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Chemical Characteristics of Bottom Sediments in the 

Colorado River Upstream from the Price-Stubb Diversion 

Dam near Palisade, Colorado, October-November 1998

INTRODUCTION

The Colorado River from Palisade upstream to Rifle, 

Colorado, is a historical habitat for native fish. Some of 

these fish, the Colorado River pikeminnow and the razorbacked sucker, are currently on the threatened and endangered list. Irrigation diversion dams built in the early 

1900's have effectively cut off fish migration in the Colorado River upstream from Palisade. The Price-Stubb diversion dam is located just upstream from Palisade (fig. 1) and 

currently is not in use. Removal of the Price-Stubb diversion dam has been proposed by the Bureau of Reclamation 

(BOR) to aid in the recovery efforts of the Colorado pikeminnow and razorbacked sucker by allowing access to 

historical habitat for spawning.

Removal of the dam could release fine sediments 

(<0.0625 mm) that have been stored upstream from the 

dam into the Colorado River. There is no information available about the chemical characteristics of these bottommaterial sediments. Because the Colorado River downstream from Palisade through the Grand Valley has been 

designated as critical habitat for recovery of the Colorado 

pikeminnow, the release of the sediments and possibly 

toxic elements in interstitial water associated with removal

of the dam is a concern of the BOR. Municipal drinkingwater providers downstream are also concerned that release 

of the sediments and possibly toxic elements could create a 

public health hazard.

Information derived from the characterization of 

these bottom-material sediments and associated interstitial 

waters is needed for planning to avoid any potential 

damage to threatened and endangered fish or municipal 

drinking-water systems. Consequently, bottom-sediment 

samples were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey as 

part of a cooperative program with the BOR. The sampling 

sites and data-collection activities and the chemical characteristics are described in the following sections of the 

report.

SAMPLING SITES AND DATA COLLECTION

Field reconnaissance determined that the finer 

bottom materials were located along both banks of the 

Colorado River from 100 to 300 feet upstream from the 

diversion dam and ranged in depth from 2 to 20 inches. The 

locations of the deeper deposits of fine material were 

scattered and very random. Core samples of bottom108°15'

0 5 KILOMETERS

Figure 1. Location of the Grand Valley and the Price-Stubb diversion dam.

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey

USGS OFR 99-601 

February 2000
material sediments were collected at four sites two along 

the left bank and two along the right bank during October 

and November 1998 (fig. 2). The core samples were taken 

from depths between 2.4 and 9.8 inches.

It is possible that other layers of fines exist below 

the streambed, but due to the composition of most of the 

streambed material (coarse cobbles and boulders) it was not 

possible to sample at greater depths. Chemical characteristics of fine material that may be present between the 

existing streambed and pre-dam streambed are unknown. 

Attempts to sample interstitial water from the bottom sediments were unsuccessful because of the fine-grained material present.

Site PSDG1 is about 50 feet upstream from the end of 

the diversion wall on the right bank and 10 feet streamward. 

Site PSDG2 is on the right bank about 200 feet upstream 

from the end of the diversion wall and about 8 feet streamward. Site PSDG3 is on the left bank about 200 feet 

upstream from the diversion dam and about 10 feet streamward. Site PSDG4 is along the left bank about 150 feet 

upstream from PSDG3 and about 6 feet streamward. An 

additional sample, PSDG4a, was collected near site PSDG4 

and analyzed for quality-control purposes.

CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BOTTOM 

SEDIMENTS

Each core sample was analyzed at incremental depths 

for 28 constituents at the USGS sediment partitioning labortory. Results of the analyses are listed in table 1. As a 

quality-control procedure, duplicate analyses were 

performed on parts of the samples at sites PSDG1 and 

PSDG3. Results of the chemical analyses were compared to 

data for reference samples that have been collected across 

the United States. These reference samples were selected 

for comparison because they were about the same sediment 

size and chemical composition as the core samples.

The reference sample from the Cody Shale (SCO-1) 

is from a site in Wyoming. It is typical of Upper Cretaceous 

silty marine shales, intermediate between fine-grained 

offshore marine shales and coarser nearshore marine 

siltstone and sandstone. The reference sample for shale 

(SDO-1) is from the Huron Member of the Ohio Shale in 

Kentucky. It can be used to establish analytical accuracy in 

the analysis of organic- and sulphur-rich sedimentary rocks. 

The reference sample for marine sediment (MAG-1) is a 

fine-grained, gray-brown, clayey mud from the Gulf of 

Maine. The reference sample NIST 2709 is agricultural soil 

from the San Joaquin Valley in California.

The reference samples can be used to establish background values of different constituents. The comparison of 

concentrations between the reference samples and the core 

samples indicated that the bottom sediments upstream from 

the Price-Stubb diversion dam are at the same level or less 

than the reported values of the reference samples. No 

unusually high concentrations were determined.

Figure 2. Location of sampling sites upstream from the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam near Palisade, 

Colorado. Flow is right to left.
Table 1 . List of constituents and results of chemical analyses

[cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; Wt., %, percent by weight; <, less than; ND, not determined]

Sampling site Sample depth 

(fig. 2) (cm)

PSDG1 0-5cm

PSDG1 5-10cm

PSDG1 10-15

PSDG1 15-20

PSDG1 20-25

PSDG2 0-5

PSDG2 5-8

PSDG2 8-11

PSDG3 0-4

PSDG3 4-6

PSDG3 6-10

PSDG4 0-2.5

PSDG4 2.5-4

PSDG4 4-6

PSDG4a 0-5

PSDG4a 5-10

PSDG4a 10-15

PSDG4a 15-19

Total silver 

(ppm)

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

Total 

copper 

(ppm)

13

13

14

13

14

11

13

15

13

15

14

13

15

15

13

14

15

14

Total Total 

lead zinc 

(ppm) (ppm)

20

20

21

22

20

23

23

22

42

21

20

25

22

24

29

23

22

22

61

58

57

52

51

48

61

54

62

61

52

63

60

59

53

57

57

53

Total 

cadmium 

(ppm)

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.2

0.2

0.2

Total 

chromium 

(ppm)

25

26

26

24

25

21

24

24

28

28

26

25

28

27

25

26

29

27

Total 

cobalt 

(ppm)

6

7

7

6

6

6

7

8

6

7

6

7

7

8

7

7

7

7

DUPLICATE SAMPLES

DUPPSDG1 10-15

DUP PSDG3 6-10

<0.5

<0.5

14

14

23

21

52

53

0.2

0.2

26

24

7

7

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Cody Shale

USGS SCO-1 reported value

USGS laboratory USGS SCO-1

Shale

USGS SDO-1 reported value

USGS laboratory USGS SDO-1

Marine sediment

USGS MAG-1 reported value

USGS laboratory USGS MAG-1

Agricultural soil 

NIST 2709 reported value

USGS laboratory NIST 2709

0.1

<0.5

0.2

<0.5

0.08+0.02

<0.5

<0.5

<0.5

29±2

26

60+.10

54

30±3

26

35±1

32

31±3

34

28+5

30

24±3

28

19±1

19

100±10

100

64±7

63

130±6

130

106±3

0

110

0.2+0.1

<0.1

<2-<10

<0.1

0.2+0.03

0.2

0.4+0.01

0.3

68+5

58

66±8

57

97±8.0

94

130+.4

100

11±1

13

47±6

48

20±2

23

13±1

14
Table 1. List of constituents and results of chemical analyses Continued

Sampling site Sample depth 

(fig. 2) (cm)

PSDG1 0-5cm

PSDG1 5-10cm

PSDG1 10-15

PSDG1 15-20

PSDG1 20-25

PSDG2 0-5

PSDG2 5-8

PSDG2 8-11

PSDG3 0-4

PSDG3 4-6

PSDG3 6-10

PSDG4 0-2.5

PSDG4 2.5-4

PSDG4 4-6

PSDG4a 0-5

PSDG4a 5-10

PSDG4a 10-15

PSDG4a 15-19

Total 

iron 

(Wt. %)

1.8

1.8

1.9

1.7

1.8

1.6

1.8

1.9

1.8

2.0

1.8

1.8

2.0

2.0

1.9

2.0

2.1

1.8

Total 

manganese 

(ppm)

350

360

380

370

380

320

360

380

320

380

350

310

340

430

330

350

390

360

Total 

aluminum 

(Wt. %)

4.9

4.7

4.9

5.0

5.1

4.4

4.7

5.0

4.7

5.1

4.7

4.7

5.1

5.0

4.9

5.0

5.1

4.7

Total 

titanium 

(Wt. %)

0.24

0.23

0.25

0.20

0.22

0.23

0.22

0.23

0.24

0.27

0.24

0.25

0.26

0.25

0.26

0.25

0.28

0.30

Total 

organic 

(Wt. %)

0.8

0.7

0.5

0.6

1.2

0.3

1.1

1.7

0.7

0.9

1.7

0.8

0.9

0.4

0.5

0.7

0.3

0.5

Total 

carbon 

(Wt. %)

1.7

1.8

1.5

2.0

2.6

1.2

1.8

3.0

1.7

2.1

2.6

1.7

2.0

1.4

1.4

1.8

1.5

1.6

Total 

sulfur 

(Wt. %)

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

DUPLICATE SAMPLES

DUPPSDG1 10-15

DUP PSDG3 6-10

1.8

1.8

370

350

4.9

4.7

0.25

0.24

0.5

1.2

1.4

2.3

<0.1

<0.1

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Cody Shale 

USGS SCO-1 reported value

USGS laboratory USGS SCO-1

Shale 

USGS SDO-1 reported value

USGS laboratory USGS SDO-1

Marine sediment

USGS MAG-1 reported value

USGS laboratory USGS MAG-1

Agricultural soil

NIST 2709 reported value

USGS laboratory NIST 2709

3.6±0.1

3.7

6.5±0.2

6.7

4.8±0.2

5.0

3.5±0.1

3.5

410±30

420

320140

330

760170

730

540120

540

7.210.1

7.3

6.510.1

6.5

8.710.2

8.6

7.510.1

7.5

0.3810.04

0.34

0.4310.02

0.38

0.4510.04

0.42

0.3410.02

0.33

0.810.1

1.1

1010.4

9.8

2.1510.4

2.3

1.2

1.1

0.810.1

1.1

1010.4

9.5

2.1510.4

2.2

1.2

1.1

0.1

0.1

5.410.4

5.1

0.410.1

0.2

0.1

0.1

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Subdistrict Chief, U.S. Geological Survey

764 Horizon Drive, Room 125, Grand Junction, CO 81506

Telephone: (970) 245-5257 Fax: (970) 245-1026

Printed on recycled paper

# U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 2000 573-082 / 47010 Region No. 8

 J.E. Vaill
Table 1. List of constituents and results of chemical analyses Continued

Sampling site Sample depth 

(fig. 2) (cm)

PSDG1 0-5cm

PSDG1 5-10cm

PSDG1 10-15

PSDG1 15-20

PSDG1 20-25

PSDG2 0-5

PSDG2 5-8

PSDG2 8-11

PSDG3 0-4

PSDG3 4-6

PSDG3 6-10

PSDG4 0-2.5

PSDG4 2.5^

PSDG4 4-6

PSDG4a 0-5

PSDG4a 5-10

PSDG4a 10-15

PSDG4a 15-19

Total nickel 

(ppm)

11

12

13

12

13

9

13

13

11

14

12

11

13

14

12

13

13

12

Total 

barium 

(ppm)

660

630

660

650

630

690

640

620

690

640

650

610

620

650

680

640

640

770

Total Total 

vanadium lithium 

(ppm) (ppm)

57

56

59

47

48

48

57

58

55

62

56

55

61

61

58

60

63

57

19

19

18

26

31

15

18

18

17

21

18

18

22

18

19

20

21

17

Total 

beryllium 

(ppm)

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.0

1.1

0.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.0

Total molybdenum 

(ppm)

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

<5

Total 

phosphorus 

(ppm)

510

560

580

570

600

520

540

520

520

610

570

500

590

570

520

570

620

770

DUPLICATE SAMPLES

DUPPSDG1 10-15

DUPPSDG3 6-10

13

12

650

620

59

56

17

17

1.0

1.0

<5

<5

610

620

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Cody Shale

USGS SCO-1 reported value

USGS laboratory USGS SCO-1

Shale

USGS SDO-1 reported value

USGS laboratory USGS SDO-1

Marine sediment

USGS MAG-1 reported value

USGS laboratory USGS MAG-1

Agricultural soil

NIST 2709 reported value

USGS laboratory NIST 2709

24±4

27

100±10

100

53±8

52

88±5

85

570±30

560

400±40

49

480±41

480

970±40

940

130110

130

160±20

160

140±6

140

11215

110

45±3

47

29±6

33

79±4

79

ND

57

1.910.1

1.6

3.3±0.6

2.6

3.2±0.4

2.5

ND

4.0

1

<5

130±20

160

2±2

<5

(2)

<5

900±90

870

480±31

460

710±90

760

620±50

760

5
Table 1. List of constituents and results of chemical analyses Continued

Sampling site Sample depth 

(fig. 2) (cm)

PSDG1 0-5cm

PSDG1 5-10cm

PSDG1 10-15

PSDG1 15-20

PSDG1 20-25

PSDG2 0-5

PSDG2 5-8

PSDG2 8-11

PSDG3 0-4

PSDG3 4-6

PSDG3 6-10

PSDG4 0-2.5

PSDG4 2.5-4

PSDG4 4-6

PSDG4a 0-5

PSDG4a 5-10

PSDG4a 10-15

PSDG4a 15-19

Total 

strontium 

(ppm)

140

140

120

200

240

120

130

130

130

150

130

140

150

120

140

140

140

110

Total 

arsenic 

(ppm)

4.9

5.2

5.5

6.7

8.1

4.6

5.2

5.0

4.6

54

4.9

4.8

5.6

5.6

4.8

5.3

5.6

5.3

Total Total 

antimony selenium 

(ppm) (ppm)

0.8

0.8

0.9

0.7

0.7

0.7

0.8

0.8

0.8

0.8

0.9

0.8

0.9

1.0

0.8

0.9

0.9

0.9

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

Total 

mercury 

(ppm)

0.05

0.04

0.03

0.02

0.03

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.01

0.02

0.01

0.04

0.02

0.02

0.02

0.03

0.02

Total 

thallium 

(ppm)

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

Total 

uranium 

(ppm)

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

<50

DUPLICATE SAMPLES

DUP PSDG1 10-15

DUP PSDG3 6-10

120

120

5.6

5.1

0.9

0.8

0.2

0.3

0.02

0.02

<50

<50

<50

<50

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Cody Shale

USGS SCO-1 reported value

USGS laboratory USGS SCO-1

Shale 

USGS SDO-1 reported value

USGS laboratory USGS SDO-1

Marine sediment

USGS MAG-1 reported value

USGS laboratory USGS MAG-1

Agricultural soil

NIST 2709 reported value

USGS laboratory NIST 2709

170+20

160

75±11

71

146±15

130

230+2.0

210

12.4±1.4

12

69±9

78.0

9.2±1.2

9.0

18±1

18

2.5±0.1

2.5

4.1^.8

4.1

l.fttO.l

0.9

7.9±0.6

6.2

0.9±0.1

0.9

1.9-6.8

1.6

1.2±0.1

1.2

1.6±0.1

1.5

0.05

0.07

0.19±0.08

0.16

(0.02)

0.05

1.40±0.08

1.4

1

<50

8

<50

<50

<50

(1)

<50

3

<50

49±7

<50

<50

<50

(3)

<50