water. In addition, the availability and characteristics of macroinvertebrate data collected in the UYRW are described.

First posted November 16, 2012

For additional information contact:
Director, Colorado Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
Box 25046, Mail Stop 415
Denver, CO 80225
http://co.water.usgs.gov

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Suggested citation:

Bauch, N.J., Moore, J.L., Schaffrath, K.R., and Dupree, J.A., 2012, Water-quality assessment and macroinvertebrate data for the Upper Yampa River watershed, Colorado, 1975 through 2009: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5214, 129 p.


Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Methods of Data Compilation, Review, and Analysis

Water-Quality Assessment

Macroinvertebrate Data

Synthesis of Water-Quality Data in the Upper Yampa River Watershed

Summary

Acknowledgments

References Cited

Appendix 1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency STORET edit-checking procedure of low and high values for selected water-quality properties and constituents from the Upper Yampa River watershed water-quality database

Appendix 2. Selected Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in-stream water-quality standards for stream segments in the Upper Yampa River watershed, Colorado

Appendix 3. Description of selected stream sampling sites in the Upper Yampa River watershed, Colorado, with type of water-quality data collected, period of water-quality record, and number of samples collected, 1975 through 2009

Appendix 4. Description of selected lake and reservoir sampling sites in the Upper Yampa River watershed, Colorado, with type of water-quality data collected, period of water-quality record, and number of sample days, 1985 through 2009

Appendix 5. Description of selected groundwater sampling sites in the Upper Yampa River watershed, Colorado, with geologic unit description, type of water-quality data collected, period of water-quality record, number of samples collected, and constituents with exceedances of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment water-quality standards for groundwater, 1975 through 1989 and 1998

Appendix 6. Description of stream sites in the Upper Yampa River watershed, Colorado, that have macroinvertebrate data, and period of water-quality record and number of sample days, 1975 through 2008


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