90

25 25

80 20

26

26 16

85 80

80 16

85 287 14

191 189 14

30 89 89 90

287

287 

### Cody Kane

Basin

Casper Lander Lovell

Laramie Rawlins Worland Buffalo

Cheyenne Evanston Riverton Gillette Sheridan

Wheatland Newcastle

Torrington Thermopolis

Rock Springs Jackson

Douglas

Saratoga Wind River River

River



### Boysen Reservoir River 

### Yellowstone Lake

Jackson Lake

Green River 

### Fontenelle Reservoir

Flaming

Gorge Reservoir River

Belle Fourche River Powder 

### Greybull 

### Shoshone Bighorn Nowood River River Cheyenne

River 

### Platte North River 

### Pathfinder Reservoir Seminoe Reservoir River Laramie S n a k e R i v e r

S w

e 

### e 

### t

w

a t e r 

### Grayrocks Reservoir

0

0 50

50 100 MILES

100 KILOMETERS Base modified from U.S. Geological Survey Digital Chart of the World digital data, 2002 Albers Equal-Area Conic projection, Standard parallels 29 o 30 a and 45 o 30 a

, central meridian -107 o 30 a 

### 06674500 **06664000 06285100** 

**06274300**



### Sampling site and number **EXPLANATION**
**06664000 06279500** 

44° 45° 110° 111° 109° 108° 107° 106° 105 o

43°

42°

41 o 

## North Platte **River Basin Bighorn River**  **Basin**



## Figure 1. Location of sampling sites in the Bighorn and North Platte River Basins, Wyoming. 

## Wyoming Department **of Agriculture**

**U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey**  **Fact Sheet 2007–3017 March 2007**  

## In cooperation with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA) 

# Pesticides in Surface Water in the Bighorn and North Platte **River Basins, Wyoming, 2006**

By Cheryl A. Eddy-Miller, Gregory K. Boughton, and R.E. Woodruff

Printed on recycled paper 

# Introduction

In 2006, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Wyoming Department of Agricul

ture, sampled five surface-water sites in Wyoming—three in the Bighorn River Basin (BRB) and two in the North Platte River Basin (NPRB) (fig. 1). The purpose of the sampling was to describe the occurrence of pesticides in these basins during three different times of the year. This fact sheet presents the results of the sampling.


# Approach

Three samples were collected from each site, one each in March, May, and September 2006 (table 1; fig. 2). The sampling events corre

sponded with pre-application of pes

ticides, post application of pesticides, and late growing season. The samples were collected using standard methods described in the National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (U.S. Geological Survey, 1997 to 2004) and analyzed at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory, to determine the presence and concen

tration of 132 different pesticides and degradation products (table 2) (Fur

long and others, 2001, and Sandstrom and others, 2001). 

# Site Descriptions

Four of the five selected sites were located at the farthest downstream site available on the river in order to integrate drainage from as much land use in the river basin as possible. The fifth site is located on the mainstem of the Bighorn River at Basin (station number 06274300). This additional site on the Bighorn River was selected because of the large drainage area of the river. All sampling locations in the BRB were located at sites with active streamflow-gaging stations. The sampling site near Tor

rington (station number 06674500) in the NPRB was located at an active gaging station. The Laramie River sampling site near Wheatland (station number 06664000), is a historic gaging station, but was not active at the time of sampling. This sampling site is the farthest downstream site on the Laramie River with an active or inactive gaging station, that is upstream from Grayrocks Reservoir.



# Results

Samples collected in both the BRB and NPRB contained detectable concentrations of pesticides for all three sampling events. Eighteen different pesticides and degradation products were detected (table 1). Sixteen different pesticides were detected in water samples collected in the BRB. The most commonly detected pesticide was atrazine, a selective herbicide commonly applied to corn, grains, and sorghum (Meister, 2002), detected at low concentrations in all nine samples collected in the BRB. The pesticide with the largest concentration in the BRB was the herbicide MCPA (trade names**Table 1.**Pesticidesdetectedinsamplesfromfivesurface-watersitesintheBighornandNorthPlatteRiverBasins—March,May,andSeptember2006.[ft3/s, cubic feet per second; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; μg/L, microgram per liter; <, less than, indicates chemical was not detected, and the value following the less than is the laboratoryreporting level; E, value is estimated; M, presence verified but not quantified; tan rows, Bighorn River Basin sites; blue rows, North Platte River Basin sites]**Station name and number Date** **Time (24** **hour) Instantaneous** **discharge (ft** **3 /s)** **Dissolved oxygen,** **(mg/L) pH** **(standard units)** **Specific conductance** **(μS/cm) Water** **temperature (degrees** **Celsius) Aldicarb** **sulfoxide (μg/L)** **Atrazine (μg/L)** **Bentazon (μg/L)** **Bromoxynil (μg/L)** **Carbo furan** **(μg/L) Chloro** **diamino-s triazine** **(μg/L)**Bighorn River at Basin, Wyo.062743003/23/200612001,09011.78.39826.7<0.022E0.006<0.01<0.03<0.02<0.045/18/200610301,6008.48.144516.5E.004E.007<.02E.01<.02<.049/14/2006103056010.08.598416.5E.014E.006M<.04<.02<.04Bighorn River at Kane, Wyo.062795003/23/200617301,23011.28.31,0008.7<.022E.006<.01<.03<.02<.045/18/200614151,9507.98.053920.0E.004.01<.02M<.02<.049/14/200614307109.68.51,03019.0E.013E.006<.02<.04<.02<.04Shoshone River near Lovell,Wyo.062851003/24/2006140042712.08.29098.5<.022E.006<.01<.03<.02<.045/18/200617304309.58.667621.0E.008E.006<.02E.01<.02<.049/14/2006173049010.58.772517.5E.012E.006E.01<.04E.014<.04Laramie River near Wheatland066640003/13/200616451812.58.35303.0<.022<.007<.01<.03<.02<.045/26/200614003.68.18.279022.6<.10<.007<.02<.04<.02<.049/29/200613306.79.38.475015.0<.10E.007<.02<.04<.02<.04North Platte River at WyomingNebraska State line066745003/13/2006121511811.18.19386.5<.022E.007<.01<.03<.02E.055/26/200609301568.38.285917.5<.10E.008<.02<.04<.02<.049/29/200611002608.98.392013.0<.10.009<.02<.04<.02<.04**Station name and number Date** **Time (24** **hour) 2-Chloro** **4-isopropylamino 6-amino-s-triazine** **(μg/L) 4-Chloro** **2-methyl phenol** **(μg/L) Cycloate** **(μg/L) 2,4-D** **(μg/L) EPTC** **(μg/L) Hexa** **zinone (μg/L)** **MCPA (μg/L)** **Meto lachlor** **(μg/L) Metri** **buzin (μg/L)** **Prometon (μg/L)** **Simazine (μg/L)** **Trifluralin (μg/L)** Bighorn River at Basin, Wyo.062743003/23/20061200<0.006<0.006<0.01<0.04<0.004<0.013<0.03<0.006<0.006<0.01<0.005<0.0095/18/20061030<.014E.005<.01E.06E.004<.026.15<.006E.009<.01<.005<.0099/14/20061030E.007<.005<.01E.01<.004<.026<.07<.006<.028M<.005<.009Bighorn River at Kane, Wyo.062795003/23/20061730<.006<.006<.01<.04<.004<.013<.03<.006<.006<.01<.005<.0095/18/20061415<.014E.005<.01E.1<.004<.026.1<.006E.007<.02<.007<.0099/14/20061430E.007<.005<.01<.04<.004<.026<.07E.005<.028.03<.005<.009Shoshone River near Lovell,Wyo.062851003/24/20061400<.006<.006<.01<.04<.004.013<.03E.005<.006<.01<.005<.0095/18/20061730<.014<.005.12E.02.071E.011E.01<.006.13<.01<.005<.0099/14/20061730<.014<.005<.01E.02<.004<.026<.07<.006<.028<.01<.005E.006Laramie River near Wheatland,Wyo.066640003/13/20061645<.006<.006<.01<.04<.004<.013<.03<.006<.006<.01<.005<.0095/26/20061400<.014<.005<.01<.04<.004<.026<.07<.006<.028<.01<.005<.0099/29/20061330<.014<.005<.01<.04<.004<.026<.07E.009<.028E.01.08<.009North Platte River at WyomingNebraska State line066745003/13/20061215E.011<.006<.01<.04<.004.014<.03<.006<.006E.01<.005<.0095/26/20060930E.007<.005<.01<.04E.005E.015<.07E.005<.028<.01<.005<.0099/29/20061100<.014<.005<.01<.04<.004E.013<.07E.007<.028<.01<.005<.009

### 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000 5,500 

### Bighorn River at Kane, Wyo. **Station 06279500** Jan.

Jan. 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 

### Bighorn River at Basin, Wyo. **Station 06274300**DAILY MEAN DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND 

### Oct. Nov. Dec. 2006 2005 Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept.

Oct. Nov. Dec. 2006 2005 Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. 

## Bighorn River Basin sites

Jan. 

### Shoshone River near Lovell, Wyo. **Station 06285100**

0 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000

500 1,000

Oct. Nov. Dec. 2006 2005 Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 2006 2005 Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. 

### North Platte River at Wyoming-Nebraska **State line Station 06674500** 

-200 200

0 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 Oct. Nov. Dec. 2006 2005 Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept.INSTANTANEOUS DISCHARGE,IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND



### 0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 1 4 1 6 1 8 2 0



### Laramie River near **Wheatland, Wyo. Station 06664000** 

**EXPLANATION Dates when sampling occurred** DAILY MEAN DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND 

## North Platte River Basin sites

Jan.



## Figure 2. Daily mean discharge or instantaneous discharge (station 06664000 only) for sampled streams in the Bighorn and North Platte River Basins, water year 2006.

Solve and MCP), which was detected in a May sample at a concen

tration of 0.15 μg/L (micrograms per liter).
Eight different pesticides were detected in water samples collected in the NPRB. The most commonly detected pesticide was atrazine, detected in four of six samples collected in the NPRB. The pesticide with the largest concentration in the NPRB was the selective herbicide simazine (trade names Aquazine and Princep), which was detected in a September sample at a concentration of 0.08 μg/L. 

# References

Furlong, E.T., Anderson, B.D., Werner, S.L., Soliven, P.P., Coffey, L.J., and Burkhardt, M.R., 2001, Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory--Determination of pesticidesin water by graphitized carbon-based solid-phase extraction and highperformance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4134, 73 p. Meister, R.T., 2002, Farm Chemicals Handbook: Willoughby, Ohio, Meis

ter Publishing Co., variable pagination.

## For additional information on the project, visit the USGS **Wyoming Water Science Center web site at http://wy.water. usgs.gov/projects**  / **pesticide/sw/ or contact:**  **Roy Reichenbach Wyoming Department of**  **Agriculture** 2219 Carey Avenue Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002 (307) 777-6590 **Table 2.** Pesticides and degradation products analyzed for in samples.
[Pesticide trade names 1 

### in parentheses if different from pesticide name; pesticides in color were detected in the corresponding basin: tan, Bighorn River Basin; blue, North Platte River Basin; dark red, both basins]

**Pesticide name**
Acetochlor (Guardian, Harness, Relay)
Acifluorfen (Blazer, Tackle 2S, Astic)
Alachlor (Alanex, Lasso, Shroud)
Aldicarb (Temik)
Aldicarb sulfone (Standak, Aldicarb degra

dation product) Aldicarb sulfoxide (Aldicarb degradation

product) **Atrazine (Aatrex, Atranex)**
Azinphos-methyl (Guthion, Crysthyon)
Azinphos-methyl-oxon (Azinphos-methyl

degradation product)

Barban
Bendiocarb (Ficam, Garrox, Turcam)
Benfluralin (Balan, Benefin)
Benomyl (Benlate, Benex)
Bensulfuron-methyl (Escuri, Londax)
Bentazon (Basagram, Bentzone)
Bromacil (Hyvar X)
Bromoxynil (Buctril, Brominal, Agristar)
Carbaryl (Carbatox, Sevin)
Carbofuran (Furadan, Futura)
Chloramben, methyl ester (Chloramben)
Chlordiamino-s-triazine {CAAT} (Atrazine

degradation product) Chlorimuron-ethyl (Classic, Darban, Lory)
2-Chloro-2,6-diethylacetanilide (Alachlor

degradation product)**2-Chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s**

**triazine {CIAT} (Atrazine degrada**

  ** tion product)** 2-Chloro-6-ethylamino-4-amino-s-triazine

{CEAT} (Atrazine degradation product) 4-Chloro-2-methylphenol (MCPA degrada

tion product) 3(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-methyl urea (Diuron

degradation product) Chlorpyrifos (Dursban, Lorsban)
Clopyralid (Stinger, Lontrel)
Cyanazine (Bladex)
Cycloate (Ro-Neet) 

### Pesticide name
Cyfluthrin (Decathlon)
Cypermethrin
2,4-D (Dacamine, Weed-B-Gon)
2,4-D methyl ester
2,4-DB (Butoxone, Butyrac)

Dacthal
Dacthal monoacid (Dacthal degradation

product) Desulfinylfipronil (Fipronil degradation

product) Desulfinylfipronil amide (Fipronil degrada

tion product) Diazinon (Basudin, Spectracide, Knoxout)
Dicamba (Banvel, Banex)
3,4-Dichloroaniline (Chloramben degrada

tion product) 3,5-Dichloroaniline (Diuron degradation

product) Dichlorprop (Weedone, Polymone)
Dichlorvos (DDVP)
Dicrotophos (Bidrin)
Dieldrin (Panoram D-31, Octalox)
2,6-Diethylaniline (Alachlor degradation

product) Dimethoate (Trounce)
Dinoseb (Premerge)
Diphenamid (Dymid, Enide)
Disulfoton (Di-Syston)
Disulfoton sulfone (Disulfoton degradation

product) Diuron (Durashield, Karmex)
alpha-Endosulfan (Thiodan, Tiovel)
Endosulfan sulfate (alpha-Endosulfan

degradation product) **EPTC (Eptam, Eradicane)**
Ethion (Ethanox, Rhodocide)
Ethoprophos (Mocap, Prophos)
2-Ethyl-6-methylaniline (Metalachlor

degradation product) Fenamiphos
Fenamiphos sulfone (Fenamiphos degrada

tion product) 

### Pesticide name
Fenamiphos sulfoxide (Fenamiphos degra

dation product)

Fenuron
Fipronil (Regent)
Fipronil sulfide (Fipronil degradation

product) Fipronil sulfone (Fipronil degradation

product) Flumetsulam (Broadstrike)
Fluometuron (Cotoran)
Fonofos (Dyfonate)
**Hexazinone (Velpar)**
3-Hydroxycarbofuran (Carbofuran degra

dation product) 2-Hydroxy-4-isopropylamino-6-ethyl

amino-s-triazine {OIET} (Atrazine degradation product) Imazaquin (Scepter)
Imazethapyr (New Path, Pursuit)
Imidacloprid (Admire, Provado)
Iprodione (Kidan)
Isofenphos (Oftanol, Lighter)
lambda-Cyhalothrin (Charge, Karate)
Linuron (Linurex, Lorox)
Malaoxon (Malathion degradation product)
Malathion (Cythion, Malaspray)
MCPA (Solve, MCP)
MCPB (Butoxone M40, Thistrol)
Metalaxyl (Apron, Ridamil, Subdue)
Methidathion (Supra)
Methiocarb (Mesurol)
Methomyl (Lannate, Nudrin)
**Metolachlor (Bicep, Dual)**
Metribuzin (Lexone, Sencor)
Metsulfuron methyl (Ally, Escort)
Molinate (Hydram, Ordram)
Myclobutanil (Eagle, Nova)
1-Naphthol (Carbaryl degradation product)
Neburon (Granurex, Propuron) 

### Pesticide name
Nicosulfuron (Accent, OneHope)
Norflurazon (Zorial, Solicam)
Oryzalin (Surflan)
Oxamyl (Vydate)
Oxyfluorfen (Offside, Goal)
Paraoxon-methyl (Parathion-methyl degra

dation product) Parathion-methyl (Alkron, Bladan, Fighter)
Pendimethalin (Prowl, Stomp)

cis -Permethrin (Ambush, Pounce)
Phorate (Thimet, Rampart)
Phosmet (Imidan)
Picloram (Tordon)
**Prometon (Pramitol, Gesafram)**
Prometryn (Cotton-pro)
Propanil (Stamp)
Propargite (Comite, Omite)
Propham (Chem Hoe)
Propiconazole (Banner)

cis -Propiconazole (Banner)

trans -Propiconazole (Banner)
Propoxur (Baygone, Suncide)
Propyzamide (Kerb)
Siduron (Tupersan)
Simazine (Aquazine, Princep)
Sulfometuron-methyl (Oust)

2,4,5-T
Tebuconazole (Elite)
Tebuthiuron (Graslan, Spike)
Tefluthrin (Force)
Terbacil (Sinbar, Herbicide 732)
Terbufos (Counter, Contraven)
Terbuthylazine (Gardoprim)
Thiobencarb (Bolero, Saturn)
Tribufos (DEF 6)
Triclopyr (Garlon)
Trifluralin (Treflan, Trim)



## Cheryl A. Eddy-Miller **U.S. Geological Survey** 2617 E. Lincolnway, Suite B Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 (307) 778-2931 **Email:** cemiller@usgs.gov 1 

### The use of trade, product, industry, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government or the Wyoming State Government.



## Sandstrom, M.W., Stroppel, M.E., Foreman, W.T., and Schroeder, M.P.,

2001, Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory—Determination of moderate-use pesticides and selected degradates in water by C-18 solid-phase extraction and gaschromatography/mass spectrometry: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 01– 4098, 70 p. U.S. Geological Survey, 1997 to 2004, National field manual for the col

lection of water-quality data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chaps. A1-A9, 2 v., variously paged. [Also available online at http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A

. Chapters originally were published from 1997–1999; updates and revi

sions are ongoing and are summarized at: http://water.usgs.gov/owq/ FieldManual/mastererrata.html ]