Determination of Instream Metal LoadsUsing Tracer-Injection and Synoptic-Sampling Techniques, Wightman Fork, Southwestern Colorado, July 1999
by Roderick F. Ortiz
Available from the U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Information Services, Box 25286, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4167, 35 p., 12 figs.
This document also is available in pdf format: 
WRIR 01-4167
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Abstract
In July 1999, a tracer-injection study was conducted concurrently with synoptic sampling to generate mass-load profiles in Wightman Fork near the Summitville Mine site. The mine site is located in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado at an elevation of about 3,500 meters above sea level. Metal loads increased substantially along the 2,815-meter study reach along the boundary of the mine site. Spatial determinations of dissolved aluminum, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc loads were used to identify potential source areas to the stream. Overall, four source areas appeared to contribute most of the specific load at the end of the study reach. One source area was along a 60-meter reach downgradient from the toe of the North Waste Dump that generally corresponded to a region of radial faults. Another source area was a short reach that included inputs from the Summitville Water Treatment Facility and the Pump House Fault. In July 1999, seepage from the Summitville Dam Impoundment was a substantial contributor of metal load at the end of the study reach. Finally, the metal load contributed along a 60-meter reach that included Cropsy Creek is considered a substantial source of metal load to Wightman Fork.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Description of Study Area
Study Approach
Background Chloride Sampling
Tracer Injection
Synoptic Sampling
Tracer-Injection Results
Synoptic-Sampling Results
Metal Loads
Primary Study Reach
Secondary Study Reach
Summary
Selected References
Appendix
