Irrigation Drainage Studies of the Angostura

Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche

Reclamation Project, Western South Dakota:

Results of 1994 Sampling and Comparisons

with 1988 Data

Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4103

Prepared in cooperation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

and the Bureau of Reclamation

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Irrigation Drainage Studies of the Angostura

Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche 

Reclamation Project, Western South Dakota: 

Results of 1994 Sampling and Comparisons

with 1988 Data

By Steven K. Sando and Joyce E. Williamson, U.S. Geological Survey; Kimberly K. Dickerson, 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Edwin A. Wesolowski, U.S. Geological Survey

Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4103

Prepared in cooperation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the

Bureau of Reclamation
U.S. Department of the Interior

GALE A. NORTON, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

CHARLES G. GROAT, Director

The use of firm, trade, and brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and

does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Rapid City, South Dakota: 2001

For additional information write to:

District Chief

U.S. Geological Survey

1608 Mt. View Road

Rapid City, SD 57702

Copies of this report can be purchased from:

U.S. Geological Survey

Information Services

Building 810

Box 25286, Federal Center

Denver, CO 80225-0286
Contents III

CONTENTS

Abstract.................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Description of the Study Areas.............................................................................................................................................. 3

Sampling Sites and Methods ................................................................................................................................................. 5

Streamflow Conditions .......................................................................................................................................................... 11

Comparison of Results........................................................................................................................................................... 13

Angostura Reclamation Unit ....................................................................................................................................... 13

Water Quality..................................................................................................................................................... 13

Sediment ............................................................................................................................................................ 22

Fish .................................................................................................................................................................... 28

Synopsis of Results for the Angostura Reclamation Unit ................................................................................. 29

Belle Fourche Reclamation Project ............................................................................................................................. 30

Water Quality..................................................................................................................................................... 30

Sediment ............................................................................................................................................................ 40

Fish .................................................................................................................................................................... 45

Synopsis of Results for the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project ....................................................................... 47

Summary and Conclusions .................................................................................................................................................... 48

References ............................................................................................................................................................................. 49

Supplemental Information ..................................................................................................................................................... 53

FIGURES

1-4. Maps showing location of:

1. The Angostura Reclamation Unit study area ..................................................................................................... 4

2. The Belle Fourche Reclamation Project study area ........................................................................................... 6

3. Selected sampling sites in the Angostura Reclamation Unit study area............................................................ 7

4. Selected sampling sites in the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project study area.................................................. 9

5. Graphs showing comparison of daily discharge in 1988 and 1994 with long-term

median daily discharge for selected sites on the Cheyenne and Belle Fourche Rivers .............................................. 12

6. Stiff diagrams showing average dissolved-solids concentrations and proportions of

major ions in water samples collected from sites in or near the Angostura Reclamation

Unit in 1988 and 1994 ................................................................................................................................................ 15

7. Graphs showing concentrations of selected trace elements in water samples collected

from sites in or near the Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1988 and 1994 .................................................................. 17

8. Graphs showing relations between concentrations of selected constituents and discharge

for water samples collected from site A-14 in 1988 and 1994 ................................................................................... 20

9. Graphs showing concentrations of selected trace elements in bottom-sediment samples

collected from sites in or near the Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1988 and 1994................................................... 24

10. Stiff diagrams showing average dissolved-solids concentrations and proportions of

major ions in water samples collected from sites in or near the Belle Fourche

Reclamation Project in 1988 and 1994....................................................................................................................... 33

11. Graphs showing concentrations of selected trace elements in water samples collected

from sites in or near the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1988 and 1994 ........................................................ 34

12. Graphs showing relation between concentrations of selected trace elements and discharge

for water samples collected from sites B-1, B-12, and B-18 in 1988 and 1994 ......................................................... 38

13. Graphs showing concentrations of selected trace elements in bottom-sediment samples

collected from sites in or near the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1988 and 1994......................................... 42
IV Contents

TABLES

1. Site information and media samples for selected sampling sites in or near the Angostura Reclamation

Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project ................................................................................................... 5

2. Selected constituents and properties analyzed for in water, bottom-sediment, and fish-tissue samples

for the Angostura Reclamation Unit and Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1994.......................................... 8

3. Comparison of annual discharge for 1988 and 1994 with long-term median annual discharge for

selected sites on the Cheyenne and Belle Fourche Rivers...................................................................................... 11

4. Comparison of major-ion and selected trace-element concentrations in surface water for the 

Angostura Reclamation Unit with selected index values, guidelines, and criteria................................................. 14

5. Comparison of selected trace-element concentrations in bottom sediment1 for the Angostura 

Reclamation Unit with selected bulk-sediment index values for soil and bottom sediment .................................. 23

6. Comparison of fish-tissue concentrations for the Angostura Reclamation Unit with the National

Irrigation Water Quality Program level of concern ................................................................................................ 28

7. Comparison of major-ion and selected trace-element concentrations in surface water for the Belle 

Fourche Reclamation Project with selected index values, guidelines, and criteria ................................................ 31

8. Comparison of selected trace-element concentrations in bottom sediment1 for the Belle Fourche

Reclamation Project with selected index values for soil and bottom sediment...................................................... 41

9. Comparison of fish-tissue concentrations for the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project with the

National Irrigation Water Quality Program level of concern.................................................................................. 46

10. Physical properties, and concentrations of major ions and selected trace elements for water samples

collected from sites in or near the Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1994............................................................... 55

11. Concentrations of selected major-ion and trace-element constituents in bottom-sediment samples

collected from sites in or near the Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1994............................................................... 57

12. Concentrations of selected constituents in composite fish samples collected from sites in or near

the Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1994 ............................................................................................................... 59

13. Physical properties, and concentrations of major ions and selected trace elements for water samples

collected from sites in or near the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1994..................................................... 61

14. Concentrations of selected major-ion and trace-element constituents in bottom-sediment samples

collected from sites in or near the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1994..................................................... 63

15. Concentrations of selected constituents in composite fish samples collected from sites in or near the

Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1994 ........................................................................................................... 64

Abbreviations used in this report:

mg/L milligrams per liter

mm millimeters

μg/L micrograms per liter

μg/g micrograms per gram

μg/g dw micrograms per gram dry weight

μm micrometers

mi mile

ft3/s cubic feet per second
Abstract 1

Irrigation Drainage Studies of the Angostura

Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche

Reclamation Project, Western South Dakota: 

Results of 1994 Sampling and Comparisons 

with 1988 Data

By Steven K. Sando, Joyce E. Williamson, Kimberly K. Dickerson, and Edwin A. Wesolowski

ABSTRACT

The U.S. Department of the Interior started 

the National Irrigation Water Quality Program in 

1985 to identify the nature and extent of irrigationinduced water-quality problems that might exist in 

the western U.S. The Angostura Reclamation Unit 

(ARU) and Belle Fourche Reclamation Project 

(BFRP) in western South Dakota were included as 

part of this program. The ARU and BFRP reconnaissance studies were initiated in 1988, during 

below-normal streamflow conditions in both study 

areas. Surface water, bottom sediment, and fish 

were resampled in 1994 at selected sites in both 

study areas during generally near-normal streamflow conditions to compare with 1988 study 

results.

Concentrations of major ions in water for 

both the ARU and BFRP study areas are high 

relative to national baseline levels. Major-ion 

concentrations for both areas generally are lower 

for 1994 than for 1988, when low-flow conditions 

prevailed, but ionic proportions are similar 

between years. For ARU, dissolved-solids concentrations probably increase slightly downstream 

from Angostura Reservoir; however, the available 

data sets are insufficient to confidently discern 

effects of ARU operations on dissolved-solids 

loading. For BFRP, dissolved-solids concentrations are slightly higher at sites that are affected by 

irrigation drainage; again, however, the data are 

inconclusive to determine whether BFRP 

operations increase dissolved-solids loading.

Most trace-element concentrations in water 

samples for both study areas are similar between 

1988 and 1994, and do not show strong relations 

with discharge. ARU operations probably are not 

contributing discernible additional loads of trace 

elements to the Cheyenne River. For BFRP, concentrations of some trace elements are slightly 

higher at sites downstream from irrigation operations than at a site upstream from irrigation 

operations. BFRP operations might contribute to 

trace-element concentrations in the Belle Fourche 

River, but available data are insufficient to quantify increases. For both study areas, concentrations of several trace elements occasionally exceed 

National Irrigation Water Quality Program guidelines. Selenium routinely occurs in concentrations 

that could be problematic at sites upstream and 

downstream from both study areas. Elevated selenium concentrations at sites upstream from irrigation operations indicate that naturally occurring 

selenium concentrations are relatively high in and 

near the study areas. While ARU operations 

probably do not contribute discernible additional 

loads of selenium to the Cheyenne River, BFRP 

operations might contribute additional selenium 

loads to the Belle Fourche River.
2 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

Concentrations of most trace elements in 

bottom sediment, except arsenic and selenium, are 

similar to typical concentrations for western U.S. 

soils for both study areas. Bottom-sediment 

arsenic and selenium (1988) concentrations in 

both study areas can reach levels that might be of 

concern; however, there is insufficient information 

to determine whether irrigation operations 

contribute to these elevated concentrations.

Concentrations of most trace elements in 

fish in both study areas are less than values known 

to adversely affect fish or birds, although there are 

occasional exceedances of established criteria. 

However, selenium concentrations in fish samples 

routinely are within the National Irrigation Water 

Quality Program level of concern, and also 

commonly exceed the dietary guideline for avian 

consumers for both study areas. Selenium concentrations in fish samples generally are higher at sites 

downstream from irrigation operations. For 

BFRP, arsenic and mercury concentrations are 

elevated in fish samples from site B-18, which is 

influenced by mine tailings.

INTRODUCTION

Beginning in the mid-1980’s, there has been 

concern about the quality of irrigation drainage and its 

potential harmful effects on human health, fish, and 

wildlife. Concentrations of selenium greater than 

water-quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life 

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1986) have 

been detected in subsurface drainage from irrigated 

land in the western part of the San Joaquin Valley in 

California (Leighton and others, 1992). In 1983, 

incidences of mortality, birth defects, and reproductive 

failures in waterfowl were discovered by the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service (Ohlendorf and others, 1986) at 

the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge in the western 

San Joaquin Valley, where irrigation drainage was 

impounded. In addition, potentially toxic trace 

elements and pesticide residues have been detected in 

other areas in the western U.S. that receive irrigation 

drainage (Feltz and others, 1991).

Because of concerns expressed by the U.S. 

Congress, the U.S. Department of the Interior started 

the National Irrigation Water Quality Program 

(NIWQP) in 1985 to identify the nature and extent of 

irrigation-induced water-quality problems that might 

exist in the western U.S. An interbureau group, the 

Task Group on Irrigation Drainage, was formed within 

the U.S. Department of the Interior. This group identified and selected several locations in the western U.S. 

to conduct reconnaissance-level field investigations to 

determine if potentially toxic constituents are present 

in concentrations sufficiently high to possibly cause 

harmful effects on human health or on fish and wildlife 

within or immediately downstream from the study 

units. The Angostura Reclamation Unit (ARU) and 

Belle Fourche Reclamation Project (BFRP) in western 

South Dakota were included as part of this program.

The ARU and BFRP reconnaissance studies 

were initiated in 1988. These 2-year studies were conducted by interbureau teams composed of a scientist 

from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as team 

leader, with additional USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service (USFWS), and Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) 

scientists representing several different disciplines. 

The study areas included all of the irrigable land within 

the irrigation unit and project. Return flows from the 

irrigable lands in both study areas do not discharge to a 

wildlife refuge and are not a source of drinking water. 

Reports that describe the results of the reconnaissance 

studies were completed for the ARU (Greene and 

others, 1990) and BFRP (Roddy and others, 1991). 

Below-normal streamflows prevailed in both 

study areas during the sampling phase of the 1988 

study. Correlations frequently exist between streamflow magnitude and some constituent concentrations; 

thus, surface water, bottom sediment, and fish were 

resampled in 1994 at selected sites in both study areas 

during generally near-normal streamflow conditions to 

compare with the 1988 study results.

In the 1988 studies, several criteria were used to 

evaluate concentrations of various constituents in surface water, bottom sediment, and biota to determine the 

extent to which these media might be affected by irrigation drainage in the study areas. In 1998, the 

NIWQP completed the compilation of a document 

entitled “Guidelines for the Interpretation of the 

Biological Effects of Selected Constituents in Biota, 

Water, and Sediment” (U.S. Department of the Interior, 

1998). This document identifies nine potentially toxic 

constituents that are commonly encountered in 

environments affected by irrigation drainage. If 

present, these constituents might cause harmful effects 

on human health or fish and wildlife within or 

immediately downstream from the irrigation areas.
Description of the Study Areas 3

Two primary criteria (the “level of concern” and 

the “toxicity threshold”) have been established by 

NIWQP as guidelines to evaluate constituent concentrations for adverse environmental impact (U.S. 

Department of the Interior, 1998). The criteria are 

based on a study of toxicological benchmarks conducted by Suter and Mabrey (1994). “Level of 

concern” is defined as “a concentration of a toxic substance above which adverse effects may result from 

even brief exposure” (U.S. Department of the Interior, 

1998). In the NIWQP guidelines, the “level of concern” for a given substance typically is presented as a 

concentration range. The lower limit of this range 

represents the lowest concentration that might produce 

any adverse effects by chronic (that is, long-term and 

low-level) exposure. The upper limit is equivalent to 

either the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

ambient water-quality chronic criterion (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1999) or the secondary 

chronic value defined by Suter and Mabrey (1990); it 

represents a concentration known to result in more 

serious adverse effects. The upper limit of the “level of 

concern” concentration range is equivalent to the 

NIWQP “toxicity threshold.”

The purpose of the 1994 sampling was to determine whether the below-normal streamflows that 

prevailed during the 1988 reconnaissance studies 

resulted in concentrations of potentially toxic constituents in the study area that are unrepresentative of 

typical hydrologic conditions. The objectives were to: 

(1) resample surface water, bottom sediment, and fish 

at selected sites in both study areas during near-normal 

streamflows; (2) assess the effects of streamflow 

variability on concentrations of potentially toxic 

constituents by comparing 1988 and 1994 data; and 

(3) compare results of 1988 and 1994 sampling with 

current guidelines. This report presents the results of 

the study.

 DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREAS

Angostura Reservoir, formed by the damming of 

the Cheyenne River, is located 9 mi southeast of Hot 

Springs, South Dakota (fig. 1). The ARU lands, consisting of 12,200 acres, are located on alluvial terraces 

and upland soils along both sides of the Cheyenne 

River from the reservoir downstream for approximately 24 mi. The entire unit lies within Fall River and 

Custer Counties in the southwestern corner of South 

Dakota. The study area includes the unit lands and 

surrounding vicinity. Additional information about the 

irrigation unit including history, land and water 

management, fish and wildlife use, climate, geology, 

soils and agriculture, and hydrologic setting, can be 

found in Greene and others (1990).

Waterfowl, primarily including blue-winged 

teal, mallards, widgeons, scaup, and Canada geese, use 

the area as breeding and wintering grounds and for 

migratory rest stops. Threatened and endangered 

species1

 in the area might include piping plover, bald 

eagle, migrating whooping crane, interior least tern, 

black-footed ferret, and the American burying beetle. 

The sturgeon chub, sickle fin chub, black-tailed prairie 

dog, and swift fox (candidate species), and the mountain plover (a proposed species), also might occur in the 

area. Other species of special interest that might occur 

in the area include golden eagle, Swainson’s hawk, 

ferruginous hawk, and long-billed curlew. Additional 

information concerning wildlife in ARU can be found 

in Greene and others (1990).

1

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) provided for the 

conservation of species that are at risk of endangerment or extinction throughout all or a significant part of their range, and the conservation of the ecosystems on which they depend. The law is 

administered by the USFWS, with primary responsibility for 

terrestrial and freshwater organisms, and the National Marine 

Fisheries Service (NMFS), which oversees marine species, such as 

salmon and whales. Under the terms of the ESA, an at-risk species 

can be listed as “endangered” or “threatened,” and also can be 

noted as being “proposed” for listing, or a “candidate” for listing 

(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, accessed May 2, 2001). Species 

determined to be in imminent danger of extinction throughout all 

or a significant part of their range are listed as “endangered.” 

Species determined likely to become endangered in the foreseeable 

future are listed as “threatened.” Species listed as “endangered” or 

“threatened” are federally protected. “Proposed” species have 

undergone preliminary investigation by USFWS and/or NMFS and 

have been determined to warrant listing. “Proposed” species 

receive limited legal protection under the ESA. After a species has 

been proposed for listing, an intensive review process is conducted 

before a final ruling is made on whether to list the species 

(Nicholopoulos, accessed May 2, 2001). A “candidate” species is, 

as its name implies, a candidate for listing; USFWS and/or NMFS 

are in the process of evaluating information to determine if that 

species should be proposed for listing. “Candidate” species 

receive no legal protection under the ESA, but Federal agencies 

work with State, local, and private groups to implement conservation practices on a voluntary basis.
4 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

Oelrichs

Oral

Edgemont

Buffalo Gap

Red Shirt

Fairburn

HOT SPRINGS

103o 103o30'

43o

30'

43o

15'

CUSTER COUNTY

SHANNON COUNTY

FALL RIVER COUNTY

Cheyenne

Cheyenne

River

River

Cottonwood

Horsehead

Creek

Creek

Creek

Creek

French

Beaver

Cascad e

Cr Angostura

Reservoir

Angostura

Dam Angostura

Canal Iron

Draw

Fall R

Cold

Brook Canyon

SOUTH DAKOTA

Study

Area

Base from U.S. Geological Survey

1:500,000, 1963

0 10 20

0 10 20

MILES

KILOMETERS

Missouri

Cheyenne

River

River

Figure 1. Location of the Angostura Reclamation Unit study area.

EXPLANATION

APPROXIMATE BOUNDARY OF ANGOSTURA

 RECLAMATION UNIT LANDS

Wasta
Sampling Sites and Methods 5

The Belle Fourche Reservoir is an offstream 

storage reservoir formed by water diverted from the 

Belle Fourche River and is located 6.6 mi northeast of 

Belle Fourche, South Dakota (fig. 2). The BFRP lands, 

consisting of 57,100 acres, are located in the Belle 

Fourche River Basin in the undulating plains of 

western South Dakota. The project lands extend downstream from the dam and cover an area approximately 

25 mi long and 12 mi wide. The project lies almost 

entirely within Butte County in west-central South 

Dakota. Extensive irrigation operations also exist 

upstream from the BFRP along the Belle Fourche 

River, Redwater River, and Spearfish Creek. Additional information about the irrigation project 

including history, land and water management, fish and 

wildlife use, climate, geology, soils and agriculture, 

and hydrologic setting, can be found in Roddy and 

others (1991).

Waterfowl use this area for breeding, wintering, 

and resting during migration. Waterfowl species 

include those listed above for the ARU. Threatened 

and endangered species that might occur in the area 

include black-footed ferret, wintering bald eagle, 

migrating whooping crane, American burying beetle, 

interior least tern, and piping plover. Candidate and 

proposed species include those listed for the ARU. 

Golden eagle, Swainson’s hawk, ferruginous hawk also 

might occur in the area. Additional information concerning wildlife in BFRP can be found in Roddy and 

others (1991).

SAMPLING SITES AND METHODS

The scope of the 1994 study was substantially 

smaller than the 1988 study; as a result, fewer sites, 

numbers of samples, and types of analyses were 

included in the 1994 sampling. Results of the 1988 

data collection were reviewed in developing the sampling design for the 1994 data collection. In the 1994 

sampling, representative index sites, sampling periods, 

and types of analyses were selected to evaluate effects 

of streamflow variability between 1988 and 1994 on 

concentrations of potentially toxic constituents. For 

the 1994 study, selection of sampling sites generally 

was based on sites where biota were sampled in the 

1988 studies.

In the 1988 studies, 14 sites were sampled in and 

near the ARU for various media including water, 

bottom sediment, and biota (Greene and others, 1990). 

For the 1994 study, four sites were sampled (fig. 3, 

table 1); these sites are designated as A-1, A-5, A-12, 

and A-14. Data collected during 1988 at these sites and 

at sites A-2 and A-8 (fig. 3, table 1) are used for comparisons in following sections of this report. Only site 

A-14 was sampled for water, bottom sediment, and 

biota in both 1988 and 1994. Sites A-2 and A-8 were 

sampled for water and bottom sediment in 1988 and 

were selected as being reasonably similar to some of 

the sites sampled in 1994 to allow additional comparison of water-quality and bottom-sediment results 

between 1988 and 1994.

Table 1. Site information and media samples for selected sampling sites in or near the Angostura Reclamation Unit and the 

Belle Fourche Reclamation Project

[Media codes: W, surface-water quality; S, bottom sediment; B, biota (fish only in 1994)]

Site 

number

(from

 1988 

studies)

Station number Station name Latitude Longitude

Media

 sampled

 in 1988

Media

sampled

 in 1994

A-1 06395000 Cheyenne River at Edgemont 431820 1034914 B W, S, B

A-2 06400500 Cheyenne River near Hot Springs 431819 1033343 W, S

A-5 432121103252600 Cheyenne River 0.75 mile downstream from 

Angostura Dam

432121 1032526 B W, S, B

A-8 06402400 Cheyenne River above Buffalo Gap 432505 1031716 W, S

A-12 433012103042000 Cheyenne River near Custer County bridge 656 433012 1030420 B W, S, B

A-14 06403700 Cheyenne River at Redshirt1 434023 1025336 W, S, B W, S, B

B-1 06428500 Belle Fourche River at Wyoming-South Dakota 

State line

444459 1040249 W W, S, B

B-2 Belle Fourche River above Belle Fourche 444126 1035503 B

B-12 06436760 Horse Creek above Vale 443908 1032159 W, S, B W, S, B

B-18 06437000 Belle Fourche River near Sturgis 443047 1030811 W, S, B W, S, B 1

Site was called Cheyenne River near Fairburn in 1988.
6 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD BELLE FOURCHE St. Onge Whitewood Spearfish

Crow

Willow

False

Creek

Creek

Creek

Nine

Mile

Creek

Horse

Creek

Creek

Dry

Willow

Owl

Cr

Cr

Cr

BelleFourcheReservoir

Horse

Creek

h W ti

we

ood

Creek

oB t ot m

Creek

keer C pS

ea fr hsi

Belle

River

Fourche

River

Redwater

Owl

Indian

90 14

90 14

85

85

212

A14

212

212

79

79

34

34

BUTTE COUNTY

MEADE COUNTY LAWRENCE COUNTY

44o45'

104o 103o30' 103o

44o30'

Inlet

Johnson

Canal

Lateral

Indian

North

South

Canal

Canal

Canal

Creek

Young

Lateral

South

Canal Meade

North

Shefield Lateral

Deer

Creek

Beres fo r d

Lat

Lat

Town

Site

Lat

North

Lateral

Lateral

Lateral

BelleFourcheDiversionDam

OrmanDam

Study Area

BlackHills

SOUTHDAKOTA

APPROXIMATE EXTENT OF THE BLACK HILLS AREA, REPRESENTED BY GENERALIZED OUTER EXTENT OF INYAN KARA GROUP (modified from Strobel and others, 1999)APPROXIMATE BOUNDARY OF BELLE FOURCHE RECLAMATION PROJECT LANDS

0 5 100 5 10

MILES

KILOMETERS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey Rapid City,1:250,000, 1978

Figure 2. Location of the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project study area.

EXPLANATION Sturgis

Missouri

Cheyenne

River

Belle

River

Fourch e R.
Sampling Sites and Methods 7

Oelrichs

Oral

Edgemont

Buffalo Gap

Red Shirt

Fairburn

HOT SPRINGS

103o 103o30'

43o

30'

43o

15'

CUSTER COUNTY

SHANNON COUNTY

FALL RIVER COUNTY

Horsehead

Cheyenne

Cheyenne

River

River

Cottonwood

Creek

Creek

Creek

Creek

French

Beaver

Cascad e

Cr Angostura

Reservoir

Angostura

Dam Angostura

Canal Iron

Draw

Fall R

Cold

Brook Canyon

Wasta

EXPLANATION

Sampled in 1994 for water, bottom sediment,

 and biota; sampled in 1988 for biota only

SAMPLING SITE--Number indicates site number

STREAMFLOW-GAGING STATION--Number

 indicates site identification. No water-quality

 sample collected

Sampled in 1988 only for water and bottom

 sediment

Sampled in both 1988 and1994 for water,

 bottom sediment, and biota

0 10 20

0 10 20

MILES

KILOMETERS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey

1:500,000, 1963

Figure 3. Locations of selected sampling sites in the Angostura Reclamation Unit study area.

A-1

A-1 A-5

A-12

A-2

A-2

A-8

A-14

A-14

SOUTH DAKOTA

Study

Area

Missouri

Cheyenne

River

River

06423500

06423500
8 Go to the Master Page Named Left, Delete This Entry, and Keyboard the Title in Caps and Lower Case

For the BFRP, 19 sites were sampled in 1988 

(Roddy and others, 1991). For the 1994 study, three 

sites were sampled (B-1, B-12, and B-18; fig. 4, 

table 1). Data collected during 1988 at sites B-1, B-2, 

B-12, and B-18 (fig. 4, table 1) are used for comparisons in following sections of this report. No biota samples were collected from site B-1 in 1988; site B-2 was 

sampled for biota in 1988, and this site was selected as 

being reasonably similar to site B-1 to allow additional 

comparison of biota results between 1988 and 1994.

The sampling and analytical methods used in 

1994 generally were the same as those used in 1988 

(Greene and others, 1990; Roddy and others, 1991). 

Selected constituents analyzed in the water, bottom 

sediment, and biota samples for 1994 are presented in 

table 2. In 1988, a variety of biota (plants, fish, and 

animals) were sampled; however, only fish-tissue 

samples were collected in 1994. Sampling and 

analytical methods are described in detail in those 

reports, and are summarized below.

Table 2. Selected constituents and properties analyzed for in water, bottom-sediment, and fish-tissue samples for the 

Angostura Reclamation Unit and Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1994

[μg/L, micrograms per liter]

Surface water

(dissolved concentration1)

Bottom sediment

(total recoverable concentration2)

Fish tissue

(total concentration2)

Constituent or property

(milligrams per liter unless

noted otherwise)

Trace elements and major ions

(micrograms per gram unless

noted otherwise)

Trace elements and major ions

(micrograms per gram, dry weight)

Calcium Aluminum (percent) Mercury Aluminum

Magnesium Arsenic Molybdenum Arsenic

Potassium Barium Neodymium Boron

Sodium Beryllium Nickel Barium

Alkalinity (as CaCO3) Bismuth Niobium Beryllium

Chloride Boron Phosphorus (percent) Cadmium

Sulfate (as SO4

2-) Cadmium Potassium (percent) Chromium

Dissolved solids Calcium (percent) Scandium Copper

Nitrogen species (as nitrogen) Cerium Selenium Iron

Aluminum (μg/L) Chromium Silver Mercury

Arsenic (μg/L) Cobalt Sodium (percent) Magnesium

Boron (μg/L) Copper Strontium Manganese

Cadmium (μg/L) Europium Tantalum Molybdenum

Chromium (μg/L) Gallium Thorium Nickel

Copper (μg/L) Gold Tin Lead

Lead (μg/L) Holmium Titanium (percent) Selenium

Mercury (μg/L) Iron (percent) Uranium Strontium

Molybdenum (μg/L) Lanthanum Vanadium Vanadium

Selenium (μg/L) Lead Ytterbium Zinc

Uranium (μg/L) Lithium Yttrium

Vanadium (μg/L) Magnesium (percent) Zinc

Zinc (μg/L) Manganese

1“Dissolved” is operationally defined as that part of a water sample that passes through a 0.45-μm pore-size filter. 2Distinction should be noted between the “total recoverable” concentrations describing bottom-sediment results and the “total” concentrations 

describing fish-tissue results. Digestion procedures for bottom-sediment samples typically result in less than 95 percent of the rock/soil material being 

solubilized; thus, analytical results for bottom-sediment samples are termed “total recoverable” concentrations. Digestion procedures for fish-tissue 

samples typically result in greater than 95 percent of the tissue material being solubilized; thus, analytical results for fish-tissue samples are termed

“total” concentrations.
Sampling Sites and Methods 9

BUTTE COUNTY

MEADE COUNTY LAWRENCE COUNTY

44o45'

104o 103o30' 103o

44o30'

BELLEFOURCHE

Spearfish

St. Onge

Whitewood

Fruitdale

Nisland

Vale

Newell

Crow

Willow

False

Creek

Creek

Creek

Nine

Mile

Creek

Horse

Creek

Creek

Dry

Willow

Owl

Cr

Cr

Cr

BelleFourcheReservoir

Horse

Creek

h W ti

we

ood

Creek

oB t ot m

Creek

keer C pS

ea fr hsi

Belle

River

Fourche

River

Redwater

Owl

Indian

90 14

90 14

85

85

212

A14

212

212

79

79

34

34

OrmanDam

0 5 100 5 10

MILES

KILOMETERS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey Rapid City,1:250,000, 1978

Figure 4. Locations of selected sampling sites in the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project study area.

EXPLANATION

Sampled in 1994 for water, bottom sediment, and biota; sampled in 1988 for water and bottom sediment

SAMPLING SITE--Number indicates site number

Sampled in 1988 only for biotaSampled in both 1988 and1994 for water, bottom sediment, and biota

B-1

B-2

B-12

B-1

B-2

B-12

B-18

Study Area SOUTH

DAKOTA

Sturgis

Missouri

Cheyenne

River

Belle

River

Fourch e R.
10 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

In 1994, water and fish samples were collected in 

April and May, when irrigation return flows constitute 

the smallest part of streamflows, and in September 

when irrigation return flows generally constitute the 

largest part of streamflows. Bottom-sediment samples 

were collected only in September. In 1988, samples 

also were collected during similar time periods.

Water-quality samples were collected using 

standard procedures of the USGS (Edwards and 

Glysson, 1988). Field parameters, including air temperature, water temperature, pH, alkalinity, specific 

conductance, dissolved-oxygen concentration, and 

discharge were determined at each sampling site. 

Quality-control samples, including blanks, replicates, 

and split samples, were collected to document the variability in the results and whether contamination was 

introduced during sampling and processing. Chemical 

analyses of water samples were performed by the 

USGS National Water Quality Laboratory, Denver, 

Colorado.

Generally, quality-control samples indicated that 

water-quality results were representative of environmental conditions and were not substantially affected 

by contamination or bias introduced during sampling 

and analysis processes. Analytical results for field 

blank samples collected in 1988 were not readily available; however, Greene and others (1990) and Roddy 

and others (1991) reported that quality-control samples 

indicated that generally there was no inadvertent gross 

contamination of water samples from field or laboratory procedures. Some 1988 blank samples had 

detections of mercury that were comparable to concentrations reported for environmental samples (Roddy 

and others, 1991); thus, reported concentrations for 

mercury should be used with caution. Constituent concentrations for field blank samples collected in 1994 

were all near or less than minimum reporting limits. 

Replicate samples for both 1988 and 1994 showed little 

variability between the replicates and the associated 

primary samples for most constituents. For a few trace 

elements that tend to have large potential for contamination (including aluminum, lead, and zinc), some 

replicate samples for both 1988 and 1994 showed large 

variability between the replicates and the associated 

primary samples; thus, reported concentrations for 

aluminum, lead, and zinc should be used with caution.

Procedures used to collect bottom-sediment 

samples for both 1988 and 1994 are described in detail 

in Greene and others (1990) and Roddy and others 

(1991). Generally, the bottom-sediment sample collection procedures followed guidelines presented in Ward 

and Harr (1990). Samples of bottom sediments were 

collected along cross sections at seven sites in both 

study areas using a stainless-steel, Teflon-coated 

scoop. At least nine evenly spaced subsamples were 

collected along each cross section. The subsamples 

were composited and mixed into a single sample for 

each site, from which about 300 grams were submitted 

for analysis to the Branch of Geochemistry Laboratory 

of the USGS, Geologic Division, Lakewood, Colorado. 

Prior to analysis, bottom-sediment samples were dried 

and then processed using a rigorous acid digestion to 

break down the rock/soil matrix, and desorb and solubilize constituents. However, because some rock/soil 

material is somewhat resistant to acid activity, not all of 

the rock/soil material is solubilized. Typically, less 

than 95 percent of a given bottom-sediment sample is 

solubilized during analytical processing. Thus, 

analytical results for bottom-sediment samples are 

termed “total recoverable” concentrations.

Quality-control replicates for bottom-sediment 

samples were collected to document variability in the 

results. Replicate samples for both 1988 and 1994 

generally showed little variability between the replicates and the associated primary samples for most constituents. For a few constituents (including barium and 

manganese), replicates collected in 1988 showed 

moderate variability between the replicates and the 

associated primary samples that was larger than the 

variability for 1994 replicates. However, variability in 

the replicates for those constituents was not large 

enough to obscure differences in concentrations 

between sites or between years.

Fish samples were collected using standard 

equipment and techniques of USFWS (1985). General 

information concerning fish sample collection methods 

used also are described in Greene and others (1990) 

and Roddy and others (1991). Specific collection procedures varied somewhat between 1988 and 1994. In 

1988, numerous samples for several fish species were 

collected each time a site was sampled; samples consisted of both individual fish as well as composite 

samples of multiple individuals (from 2 to 19) of a 

given species. Generally, consistency was maintained 
Streamflow Conditions 11

in the species that were collected between different 

sampling periods for a given site in 1988. In 1994, two 

fish samples were collected each time a site was 

sampled; samples consisted of both individual fish as 

well as composite samples of multiple individuals 

(from 2 to 29) of a given species. For fish samples collected in 1994, there was substantial variability in the 

species collected between different sampling periods. 

Thus, the small number of samples collected and the 

variability in the species collected complicated the 

interpretation of 1994 results for fish samples. In 1988, 

replicate fish samples were collected for qualitycontrol purposes. Generally, replicate fish samples for 

a given age class and species showed little variability in 

constituent concentrations. 

Fish-tissue samples were analyzed by contract 

laboratories approved by the USFWS Patuxent Control 

Facility in Laurel, Maryland. Prior to analysis, fishtissue samples were freeze dried and then processed 

using an acid digestion to break down the tissue matrix, 

and desorb and solubilize constituents. The soft 

organic material is quite vulnerable to acid activity, and 

nearly all of the tissue is solubilized. Typically, more 

than 95 percent of a given fish-tissue sample is solubilized during analytical processing. Thus, analytical 

results for fish tissues are termed “total” concentrations.

STREAMFLOW CONDITIONS

Streamflow conditions were closer to normal in 

1994 than in 1988 (table 3 and fig. 5). Annual discharge for the Cheyenne River at Edgemont was about 

99 percent of the long-term median in 1994 and about 

19 percent of the long-term median in 1988. Annual 

discharge for the Belle Fourche River at Sturgis was 

about 116 percent of the long-term median in 1994 and 

less than 60 percent of the long-term median in 1988. 

Discharge measurements made at the times that water 

and bottom-sediment samples were collected averaged 

about 40 percent greater for 1994 samples than for 

1988 samples, for both ARU and BFRP sites.

Table 3. Comparison of annual discharge for 1988 and 1994 with long-term median annual discharge for selected sites on 

the Cheyenne and Belle Fourche Rivers

Site

number

Station

 number Station name Period of analysis

Annual discharge,

in cubic feet

per second

Percent of

long-term

median annual

discharge

1988 1994 1988 1994

A-1 06395000 Cheyenne River at Edgemont 1903-07, 1928-33,

1947-94

12.0 63.0 18.9 99.2

06401500 Cheyenne River below 

Angostura Dam

1946-94 1.53 133 2.4 244.1

06423500 Cheyenne River near Wasta 1915, 1928-32,

1934-94

132 332 42.2 106.1

B-1 06428500 Belle Fourche River at 

Wyoming-South Dakota 

State line

1947-94 52.7 93.9 64.0 114.0

B-12 06436760 Horse Creek above Vale 1981-94 24.3 39.8 67.6 110.9

B-18 06437000 Belle Fourche River near 

Sturgis

1946-94 133 261 59.3 116.5
12 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

0.1

1,000

0.2

0.5

1

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

DAILY DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

0.01

10,000

0.1

1

10

100

1,000

0.1

10,000

1

10

100

1,000

O N D J F M A M J J A S

MONTH

1

10,000

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

5,000

1

10,000

2

5

10

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

5,000

Station 06395000

Cheyenne River at Edgemont, SD

Period of record 1903-07, 1928-33, 1947-94

Station 06428500

Belle Fourche River at State line

Period of record 1947-94

Station 06436760

Horse Creek above Vale, SD

Period of record 1981-94

Station 06437000

Belle Fourche River near Sturgis, SD

Period of record 1946-94

Station 06401500

Cheyenne River below Angostura Dam, SD

Period of record 1946-94

Station 06423500

Cheyenne River near Wasta, SD

Period of record 1915, 1928-32, 1934-94

10

10,000

20

50

100

200

500

1,000

2,000

5,000

Figure 5. Comparison of daily discharge for 1988 and 1994 with long-term median and mean daily discharge for selected

sites on the Cheyenne and Belle Fourche Rivers.

EXPLANATION

1988

1994

LONG-TERM MEDIAN DAILY DISCHARGE

1988 SAMPLES

1994 SAMPLES

LONG-TERM MEAN DAILY DISCHARGE
Comparison of Results 13

COMPARISON OF RESULTS

Angostura Reclamation Unit

Comparisons are made between data collected in 

1988 and 1994 to reach conclusions concerning effects 

of streamflow variability, and to provide further information about effects of irrigation drainage on aquatic 

environments. Water-quality, sediment, and fish 

analytical results are presented for both the ARU and 

the BFRP.

Water Quality

Analytical results for water samples collected in 

1994 are shown in table 10 in the Supplemental Information section at the back of the report. Major-ion and 

trace-element concentrations for all sites sampled in 

1994 are jointly statistically summarized and compared 

with jointly summarized data from the 1988 representative sites, and with national baseline values (Smith 

and others, 1987) and various water-quality criteria in 

table 4. Ranges and medians of concentrations of most 

major ions for the jointly summarized 1994 data are 

slightly lower than values for the representative sites 

sampled in 1988. All major-ion concentrations are 

high for both 1988 and 1994; minimum concentrations 

for both 1988 and 1994 generally exceed national baseline values (table 4).

Chemical characteristics of the Cheyenne River 

and its tributaries in the study area are influenced by a 

wide variety of geologic conditions that are described 

in more detail by Greene and others (1990). The 

majority of the ARU is within outcrops of the Pierre 

Shale, which is a black marine shale of Cretaceous age. 

Alluvial and terrace deposits occur along the Cheyenne 

River and other drainages. Grain-size distributions of 

these unconsolidated deposits can range from clay to 

boulders and mineralogic composition also can be 

extremely variable. Some tributaries of the Cheyenne 

River in the study area have their headwaters in the 

Black Hills. Contact with Paleozoic-age limestones in 

the upper reaches of these streams influences their 

chemical characteristics. 

Stiff diagrams (Stiff, 1951) showing average 

dissolved-solids concentrations and proportions of 

major ions in water samples are presented in figure 6 

for sites in the study area. The diagrams illustrate 

differences in water type and ionic proportions at 

different sites and between 1988 and 1994. 

Comparison of ionic proportions and dissolved-solids 

concentrations between sites and years is difficult 

because most of the sites did not have water-quality 

samples collected in both years. Differences in flow 

conditions could affect comparisons, especially with 

respect to dissolved-solids concentrations. However, 

some general patterns might be evident. The ionic 

composition of the Cheyenne River varies dramatically 

within the upper part of the study reach. Between sites 

A-1 and A-2, ionic proportions change and concentrations of dissolved solids substantially decrease, 

primarily as a result of large decreases in concentrations of sodium and chloride. The dramatic change 

largely is due to substantial inflow of Cascade Springs 

water, which has lower dissolved-solids concentration, 

with calcium and sulfate being dominant ions. 

Between sites A-2 and A-5, concentrations of dissolved 

solids decrease further, primarily as a result of 

decreases in concentrations of calcium and sulfate. 

Site A-2 is representative of Cheyenne River water 

flowing into Angostura Reservoir, and site A-5 is 

representative of water released from Angostura 

Reservoir. Angostura Reservoir integrates inflows 

from the Cheyenne River and various upstream tributaries over time. Differences in water quality between 

sites A-2 and A-5 that are evident in figure 6 might be 

due to hydrologic differences between 1988 and 1994. 

The differences might also relate to effects of Angostura Reservoir, which include: (1) mixing of Cheyenne 

River inflows with inflows of smaller tributaries to 

Angostura Reservoir; (2) temporal influences related 

to residence time for water in the reservoir; and 

(3) geochemical and biological processes occurring 

within the reservoir. Downstream from Angostura 

Reservoir during both 1988 and 1994, small increases 

in concentrations of dissolved solids probably 

occurred; however, the limited data sets that are available are insufficient to perform a detailed analysis of 

potential effects of irrigation practices.

Effects of differences in flow conditions between 

1988 and 1994 on concentrations of dissolved solids 

and ionic proportions are best shown by comparing the 

Stiff diagrams for site A-14 for 1988 and 1994. The 

mean discharge at the times of sampling was about 

40 percent higher in 1994 than in 1988 at this site. 

Mean dissolved-solids concentrations are smaller for 

1994 when flow conditions generally are higher. 

Proportions of major ions are similar between 1988 and 

1994 (fig. 6), even though the concentrations of major 

ions are somewhat smaller for 1994.
14 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD Table 4. Comparison of major-ion and selected trace-element concentrations in surface water for the Angostura Reclamation Unit with selected index values, guidelines, and criteria [Major-ion concentration, in milligrams per liter; trace-element concentration, in micrograms per liter; <, less than; >, greater than; --, no data; 8 samples per element in 1994, 12 samples per element in 1988] Constituent 1994 1988 National baseline1 National Irrigation Water Quality Program Guidelines level of concern2 Surface-water quality criteria Minimum Maximum Median Minimum Maximum Median Aquatic life acute/ chronic3 Irrigation4 Livestock watering4 Major Ions Calcium 180 270 240 160 530 265 66.8 -- -- -- -- Magnesium 53 110 79 58 100 86 21.7 -- -- -- -- Sodium 190 1,100 220 100 320 160 68.9 -- -- -- -- Potassium 8.7 20 12 6.8 16 10 -- -- -- -- -- Bicarbonate plus carbonate5 168 428 211 80 224 187 161.8 -- -- -- -- Sulfate 790 3,300 1,035 700 1,900 1,200 116.9 -- -- -- -- Chloride 96 540 120 82 170 125 53.3 -- -- -- -- Trace Elements Arsenic <1 2 <1 <1 1 1 3 48–190 360/190 100 200 Boron 160 1,100 270 190 370 265 -- 500–10,000 for plants 5,000–25,000 for fish -- 750 5,000 Cadmium <1 <1 <1 <1 5 <1 < 2 -- 640/5.2 10 50 Chromium <1 <1 <1 <1 4 2 -- -- -- -- -- Copper <1 1 <1 <1 2 1 -- 0.23–12 6135/74 200 500 Lead <1 <1 <1 <5 6 <5 6 -- 6630/24 5,000 100 Mercury <0.1 <0.2 <0.1 <0.1 5.3 <0.1 0.3 >30 72.1/0.012 -- 10 Molybdenum 4 8 6.5 4 16 8 -- 50,000 for plants 20–120 for fish -- -- -- Selenium <1 4 2 <1 4 3 1 1–2 20/5 20 50 Uranium 7.6 25 12 6.5 15 9.8 -- -- -- -- -- Zinc <10 <10 <10 <10 76 10 21 30–110 6740/670 2,000 25,000

1The National Stream Quality Accounting Network and the National Water Quality Surveillance System have provided information on the Nation’s water quality since 1973. Smith and others (1987) 

used data from these two nationwide sampling networks to provide long-term water-quality trends (national baseline values) of major United States rivers. The national baseline value for each water-quality 

property or constituent is equal to the 75th station-mean concentration percentile. 2U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998; the upper value of the level of concern represents the National Irrigation Water Quality Program toxicity threshold. 3South Dakota Legislative Research Council, accessed May 4, 2001. 4National Academy of Sciences – National Academy of Engineering, 1973. 5Reported as bicarbonate (HCO3

-). 6Hardness dependent criteria, value shown is based on a hardness of 900 milligrams per liter, a value that is similar to hardness of water in the Angostura Reclamation Unit area. 7Based on total recoverable fraction of the metal.
Comparison of Results 15

Oelrichs

Oral

Edgemont

Buffalo Gap

Red Shirt

Fairburn

HOT SPRINGS

103o 103o30'

43o

30'

43o

15'

CUSTER COUNTY

SHANNON COUNTY

FALL RIVER COUNTY

Horsehead

Cheyenne

Cheyenne

River

River

Cottonwood

Creek

Creek

Creek

Creek

French

Beaver

Cascad e

Cr Angostura

Reservoir

Angostura

Dam Angostura

Canal Iron

Draw

Fall R

Cold

Brook Canyon

1994 3540

40 0 40

40 0 40

1994 1885

40 0 40

1988 2180

40 0 40

1994 1915

1988 2818

40 0 40

1994 1580

40 0 40

40 0 40

1988 1465

Base from U.S. Geological Survey

1:500,000, 1963

0 10 20

0 10 20

MILES

KILOMETERS

Figure 6. Stiff diagrams showing average dissolved-solids concentrations and proportions of major ions in water samples

collected from sites in or near the Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1988 and 1994.

EXPLANATION

SURFACE-WATER QUALITY SAMPLING SITE--

 Number indicates site number

STIFF DIAGRAM--Number to the left of y-axis is year

 sample was collected. Number to the right of y-axis

 is dissolved-solids concentration in milligrams per

 liter

A-1

A-1

A-2

A-5

A-8

A-12

A-14

Sodium

Calcium

1994 3540

Magnesium Sulfate

Bicarbonate

Chloride

40 0 40

CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIEQUIVALENTS PER LITER
16 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

As is the case for 1988, major-ion concentrations 

for 1994 at site A-14, at the downstream end of the 

ARU, are lower than concentrations upstream from 

Angostura Reservoir at site A-1. Irrigation practices 

have potential to increase concentrations of dissolved 

constituents through evaporative concentration and 

increased contact with geologic materials. However, 

potential increases in solids concentrations attributable 

to irrigation operations cannot be quantified from the 

limited data sets. In addition to the irrigation operations of the ARU, many factors, including other landuse influences and natural variability in dissolvedsolids loads from tributaries, contribute to differences 

between dissolved-solids concentrations upstream and 

downstream from the ARU. In general, both the 1988 

and 1994 data indicate that any increases in dissolvedsolids concentrations resulting from irrigation 

operations are smaller than the overall decreases in 

dissolved-solids concentrations between sites upstream 

from Angostura Reservoir and site A-14 at the downstream end of the ARU.

Selected trace-element concentrations in water 

samples collected from all sites in 1994 and the representative sites for 1988 are shown in figure 7. Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, and mercury 

were near or less than the minimum reporting levels 

(MRL’s), and medians and distributions for 1988 and 

1994 are similar (table 4, fig. 7). Differences in flow 

conditions between 1988 and 1994 did not substantially affect concentrations of these constituents, or the 

effects of the flow variability occurred at concentrations less than the MRL’s. Lead and mercury values are 

not plotted on figure 7 because most of the values are 

less than the MRL’s. Values exceeding the MRL’s for 

lead and mercury might be suspect, primarily due to 

potential for contamination during sampling and 

processing.

Concentrations of boron, molybdenum, selenium, and uranium generally are higher than the 

MRL’s, and medians for 1988 and 1994 are similar 

(table 4, fig. 7) when data for multiple sites in the ARU 

are summarized jointly. Concentrations of chromium 

and zinc generally are higher than the MRL’s for 1988, 

but less than the MRL’s for 1994.

Effects of flow variability on concentrations of 

trace elements are best shown by examining relations 

between trace-element concentrations and discharge at 

site A-14 for 1988 and 1994 (fig. 8). Concentrations of 

molybdenum, selenium, and uranium show little correlation with discharge; apparently, in the ARU, these 

constituents are largely governed by geochemical 

controls not strongly influenced by discharge. Differences in flow conditions between 1988 and 1994 

probably did not substantially affect in-stream concentrations of molybdenum, selenium, and uranium.

Concentrations of chromium and zinc do not 

show strong correlation with discharge, but tend to be 

higher for 1988 than for 1994. The higher concentrations for these constituents for 1988 probably are not 

related to differences in flow conditions.

Concentrations of boron show a strong inverse 

relation with discharge (fig. 8). Boron is a hydrophilic 

conservative ion that tends to remain in solution under 

a wide range of ionic strength (Hem, 1985). During 

low-flow conditions, base flow derived from groundwater discharge can comprise a larger part of total 

discharge of the Cheyenne River than during higher 

flow conditions. Therefore, during low-flow conditions, water in the Cheyenne River could have relatively greater contact with geologic materials and could 

have higher concentrations of conservative ions. Thus, 

concentrations of conservative ions, such as boron, 

were lower in 1994 when discharges generally were 

greater than in 1988.

As is the case for 1988, 1994 concentrations of 

trace elements at site A-14, at the downstream end of 

the ARU, are similar to concentrations upstream from 

and within the ARU. The 1994 data verify the general 

conclusion of Greene and others (1990) that irrigation 

operations of the ARU probably are not contributing 

discernible additional loads of trace elements to the 

Cheyenne River.

To determine if trace-element concentrations are 

high enough to be potentially harmful, they are compared to several standards (table 4, fig. 7). Concentrations of boron, copper, selenium, and zinc for some 

samples are within or exceed the NIWQP level of 

concern (U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998), and 

concentrations of boron, cadmium, lead, and mercury 

for some samples exceed South Dakota surface-water 

quality criteria (South Dakota Legislative Research 

Council, accessed December 20, 1999, appen. B). 

Concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead (not plotted 

in fig. 7), mercury (not plotted in fig. 7), and zinc 

frequently are less than MRL’s for both 1988 and 1994 

(table 10, fig. 7). Concentrations detected generally 

are at or very near the MRL where confidence in quantitative results can be low. Although there are some 

exceedances of criteria for these constituents, concentrations in the ARU area do not routinely occur at levels 

that are clearly problematic.
Comparison of Results 17

A-1 A-2 A-5 A-8 A-12 A-14

SITE

0

6

1

2

3

4

5

DISSOLVED CADMIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

2.5

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

DISSOLVED ARSENIC CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

1,200

200

400

600

800

1,000

DISSOLVED BORON CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

chronic aquatic life criteria based on hardness of 900 μg/L as CaCO3

Figure 7. Concentrations of selected trace elements in water samples collected from sites in or near the Angostura

Reclamation Unit in 1988 and 1994. 
18 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

A-1 A-2 A-5 A-8 A-12 A-14

SITE

0

2.5

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

0

5

1

2

3

4

DISSOLVED CHROMIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

20

5

10

15

DISSOLVED MOLYBDENUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

DISSOLVED COPPER CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 7. Concentrations of selected trace elements in water samples collected from sites in or near the Angostura

Reclamation Unit in 1988 and 1994. --Continued
Comparison of Results 19

A-1 A-2 A-5 A-8 A-12 A-14

0

5

1

2

3

4

DISSOLVED SELENIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

30

5

10

15

20

25

DISSOLVED URANIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICRGRAMS PER LITER

0

80

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

DISSOLVED ZINC CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

SITE

Figure 7. Concentrations of selected trace elements in water samples collected from sites in or near the Angostura

Reclamation Unit in 1988 and 1994. --Continued

NATIONAL IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY

 PROGRAM LEVEL OF CONCERN

SYMBOLS IN GRAY INDICATE VALUE BELOW

 METHOD REPORTING LIMIT PLOTTED AT

 ONE-HALF REPORTING LIMIT

MINIMUM REPORTING LEVEL (MRL) --Multiple lines

 indicate multiple reporting levels

NATIONAL IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY

 PROGRAM TOXICITY THRESHOLD

CHRONIC AQUATIC-LIFE CRITERIA

EXPLANATION

1988 sample value

1994 sample value
20 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 150

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

MOLYBDENUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0.3

5

0.4

0.5

0.7

1

2

3

4

CHROMIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

200

500

250

300

400

BORON CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

5

10

6

7

8

9

Figure 8. Relations between concentrations of selected constituents and discharge for water samples collected

from site A-14 in 1988 and 1994.
Comparison of Results 21

30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 150

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

0.4

5

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

4

SELENIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

8

20

9

10

15

URANIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

1.5

100

2

3

4

5

7

10

20

30

40

50

70

ZINC CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

EXPLANATION

1988 sample value

1994 sample value

SYMBOLS IN GRAY INDICATE VALUE BELOW

 METHOD REPORTING LIMIT PLOTTED AT

 ONE-HALF REPORTING LIMIT

MINIMUM REPORTING LEVEL (MRL)

Figure 8. Relations between concentrations of selected constituents and discharge for water samples collected

from site A-14 in 1988 and 1994.--Continued
22 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

A single water sample collected from site A-1 

(upstream from the ARU) for 1994 has a boron concentration (1,100 μg/L) that is within the NIWQP level of 

concern. This sample was collected during extreme 

low-flow conditions (0.06 ft3

/s); although this sample 

is within the NIWQP level of concern and exceeds the 

National Academy of Sciences - National Academy of 

Engineering recommended limits for irrigation of 

750 μg/L (table 4), the concentration is not typical of 

general conditions at this site or within the ARU area. 

Selenium concentrations for many samples for 

both 1988 and 1994 are within or exceed the NIWQP 

level of concern. Concentrations at sites A-2 (1988), 

A-5 (1994), A-8 (1988), A-12 (1994), and A-14 (1988 

and 1994) exceed the NIWQP toxicity threshold. 

Concentrations within the NIWQP level of concern or 

exceeding the toxicity threshold occur at sites both 

upstream and downstream from the ARU. Therefore, 

elevated selenium concentrations occur naturally in the 

ARU area, and irrigation operations of the ARU 

probably do not contribute substantially to selenium 

concentrations in the Cheyenne River. Concentrations 

at site A-14 at the downstream end of the ARU are 

similar to concentrations at sites upstream from and 

within the ARU (fig. 7). Differences in flow conditions 

between 1988 and 1994 did not substantially affect 

selenium concentrations relative to NIWQP guidelines. 

None of the selenium concentrations in either 1988 or 

1994 exceed any South Dakota criteria for surfacewater quality.

Sediment

Analytical results for the less-than-62-μm fraction of bottom-sediment samples collected in 1994 are 

presented in table 11 in the Supplemental Information 

section. Major-ion and trace-element concentrations 

for all sites sampled in 1994 are jointly statistically 

summarized and compared with jointly summarized 

data from the 1988 representative sites, and with 

western U.S. soils baseline values and NIWQP bottomsediment criteria in table 5. The small number of 

bottom-sediment samples collected from all sites in 

1994 and the representative sites for 1988 makes confident determination of changes in constituent concentrations in bottom material difficult. However, some 

possible general patterns might be evident in the data. 

Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium (not plotted in 

fig. 9 because most values were less than the MRL), 

molybdenum, selenium, vanadium, and zinc, show 

substantial overlap between samples collected in 1988 

and 1994 (table 5, fig. 9), and it is unlikely that there 

were significant changes in concentrations of these 

constituents. Chromium and copper concentrations 

generally were higher in 1988 than in 1994 (table 5, 

fig. 9). At site A-14, which was the only site with 

bottom-sediment samples collected in both 1988 and 

1994, chromium and copper concentrations in 1988 

were more than twice as high as concentrations in 

1994. Lead concentrations generally were slightly 

higher in 1994 than in 1988 (table 5, fig. 9). However, 

at site A-14, lead concentrations in 1988 and 1994 were 

the same. Factors that might have contributed to either 

an increase or decrease in trace-element bottomsediment concentrations between 1988 and 1994 

include: (1) scouring of surficial sediment between 

1988 and 1994 to expose underlying sediment of 

different character; (2) deposition of new surficial 

sediment of different character; and (3) collection of 

bottom-sediment samples at different locations 

between years for a given sampling site, such that the 

results are not directly comparable. The extent to 

which any of these factors contributed to differences in 

bottom-sediment constituent concentrations between 

1988 and 1994 is unknown.

Comparison of trace-element concentrations in 

bottom sediment with index concentrations for western 

U.S. soils are presented in table 5. In 1994, only the 

less-than-62-μm grain-size fraction of the bottomsediment samples were analyzed for constituent concentrations. However, the index concentrations for 

western U.S. soils, and the NIWQP levels of concern 

for trace-element concentrations in sediment both are 

based on bulk-sediment analyses that are not restricted 

to a particular size fraction. Grain size strongly 

influences trace-element concentrations in bottom 

sediment, due to physical factors such as adsorptive 

surface area and chemical factors such as geochemical 

composition (that is, certain minerals can occur more 

frequently in specific grain-size ranges; Horowitz, 

1991). Thus, the constituent concentrations in the lessthan-62-μm size fraction are not directly comparable to 

the index and criteria values that are based on bulksediment analyses.
Comparison of Results 23

Table 5. Comparison of selected trace-element concentrations in bottom sediment1 for the Angostura Reclamation Unit with selected bulk-sediment index values for 

soil and bottom sediment

[Total concentration, in micrograms per gram; <, less than; --, no data; 4 samples per element in 1994, 3 samples per element in 1988]

Element

1994 1988 Western U.S. soils2, 3 National

Irrigation

 Water Quality

Program

level of concern3, 5

Minimum Maximum Median Minimum Maximum Median Geometric

mean

Baseline

range4

Arsenic <10 19 12 6.5

(9.7)

13

(17)

11

(12)

 5.5 1.2–22 8.2–70

Cadmium <2 <2 <2 <2

(<2)

2

(<2)

<2

(<2)

-- -- --

Chromium 6 30 10 23

(6)

72

(20)

35

(10)

41 8.5–200 --

Copper 3 10 4 8

(3)

28

(10)

16

(7)

21 4.9–90 34–270

Lead 17 28 22 12

(18)

18

(19)

17

(19)

17 5.2–55 --

Molybdenum <2 <2 <2 <2

(<2)

4

(2)

<2

(<2)

 0.85 0.18–4.0 --

Selenium <1 <1 <1 0.6

(0.2)

4.3

(1.6)

0.9

(0.5)

 0.23 0.039–1.4 1–4

Vanadium 14 75 21 38

(13)

200

(56)

67

(24)

70 18–270 --

Zinc 25 64 45.5 49

(23)

120

(51)

58

(31)

55 17–180 150–410

1Samples collected from the less-than-62-micrometer fraction of bottom sediment; values in parentheses for 1988 represent samples collected from the less-than-2-millimeter but greater-than62-micrometer grain-size fraction of bottom sediment. Sites summarized are from figure 9.2Modified from Shacklette and Boerngen, 1984.3Bulk-sediment concentrations.4Range in which 95 percent of sample concentrations are expected to occur.5U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998; the upper value of the level of concern represents the National Irrigation Water Quality Program toxicity threshold.
24 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

A-1 A-2 A-5 A-8 A-12 A-14

SITE

0

30

5

10

15

20

25

0

0

20

5

10

15

ARSENIC CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

80

20

40

60

CHROMIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

COPPER CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

Figure 9. Concentrations of selected trace elements in bottom-sediment samples collected from sites in or near the

Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1988 and 1994. 
Comparison of Results 25

A-1 A-2 A-5 A-8 A-12 A-14

SITE

0

30

5

10

15

20

25

LEAD CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

0

5

1

2

3

4

MOLYBDENUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

0

5

1

2

3

4

SELENIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

Figure 9. Concentrations of selected trace elements in bottom-sediment samples collected from sites in or near the

Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1988 and 1994. --Continued
26 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

A-1 A-2 A-5 A-8 A-12 A-14

SITE

0

150

25

50

75

100

125

0

150

25

50

75

100

125

ZINC CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

0

250

50

100

150

200

VANADIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

Figure 9. Concentrations of selected trace elements in bottom-sediment samples collected from sites in or near the

Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1988 and 1994. --Continued

NATIONAL IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY

 PROGRAM LEVEL OF CONCERN

SYMBOLS IN GRAY INDICATE VALUE BELOW

 METHOD REPORTING LIMIT PLOTTED AT

 ONE-HALF REPORTING LIMIT

NATIONAL IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY

 PROGRAM TOXICITY THRESHOLD

METHOD REPORTING LIMIT (1994 ONLY

 FOR ARSENIC AND SELENIUM)

EXPLANATION

1988 sample value(less-than-62-μm grain-size

 fraction)

1988 sample value (less-than-2-mm but greater-

 than-62-μm grain-size fraction)

1994 sample value (less-than-62-μm grain-size

 fraction)
Comparison of Results 27

In 1988, in addition to the less-than-62-μm 

grain-size fraction analyses, constituent concentrations 

also were analyzed for in the less-than-2-mm but 

greater-than-62-μm size fraction (table 5). Bottom 

sediment in depositional zones of the Cheyenne River 

in the ARU area tends to be fine grained, due largely to 

the predominance of marine shales in the surficial 

materials of the basin. Although no size-distribution 

data are available for the bulk bottom-sediment samples that were collected in 1988, most of the bulk 

sediment collected probably was less than 2 mm in 

diameter. The less-than-2-mm but greater-than-62-μm 

size-fraction constituent concentrations also are not 

directly comparable to the index and criteria values, 

because they too represent a specific size fraction and 

not bulk samples. Comparison of constituent concentrations between the two grain-size fractions analyzed 

in 1988 could provide cursory information on the effect 

of grain size on constituent concentrations and allow 

qualitative comparison of both the 1988 and 1994 data 

with the index and criteria values. For the 1988 data, it 

could be reasonably assumed that constituent concentrations in the less-than-2-mm but greater-than-62-μm 

size fraction generally would be lower than concentrations in the bulk samples from which they were 

derived; conversely, constituent concentrations in the 

less-than-62-μm size fraction could be reasonably 

assumed to be generally higher than in the bulk samples from which they were derived. Further, assuming 

that grain-size distributions in the 1988 samples are 

similar to the 1994 samples, comparison of constituent 

concentrations in the 1988 less-than-2-mm but greaterthan-62-μm size fraction relative to the 1988 less-than62-μm size fraction might be used to estimate lower 

limits for bulk concentrations for 1994 samples.

Concentrations of chromium, copper, lead, 

molybdenum, vanadium, and zinc for all grain-size 

fractions for both 1988 and 1994 generally are within 

baseline soils ranges, and generally are near or less than 

baseline soils geometric means (table 5). Concentrations of arsenic in all grain-size fractions in both 1988 

and 1994 are within baseline soils ranges, but generally 

exceed the baseline soils geometric mean. Arsenic 

concentrations in both grain-size fractions in 1988 

were similar (generally near or within 10 percent of 

each other); based on the similarity in arsenic concentrations between grain-size fractions for 1988, bulk 

sample concentrations for both 1988 and 1994 also can 

be reasonably assumed to exceed the baseline soils 

geometric mean. Thus, bottom-sediment arsenic concentrations in the ARU area, both upstream and downstream from irrigation operations, are somewhat higher 

than typical areas in the western U.S. All concentrations of selenium for 1988 (both grain-size fractions) 

exceed the baseline soils geometric mean, and one 

sample (site A-8; both grain-size fractions) exceeds the 

upper end of the baseline soils range. The 1988 data 

indicate that selenium concentrations in bottom sediment in the ARU area, both upstream and downstream 

from irrigation operations, can be higher than typical 

areas in the western U.S. Bottom-sediment selenium 

concentrations for 1994 are all less than the 1994 MRL 

of 1 μg/L. Because the 1994 MRL is higher than the 

baseline soils geometric mean, comparison of the 1994 

data with the baseline data is difficult; however, none 

of the 1994 concentrations exceed the upper end of the 

baseline soils range (1.4 μg/g). There is no clear pattern in trace-element concentrations in bottom sediment for sites in the ARU area indicating that irrigation 

operations either increase or decrease the constituent 

concentrations.

In 1988, specific guidelines did not exist for 

assessing the potential toxicity of trace-element concentrations in bottom sediment. However, NIWQP 

guidelines for four constituents (arsenic, copper, selenium, and zinc) are now available for this purpose and 

are presented in table 5 and figure 9. Concentrations of 

copper and zinc in bottom sediment collected at sites in 

or near the ARU in both 1988 (both grain-size fractions) and 1994 are all less than the NIWQP level of 

concern. Bottom-sediment arsenic concentrations in 

both 1988 (both grain-size fractions) and 1994 (lessthan-62-μm grain-size fraction) in the ARU area are 

within the NIWQP level of concern at sites both 

upstream and downstream from irrigation operations. 

Arsenic concentrations in both grain-size fractions in 

1988 were very similar (generally near or within 

10 percent of each other); thus, bulk-sample concentrations for 1994 (although not specifically analyzed for) 

can be reasonably assumed to also be within the 

NIWQP level of concern based on results for the lessthan-62-μm grain-size fraction. None of the bottomsediment arsenic concentrations in the ARU area 

exceed the NIWQP toxicity threshold. Generally, 

bottom-sediment selenium concentrations in the ARU 

area are less than the NIWQP level of concern. However, one sample collected at site A-8 in 1988 has a 

selenium concentration (1.6 μg/g) for the less-than2-mm but greater-than-62-μm grain-size fraction that is 
28 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

within the NIWQP level of concern. All bottomsediment selenium concentrations for 1994 are less 

than the MRL of 1 μg/g. Bottom-sediment arsenic 

(and, less frequently, selenium) concentrations in the 

Angostura area apparently can reach levels of concern; 

however, there is insufficient information to determine 

whether the irrigation operations of the ARU 

contribute to the elevated concentrations.

Fish

Analytical results for fish-tissue samples 

collected in 1994 are presented in table 12 in the 

Supplemental Information section. A statistical summary of results for 1988 and 1994 is provided in 

table 6. For 1988, most trace-element concentrations 

in fish samples are less than values known to affect 

growth, reproduction, or survival in either fish or birds 

(table 6), although some concentrations do exceed 

established criteria.

Median arsenic concentrations for 1994 and 

1988 are identical (0.2 μg/g dw) and are below the 

NIWQP level of concern for fish (table 6) and below 

the National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program 

(NCBP) 85th-percentile baseline value of 

0.81 μg/g dw (Schmitt and Brumbaugh, 1990). However, three individual fish-tissue composite samples 

from 1994 (table 12) have arsenic concentrations (1.3, 

2.6, and 1.8 μg/g dw) that are within the level of concern. Several 1988 fish-tissue samples also are within 

the level of concern (Greene and others, 1990).

Median concentrations for copper are below the 

NIWQP level of concern (table 6) for 1994 and 1988. 

The 1994 median (4.1 μg/g dw) is higher than the 1988 

median (2.7 μg/g dw) and also is slightly above the 

NCBP 85th-percentile baseline value for copper of 

3.67 μg/g dw (Schmitt and Brumbaugh, 1990). One 

channel catfish sample in 1988 had a copper concentration of 16.0 μg/g dw (Greene and others, 1990) that 

exceeds the NIWQP toxicity threshold (table 6). One 

green sunfish sample in 1994 had a copper concentration of 11 μg/g dw that is within the NIWQP level of 

concern.

The median mercury concentration for 1988 

(0.23 μg/g dw) and for 1994 (0.21 μg/g dw) are below 

the NIWQP toxicity threshold (table 6) and below the 

NCBP 85th-percentile baseline value of 0.65 μg/g dw 

(Schmitt and Brumbaugh, 1990). However, in 1988 

several individual fish samples had mercury concentrations that exceed the NCBP 85th-percentile baseline 

value, and one sauger sample from site A-14 exceeds 

the NIWQP toxicity threshold (Greene and others, 

1990). Additionally, the dietary guideline for the 

protection of piscivorous birds is 0.4 μg/g dw (U.S. 

Department of the Interior, 1998). This avian dietary 

guideline is exceeded in several 1988 individual fish 

samples (Greene and others, 1990) and two 1994 

composite samples of adult goldeyes from sites A-12 

and A-14 (mercury concentrations of 0.48 and 

0.50 μg/g dw, respectively, table 12). 

The median selenium concentration 

(4.6 μg/g dw) for 1988 is greater than the NCBP 85thpercentile baseline value of 2.8 μg/g dw (Schmitt and 

Brumbaugh, 1990) and exceeds the NIWQP toxicity 

threshold (table 6). Most individual fish-tissue samples for 1988 are either within or exceed the NIWQP 

level of concern (Greene and others, 1990). 

The median selenium concentration (3.9 μg/g 

dw) for 1994 is slightly lower than that of 1988, but is 

within the NIWQP level of concern (table 6) and is 

greater than the NCBP 85th-percentile baseline value 

of 2.8 μg/g dw (Schmitt and Brumbaugh, 1990). Additionally, several individual fish-tissue composite 

samples for 1994 exceed the NIWQP toxicity threshold 

(table 6). Recent literature suggests that 4 μg/g dw is 

the threshold tissue concentration to protect fish from 

reproductive failure and other health effects (Lemly, 

1993). Also, one 1994 composite sample of rock bass 

from site A-5 has a concentration of 10 μg/g dw. 

Selenium concentrations between 10 and 20 μg/g dw 

in whole body fish tissue can cause teratogenesis in fish 

(U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998). 

Most selenium concentrations for 1988 (Greene 

and others, 1990) and 1994 (table 12) were above the 

3.0 μg/g dw recommended dietary threshold for the 

protection of avian consumers (Lemly, 1993; Heinz, 

1996). Dietary selenium concentrations greater than 

3.0 μg/g dw can bioaccumulate through the food chain 

leading to reproductive effects in aquatic birds 

(Ohlendorf and others, 1986; Lemly and Smith, 1987). 

According to Lemly (1993), the recommended concentration of 3.0 μg/g dw is the dietary toxicity threshold 

at which food organisms, although not directly 

affected, would supply a toxic dose of selenium to 

consumers. Generally, selenium concentrations are 

slightly higher at sites downstream from ARU irrigation operations than at site A-1, which is upstream from 

irrigation operations (table 12). However, different 

fish species were collected at sites downstream from 

irrigation operations than were collected at site A-1, 

which makes interpretation of differences between 

downstream and upstream concentrations difficult.
Comparison of Results 29

Table 6. Comparison of fish-tissue concentrations for the Angostura Reclamation Unit with the National Irrigation Water 

Quality Program level of concern1

[Concentrations in micrograms per gram dry weight; <, less than; --, no data; 16 samples per element in 1994, 126 samples per element in 1988]

Constituent

1994 1988 National Irrigation

Water Quality Program

level of concern1

for fish

Minimum Maximum Median Minimum Maximum Median

Aluminum 11 9,280 120 4.90 6,350 200 --

Arsenic <0.1 2.6 0.2 0.1 2.3 0.2 1–12

Boron <0.6 7.6 <2 <2.0 7.8 <3.0 --

Barium 0.84 52.6 3.2 0.6 161 5.4 --

Beryllium <0.03 0.26 <0.03 0.01 0.2 <0.1 --

Cadmium 0.010 0.41 0.058 0.03 0.6 0.2 --

Chromium 0.24 9.6 0.56 <0.1 8.4 1.6 --

Copper 1.8 11 4.1 0.9 16.0 2.7 9.8–13.3

Iron 78 4,500 158 40 2,730 228 --

Mercury 0.087 0.50 0.21 0.08 1.3 0.23 1.0 (toxicity threshold for 

coldwater species)

Magnesium 1,280 2,780 1,550 1,080 2,410 1,580 --

Manganese 6.8 1,210 30 4.6 601 34 --

Molybdenum <0.2 <1 <1 <0.1 4.0 <1 --

Nickel <0.06 4.6 0.20 0.2 18 1.2 --

Lead <0.05 2.2 0.09 0.4 5.0 <0.5 --

Selenium 1.9 10 3.9 2.1 13 4.6 3–4 (warmwater species); 

2–4 (coldwater species)

Strontium 76 244 172 56 399 194 --

Vanadium <0.2 15 0.4 0.1 9.7 0.9 --

Zinc 50.1 290 95.2 45 401 97 --

1U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998; the upper value of the level of concern represents the National Irrigation Water Quality Program toxicity 

threshold.

The 1988 and 1994 median zinc concentrations 

(97.0 and 95.2 μg/g dw, respectively) are greater than 

the NCBP 85th-percentile baseline value of 88 μg/g dw 

(Schmitt and Brumbaugh, 1990). However, toxicity 

levels for zinc concentrations in animal tissues are not 

well established and currently there is no established 

NIWQP level of concern for fish (U.S. Department of 

the Interior, 1998).

Synopsis of Results for the Angostura 

Reclamation Unit

Concentrations of major ions in water in the 

study area are high relative to national baseline levels. 

Major-ion concentrations generally are lower for 1994 

than for 1988, when sampling was conducted during 

low-flow conditions, but ionic proportions are similar 

between years. The 1994 results are associated with 
30 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

more typical hydrologic conditions. Major-ion concentrations and proportions vary substantially in the 

Cheyenne River upstream from Angostura primarily 

due to inflows from Cascade Springs. Angostura 

Reservoir tends to integrate inflows from various 

tributaries over time, and ionic proportions are fairly 

constant downstream from the reservoir. Downstream 

from Angostura Reservoir, a small increase in concentrations of dissolved solids probably occurs; however, 

the limited data sets available are insufficient to confidently discern effects of ARU operations on dissolvedsolids loading.

Concentrations of most trace elements in water 

are similar between 1988 and 1994, and do not show 

strong relations with discharge. Concentrations of 

trace elements at the downstream end of the ARU are 

similar to concentrations upstream from and within the 

ARU. Irrigations operations probably are not contributing discernible additional loads of trace elements to 

the Cheyenne River. Concentrations of several trace 

elements occasionally exceed NIWQP guidelines, but 

only selenium routinely occurs at levels that could be 

problematic. Concentrations within the NIWQP level 

of concern or exceeding the toxicity threshold occur at 

sites both upstream and downstream from the ARU. 

Elevated selenium concentrations at sites upstream 

from irrigation operations indicate that naturally 

occurring selenium concentrations are relatively high 

in the ARU area, and irrigation operations of the ARU 

probably do not contribute substantially to selenium 

concentrations in the Cheyenne River. 

Concentrations of most trace elements in bottom 

sediment are similar for 1988 and 1994, and generally 

are within baseline ranges for western U.S. soils. Concentrations of selenium for 1988, both upstream and 

downstream from the ARU, routinely exceed typical 

concentrations for western U.S. soils; however, all 

selenium concentrations for 1994 were less than 

1 μg/g. Bottom-sediment arsenic concentrations in the 

ARU area commonly are within the NIWQP level of 

concern, at sites both upstream and downstream from 

irrigation operations. Bottom-sediment arsenic and 

selenium concentrations in the ARU area apparently 

can reach levels that might be of concern; however, 

there is insufficient information to determine whether 

the irrigation operations of ARU contribute to elevated 

concentrations.

Concentrations of most trace elements in fish in 

the ARU area generally are less than values known to 

adversely affect fish or birds, although there are occasional exceedances of established criteria. However, 

selenium concentrations in fish might be problematic. 

Selenium concentrations in fish samples routinely are 

within the NIWQP level of concern, and also commonly exceed the dietary guideline for protection of 

avian consumers. Concentrations generally are slightly 

higher at sites that are downstream from ARU irrigation operations. However, different fish species are 

collected at the various sites, which makes direct 

comparison between downstream and upstream 

concentrations difficult.

Selenium can occur at concentrations that might 

have adverse environmental effects in all of the media 

that were sampled. Also, selenium concentrations in 

the various media generally are within or exceed 

NIWQP levels of concern during the varying flow conditions of both 1988 and 1994 (except for selenium 

concentrations in bottom sediment in 1994 that were all 

less than the MRL of 1 μg/L). However, the data collected during 1988 and 1994 are insufficient to confidently determine the extent to which ARU operations 

contribute to elevated selenium concentrations in the 

various media.

Belle Fourche Reclamation Project

Water Quality

Analytical results for water samples collected in 

1994 are shown in table 13 in the Supplemental 

Information section. Major-ion and trace-element 

concentrations for all sites sampled in 1994 are jointly 

statistically summarized and compared with jointly 

summarized data from 1988, and with national baseline 

values and various water-quality criteria in table 7. 

Ranges and medians of concentrations of all major ions 

for the jointly summarized 1994 data are lower than 

1988 values. Major-ion concentrations are high for 

both 1988 and 1994; minimum concentrations for both 

1988 and 1994 generally exceed national baseline 

values (table 7).
Comparison of Results 31

Table 7. Comparison of major-ion and selected trace-element concentrations in surface water for the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project with selected index values, 

guidelines, and criteria

[Major-ion concentration, in milligrams per liter; trace-element concentration, in micrograms per liter; <, less than; >, greater than; --, no data; 6 samples per element in 1994, 12 samples per element in 1988]

Constituent

1994 1988

National

baseline1

National Irrigation 

Water Quality

Program Guidelines

level of concern2

Surface-water quality criteria

Minimum Maximum Median Minimum Maximum Median

Aquatic 

life

acute/

chronic3

Irrigation4 Livestock watering4

Major Ions

Calcium 140 210 185 100 360 210 66.8 -- -- -- --Magnesium 48 150 70 46 300 94 21.7 -- -- -- --Sodium 56 370 105 69 630 135 68.9 -- -- -- --Potassium 6.1 10 9.4 734 17 9.6 -- -- -- -- --Bicarbonate plus 

carbonate5

191 256 209 130 391 190 161.8 -- -- -- --

Sulfate 610 4,100 725 620 2,900 1,100 116.9 -- -- -- --Chloride 5.9 180 18 4.7 100 21 53.3 -- -- -- --

Trace Elements

Arsenic <1 11 1 <1 16 1 3 48–190 360/190 100 200Boron 160 430 220 180 1,000 275 -- 500–10,000 for plants

5,000–25,000 for fish

-- 750 5,000

Cadmium <1 <1 <1 <1 1 <1 < 2 -- 540/5.2 10 50Chromium <1 <1 <1 <1 2 2 -- -- -- -- --Copper 1 2 1 <1 4 1 -- 0.23–12 5135/74 200 500Lead <1 <1 <1 <5 <5 <5 6 -- 5630/24 5,000 100Mercury <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.3 >30 62.1/0.012 -- 10Molybdenum <1 5 2.5 1 7 3.5 -- 50,000 for plants

20–120 for fish

-- -- --

Selenium <2 4 2 1 11 3 1 1–2 20/5 20 50Uranium 6.0 17 7.9 5.3 30 9.1 -- -- -- -- --Zinc <3 12 8 <3 40 5 21 30–110 5740/670 2,000 25,000

1The National Stream Quality Accounting Network and the National Water Quality Surveillance System have provided information on the Nation’s water quality since 1973. Smith and others 

(1987) used data from these two nationwide sampling networks to provide long-term water-quality trends (national baseline values) of major United States rivers. The national baseline value for each 

water-quality property or constituent is equal to the 75th station-mean concentration percentile. 

2U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998; the upper value of the level of concern represents the National Irrigation Water Quality Program toxicity threshold.3South Dakota Legislative Research Council, accessed May 4, 2001.4National Academy of Sciences – National Academy of Engineering, 1973.5Reported as bicarbonate (HCO3-).6Hardness dependent criteria, value shown is based on a hardness of 900 milligrams per liter, a value that is similar to hardness of waters in the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project area.7Based on total recoverable fraction of the metal.
32 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

Chemical characteristics of the Belle Fourche 

River and its tributaries in the study area are influenced 

by a wide variety of geologic conditions that are 

described in more detail by Roddy and others (1991). 

The majority of the BFRP is within outcrops of the 

Pierre Shale, which is a black marine shale of Cretaceous age. Alluvial and terrace deposits occur along 

the Belle Fourche River and other drainages. Grainsize distributions of these unconsolidated deposits can 

range from clay to boulders and mineralogic composition also can be extremely variable. Some tributaries of 

the Belle Fourche River in the study area have their 

headwaters in the Black Hills. Contact with Paleozoicage limestones in the upper reaches of these streams 

influences their chemical characteristics. 

Stiff diagrams (Stiff, 1951) showing average 

proportions of major ions in water samples are presented in figure 10 for sites in the BFRP area. Majorion chemistry of surface water in the BFRP area is 

influenced primarily by geologic features of the basin. 

Sodium, calcium, and magnesium are nearly codominant among cations, and sulfate is dominant 

among anions. Mean dissolved-solids concentrations 

are higher for 1988 than for 1994. Proportions of major 

ions are similar between 1988 and 1994 (fig. 10), even 

though the concentrations of major ions are somewhat 

smaller for 1994.

As in 1988, 1994 concentrations of major ions at 

sites B-12 and B-18, which are affected by irrigation 

drainage, are higher than concentrations at site B-1, 

which is an upstream site relative to the BFRP. In addition to the irrigation operations of BFRP, many factors, 

including other land-use influences, natural variability 

in dissolved-solids loads from tributaries due to geologic influences, and historic mining operation influences (site B-18 only), contribute to differences 

between dissolved-solids concentrations upstream and 

downstream from the BFRP. Because of these other 

factors, the degree to which concentrations and loads of 

dissolved solids are affected by irrigation operations 

cannot be conclusively determined. However, the 1988 

study concluded that irrigation operations increase the 

amount of surface water that becomes ground-water 

recharge and expose the irrigation drainage to greater 

contact with geologic materials (Roddy and others, 

1991). The 1988 study further concluded that the 

greater ground-water recharge probably results in 

greater discharge of ground water to surface streams 

during late summer, fall, and winter, thus probably 

increasing dissolved-solids loads relative to natural 

conditions (Roddy and others, 1991). With respect to 

major ions, the 1994 data are too limited to either 

support or contradict the general conclusions of the 

1988 study.

Selected trace-element concentrations in water 

samples collected from sites B-1, B-12, and B-18 for 

1988 and 1994 are shown in figure 11. For most sites, 

concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, 

and mercury generally are near or less than the MRL’s, 

and medians and distributions for 1988 and 1994 are 

similar (table 7, fig. 11). Differences in flow conditions between 1988 and 1994 probably did not substantially affect concentrations of these constituents, or the 

effects of the flow variability occurred at concentrations less than the MRL’s. Arsenic concentrations at 

site B-18 are consistently above the MRL for both 1988 

and 1994. Elevated arsenic concentrations at this site 

result from effects of mining in the Whitewood Creek 

Basin, which enters the Belle Fourche River from the 

south (Roddy and others, 1991). Elevated concentrations of various other trace elements in mine tailings 

discharged to Whitewood Creek also have affected 

water and sediment chemistry in the Belle Fourche 

River (Goddard, 1989). Arsenic concentrations at site 

B-18 for 1988 and 1994 are similar.
Comparison of Results 33

BUTTE COUNTY

MEADE COUNTY LAWRENCE COUNTY

44o45'

104o 103o30' 103o

44o30'

BELLEFOURCHE

Spearfish

St. Onge

Whitewood

Fruitdale

Nisland

Vale

Newell

Crow

Willow

False

Creek

Creek

Creek

Nine

Mile

Creek

Horse

Creek

Creek

Dry

Willow

Owl

Cr

Cr

Cr

BelleFourcheReservoir

Horse

Creek

h W ti

we

ood

Creek

oB t ot m

Creek

keer C pS

ea fr hsi

Belle

River

Fourche

River

Redwater

Owl

Indian

90 14

90 14

85

85

212

A14

212

212

79

79

34

34

OrmanDam

0 5 100 5 10

MILES

KILOMETERS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey Rapid City,1:250,000, 1978

Figure 10. Stiff diagrams showing average dissolved-solids concentrations and proportions of major ions in water samples collected from sites in and near

the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1988 and 1994.

EXPLANATION

1988 1255

40 0 40

1994 1040

40 0 40

1988 2925

40 0 40

1994 1885

40 0 40

1988 1708

40 0 40

1994 1190

40 0 40

SURFACE-WATER QUALITY SAMPLING SITE--Number indicates site number

B-1

B-1

B-12

B-18

STIFF DIAGRAM--Number to the left of y-axis is year sample was collected. Number to the right of y-axis is dissolved-solids concentration in milligrams per liter

Sodium

Calcium

1988 1255

Magnesium Sulfate

Bicarbonate

Chloride

40 0 40

CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIEQUIVALENTS PER LITER
34 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

B-1 B-12 B-18

SITE

0

20

5

10

15

0

1,200

200

400

600

800

1,000

0

2.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

DISSOLVED CADMIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

DISSOLVED ARSENIC CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

DISSOLVED BORON CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 11. Concentrations of selected trace elements in water samples collected from sites in or near the Belle

Fourche Reclamation Project in 1988 and 1994. 
Comparison of Results 35

B-1 B-12 B-18

SITE

0

5

1

2

3

4

DISSOLVED COPPER CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

2.5

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

DISSOLVED CHROMIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

2

4

6

8

DISSOLVED MOLYBDENUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 11. Concentrations of selected trace elements in water samples collected from sites in or near the Belle

Fourche Reclamation Project in 1988 and 1994. --Continued
36 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

SITE

B-1 B-12 B-18

0

40

10

20

30

DISSOLVED URANIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

50

10

20

30

40

DISSOLVED ZINC CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0

12

2

4

6

8

10

DISSOLVED SELENIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 11. Concentrations of selected trace elements in water samples collected from sites in or near the Belle

Fourche Reclamation Project in 1988 and 1994. --Continued

NATIONAL IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY

 PROGRAM LEVEL OF CONCERN

SYMBOLS IN GRAY INDICATE VALUE BELOW

 METHOD REPORTING LIMIT PLOTTED AT

 ONE-HALF REPORTING LIMIT

NATIONAL IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY

 PROGRAM TOXICITY THRESHOLD

METHOD REPORTING LIMIT (MULTIPLE LINES

 INDICATE MULTIPLE REPORTING LIMITS)

CHRONIC AQUATIC-LIFE CRITERIA

EXPLANATION

1988 sample value

1994 sample value
Comparison of Results 37

Concentrations of boron, copper, molybdenum, 

selenium, uranium, and zinc generally are higher than 

the MRL’s at all sites; boron, molybdenum, selenium, 

and uranium had slightly higher medians and maximums for 1988 than for 1994 (table 7, fig. 11). Effects 

of flow variability on concentrations of trace elements 

are best shown by examining relations between traceelement concentrations and discharge at sites B-1, 

B-12, and B-18 for 1988 and 1994 (fig. 12). Median 

concentrations of copper and zinc for 1988 and 1994 

are similar, and these constituents generally show poor 

correlations between concentration and discharge 

(table 7, fig. 12). Median and maximum concentrations of boron and uranium are higher for 1988 than for 

1994; concentrations of these constituents show possible weak inverse relations with discharge at all three 

sites (fig. 12). Slightly higher concentrations of these 

constituents for 1988 than for 1994 might be due to 

differences in flow conditions. Average discharges at 

the time of sampling were about 40 percent less in 1988 

than in 1994. Median and maximum concentrations of 

molybdenum and selenium also are slightly higher for 

1988 than for 1994, but these constituents do not show 

a clear and consistent relation between concentration 

and discharge (table 7, fig. 12) at all sites. The slightly 

higher median molybdenum concentration for 1988 

might be due to higher concentrations for 1988 than for 

1994 at site B-1 (an upstream site; fig. 12); however, 

the elevated 1988 concentrations at site B-1 probably 

are not related to differences in flow conditions.

The slightly higher median selenium concentration for 1988 probably reflects the higher concentrations for 1988 than for 1994 at site B-12 (fig. 12). 

Selenium concentrations at this site appear to have a 

moderately strong inverse relation between concentration and discharge, and the elevated 1988 concentrations might have been due to differences in flow 

conditions between years. The relation between selenium concentrations and discharge at this site appears 

stronger when the 1988 and 1994 data are considered 

independently (fig. 12). A line defining the selenium 

concentration/discharge relation for the 1994 data 

would plot below the 1988 data. This pattern might 

indicate that selenium present in the geologic materials 

in the basin upstream from site B-12 is being leached 

and that the total amount of selenium in rocks and soils 

is declining with time. However, the data collected 

during the 1988 and 1994 studies are far too limited to 

be confident about this interpretation. 

Of the BFRP sites sampled in 1994, site B-12 

(Horse Creek) is most directly influenced by irrigation 

drainage; that is, irrigation drainage comprises a larger 

part of the total annual streamflow at site B-12 than at 

the other sampling sites. Irrigation operations can contribute to Horse Creek streamflows by (1) direct irrigation surface drainage during the irrigation season, and 

(2) increasing ground-water recharge, and thus 

increasing ground-water contribution to streamflow 

during base-flow conditions. The greater contribution 

of irrigation drainage to streamflow at site B-12 might 

contribute to the stronger inverse selenium/discharge 

relation observed at this site. Higher concentrations of 

selenium occur during base-flow conditions outside of 

the irrigation season. BFRP operations could affect the 

higher base-flow concentrations by increasing contact 

between water and geologic materials, and also 

increasing ground-water discharge to Horse Creek 

during base flow. However, since no data were collected on Horse Creek upstream from irrigation operations, it is impossible to determine whether irrigation 

operations either increase selenium concentrations in 

Horse Creek, or increase ground-water discharge to the 

stream during base flow. Thus, the extent to which 

BFRP operations increase either selenium loads or 

concentrations cannot be conclusively determined.

Patterns in spatial variability in trace-element 

concentrations for 1988 and 1994 are similar. Concentrations of most trace elements (with the exception of 

arsenic, boron, selenium, and uranium) are not consistently very different between sites B1, B12, and B18. 

Arsenic concentrations are elevated at site B-18, which 

can be attributed to effects of mine tailings in Whitewood Creek. The extent to which other constituent 

concentrations at site B-18 are affected by mine tailings, other human influences, natural geologic factors, 

or irrigation drainage cannot be determined from the 

limited data sets. Concentrations of boron, selenium, 

and uranium generally are higher for site B-12 (Horse 

Creek) than the other two sites; site B-1 (upstream from 

the BFRP) had the lowest concentrations of these constituents. Irrigation return flows constitute a large part 

of the annual flow of Horse Creek, as well as a substantial percentage of the total return flows from the BFRP. 

Irrigation drainage might increase loading of certain 

trace elements to the Belle Fourche River. However, 

data are not available for Horse Creek upstream from 

the BFRP to quantify any increases in loads.
38 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD 100 1,200 700 500 400 300 200 1,000

BORON CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

0.3

5

0.70.50.4

4321

COPPER CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

10 140 20 50 100

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

0.3

8

0.70.50.4

754321

MOLYBDENUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

1 100 2 5 10 20 50

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

30 300 40 50 70 100 200

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

SITE B-1 SITE B-12 SITE B-18

Figure 12. Relation between concentrations of selected trace elements and discharge for water samples collected from sites B-1, B-12, and B-18 in 1988

and 1994.
Comparison of Results 39

SELENIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

URANIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

10 140 20 50 100

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

ZINC CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER 

1 100 2 5 10 20 50

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

30 300 40 50 70 100 200

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

SITE B-1 SITE B-12 SITE B-18

0.8

12

754321

10

4

40

98765

3025201510

0.5

50

0.7

754321

40302010

Figure 12. Relation between concentrations of selected trace elements and discharge for water samples collected from sites B-1, B-12, and B-18 in 1988

and 1994.--Continued

SYMBOLS IN GRAY INDICATE VALUE BELOW METHODREPORTING LIMIT PLOTTED AT ONE-HALF REPORTING LIMIT

1988 SAMPLE VALUE

1994 SAMPLE VALUE

EXPLANATION
40 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

To determine if trace-element concentrations are 

high enough to be potentially harmful, they are compared to several standards (table 7, fig. 11). Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead (not plotted in fig. 11), 

mercury (not plotted in fig. 11), and molybdenum do 

not exceed any water-quality criteria for either 1988 or 

1994. Concentrations of copper at all sites for both 

1988 and 1994 are within the NIWQP level of concern. 

Concentrations of selenium for most samples equal or 

exceed the NIWQP toxicity threshold. Boron and zinc 

concentrations at site B-12 are within the NIWQP level 

of concern for several 1988 samples; however, none of 

the 1994 samples are within the level of concern. None 

of the South Dakota surface-water quality criteria are 

exceeded for any constituent for 1994; however, for 

1988 selenium concentrations in two samples from site 

B-12 and one sample from site B-18 exceed South 

Dakota aquatic life chronic criteria (table 7, table 13). 

Roddy and others (1991) also documented occasional 

selenium values higher than those considered in this 

report for sites B-12 and B-18, some of which exceed 

the South Dakota aquatic life acute criteria of 20 μg/L.

Roddy and others (1991) concluded from the 

1988 samples that trace-element concentrations seldom 

exceed established guidelines. Concentrations of trace 

elements of concern generally are lower for 1994 samples than for 1988 samples, which were collected under 

low-flow conditions. The 1994 results are associated 

with more typical hydrologic conditions in the area of 

the BFRP. However, applying updated water-quality 

guidelines affects the previous conclusions somewhat. 

A few 1988 samples from site B-12 have boron and/or 

zinc concentrations that equal or exceed various current guidelines. Copper is routinely within the NIWQP 

level of concern, but none of the samples approach the 

toxicity threshold of 12 μg/L. The highest copper concentrations, which occurred at site B-18 in 1988, may 

be influenced by mine tailings in Whitewood Creek.

Selenium is the trace element of greatest concern 

for the BFRP. Selenium concentrations for all sites 

routinely are within or exceed the NIWQP level of concern. The fact that most selenium concentrations at site 

B-1 (which is upstream from the BFRP) are within the 

NIWQP level of concern indicates that selenium occurs 

naturally in the area in relatively high concentrations, 

and/or that some of the selenium is contributed by 

anthropogenic influences other than BFRP operations. 

However, selenium concentrations at sites B-12 and 

B-18, which are affected by BFRP irrigation drainage, 

are consistently slightly higher than at site B-1 and 

more frequently exceed various criteria. The extent to 

which BFRP irrigation operations affect selenium concentrations at site B-18 cannot be determined because 

of numerous geologic and human influences between 

sites B-1 and B-18. Selenium concentrations at site 

B-18 are increased, to some extent, by selenium loads 

in irrigation return flows that are contributed by Horse 

Creek. The extent to which selenium concentrations in 

Horse Creek are affected by irrigation operations 

cannot be conclusively determined, however, because 

data are not available for Horse Creek upstream from 

the BFRP. It can be concluded that selenium concentrations might at times be problematic in the BFRP 

area. Naturally occurring concentrations are relatively 

high, and BFRP operations might contribute additional 

loads. Also, at some sites selenium concentrations 

increase during low-flow conditions. However, as discussed in Roddy and others (1991), the fact that the 

BFRP is a flow-through drainage system (that is, the 

irrigation drainage flows out of the Belle Fourche River 

Basin, and is not impounded internally such that 

solutes undergo evaporative concentration) probably 

tends to diminish the environmental impacts of additional trace-element loading that results from BFRP 

operations.

Sediment

Analytical results for the less-than-62-μm fraction of bottom-sediment samples collected in 1994 are 

presented in table 14 in the Supplemental Information 

section. Major-ion and trace-element concentrations 

for all sites sampled in 1994 are jointly statistically 

summarized and compared with jointly summarized 

data from 1988, and with western U.S. soils baseline 

values and NIWQP bottom-sediment criteria, in 

table 8. The small number of bottom-sediment 

samples collected at sites B-1, B-12, and B-18 in 1988 

and 1994 makes confident determination of changes in 

constituent concentrations in bottom sediment difficult. 

However, some possible general patterns might be evident in the data. No bottom-sediment samples were 

collected at site B-1 in 1988, and therefore this site is 

excluded from discussions of differences in bottomsediment constituent concentrations between 1988 and 

1994. Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, and zinc in 

bottom-sediment samples collected at sites B-12 and 

B-18 showed substantial overlap between 1988 and 

1994 (table 8, fig. 13), and it is unlikely that there were 

significant changes in concentrations of these 

constituents. Chromium, selenium, and vanadium 
Comparison of Results 41

concentrations in bottom sediment were higher in 1988 

than in 1994 at both sites (table 8, fig. 13). Lead and 

molybdenum concentrations were lower in 1988 than 

in 1994 (table 8, fig. 13). Copper concentrations were 

lower in 1988 than in 1994 at site B-12, but higher in 

1988 than in 1994 at site B-18. Factors that might have 

contributed to either an increase or decrease in traceelement bottom-sediment concentrations between 

1988 and 1994 include: (1) scouring of surficial sediment between 1988 and 1994 to expose underlying 

sediment of different character; (2) deposition of new 

surficial sediment of different character; and 

(3) collection of bottom-sediment samples at different 

locations between years at each of the sampling sites 

such that the results are not directly comparable. The 

extent to which any of these factors contributed to 

differences in bottom-sediment constituent concentrations between 1988 and 1994 is unknown. With the 

exception of arsenic, consistent trends of increasing or 

decreasing concentrations throughout the study reach 

are not apparent. Elevated arsenic concentrations at 

site B-18 can be attributed to effects of mine tailings in 

Whitewood Creek, as previously discussed. Data are 

inadequate to determine the extent to which BFRP 

operations affect trace-element concentrations in 

bottom sediment.

Table 8. Comparison of selected trace-element concentrations in bottom sediment1 for the Belle Fourche Reclamation 

Project with selected index values for soil and bottom sediment

[Total concentration, in micrograms per gram; <, less than; --, no data; 3 samples per element in 1994, 2 samples per element in 1988]

Element

1994 1988 Western U.S. soils2, 3 National

Irrigation

Water Quality

Program

level of

concern3, 5

Minimum Maximum Median Minimum Maximum Median Geometric

mean

Baseline

range4

Arsenic 24 170 46 12

(39)

370

(180)

191

(110)

 5.5 1.2–22 8.2–70

Cadmium <2 <2 <2 <2

(<2)

<2

(<2)

<2

(<2)

-- -- --

Chromium 20 37 21 61

(40)

62

(46)

62

(43)

41 8.5–200 --

Copper 11 20 12 19

(19)

31

(21)

25

(20)

21 4.9–90 34–270

Lead 22 35 29 18

(15)

19

(18)

18

(16)

17 5.2–55 --

Molybdenum 2 6 5 <2

(3)

<2

(5)

<2

(4)

 0.85 0.18–4.0 --

Selenium <1 <1 <1 2.2

(1.7)

2.8

(3.5)

2.5

(2.6)

 0.23 0.039–1.4 1–4

Vanadium 48 120 58 126

(93)

140

(130)

133

(112)

70 18–270 --

Zinc 64 120 120 104

(120)

112

(89)

108

(104)

55 17–180 150–410

1

Samples collected from the less-than-62-micrometer grain-size fraction of bottom sediment; values in parentheses for 1988 represent samples 

collected from the less-than-2-millimeter grain-size fraction. Sites summarized are from figure 13. 2

Modified from Shacklette and Boerngen, 1984. 3

Bulk-sediment concentrations.

4

Range in which 95 percent of sample concentrations are expected to occur. 5

U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998; the upper value of the level of concern represents the National Irrigation Water Quality Program toxicity 

threshold.
42 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

B-1 B-12 B-18

SITE

COPPER CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

ARSENIC CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

CHROMIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

0

80

20

40

60

0

40

10

20

30

0

400

100

200

300

Figure 13. Concentrations of selected trace elements in bottom-sediment samples collected from sites in or near the

Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1988 and 1994. 
Comparison of Results 43

B-1 B-12 B-18

SITE

SELENIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

LEAD CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

MOLYBDENIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

0

40

10

20

30

0

8

2

4

6

0

3.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

Figure 13. Concentrations of selected trace elements in bottom-sediment samples collected from sites in or near the

Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1988 and 1994. --Continued
44 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

B-1 B-12 B-18

SITE

VANADIUM CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

ZINC CONCENTRATION,

IN MICROGRAMS PER GRAM

0

200

50

100

150

0

140

20

40

60

80

100

120

Figure 13. Concentrations of selected trace elements in bottom-sediment samples collected from sites in or near the

Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1988 and 1994. --Continued

NATIONAL IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY

 PROGRAM LEVEL OF CONCERN

SYMBOLS IN GRAY INDICATE VALUE BELOW

 METHOD REPORTING LIMIT PLOTTED AT

 ONE-HALF REPORTING LIMIT

NATIONAL IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY

 PROGRAM TOXICITY THRESHOLD

METHOD REPORTING LIMIT (MULTIPLE LINES

 INDICATE MULTIPLE REPORTING LIMITS)

EXPLANATION

1988 sample value (less-than-62-μm grain-size

 fraction)

1988 sample value (less-than-2-mm grain-size

 fraction)

1994 sample value (less-than-62-μm grain-size

 fraction)
Comparison of Results 45

Comparison of trace-element concentrations in 

bottom sediment with index concentrations for western 

U.S. soils are presented in table 8. In 1994, only the 

less-than-62-μm grain-size fraction of the bottomsediment samples were analyzed for constituent concentrations. However, the index concentrations for 

western U.S. soils, and the NIWQP levels of concern 

for trace-element concentrations in sediment both are 

based on bulk-sediment analyses that are not restricted 

to a particular-size fraction. Grain size strongly 

influences trace-element concentrations in bottom sediment, due to physical factors such as adsorptive surface area, and chemical factors such as geochemical 

composition (that is, certain minerals might occur more 

frequently in specific grain-size ranges; Horowitz, 

1991). Thus, the constituent concentrations in the lessthan-62-μm grain-size fraction are not directly comparable to the index and criteria values that are based on 

bulk-sediment analyses. 

In 1988, in addition to the less-than-62-μm 

grain-size fraction analyses, constituent concentrations 

also were analyzed for in the less-than-2-mm grain-size 

fraction (table 8). Bottom sediment in depositional 

zones of the Belle Fourche River in the BFRP area 

tends to be fine grained, due largely to the predominance of marine shales in the surficial materials of the 

basin. Although no size-distribution data are available 

for the bulk bottom-sediment samples that were collected in 1988, most of the bulk sediment collected 

probably was less than 2 mm in diameter; therefore, the 

less-than-2-mm grain-size fraction constituent concentrations probably are comparable to the index and criteria values. Although the less-than-62-μm grain-size 

fraction data for 1994 are not directly comparable with 

the index and criteria values, the comparison of constituent concentrations in the 1988 less-than-2-mm grainsize fraction relative to the 1988 less-than-62-μm 

grain-size fraction might be used to estimate bulk 

concentrations for 1994 samples for qualitative 

comparison with index and criteria values.

Arsenic concentrations at all sites exceed typical 

values for western U.S. soils and are within the 

NIWQP level of concern. For the 1988 data, the 

arsenic concentrations in the less-than-2-mm grain-size 

fraction averaged about one-half of the concentrations 

in the less-than-62-μm grain-size fraction. For the 

1994 data, even if the arsenic concentrations for the 

less-than-62-μm grain-size fraction are divided by two 

to allow qualitative comparison with criteria based on 

bulk samples, all of the concentrations would exceed 

the geometric mean for western U.S. soils and also 

would be within the NIWQP level of concern. Thus, 

bottom-sediment arsenic concentrations in the BFRP 

area, both upstream and downstream from irrigation 

operations, probably are higher than typical areas in the 

western U.S. Very high arsenic concentrations at site 

B-18 that exceed the NIWQP toxicity threshold result 

from effects of mining in the Whitewood Creek Basin 

(Roddy and others, 1991).

All concentrations of chromium, copper, lead, 

vanadium, and zinc for both 1988 (both grain-size fractions) and 1994 are within baseline soils ranges, 

although some samples for some of these constituents 

exceed baseline soils geometric means. Applicable 

NIWQP guidelines exist for copper and zinc, and no 

samples exceed the guidelines. Some concentrations of 

molybdenum in the 1988 less-than-2-mm grain-size 

fractions exceed the western U.S. soils baseline range. 

Based on comparison of molybdenum concentrations 

in the two grain-size fractions for 1988, it is likely that 

bulk molybdenum concentrations in 1994 samples also 

would exceed the western U.S. soils baseline range. 

All selenium concentrations in both grain-size fractions 

for 1988 exceed the western U.S. soils baseline range 

and are within the NIWQP level of concern. However, 

all 1994 samples had selenium concentrations that 

were lower than the NIWQP level of concern. There is 

no clear pattern in trace-element concentrations in 

bottom sediment that indicates BFRP operations either 

increase or decrease the constituent concentrations.

Fish

Analytical results for fish-tissue samples 

collected in 1994 are presented in table 15 in the 

Supplemental Information section. A statistical summary of results for 1988 and 1994 is provided in 

table 9. For 1988, most trace-element concentrations 

in biota samples are less than concentrations that might 

adversely affect fish or birds (table 9), although some 

concentrations do exceed established criteria.

The median arsenic concentration (0.3 μg/g dw) 

of fish sampled in 1988 is lower than the NCBP 85thpercentile baseline value of 0.81 μg/g dw (Schmitt and 

Brumbaugh, 1990) and lower than the NIWQP level of 

concern (table 9), but several individual fish-tissue 

samples were within the level of concern (Roddy and 

others, 1991). In 1994, the median arsenic concentration was lower than the level of concern. However, 

three individual fish-tissue composite samples from 

site B-18 are within the level of concern, and a fourth 
46 Go to the Master Page Named Left, Delete This Entry, and Keyboard the Title in Caps and Lower Case

composite fish sample of adult river carpsuckers from 

site B-18 had an arsenic concentration of 16 μg/g dw, 

which exceeds the toxicity threshold (table 15; U.S. 

Department of the Interior, 1998). The elevated arsenic 

concentrations in fish at site B-18 probably resulted 

from effects of mining activities in the Whitewood 

Creek Basin. Gilderhus (1966) found that an arsenic 

residue level of 4.68 μg/g dw in juvenile bluegills was 

associated with poor growth and survival.

The median copper concentration in fish tissue 

was lower than the NCBP 85th-percentile baseline 

value for copper of 3.67 μg/g dw (Schmitt and 

Brumbaugh, 1990) and lower than the NIWQP level of 

concern for 1994 and 1988 (table 9). All 1988 

Table 9. Comparison of fish-tissue concentrations for the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project with the National Irrigation 

Water Quality Program level of concern1

[Concentrations in micrograms per gram dry weight; <, less than; --, no data; 12 samples per element in 1994, 128 samples per element in 1988]

Constituent

1994

(includes data from sites B-1,

B-12, and B-18)

1988

(includes data from sites B-2,

B-12, and B-18

National Irrigation

Water Quality 

Program

level of concern1

Minimum Maximum Median Minimum Maximum Median for fish

Aluminum 51 1,330 352 3 4,100 131 --

Arsenic <0.3 16 0.55 <0.1 7.6 0.3 1–12

Boron <0.6 3 <2 <2 17 <2 --

Barium 2.4 35.6 7.1 0.2 84 4.2 --

Beryllium <0.03 0.05 <0.03 0.01 0.20 <0.10 --

Cadmium 0.048 0.88 0.090 0.02 1.5 0.2 --

Chromium 0.3 1.7 0.7 <0.1 8.4 1.35 --

Copper 2.1 21 3.5 0.7 6.1 2.2 9.8–13.3

Iron 73 1,170 346 43 2,680 180 --

Mercury 0.088 0.418 0.18 0.004 1.1 0.32 1.0 (toxicity threshold 

for coldwater species)

Magnesium 1,110 2,050 1,395 644 2,510 1,430 --

Manganese 10.9 79.1 24.8 1.8 134 28 --

Molybdenum <0.2 <1 <1 <0.1 1.0 <1 --

Nickel <0.06 1.8 0.44 <0.1 5.2 2.0 --

Lead <0.07 0.57 0.20 <0.4 <5 <0.9 --

Selenium 2.8 6.5 4.5 1.4 5.7 2.8 3–4 (warmwater 

species); 2–4 

(coldwater species)

Strontium 104 263 166 24 2,204 174 --

Vanadium <0.2 3.5 0.74 <0.1 15 0.6 --

Zinc 70.1 141 93.6 42 601 76 --

1U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998; the upper value of the level of concern represents the National Irrigation Water Quality Program toxicity 

threshold.
Comparison of Results 47

individual fish-tissue samples were lower than the level 

of concern, but one 1994 composite fish sample of 

adult river carpsuckers from site B-18 had a copper 

concentration of 21 μg/g dw (table 15), which exceeds 

the toxicity threshold (table 9). The elevated copper 

concentrations in fish tissue at site B-18 probably 

resulted from effects of mining activities in the Whitewood Creek Basin.

Median mercury concentrations in fish tissue 

decreased from 0.32 μg/g dw in 1988 to 0.18 μg/g dw 

in 1994, both of which are lower than the toxicity 

threshold (table 9), the NCBP 85th-percentile baseline 

value of 0.65 μg/g dw (Schmitt and Brumbaugh, 

1990), and the avian dietary guideline of 0.4 μg/g dw. 

In 1994, only one composite fish-tissue sample (adult 

sand shiners) from site B-18 (table 15) had a mercury 

concentration (0.42 μg/g dw) that slightly exceeded the 

dietary threshold, but in 1988 several fish-tissue samples exceeded this dietary threshold (Roddy and others, 

1991); most of those samples also were from site B-18. 

The elevated mercury concentrations in fish at site 

B-18 probably resulted from effects of mining 

activities in the Whitewood Creek Basin.

The median selenium concentration 

(4.5 μg/g dw) for fish-tissue samples for 1994 is 

slightly higher than the NIWQP level of concern for 

either warmwater or coldwater species (table 9) and is 

higher than the NCBP 85th-percentile baseline value of 

2.8 μg/g dw (Schmitt and Brumbaugh, 1990). The 

1994 median also is higher than the 1988 median 

(table 9). Recent literature suggests that 4 μg/g dw is 

the threshold tissue concentration to protect fish from 

reproductive failure and other health effects (Lemly, 

1993). Additionally, 3 μg/g dw is the recommended 

threshold in dietary items for the protection of avian 

consumers (Lemly, 1993; Heinz, 1996). Concentrations in all fish-tissue composite samples from 1994 

were higher than 3 μg/g dw with the exception of one 

subadult orangespotted sunfish sample and one adult 

channel catfish sample collected at site B-12 (table 15). 

The 1994 median zinc concentration 

(93.6 μg/g dw) is higher than the NCBP 85th percentile 

baseline value of 88 μg/g dw (Schmitt and Brumbaugh, 

1990) and higher than the 1988 median zinc concentration of 76 μg/g dw. Currently, there is not a NIWQP 

level of concern for fish, and toxicity levels for zinc 

concentrations in animal tissues are not well 

established (U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998).

Synopsis of Results for the Belle Fourche 

Reclamation Project

Concentrations of major ions in water in the 

study area are high relative to national baseline levels. 

Major-ion concentrations generally are lower for 1994 

than for 1988, when sampling was conducted during 

generally low-flow conditions, but ionic proportions 

are similar between years. The 1994 results are associated with more typical hydrologic conditions. Concentrations of major ions at sites B-12 and B-18, which are 

affected by irrigation drainage (site B-18 also is 

affected by mining operations), are higher than concentrations at site B-1, which is an upstream site. This 

pattern might indicate that BFRP operations increase 

dissolved-solids concentrations in the area, but the data 

are inadequate to conclusively determine this.

Concentrations of most trace elements in water 

samples are similar between 1988 and 1994, and do not 

show strong relations with discharge. However, 

selenium concentrations at site B-12 are higher for 

1988 than for 1994, and show an inverse relation with 

discharge. Concentrations for 1994 at this site are associated with more typical hydrologic conditions. Concentrations of most trace elements (with the exception 

of arsenic, boron, selenium, and uranium) are not consistently very different between sites B-1, B-12, and 

B-18. Arsenic concentrations are elevated at site B-18, 

which can be attributed to effects of mine tailings in 

Whitewood Creek. Concentrations of boron, selenium, 

and uranium are higher for site B-12 (Horse Creek) 

than the other two sites; site B-1 (upstream from irrigation operations) had the lowest concentrations of these 

constituents. Site B-12 is most affected by irrigation 

drainage and BFRP operations probably contribute to 

trace-element concentrations in the Belle Fourche 

River, but available data are inadequate to quantify 

increases. Concentrations of several trace elements 

occasionally exceed NIWQP guidelines. Copper concentrations routinely are within the NIWQP level of 

concern, but none of the samples approach the toxicity 

threshold of 12 μg/L. Concentrations of selenium are 

within or exceed the NIWQP level of concern, even at 

site B-1, upstream from Belle Fourche operations. 

However, selenium concentrations at sites B-12 and 

B-18, which are affected by BFRP irrigation drainage 

are consistently slightly higher than at site B-1 and 

more frequently exceed various criteria. Selenium concentrations might at times be problematic in the BFRP 

area. Naturally occurring concentrations are relatively 
48 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

high, and BFRP operations might contribute additional 

loads. Also, at some sites selenium concentrations 

increase during low-flow conditions.

Concentrations of most trace elements in bottom 

sediment are similar for 1988 and 1994, and generally 

are within baseline ranges for western U.S. soils, with 

the exception of arsenic and selenium. Concentrations 

of trace elements do not show either increasing or 

decreasing trends throughout the study area that could 

be conclusively attributed to effects of BFRP operations. Arsenic concentrations at all sites exceed typical 

values for western U.S. soils and are within the 

NIWQP level of concern. Highest arsenic concentrations in bottom sediment occur at site B-18, which is 

influenced by mine tailings. Selenium concentrations 

at sites B-12 and B-18 for 1988 are within the NIWQP 

level of concern, but all 1994 samples were lower than 

the NIWQP level of concern.

Concentrations of most trace elements in fish in 

the BFRP area are lower than values known to 

adversely affect fish or birds, although there are occasional exceedances of established criteria. Arsenic and 

mercury concentrations are elevated in fish samples 

from site B-18, which is influenced by mine tailings. 

Selenium concentrations in fish might be problematic. 

Selenium concentrations in fish samples routinely are 

within the NIWQP level of concern at all sites. Concentrations generally are higher at sites B-12 and B-18, 

which are influenced by BFRP irrigation drainage.

Selenium can occur at concentrations that might 

have adverse environmental effects in all of the media 

that were sampled. However, all bottom-sediment 

selenium concentrations for 1994 were less than the 

MRL of 1 μg/g. Selenium concentrations generally 

exceed NIWQP levels of concern for the various media 

(with the exception of bottom sediment in 1994) for 

both 1988 and 1994, during varying flow conditions. 

Selenium concentrations are larger in all media (with 

the exception of bottom sediment in 1994) at sites B-12 

and B-18, which are influenced by BFRP irrigation 

drainage. It can be concluded that selenium concentrations might at times be problematic in the BFRP area. 

Naturally occurring concentrations are relatively high, 

and BFRP operations might contribute additional 

loads. Also, at some sites selenium concentrations 

increase during low-flow conditions.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The U.S. Department of the Interior started the 

National Irrigation Water Quality Program (NIWQP) 

in 1985 to identify the nature and extent of irrigationinduced water-quality problems that might exist in the 

western U.S. The Angostura Reclamation Unit (ARU) 

and Belle Fourche Reclamation Project (BFRP) in 

western South Dakota were included as part of this 

program. The ARU and BFRP reconnaissance studies 

were initiated in 1988, during below-normal streamflow conditions in both study areas. Surface water, 

bottom sediment, and fish were resampled in 1994 at 

selected sites in both study areas during generally nearnormal streamflow conditions to compare with the 

1988 study results.

Streamflows were closer to normal in 1994 than 

in 1988. Discharge measurements made at the times 

that water and bottom-sediment samples were collected 

averaged about 40 percent greater for 1994 samples 

than for 1988 samples, for both ARU and BFRP sites.

Concentrations of major ions in water for both 

the ARU and BFRP study areas are high relative to 

national baseline levels. Major-ion concentrations for 

both areas generally are lower for 1994 than for 1988, 

when sampling was conducted during low-flow conditions, but ionic proportions are similar between years. 

The 1994 results are associated with more typical 

hydrologic conditions.

For ARU, major-ion concentrations and proportions vary substantially in the Cheyenne River 

upstream from Angostura Reservoir, primarily due to 

inflows from Cascade Springs. Angostura Reservoir 

integrates inflows from various tributaries over time, 

and ionic proportions are fairly constant downstream 

from the reservoir. Downstream from Angostura 

Reservoir, a small increase in concentrations of dissolved solids probably occurs; however, the limited 

data sets available are insufficient to confidently 

discern effects of ARU operations on dissolved-solids 

loading. For BFRP, concentrations of major ions at 

sites B-12 and B-18, which are affected by irrigation 

drainage, are higher than concentrations at site B-1 

which is an upstream site. This pattern might indicate 

that BFRP operations increase dissolved-solids concentrations in the area, but the data are inadequate to 

conclusively determine this.

Most trace-element concentrations in water 

samples for both study areas are similar between 1988 

and 1994, and do not show strong relations with 

discharge. Concentrations of trace elements at the 
References 49

downstream end of the ARU are similar to concentrations upstream from and within ARU. ARU operations 

probably are not contributing discernible additional 

loads of trace elements to the Cheyenne River. For 

BFRP, concentrations of most trace elements (with the 

exception of arsenic, boron, selenium, and uranium) 

are not consistently very different between sites B-1, 

B-12, and B-18. Arsenic concentrations are elevated at 

site B-18, which can be attributed to effects of mine 

tailings in Whitewood Creek. Concentrations of boron, 

selenium, and uranium generally are higher for site 

B-12 (Horse Creek) than the other two sites; site B-1 

(upstream from irrigation operations) had the lowest 

concentrations of these constituents. BFRP operations 

probably contribute to trace-element concentrations in 

the Belle Fourche River, but available data are inadequate to quantify increases. For both study areas, 

concentrations of several trace elements occasionally 

exceed NIWQP guidelines. Selenium routinely occurs 

in concentrations that could be problematic at sites 

upstream and downstream from both study areas. 

Elevated selenium concentrations at sites upstream 

from irrigation operations indicate that naturally occurring selenium concentrations are relatively high in and 

near the study areas. While ARU operations probably 

do not contribute discernible additional loads of selenium to the Cheyenne River, BFRP operations might 

contribute additional loads to the Belle Fourche River.

Concentrations of most trace elements in bottom 

sediment, except arsenic and selenium, generally are 

similar to typical concentrations for western U.S. soils 

for both study areas in both 1988 and 1994. For ARU, 

some arsenic concentrations at sites both upstream and 

downstream from irrigation operations are within the 

NIWQP level of concern, and one selenium sample 

exceeds the NIWQP toxicity threshold. For BFRP, all 

arsenic samples at sites both upstream and downstream 

from BFRP irrigation operations are within or exceed 

the NIWQP level of concern. Selenium concentrations 

for 1988 samples are within the NIWQP level of concern, but all concentrations for 1994 samples were 

lower than the level of concern. Bottom-sediment 

arsenic and selenium concentrations in both study areas 

apparently can at times reach levels that might be of 

concern; however, there is insufficient information to 

determine whether irrigation operations contribute to 

elevated concentrations.

Concentrations of most trace elements in fish in 

both study areas are less than values known to 

adversely affect fish or birds, although there are occasional exceedances of established criteria. Selenium 

concentrations in fish might be problematic. Selenium 

concentrations in fish samples routinely are within the 

NIWQP level of concern, and also commonly exceed 

the dietary guideline for protection of avian consumers 

for both study areas. In both study areas, selenium concentrations in fish samples generally are higher at sites 

downstream from irrigation operations. For BFRP, 

arsenic and mercury concentrations are elevated in fish 

samples from site B-18, which is influenced by mine 

tailings.

Selenium can occur at concentrations that might 

have adverse environmental effects in all of the media 

that were sampled for both study areas. Also, selenium 

concentrations generally exceed NIWQP levels of 

concern for the various media (with the exception of 

bottom sediment in 1994) for both 1988 and 1994, 

during varying flow conditions. However, the data 

collected during the 1988 and 1994 studies are insufficient to confidently determine the extent to which 

irrigation operations contribute to elevated selenium 

concentrations in the various media.

REFERENCES

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Freshwater Ecology, v. 3, no. 1, p. 113-120.

Brumbaugh, W.G., and Kane, D.A., 1985, Variability of 

aluminum concentrations in organs and whole bodies of 

smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui): Environmental Science and Technology, v. 19, no. 9, p. 828-

831.

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1988, Field methods for 

measurement of fluvial sediment: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 86-531, 240 p.

Eisler, R., 1993, Zinc hazards to fish, wildlife, and invertebrates—A synoptic review: Washington, D.C., U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report 10, 106 p.

Feltz, H.R., Sylvester, M.A., and Engberg, R.A., 1991, 

Reconnaissance investigation of the effects of irrigation 

drainage on water quality, bottom sediment, and biota 

in the Western United States, in Mallard, G.E., and 

Aronson, D.A., eds., U.S. Geological Survey Toxic 

Substances Hydrology Program—Proceedings of the 

technical meeting, Monterey, California, March 11-15, 

1991: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations Report 91-4034, p. 319-323.
50 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

Gilderhus, P.A., 1966, Some effects of sublethal concentrations of sodium arsenate on bluegills and the aquatic 

environment: Transactions of the American Fisheries 

Society, v. 95, no. 3, p. 289-296.

Goddard, K.E., 1989, Composition, distribution, and hydrologic effects of contaminated sediments resulting from 

the discharge of gold milling wastes to Whitewood 

Creek at Lead and Deadwood, South Dakota: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 

Report 87-4051, 76 p.

Greene, E.A., Sowards, C.L., and Hansmann, E.W., 1990, 

Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom 

sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage 

in the Angostura Reclamation Unit, southwestern South 

Dakota, 1988-1989: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 90-4152, 75 p.

Heinz, G.H, 1996, Selenium in birds, in Beyer, W.N., Heinz, 

G.H., and Redmon-Norwood, A.W., eds., Environmental Contaminants in Wildlife: Interpreting Tissue 

Concentrations: Boca Raton, Fla., Lewis Publishers, 

p. 447-458.

Hem, J.D., 1985, Study and interpretation of the chemical 

characteristics of natural water: U.S. Geological 

Survey Water-Supply Paper 2254, 263 p.

Horowitz, A.J., 1991, A primer on sediment-trace element 

chemistry (2d ed.): Chelsea, Mich., Lewis Publishers, 

136 p.

Leighton, D.A., Deverel, S.J., and Macdonald, J.K., 1992, 

Spatial distribution of selenium and other inorganic 

constituents in ground water underlying a drained agricultural field, western San Joaquin Valley, California: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 91-4119, 73 p.

Lemly, A.D., 1993, Guidelines for evaluating selenium data 

from aquatic monitoring and assessment studies: 

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, v. 28, 

p. 83-100.

Lemly, A.D., and Smith G.J., 1987, Aquatic cycling of selenium—implications for fish and wildlife: Washington, 

D.C., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Leaflet 12, 10 p.

National Academy of Sciences – National Academy of 

Engineering, 1973, Water quality criteria, 1972: 

Washington, D.C., National Academy of Sciences, 

594 p.

Ohlendorf, H.M., Hoffman, D.J., Saiki, M.K., and Aldrich, 

T.W., 1986, Embryonic mortality and abnormalities of 

aquatic birds—apparent impacts of selenium from irrigation drainwater: Science of the Total Environment, 

v. 52, p. 49-63.

Ohlendorf, H.M., Hothem, R.L., Bunck, C.M., Aldrich, 

T.W., and Moore, J.F., 1986, Relationships between 

selenium concentration and avian reproduction: North 

American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, 

51st, Reno, Nevada, Transactions, 1986, p. 330-442.

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endangered.fws.gov/listing/index.html.

Roddy, W.R., Greene, E.A., and Sowards, C.L., 1991, 

Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom 

sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage 

in the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, western 

South Dakota, 1988-1989: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 90-4192, 

113 p.

Schmitt, C.J., and Brumbaugh, W.G., 1990, National contaminant biomonitoring program—Concentrations of 

arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, selenium, and 

zinc in U.S. freshwater fish, 1976-1984: Archives of 

Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, v. 19, 

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Shacklette, H.T., and Boerngen, J.G., 1984, Element concentrations in soils and other surficial materials of the conterminous United States: U.S. Geological Survey 

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Smith, R.A., Alexander, R.B., and Wolman, G.M., 1987, 

Water-quality trends in the Nation’s rivers: Science, 

v. 235, p. 1607-1615.

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accessed May 4, 2001, at URL 

http://legis.state.sd.us/rules/rules/7451.htm.

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analysis by means of patterns: Journal of Petroleum 

Technology, v. 3, no. 10, p. 15-17.

Strobel, M.L, Jarrell, G.J., Sawyer, J.F., Schleicher, J.R., and 

Fahrenbach, M.D., 1999, Distribution of hydrogeologic 

units in the Black Hills area, South Dakota: U.S. 

Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas 

HA-743, 3 sheets, scale 1:100,000.

Suter, G.W., II, and Mabrey, J.B., 1994, Toxicological 

benchmarks for screening potential contaminants of 

concern for effects on aquatic biota—1994 revision: 

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Standards, EPA 4405/5-86-001.
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———1999, National recommended water quality 

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endangered species: accessed May 2, 2001, at URL 

http://endangered.fws.gov/ whatewedo.html.

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interpretation of the biological effects of selected constituents in biota, water, and sediment: Denver, Colo., 

National Irrigation Water Quality Program Information 

Report No. 3., 198 p.

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Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-140, 71 p.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Supplemental Information - Table 10 55

 Table 10. Physical properties, and concentrations of major ions and selected trace elements for water samples collected 

from sites in or near the Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1994

[μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; deg C, degrees Celsius; mm, millimeters; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; inst, instantaneous; 

TIT, titration; IT, incremental titration; ANC, acid neutralizing capacity; lab, laboratory; <, less than; --, no data available]

Station

identification

Site

number Date Time

Discharge,

inst

(cubic feet 

per second)

(00061)

Specific

conductance

(μS/cm)

(00095)

pH,

unfiltered,

lab

(standard units)

(00400)

Temperature, air

(deg C)

(00020)

Temperature,

water

(deg C)

(00010)

Barometric

pressure

(mm of

Hg)

(00025)

Oxygen,

dissolved

(mg/L)

(00300)

06395000 A-1

A-1

04-19-94

09-08-94

0920

1425

42

.06

4,790

7,090

8.4

7.7

12.5

33.6

15.0

24.0

681

662

9.1

7.6

432121103252600 A-5

A-5

04-19-94

09-09-94

1220

0830

41

3.1

2,000

2,250

8.4

8.0

23.5

19.2

11.1

19.2

687

668

11.8

8.3

433012103042000 A-12

A-12

04-20-94

09-08-94

0930

1030

92

54

2,260

2,550

8.2

8.0

16.0

30.0

14.7

18.6

690

677

9.2

8.8

06403700 A-14

A-14

04-20-94

09-08-94

1145

0820

117

60

2,320

2,620

8.3

8.2

21.0

13.7

16.5

17.2

690

683

9.6

8.7

Site

number Date

Oxygen,

dissolved

(percent

saturation)

(00301)

Hardness,

total

(mg/L as

CaCO3)

(00900)

Alkalinity,

filtered,

total IT,

lab

(mg/L as

CaCO3)

(39086)

ANC,

unfiltered,

TIT to

4.5, lab

(mg/L as

CaCO3)

(90410)

Calcium,

filtered

(mg/L

as Ca)

(00915)

Magnesium,

filtered

(mg/L

as Mg)

(00925)

Sodium,

filtered

(mg/L

as Na)

(00930)

Sodium

(percent)

(00932)

Sodium

adsorption ratio

(00931)

Potassium,

filtered

(mg/L 

as K) 

(00935)

A-1

A-1

04-19-94

09-08-94

103

107

1,100

--

246

332

231

313

270

--

110

--

700

1,100

57

--

9

--

10

20

A-5

A-5

04-19-94

09-09-94

120

104

670

930

138

174

138

174

180

240

53

81

190

210

38

33

3

3

8.7

12

A-12

A-12

04-20-94

09-08-94

101

107

860

950

169

203

351

172

230

250

69

80

200

230

33

34

3

3

11

18

A-14

A-14

04-20-94

09-08-94

110

102

900

900

169

171

159

148

240

230

74

79

210

250

33

37

3

4

12

17
56 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

Table 10. Physical properties, and concentrations of major ions and selected trace elements for water samples collected 

from sites in or near the Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1994—Continued

[μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; deg C, degrees Celsius; mm, millimeters; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; inst, instantaneous; 

TIT, titration; IT, incremental titration; ANC, acid neutralizing capacity; lab, laboratory; <, less than; --, no data available]

Site

number Date

Bicarbonate,

filtered,

 IT, lab

(mg/L as

HCO3)

(00453)

Carbonate,

filtered,

 IT, lab

(mg/L as

CO3)

(00452)

Chloride,

filtered

(mg/L

as Cl)

(00940)

Sulfate,

filtered

(mg/L

as SO4)

(00945)

Solids,

sum of

constituents,

filtered

(mg/L)

(70301)

Solids,

residue

at 180

deg C,

filtered

(mg/L)

(70300)

Aluminum,

filtered

(μg/L

as Al)

(01106)

Arsenic,

filtered

(μg/L

as As)

(01000)

Boron,

filtered

(μg/L

as B)

(01020)

Cadmium,

filtered

(μg/L 

as Cd)

(01025)

A-1

A-1

04-19-94

09-08-94

280

405

10

0

490

540

1,700

3,300

3,430

--

3,540

6,220

<10

20

<1

<1

300

1,100

<1

<1

A-5

A-5

04-19-94

09-09-94

166

208

1

0

96

110

790

890

1,400

1,650

1,490

1,670

<10

<10

<1

2

160

180

<1

<1

A-12

A-12

04-20-94

09-08-94

206

248

0

0

110

130

930

1,100

1,650

1,930

1,760

2,010

<10

30

<1

1

240

340

<1

<1

A-14

A-14

04-20-94

09-08-94

206

208

0

0

110

140

970

1,100

1,720

1,920

1,830

2,000

<10

20

<1

<1

240

340

<1

<1

Site

number Date

Chromium,

filtered

(μg/L

as Cr)

(01030)

Copper,

filtered

(μg/L

as Cu)

(01040)

Lead,

filtered

(μg/L

as Pb)

(01049)

Mercury,

filtered

(μg/L

as Hg)

(71890)

Molybdenum,

filtered

(μg/L

as Mo)

(01060)

Selenium,

filtered

(μg/L

as Se)

(01145)

Uranium,

natural,

filtered

(μg/L

as U)

(22703)

Uranium,

natural,

2 sigma,

filtered,

(μg/L)

(75990)

Vanadium,

filtered

(μg/L

as V)

(01085)

Zinc, 

filtered

(μg/L 

as Zn)

(01090)

A-1

A-1

04-19-94

09-08-94

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<0.1

<.1

4

4

<1

--

16

25

2.5

3.7

9

15

<10

<10

A-5

A-5

04-19-94

09-09-94

<1

<1

1

<1

<1

<1

<.1

<.1

5

8

2

4

7.6

9.2

1.1

1.4

2

3

5

<10

A-12

A-12

04-20-94

09-08-94

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<.1

<.1

7

8

2

3

11

13

1.6

2.0

2

4

<10

<10

A-14

A-14

04-20-94

09-08-94

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<.1

<.1

7

6

2

2

11

13

1.7

1.9

2

4

<10

<10
Supplemental Information - Table 11 57

 Table 11. Concentrations of selected major-ion and trace-element constituents in bottom-sediment samples collected from 

sites in or near the Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1994

[bot mat, bottom material; DS, dry sieved; μg/g, micrograms per gram; μm, micrometer; <, less than]

Station

identification

Site

number Date Time

Aluminum,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(percent)

(34790)

Arsenic,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34800)

Barium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34805)

Beryllium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34810)

Bismuth,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34815)

Cadmium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34825)

Calcium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab 

(percent)

(34830)

06395000 A-1 09-06-94 1425 3.7 <10 770 <1 <10 <2 0.76

06395000 A-1 09-06-94 1430 3.8 12 790 <1 <10 <2 .84

432121103252600 A-5 09-08-94 0830 3.8 12 920 <1 <10 <2 2.9

433012103042000 A-12 09-09-94 1030 4.6 19 1,100 <1 <10 <2 4.4

06403700 A-14 09-08-94 0800 3.5 <10 730 <1 <10 <2 1.1

Site

number Date

Cerium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34835)

Chromium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34840)

Cobalt,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34845)

Copper,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34850)

Europium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34855)

Gallium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34860)

Gold,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34870)

Holmium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34875)

Iron,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(percent)

(34880)

Lead,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab 

(μg/g)

(34890)

A-1 09-06-94 20 6 4 3 <2 7 <2 <4 1.7 23

A-1 09-06-94 20 7 4 2 <2 7 <2 <4 1.6 22

A-5 09-08-94 28 9 5 4 <2 8 <2 <4 1.9 28

A-12 09-09-94 48 30 8 10 <2 20 <2 <4 2.9 20

A-14 09-08-94 30 12 3 4 <2 6 <2 <4 1.3 17
58 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

Table 11. Concentrations of selected major-ion and trace-element constituents in bottom-sediment samples collected from 

sites in or near the Angostura Reclamation Unit in 1994—Continued

[bot mat, bottom material; DS, dry sieved; μg/g, micrograms per gram; μm, micrometer; <, less than]

Site

number Date

Lithium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34895)

Magnesium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(percent)

(34900)

Manganese,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34905)

Molybdenum,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34915)

Nickel,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34925)

Niobium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34930)

Phosphorus,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(percent)

(34935)

Potassium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(percent)

(34940)

Scandium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab 

(μg/g)

(34945)

A-1 09-06-94 4 0.09 490 <2 7 <4 0.03 2.7 <2

A-1 09-06-94 4 .09 420 <2 8 <4 .03 2.8 <2

A-5 09-08-94 8 .19 460 <2 8 <4 .05 2.5 2

A-12 09-09-94 20 .44 610 <2 18 <4 .06 2.2 5

A-14 09-08-94 6 .17 230 <2 7 <4 .03 2.4 <2

Site

number Date

Selenium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34950)

Sodium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(percent)

(34960)

Strontium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34965)

Tantalum,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34975)

Thorium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34980)

Titanium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(percent)

(49274)

Uranium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(35000)

Vanadium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(35005)

Zinc,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab 

(μg/g)

(35020)

A-1 09-06-94 <1 1.0 120 <40 <4 0.03 <100 14 25

A-1 09-06-94 <1 1.0 120 <40 <4 .03 <100 13 25

A-5 09-08-94 <1 .93 170 <40 4 .06 <100 21 64

A-12 09-09-94 <1 .79 280 <40 7 .13 <100 75 64

A-14 09-08-94 <1 .75 110 <40 4 .08 <100 21 27
Supplemental Information - Table 12 59

 Table 12. Concentrations of selected constituents in composite fish samples collected from sites in or near the Angostura 

Reclamation Unit in 1994

[Concentrations in micrograms per gram dry weight]

Station

identification

Site

number

Sampling

period

Sample

number

Common

name Species Age

Number

of fish in

sample

06395000 A-1 May 1994 CR-1-GS Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus subadult 10

A-1 May 1994 CR-1-PK Plains killifish Fundulus zebrinus adult 29

A-1 September 1994 CR-1-XX Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus subadult 7

A-1 September 1994 CR-1-XXX Plains killifish Fundulus zebrinus adult 15

432121103252600 A-5 May 1994 CR-5-CC Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus subadult 4

A-5 May 1994 CR-5-CS White sucker Catostomus 

commersoni

adult 3

A-5 September 1994 CR-5-XX Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus subadult 8

A-5 September 1994 CR-5-XXX Rock bass Ambloplites rupestris adult 2

433012103042000 A-12 May 1994 CR-12-GE Goldeye Hiodon alosoides adult 2

A-12 May 1994 CR-12-NR Shorthead redhorse Moxostoma 

macrolepidotum

adult 2

A-12 September 1994 CR-12-XX Common carp Cyprinus carpio adult 3

A-12 September 1994 CR-12-YY Shorthead redhorse Moxostoma 

macrolepidotum

adult 3

06403700 A-14 May 1994 FHC-14 Flathead chub Platygobio gracilis adult 29

A-14 May 1994 GE-14 Goldeye Hiodon alosoides adult 2

A-14 September 1994 FHC-XX Common carp Cyprinus carpio adult 1

A-14 September 1994 GE-XX White sucker Catostomus 

commersoni

adult 1

Site

number

Sample

number

Common

name

Length

(millimeters)

Percent

moisture Aluminum Arsenic Boron Barium Beryllium

A-1 CR-1-GS Green sunfish 49 - 124 75.5 179 0.3 0.7 2.9 <0.03

A-1 CR-1-PK Plains killifish 35 - 198 76.0 2,200 1.3 3.3 19.8 .12

A-1 CR-1-XX Green sunfish 84 - 110 73.8 9,280 2.6 7.6 52.6 .26

A-1 CR-1-XXX Plains killifish 48 - 72 75.7 68 .2 <2.0 1.3 <.03

A-5 CR-5-CC Channel catfish 280 - 334 77.3 262 .3 1.0 3.2 <.03

A-5 CR-5-CS White sucker 328 - 345 71.4 99 <.3 <.6 2.1 <.03

A-5 CR-5-XX Green sunfish 80 - 160 76.8 120 .2 <2.0 3.1 <.03

A-5 CR-5-XXX Rock bass 97 - 161 72.9 92 .4 <2.0 4.5 <.03

A-12 CR-12-GE Goldeye 384 - 392 73.1 63 <.3 <0.6 1.1 .04

A-12 CR-12-NR Shorthead redhorse 344 - 350 66.8 120 <.3 1.0 7.1 <.03

A-12 CR-12-XX Common carp 415 - 470 76.8 170 .2 <2.0 2.8 <.03

A-12 CR-12-YY Shorthead redhorse 170 - 316 70.3 32 <.1 <2.0 3.8 <.03

A-14 FHC-14 Flathead chub 85 - 198 72.7 908 1.8 2.0 12.5 <.03

A-14 GE-14 Goldeye 365 - 370 73.1 11 <.3 .6 .8 <.03

A-14 FHC-XX Common carp 340 74.7 160 .7 <2.0 8.8 <.03

A-14 GE-XX White sucker 327 67.2 43 .1 <2.0 3.3 <.03
60 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

Table 12. Concentrations of selected constituents in composite fish samples collected from sites in or near the Angostura 

Reclamation Unit in 1994—Continued

[Concentrations in micrograms per gram dry weight]

Site

number

Sample

number

Common

name Cadmium Chromium Copper Iron Mercury Magnesium

Manganese

A-1 CR-1-GS Green sunfish 0.067 1.96 11 244 0.22 1,740 80

A-1 CR-1-PK Plains killifish .110 9.62 8.9 1,770 .13 2,280 268

A-1 CR-1-XX Green sunfish .219 6.50 6.3 4,500 .12 2,780 1,210

A-1 CR-1-XXX Plains killifish .077 .27 1.9 78 .21 1,510 74

A-5 CR-5-CC Channel catfish .060 .62 5.0 236 .19 1,630 20

A-5 CR-5-CS White sucker .010 .28 3.0 167 .087 1,280 25

A-5 CR-5-XX Green sunfish .047 .24 3.0 92 .21 1,600 16

A-5 CR-5-XXX Rock bass .020 .26 3.4 78 .17 1,630 12

A-12 CR-12-GE Goldeye .054 .59 8.5 120 .48 1,390 6.8

A-12 CR-12-NR Shorthead redhorse .067 .53 3.5 148 .24 1,420 80

A-12 CR-12-XX Common carp .410 .59 5.0 292 .34 1,510 18

A-12 CR-12-YY Shorthead redhorse .056 .34 3.9 95 .26 1,630 70

A-14 FHC-14 Flathead chub .067 .86 3.3 561 .13 1,530 34

A-14 GE-14 Goldeye .047 .27 4.4 96 .50 1,490 7.6

A-14 FHC-XX Common carp .042 .60 4.3 211 .20 1,570 12

A-14 GE-XX White sucker .035 .34 1.8 86 .27 1,470 47

Site

number

Sample

number

Common

name

Molybdenum Nickel Lead Selenium Strontium Vanadium Zinc

A-1 CR-1-GS Green sunfish <0.2 0.97 0.10 3.6 179 0.5 100

A-1 CR-1-PK Plains killifish .2 4.6 .90 3.4 190 4.0 146

A-1 CR-1-XX Green sunfish <1 3.9 2.2 2.3 244 15 122

A-1 CR-1-XXX Plains killifish <1 .08 .08 3.2 165 <.3 88.2

A-5 CR-5-CC Channel catfish .3 .28 .25 5.4 163 .7 81.6

A-5 CR-5-CS White sucker <.2 .2 .09 6.9 102 <.2 50.1

A-5 CR-5-XX Green sunfish <1 <.06 .06 7.7 172 <.3 90.5

A-5 CR-5-XXX Rock bass <1 <.06 <.05 10 175 <.3 68.9

A-12 CR-12-GE Goldeye .2 .2 <.07 3.7 76.3 <.2 118

A-12 CR-12-NR Shorthead redhorse <.2 .39 <.07 1.9 202 .7 53.6

A-12 CR-12-XX Common carp <1 .2 .27 7.2 166 .7 290

A-12 CR-12-YY Shorthead redhorse <1 <.06 <.05 4.1 242 .6 70.8

A-14 FHC-14 Flathead chub <.2 .68 .27 4.4 148 2.6 107

A-14 GE-14 Goldeye <.2 1.0 <.07 3.6 102 <.2 104

A-14 FHC-XX Common carp <1 .2 .27 4.9 171 .4 224

A-14 GE-XX White sucker <1 <.06 .09 3.3 206 .3 59.7
Supplemental Information - Table 13 61

 Table 13. Physical properties, and concentrations of major ions and selected trace elements for water samples collected 

from sites in or near the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1994

[μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; deg C, degrees Celsius; mm, millimeters; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; inst, instantaneous; 

TIT, titration; IT, incremental titration; ANC, acid neutralizing capacity; lab, laboratory; <, less than]

Station

identification

Site

number Date Time

Discharge,

inst

(cubic feet

per second)

(00061)

Specific

conductance

(μS/cm)

(00095)

pH,

unfiltered, 

lab

(standard

units)

(00400)

Temperature, air

(deg C)

(00020)

Temperature,

water

(deg C)

(00010)

Barometric

pressure

(mm of

Hg)

(00025)

Oxygen,

dissolved

(mg/L)

(00300)

06428500 B-1

B-1

04-18-94

09-06-94

1020

1430

131

41

1,410

1,510

8.2

8.6

21.0

26.5

14.8

20.9

684

674

8.5

9.6

06436760 B-12

B-12

04-18-94

09-06-94

1315

1130

6.4

50

3,180

1,820

8.3

8.3

23.0

22.9

17.2

16.4

695

690

8.5

10.4

06437000 B-18

B-18

04-18-94

09-06-94

1515

0840

198

230

1,440

1,840

8.4

8.3

24.0

11.7

18.5

15.4

700

690

10.1

8.6

Site

number Date

Oxygen,

dissolved

(percent

saturation)

(00301)

Hardness,

total

(mg/L

as

CaCO3)

(00900)

Alkalinity

dissolved,

total IT,

lab

(mg/L as

CaCO3)

(39086)

ANC,

unfiltered

TIT to 4.5,

lab

(mg/L as

CaCO3)

(90410)

Calcium,

filtered

(mg/L

as Ca)

(00915)

Magnesium,

filtered

(mg/L

as Mg)

(00925)

Sodium,

filtered

(mg/L

as Na)

(00930)

Sodium

(percent)

(00932)

Sodium

adsorption ratio

(00931)

Potassium,

filtered

(mg/L 

as K

(00935)

B-1

B-1

04-18-94

09-06-94

94

123

660

550

174

165

173

170

180

140

51

48

56

130

15

34

0.9

2

7.1

9.1

B-12

B-12

04-18-94

09-06-94

98

118

1,100

820

205

175

210

174

190

200

150

78

370

110

42

22

5

2

9.7

10

B-18

B-18

04-18-94

09-06-94

118

96

630

850

163

167

157

168

150

210

63

78

80

100

21

20

1

1

6.1

9.6
62 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

Table 13. Physical properties, and concentrations of major ions and selected trace elements for water samples collected 

from sites in or near the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1994—Continued

[μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; deg C, degrees Celsius; mm, millimeters; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; inst, instantaneous; 

TIT, titration; IT, incremental titration; ANC, acid neutralizing capacity; lab, laboratory; <, less than]

Site

number Date

Bicarbonate,

filtered,

IT, lab

(mg/L as

HCO3)

(00453)

Carbonate,

filtered,

IT, lab

(mg/L as

CO3)

(00452)

Chloride,

filtered

(mg/L

as Cl)

(00940)

Sulfate,

filtered

(mg/L

as SO4)

(00945)

Solids,

sum of

constituents,

filtered

(mg/L)

(70301)

Solids,

residue

at 180

deg C,

filtered

(mg/L)

(70300)

Aluminum,

filtered

(μg/L

as Al)

(01106)

Arsenic,

filtered

(μg/L

as As)

(01000)

Boron,

filtered

(μg/L

as B)

(01020)

Cadmium,

filtered

(μg/L 

as Cd)

(01025)

B-1

B-1

04-18-94

09-06-94

212

202

0

0

5.9

20

610

620

1,010

1,070

1,100

1,090

20

30

1

<1

170

190

<1

<1

B-12

B-12

04-18-94

09-06-94

236

199

6

7

180

17

1,400

830

2,420

1,350

2,610

1,460

<10

<10

<1

1

430

290

<1

<1

B-18

B-18

04-18-94

09-06-94

179

202

10

0

22

17

610

840

1,030

1,350

1,100

1,460

<10

10

10

11

160

250

<1

<1

Site

number Date

Chromium,

filtered

(μg/L

as Cr)

(01030)

Copper,

filtered

(μg/L

as Cu)

(01040)

Lead,

filtered

(μg/L

as Pb)

(01049)

Mercury,

filtered

(μg/L

as Hg)

(71890)

Molybdenum,

filtered

(μg/L

as Mo)

(01060)

Selenium,

filtered

(μg/L

as Se)

(01145)

Uranium,

natural,

filtered

(μg/L

as U)

(22703)

Uranium,

natural,

2 sigma,

filtered,

(μg/L)

(75990)

Vanadium,

filtered

(μg/L

as V)

(01085)

Zinc, 

filtered

(μg/L 

as Zn)

(01090)

B-1

B-1

04-18-94

09-06-94

<1

<1

1

1

<1

<1

<0.1

<.1

1

2

2

<2

6.6

6.0

1.0

.9

1

<1

7.0 

12

B-12

B-12

04-18-94

09-06-94

<1

<1

1

2

<1

<1

<.1

<.1

<1

5

4

2

17

8.6

2.5

1.3

3

1

<10

8.0 

B-18

B-18

04-18-94

09-06-94

<1

<1

1

1

<1

<1

<.1

<.1

3

4

2

4

7.2

10

1.1

1.5

<1

1

8.0 

<3.0 
Supplemental Information - Table 14 63

 Table 14. Concentrations of selected major-ion and trace-element constituents in bottom-sediment samples collected from 

sites in or near the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project in 1994

[bot mat, bottom material; DS, dry sieved; μg/g, micrograms per gram; μm, micrometer; <, less than]

Station

identification

Site

number Date Time

Aluminum,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(percent)

(34790)

Arsenic,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34800)

Barium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34805)

Beryllium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34810)

Bismuth,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34815)

Cadmium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34825)

Calcium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab 

(percent)

(34830)

06428500 B-1 09-08-94 1430 3.1 24 1,300 2 <10 <2 0.53

06436760 B-12 09-06-94 1130 3.8 46 2,400 2 <10 <2 3.3

06437000 B-18 09-06-94 0840 3.2 170 810 <1 <10 <2 2.1

Site

number Date

Cerium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34835)

Chromium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34840)

Cobalt,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34845)

Copper,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34850)

Europium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34855)

Gallium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34860)

Gold,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34870)

Holmium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34875)

Iron,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

percent

(34880)

Lead,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g) 

(34890)

B-1 09-08-94 48 21 17 12 <2 <4 <2 <4 8.2 29

B-12 09-06-94 47 37 15 20 <2 7 <2 <4 7.8 35

B-18 09-06-94 37 20 10 11 <2 7 <2 <4 3.8 22

Site

number Date

Lithium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34895)

Magnesium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(percent)

(34900)

Manganese,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34905)

Molybdenum,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34915)

Nickel,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34925)

Niobium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34930)

Phosphorus,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(percent)

(34935)

Potassium,

bot mat

<62 μm DS

lab

(percent)

(34940)

Scandium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab 

(μg/g)

(34945)

B-1 09-08-94 14 0.24 2,800 6 43 <4 0.12 1.5 4

B-12 09-06-94 23 .72 960 5 41 <4 .25 1.7 6

B-18 09-06-94 12 .32 770 2 21 <4 .11 1.8 3

Site

number Date

Selenium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34950)

Sodium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(percent)

(34960)

Strontium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34965)

Tantalum,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS

lab

(μg/g)

(34975)

Thorium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(34980)

Titanium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(percent)

(49274)

Uranium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(35000)

Vanadium,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(35005)

Zinc,

bot mat,

<62 μm DS,

lab

(μg/g)

(35020)

B-1 09-08-94 <1 0.43 160 <40 6 0.120 <100 58 120

B-12 09-06-94 <1 .52 230 <40 6 .220 <100 120 120

B-18 09-06-94 <1 .54 200 <40 4 .080 <100 48 64
64 Irrigation Drainage Studies, Angostura Reclamation Unit and the Belle Fourche Reclamation Project, SD

 Table 15. Concentrations of selected constituents in composite fish samples collected from sites in or near the Belle Fourche 

Reclamation Project in 1994

[Concentrations in micrograms per gram dry weight]

Station

identification

Site

number

Sampling

period

Sample

number

Common

name Species Age

Length

(millimeters)

Number

of fish in 

sample

06428500 B-1 May 1994 BFR-1-CS White sucker Catostomus 

commersoni

adult 112 - 172 2

B-1 May 1994 BFR-1-FH Flathead chub Platygobio gracilis adult 127 - 183 8

B-1 September 1994 BFR-1-XX Flathead chub Platygobio gracilis adult 91 - 162 11

B-1 September 1994 BFR-1-YY Shorthead redhorse Moxostoma 

macrolepidotum

adult 152 - 243 4

06436760 B-12 May 1994 HC-12-FH Flathead chub Platygobio gracilis subadult 62 - 127 6

B-12 May 1994 H-12-GS Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus adult 89 - 105 2

B-12 September 1994 HC-12-OO Orangespotted sunfish Lepomis humilis subadult 105 1

B-12 September 1994 HC-12-XX Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus adult 246 1

06437000 B-18 May 1994 BFR-18-FH Flathead chub Platygobio gracilis adult 121 - 137 7

B-18 May 1994 BFR-18-L Longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae adult 50 - 75 17

B-18 September 1994 BFR-18-X River carpsucker Carpoides carpio adult 55 - 95 9

B-18 September 1994 BFR-18-Y Sand shiner Notropis stramineus adult 60 - 72 26

Site

number

Sample

number

Common

name

Percent

moisture Aluminum Arsenic Boron Barium Beryllium Cadmium

B-1 BFR-1-CS White sucker 77.7 847 0.5 2 8.4 0.05 0.730

B-1 BFR-1-FH Flathead chub 77.2 86 <.3 <.6 2.4 <.03 .440

B-1 BFR-1-XX Flathead chub 72.7 712 .4 <2 5.8 .03 .234

B-1 BFR-1-YY Shorthead redhorse 71.4 387 .4 <2 29.9 .03 .880

B-12 HC-12-FH Flathead chub 73.9 316 .6 1 6.0 <.03 .059

B-12 H-12-GS Green sunfish 76.2 142 <.3 .9 3.8 <.03 .065

B-12 HC-12-OO Orangespotted sunfish 73.6 51 .3 <2 4.2 <.03 .075

B-12 HC-12-XX Channel catfish 74.0 1,050 .7 3 9.2 .03 .091

B-18 BFR-18-FH Flathead chub 71.2 388 2.9 .7 8.1 <.03 .048

B-18 BFR-18-L Longnose dace 71.9 241 1.5 .8 4.1 <.03 .056

B-18 BFR-18-X River carpsucker 74.9 1,330 16 <2 35.6 <.03 .092

B-18 BFR-18-Y Sand shiner 68.9 230 3.6 <2 9.1 <.03 .090
Supplemental Information - Table 15 65

Table 15. Concentrations of selected constituents in composite fish samples collected from sites in or near the Belle 

Fourche Reclamation Project in 1994—Continued

[Concentrations in micrograms per gram dry weight]

Site

number

Sample

number

Common

name Chromium Copper Iron Mercury Magnesium Manganese Molybdenum

B-1 BFR-1-CS White sucker 1.5 6.5 706 0.090 1,930 79.1 <0.2

B-1 BFR-1-FH Flathead chub .35 3.1 139 .15 1,110 11.9 .2

B-1 BFR-1-XX Flathead chub .62 3.2 411 .088 1,360 29.6 <1

B-1 BFR-1-YY Shorthead redhorse .45 3.5 712 .13 1,770 74.3 <1

B-12 HC-12-FH Flathead chub 1.2 3.5 302 .13 1,330 10.9 <.2

B-12 H-12-GS Green sunfish .40 2.1 135 .17 1,580 27.6 <.2

B-12 HC-12-OO Orangespotted sunfish .35 7.4 73 .26 2,050 24.4 <1

B-12 HC-12-XX Channel catfish 1.7 2.3 624 .30 1,410 23.6 <1

B-18 BFR-18-FH Flathead chub .81 8.3 390 .28 1,380 16.4 <.2

B-18 BFR-18-L Longnose dace .84 8.6 213 .19 1,360 18.5 <.2

B-18 BFR-18-X River carpsucker 1.6 21 1,170 .28 1,880 65.6 <1

B-18 BFR-18-Y Sand shiner .30 2.1 207 .42 1,300 25.1 <1

Site

number

Sample

number

Common

name Nickel Lead Selenium Strontium Vanadium Zinc

B-1 BFR-1-CS White sucker 1.8 0.43 4.6 186 1.2 112

B-1 BFR-1-FH Flathead chub .22 .20 3.3 123 <.2 86.9

B-1 BFR-1-XX Flathead chub .44 .45 3.2 188 1.1 91.0

B-1 BFR-1-YY Shorthead redhorse .20 .09 3.4 263 .7 87.5

B-12 HC-12-FH Flathead chub .94 .28 6.3 148 .9 110

B-12 H-12-GS Green sunfish .36 <.07 6.1 151 .4 95.1

B-12 HC-12-OO Orangespotted sunfish <.06 .10 3.0 253 .7 129

B-12 HC-12-XX Channel catfish .84 .57 2.8 104 3.4 70.1

B-18 BFR-18-FH Flathead chub .45 .20 4.9 160 .8 91.9

B-18 BFR-18-L Longnose dace .48 .09 6.5 173 .5 140

B-18 BFR-18-X River carpsucker .88 .44 5.9 217 3.5 92.1

B-18 BFR-18-Y Sand shiner .10 .06 4.4 151 .6 141