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| Determination of Instream Metal LoadsUsing Tracer-Injection and Synoptic-Sampling Techniques, Wightman Fork, Southwestern Colorado, July 1999 *by* Roderick F. Ortiz
Available from the U.S. Geological Survey, Branch         of Information Services, Box 25286, Denver Federal         Center, Denver, CO 80225, **USGS Water-Resources         Investigations Report 01-4167**, 35 p., 12 figs.

*This document also is available in pdf format:          WRIR 01-4167        (Requires Adobe         Acrobat Reader)*
Abstract
In July 1999, a tracer-injection study was conducted         concurrently with synoptic sampling to generate mass-load         profiles in Wightman Fork near the Summitville Mine         site. The mine site is located in the San Juan Mountains         of southwestern Colorado at an elevation of about         3,500 meters above sea level. Metal loads increased         substantially along the 2,815-meter study reach along         the boundary of the mine site. Spatial determinations         of dissolved aluminum, copper, iron, manganese, and         zinc loads were used to identify potential source         areas to the stream. Overall, four source areas appeared         to contribute most of the specific load at the end         of the study reach. One source area was along a 60-meter         reach downgradient from the toe of the North Waste         Dump that generally corresponded to a region of radial         faults. Another source area was a short reach that         included inputs from the Summitville Water Treatment         Facility and the Pump House Fault. In July 1999,         seepage from the Summitville Dam Impoundment was         a substantial contributor of metal load at the end         of the study reach. Finally, the metal load contributed         along a 60-meter reach that included Cropsy Creek         is considered a substantial source of metal load         to Wightman Fork.

 
Table of Contents
Abstract

Introduction

Purpose and Scope

Description of Study         Area

Study Approach

Background Chloride         Sampling

Tracer Injection

Synoptic Sampling

Tracer-Injection Results

Synoptic-Sampling Results

Metal Loads

Primary Study Reach

Secondary Study Reach

Summary

Selected References

Appendix

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