QUALITY OF WATER

COLORADO RIVER BASIN

Progress Report No. 25

U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Reclamation

Upper Colorado Region 2017
Mission Statements

The U.S. Department of the Interior protects and manages the nation’s natural resources 

and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and 

honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska 

Natives, and affiliated island communities. 

The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and 

related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of 

the American public. 
iii

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Af acre feet

ACEC Area of critical environmental concern

AMD acid mine drainage

ARC Application Review Committee

BLM Bureau of Land Management

BSP Basin State Program

CFS Cubic feet per second

CRB Colorado River Basin

CWP Colorado Parks and Wildlife

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

EQIP Environmental Quality Incentives Program

FLPMA Federal Land Management Policy Act of 1976

FOA Funding Opportunity Announcement

Forum Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum

FWS Fish and Wildlife Service

GLCA Glen Canyon Recreation Area

GKM Gold King Mine

Maf million acre feet

MWD Metropolitan Water District

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NPS National Park Service

NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service

PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction

PPM Parts per Million

Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation

Review 2014 Review, Water Quality Standards for Salinity, Colorado 

River System

RFP Request for Proposal

SCP Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program

Secretary Secretary of Interior

TDS Total Dissolved Solids (salinity)

TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load

UCRB Upper Colorado River Basin

UDAF Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

USBR United States Bureau of Reclamation

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

USDI United States Department of Interior

USGS United States Geologic Survey

WMIDD Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation & Drainage District

WWDC Wyoming Water Development Commission
iv
v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY __________________________________________________________________ 1

CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION __________________________________________________ 3

CHAPTER 2 – SALINITY CONDITIONS __________________________________________ 5

CAUSES OF SALINITY _______________________________________________________ 5

ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF SALINITY ____________________________________________ 6

HISTORICAL SALINITY CONDITIONS ___________________________________________ 7

FACTORS INFLUENCING SALINITY ____________________________________________ 8

Streamflow _______________________________________________________________ 8

Reservoir Storage__________________________________________________________ 9

FUTURE WATER DEVELOPMENT_____________________________________________ 12

COMPLIANCE WITH THE SALINITY STANDARDS________________________________ 15

SALINITY CONTROL ________________________________________________________ 16

CHAPTER 3 – TITLE I SALINITY CONTROL PROGRAM _____________________________ 19

Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District (WMIDD) _________________________ 20

CHAPTER 4 - TITLE II SALINITY CONTROL PROGRAM _____________________________ 21

U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ________________________________________ 22

Program Administration ____________________________________________________ 22

Basin Wide Activities ______________________________________________________ 22

State Activities since last Progress Report______________________________________ 26

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) __________________________________________ 35

New Salinity Projects and Investigations _______________________________________ 36

Monitoring and Evaluation __________________________________________________ 38

Active Salinity Control Projects_______________________________________________ 38

Bureau of Reclamation _______________________________________________________ 46

Basinwide Salinity Control Program (Basinwide Program) _________________________ 46

Basin State Program (BSP) _________________________________________________ 50

Paradox Valley Unit _________________________________________________________ 53

Alternative Study__________________________________________________________ 56

Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program Summary Data _______________________ 57

CHAPTER 5 - OTHER WATER QUALITY RELATED ISSUES__________________________ 62

REFERENCES CITED _________________________________________________________ 67

GENERAL REFERENCES _____________________________________________________ 71

APPENDIX A ________________________________________________________________ 77

SALINITY MONITORING STATION INFORMATION _______________________________ 77

APPENDIX B ________________________________________________________________ 80

SALT LOAD 2014 UPDATE FOR THE 20 STATIONS ______________________________ 80

APPENDIX C ________________________________________________________________ 90

REGRESSION STATISTICS FOR 2014 SLOAD___________________________________ 90
vi

APPENDIX D _______________________________________________________________ 119

20 Station Flow and Salt over Time ____________________________________________ 119

TABLES

Table 1 – Quantified Sources of Salt Loading ................................................................. 6

Table 2 – Upper Basin Depletion Projections .................................................................. 14

Table 3 – Lower Basin Depletion Projections .................................................................. 15

Table 4 – Salinity Control Requirements through 2015 ..................................................... 17

Table 5 – WMIDD Drainage Efficiency .......................................................................... 20

Table 6 – Active Salinity Control Projects ....................................................................... 38

Table 7 – USDA Salinity Control Unit Summary, 2015 ...................................................... 46

Table 8 – Paradox Well Injection Evaluation ................................................................... 54

Table 9 – Summary of Federal Salinity Control Program, 2015 ........................................... 58

Table 10 – Summary of CRBSCP Basin Funds, 2005-2015 ............................................... 59

Table 11 – UCRB Agriculture Salinity Control Summary ................................................... 61

Table A1 – Characteristics of the 20 Streamflow Gages ................................................... 78

FIGURES

Figure 1 - Salinity Sources .......................................................................................... 5

Figure 2 –Salinity Damages ......................................................................................... 7

Figure 3 – Colorado River TDS .................................................................................... 8

Figure 4 – Colorado River Flow and TDS ....................................................................... 9

Figure 5 – Salinity below Glen Canyon Dam ................................................................... 9

Figure 6 – Lake Powell Forebay TDS ........................................................................... 10

Figure 7 – Lake Powell Inflow and Outflow Salt Loading and Flow ...................................... 11

Figure 8 – Lake Powell Inflow and Outflow TDS .............................................................. 11

Figure 9 – Historic and Modeled Consumptive Use ......................................................... 13

Figure 10 – Title I Salinity Control Projects ..................................................................... 19

Figure 11 – Title II Salinity Control Projects .................................................................... 21

Figure 12 – Relationship between Range Runoff and Salt Loading ...................................... 23
vii

Figures Continued

Figure 13 – Colorado River Basin Range Status ............................................................. 25

Figure 14 – Basin A .................................................................................................. 28

Figure 15 – Basin B .................................................................................................. 29

Figure 16 – Large Rock Barbs .................................................................................... 31

Figure 17 – Typical Grazing Exclosure .......................................................................... 33

Figure 18 – Henrys Fork Salinity .................................................................................. 36

Figure 19 – West Blacks Fork Salinity ........................................................................... 37

Figure 20 – Grand Valley Salinity ................................................................................. 39

Figure 21 – Lower Gunnison Salinity ............................................................................ 40

Figure 22 – Mancos River Salinity ................................................................................ 40

Figure 23 – McElmo Creek Salinity .............................................................................. 41

Figure 24 – Silt Salinity .............................................................................................. 41

Figure 25 – Uinta Basin Salinity ................................................................................... 42

Figure 26 – Price San Rafael Salinity ........................................................................... 43

Figure 27 – Muddy Creek Salinity ................................................................................ 43

Figure 28 – Green River Salinity ................................................................................. 44

Figure 29 – Manilla – Washam Salinity ......................................................................... 45

Figure 30 – Big Sandy Salinity .................................................................................... 45

Figure 31 – Paradox Valley ........................................................................................ 53

Figure 32 – Schematic of Paradox Valley Project ............................................................ 53

Figure 33 – Salt Load ................................................................................................ 61

Figure 34 – Animas River .......................................................................................... 63

Figure 35 – Mussel Encrusted Chair, Lake Powell .......................................................... 64

Figure 36 – Wheel Gate and Rock Wall with Mussels, Lake Powell .................................... 65

Figure A1 – Colorado River Water Quality Monitoring 20 Stations Location .......................... 77

Figure A2 – Colorado River Basin Flows and Salinity ...................................................... 79

Figure D1 – Flow and TDS over Time for Sites 1-4 ........................................................ 120

Figure D2 – Flow and TDS over Time for Sites 5-8 ........................................................ 121

Figure D3 – Flow and TDS over Time for Sites 9-12 ...................................................... 122

Figure D4 – Flow and TDS over Time for Sites 13-16 ..................................................... 123

Figure D5 – Flow and TDS over Time for Sites 17-20 ..................................................... 124
1

SUMMARY

The Colorado River and its tributaries provide 

water to about 35 - 40 million people and irrigation 

water to nearly 4.5 million acres of land in the 

United States (Moving Forward, 2015;). The river 

also serves about 3.3 million people and 500,000 

acres in Mexico (Cohen, 2011). The effect of 

salinity is a major concern in both the United 

States and Mexico. Salinity damages in the United 

States are presently estimated to be about $382

million per year at 2014 salinity concentrations, 

which includes 1.3 million tons of implemented 

salinity controls. This biennial report on the quality 

of water in the Colorado River Basin is required by 

Public Laws 84-485, 87-483, and the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act (Salinity 

Control Act) (Public Law 93-320, as amended by Public Laws 98-569, 104-20, 104-127, 

and 106-459).

The Salinity Control Act authorizes the Secretaries of the U.S. Department of the Interior 

(Interior) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enhance and protect the quality 

of water available in the Colorado River for use in the United States and the Republic of 

Mexico. 

Title I of the Salinity Control Act authorized the construction and operation of a desalting 

plant, brine discharge canal, and other features to 

enable the United States to deliver water to 

Mexico having an average salinity no greater 

than 115 parts per million (ppm) plus or minus 

30 ppm over the annual average salinity of the 

Colorado River at Imperial Dam. The Title I 

program (administered by the Bureau of 

Reclamation [Reclamation]) continues to meet 

the requirements of Minute No. 242 of the 

International Boundary and Water Commission, 

United States and Mexico. 

Title II of the Salinity Control Act authorizes the 

Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) and the Secretary of Agriculture to implement the

Title II, Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program (SCP). Through a broad range of 

specific and general salinity control measures the Salinity Control Program prevents 

further degradation of water quality to meet the objectives and standards set by the Clean 

Water Act. Salinity control measures implemented by Reclamation, Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM), and USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Salinity damages to municipal water pipe.

Salinity damages to crop production.
2

through the Salinity Control Program are currently (2015) controlling over 1.3 million

tons of salt per year from entering the Colorado River System.

The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum (Forum) in accordance with the 

requirements of the Clean Water Act, prepared the “2014 Review, Water Quality 

Standards for Salinity, Colorado River System” (Review) (Colorado River Salinity 

Control Forum, 2014). The Review reported that by 2035 a target of 1.68 million tons per 

year of salt will need to be controlled from entering the Colorado River system in order to 

meet the water quality standards in the Lower Basin, below Lees Ferry, AZ. This 

program goal is the combined target for the Forum and participating agencies within 

Interior and USDA. In order to meet the 1.68 million tons of salt per year goal, it will be 

necessary to fund and implement potential new measures which ensure the removal of an 

approximate additional 340,000 tons by 2035. 

With the reported existing salt controlled, and assuming no reduction of the existing 

salinity control projects, then over 17,000 tons of new or additional controls will need to 

be implemented each year to maintain the standards with increased future water 

development.

The Upper Colorado River Basin regularly experiences significant year to year 

hydrologic variability. During the recent 16-year period 2000 to 2015, however, the 

unregulated inflow to Lake Powell, which is a good measure of hydrologic conditions in 

the Colorado River Basin, was above average in only 3 out of the past 16 years. This has 

been the lowest 16-year period since the closure of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, with an 

average unregulated inflow of 8.51 maf, or 79% of the 30-year average (1981-2010). For 

comparison, the 1981-2010 total water year average is 10.83 maf. The unregulated inflow 

during the 2000-2015 period has ranged from a low of 2.64 maf (24% of average) in 

water year 2002 to a high of 15.97 maf (147% of average) in water year 2011. The water 

year 2015 unregulated inflow volume to Lake Powell was 10.17 maf (94% of average), 

which, though still below average, was significantly higher than inflows observed in 2012 

and 2013 (45% and 47% of average, respectively). At the end of water year 2015, total 

system storage in the Colorado River Basin was 30.3 maf (51% of 59.6 maf total system 

capacity). Since the beginning of water year 2000, total Colorado Basin storage has 

experienced year to year increases and decreases in response to wet and dry hydrology, 

ranging from a high of 94% of capacity at the beginning of 2000 to a low of 50% of 

capacity at the beginning of water year 2005. One wet year can significantly increase 

total system reservoir storage, just as persistent dry years can draw down the system 

storage.

Salinity concentration has varied during this recent period (with a downward trend), but 

has not exceeded the numeric salinity criteria on the Colorado River below Hoover Dam, 

Parker Dam and at Imperial Dam; 723, 747 & 879 mg/L respectively. Reclamation’s 

short term future salinity modeling scenarios indicate that the numeric salinity criteria 

should be maintained even with an additional 1-2 years of drought. The salinity criteria 

could have been exceeded in 2005 - 2007 without the Salinity Control Program and other 

salt reductions. Nevertheless, salinity damages are still very high at the 2015 salinity 

levels. 
3

CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION

Reclamation prepared this report in cooperation with State water resource agencies and 

other Federal agencies involved in the Salinity Control Program. This Progress Report 25

is the latest in a series of biennial reports that commenced in 1963. 

The authorization for these reports and the legal aspects can be found in Chapter 1 of 

prior Progress Reports http://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/salinity/pdfs/PR24final.pdf
4

This Page Intentionally Left Blank
5

CHAPTER 2 – SALINITY CONDITIONS

CAUSES OF SALINITY

The Colorado River System is naturally very saline. Historically at the United States 

Geologic Survey (USGS) gauge below Hoover Dam, between 1940 and 1980, an annual 

average of approximately 9.3 million tons of salt was carried down the river. From 2005 

to 2015, an annual average of approximately 7.5 million tons of salt are being measured 

in the river, including years of high flows and drought, with the trend going down. The 

flow of the river dilutes this salt, and depending upon the quantity of flow, salinity can be 

relatively dilute or concentrated. Since climatic conditions directly affect the flow in the 

river, salinity in any one year may double (or halve) due to extremes in runoff. Because 

this natural variability is virtually uncontrollable, the seven Basin States adopted a nondegradation water quality standard.

Nearly half of the salinity concentration in the Colorado River System is from natural 

sources. Saline springs, erosion of saline geologic formations, and runoff all contribute to 

this background salinity. The EPA (EPA, 1971) estimated that the natural salinity in the 

Lower Colorado River at Imperial Dam was 334 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Irrigation, 

reservoir evaporation, and municipal and industrial (M&I) sources make up the balance 

of the salinity in the Colorado River Basin. 

Figure 1 shows the relative amount each 

source contributes to the salinity of the 

Colorado River, as estimated by the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 

1973. Table 1, on the following page, 

quantifies the salinity from several of the 

known sources.

Salinity of the Colorado River has increased 

due to the development of water resources in 

two major ways: (1) the addition of salts from 

water use and (2) the consumption (depletion) 

of water. The combined effects of water use 

and consumption have had a significant 

impact on salinity in the Colorado River 

Basin. The basin-wide drought, since 1999, 

has also had an influence on the present salinity of the Colorado River. 

Any potential health concerns from the salinity levels in the Colorado River have 

previously been addressed in the health section of Progress Report 21

http://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/salinity/pdfs/PR21.pdf

Natural

47%

M&I

4%

Reservoir

12%

Irrigation

37%

Sources of Salinity

Figure 1 – Salinity Sources
6

Table 1 – 1971 Quantified Sources of Salt Loading

ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF SALINITY

Salinity related damages are primarily economical and due to reduced agricultural crop 

yields, corrosion, and plugging of pipes and water fixtures in housing and industry. 

Figure 2 breaks down the percentage of total damages. The seven Basin States have 

agreed to limit this impact and adopted numeric criteria, which require that salinity 

concentrations not increase (from the 1972 levels) due to future water development. 

Salinity levels measured in the river may be low or high due to hydrologic conditions, but 

the goal of the Water Quality Criteria for the Colorado River Basin and the Salinity 

Control Program is to offset (eliminate/reduce) the salinity effects of additional water 

development.

Reclamation has developed an economic model that calculates damages for a given level 

of salt. The Salinity Damages Model estimates the quantitative damages that are incurred 

in the metropolitan and agricultural areas in the lower Colorado Basin that receive 

Source

Type of

Source

Salt Loading

(tons per year)

Paradox Springs Springs / point 205,000 

Dotsero Springs Springs / point 182,600

Glenwood Springs Springs / point 335,000

Steamboat Springs Springs / point 8,500

Pagosa Springs Springs / point 7,300

Sinbad Valley Springs / point 6,500

Meeker Dome Springs / point 57,000 

Other minor springs in the Upper Basin Springs / point 19,600

Blue Springs Springs / point 550,000

La Verkin Springs Springs / point 109,000

Grand Valley Irrigation / non-point 580,000

Big Sandy Irrigation / non-point 164,000

Uncompahgre Project Irrigation / non-point 360,000 

McElmo Creek Irrigation / non-point 119,000

Price-San Rafael Irrigation / non-point 258,000 

Uinta Basin mostly irrigation / non-point 240,000

Dirty Devil River Area Irrigation / non-point 150,000

Price-San Rafael Area Irrigation / non-point 172,000 

Other, non-regulated areas Various 5,200,000

Total 8,724,000

Values listed are pre salinity control project loading 
7

Colorado River 

water. The model 

estimates the 

impacts from 

salinity levels 

greater than 500 

mg/L TDS on 

household water 

using appliances, 

damages in the 

commercial sector, 

industrial sector, 

water utilities, and 

agricultural crop 

revenues. It also 

estimates the 

additional costs 

related to meeting 

state wide water 

quality standards for ground water and recycled water use in the MWD service area.

In FY14 the Salinity Damages Model was updated with actual 2010 data and projections 

on 5-year intervals to 2040 (BOR, 2014). 

HISTORICAL SALINITY CONDITIONS

Salinity in the Colorado River is monitored at 20 key stations throughout the Colorado 

River Basin. A map of station location is presented in Appendix A. Salt loads and 

concentrations are calculated from daily conductivity and flow records using methods 

developed jointly between Reclamation and USGS (Liebermann et al., 1986), Appendix 

B provides a methods summary. Historical annual streamflow, and salinity concentrations 

from 1940 through 2013 are included in graphical form in Appendix C. Monthly and 

annual data may be obtained by request from Reclamation, Salt Lake City, Utah or by 

going to Reclamation’s Upper Colorado Regional Office Salinity Program web page; 

http://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/salinity/index.html. 

The salinity of the 3 lower basin compact points (Hoover, Parker and Imperial Dams)

since 1940 is shown in Figure 3. As Figure 3 shows, the last time the TDS exceeded or 

reached the salinity criteria at any of the compact points, was in 1972 – the year that the 

salinity standard was established for the Colorado River.

Figure 2 - Salinity Damages

73%

16%

4%

2% 2% 3%

2014 Quantified Economic Damages 

$382 million / Year

Agriculture $280 m

Household $62 m

Commercial $15 m

Utility $8 m

Industrial $8 m

Other $10 m

existing salinity control measures only
8

Figure 3 – Colorado River TDS

FACTORS INFLUENCING SALINITY

Stream flow, reservoir storage, water resource development, salinity control, climatic 

conditions, and natural runoff directly influence salinity in the Colorado River Basin. 

Before water development, the salinity of spring runoff was often below 200 mg/L 

throughout the Colorado River Basin. However, salinity in the lower mainstem was often 

well above 1,000 mg/L during the low flow months (most of the year), since no 

reservoirs existed to catch and store the spring runoff.

Streamflow

Streamflow directly influences salinity. For the most part, higher flows (or reservoir 

releases) dilute salinity. The top graph in Figure 4 shows streamflow at two key points in 

the mainstem. In 1983, Lake Powell (Glen Canyon Dam) filled for the first time and 

spilled.

This spill went through Lake Mead (Hoover Dam) and on downstream through Imperial 

Dam. In 1983 and on through 1987, flows in the system were again extremely high and 

sustained, reducing salinity to historic lows. As shown in the bottom graph of Figure 4, 

returning to average flows in the system after 1987 returned the salinity in the reservoir 

system to average levels.

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

TDS (mg/L)

Colorado River TDS @ Compact Points 

Below Hoover Below Parker

At Imperial Hoover Criteria

Parker Criteria Imperial Criteria
9

Reservoir Storage 

The Colorado River Storage Project 

Reservoirs produce not only major 

hydrologic modifications downstream, 

but they also significantly alter the 

salinity variability of the downstream 

river. The overall long term salinity 

effects of the reservoirs are beneficial 

and have greatly reduced the salinity 

peaks and annual fluctuation (Figure 5). 

The high concentration low flow waters 

are mixed with low concentration spring 

runoff, reducing the month-to-month 

variation in salinity below dams 

(Mueller et al., 1988). At Glen Canyon 

Dam, the pre and post dam peak 

monthly salinity has been reduced by 

nearly 600 mg/L. Similar effects can be 

seen below Flaming Gorge, Navajo, and 

Hoover Dams, greatly improving the 

quality of water during the summer, fall 

and winter.

Large reservoirs like Lake Powell 

selectively route less saline water while 

holding more saline waters during low 

inflow periods. The poorer quality 

waters are then slowly released after the 

inflows have begun to increase, which 

helps to prevent exceeding the salinity 

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Monthly Salinity (mg/L)

Salinity Below Glen Canyon Dam 

Dam closure and reservoir 

storage in mid-1960's reduced 

variation in salinity at Lees Ferry

1964

Figure 5 – Salinity below Glen Canyon Dam

Figure 4- Colorado River Flow and TDS

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1970 1990 2010

TDS (mg/L)

Mainstem Salinity

Hoover Powell

Imperial

0

5

10

15

20

25

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Flow (maf/yr)

Mainstem Flows

Powell

Imperial
10

criteria during drought years. The large reservoirs selectively retain higher salinity winter 

inflows in the bottom of the pool and route lower salinity overflow density currents from 

the spring runoff. The seasonal and long term effects of this selective retention and 

routing of salt has been shown below Glen Canyon Dam in Figure 5.

Figure 6 further displays this retention. Figure 6 is a long-term depth vs. time profile of 

salinity in the forebay of Glen Canyon Dam and is an illustrated history of the salinity. 

The Y (vertical) axis is depth in the water column and the X axis is time in years. The 

color scale is the change in salinity.

Figure 6 - Lake Powell TDS

Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate that Glen Canyon Dam causes Lake Powell to selectively 

retain higher salinity water during drier years of drought, and then routes it out with the 

increased mixing and shorter hydraulic retention times of wetter cycles as seen 

particularly in 1983 and 1999. During these wetter cycles there is a significant mixing 

and dilution of these previously stored salts.

There are 4 periods or trends, with regards to salt loads and concentration, which can be 

seen in the Colorado River salinity for the inflow to and outflow from Lake Powell which 

can be seen in Figures 7 & 8 (yellow and green trend lines). The overall inflow line (red) 

in Figures 7 & 8 is the sum of TDS for the inflow stations to Lake Powell; Colorado 

River at Cisco, Green River at Green River, UT, San Rafael River near Green River and 
11

Figure 7 – Lake Powell Inflow and Outflow Salt Loading and Flow

Figure 8 – Lake Powell Inflow and Outflow TDS

San Juan River near Bluff. The overall outflow line (blue) is the TDS load and dam 

period, 1950 – 1964, the average salinity trend was increasing with divergence between 

the average annual inflow and outflow salinity levels and the inflow concentration 
12

generally being less than the outflow concentration. This difference between outflow and 

inflow may be impacted by the beginning hydraulic conditions, since the actual annual 

levels appear to track each other fairly closely.

Next there was the dam filling period where Lake Powell and the Upper Basin reservoirs 

were completed and filling, 1965-1983. The average annual salinity during this time

decreased with a convergence occurring between the inflow and outflow concentrations.

The outflow concentration decreased more than the inflow concentration, which could be 

due to the reservoir storing the higher TDS waters. Then there was the period, 1983 to 

2000, when the basin hydrology went through both wet and dry periods and the salinity 

control projects in the upper basin were coming online. The declining trend of the 

average annual salinity concentration over this time is seen to be constant between the 

inflow and outflow stations. Since 1980 there appears to be an equilibrium between the

salt entering the reservoir and what is being released. The last period, since 2000, covers

the basinwide drought. The trend shows that the inflow TDS has declined, while the 

outflow TDS from Lake Powell has stayed constant with the 1983 to present TDS trend.

Lake Powell (and other reservoirs in the basin) went through an initial filling salt leach 

out which actually began with temporary water retention behind the coffer dam during 

construction in the mid 1950’s. Long-term linear regression trend lines on the inflow and 

outflow salinity concentrations at Lake Powell indicate that internal salt leaching seems 

to have declined to a minimum by the mid-1990’s suggesting a long-term salinity leach 

out which is approaching a dynamic equilibrium (Figures 7 & 8, red and blue trend line).

The natural variation in salinity as well as the agricultural sources, energy development, 

and the municipal and industrial use impacts on salinity have been discussed in the prior 

Progress Report 24 http://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/salinity/pdfs/PR24final.pdf

FUTURE WATER DEVELOPMENT 

Tables 8 and 9 summarize the projected demand scenarios used by Reclamation to 

evaluate the effects of water use and depletions in the recently completed Colorado River 

Basin Study (Reclamation, 2012). These water demand estimates were compiled as an 

initial step in the evaluation process and have not yet been updated. 

Table 8 summarizes the projected demand by water uses in the Upper Colorado River 

Basin as adopted for planning purposes in the Colorado River Basin Water Supply and 

Demand Study, Technical Report C – Water Demand Assessment December 2012. 

Figure 10 illustrates the historical annual consumptive use by water uses in the Upper 

Basin as reported in Reclamation’s Colorado River System Consumptive Uses and Losses 

Reports (CUL), and the total projected demands by water uses in the Upper Basin that are 

included as input into Reclamation’s Colorado River System Simulation (CRSS) model

with 3 scenarios for projected water use (Technical Report C, 2012). The consumptive 

uses and projected demands shown in Figure 9 exclude evaporation losses from Lake 

Powell, Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Aspinall Unit reservoirs, which along with 
13

evaporation losses from Colorado River mainstem reservoirs in the Lower Basin are 

modeled within CRSS.

The annual depletions for the Lower Colorado River Basin shown in Table 9 include only 

depletions resulting from the use of water from the mainstem of the Lower Colorado 

River. Reclamation’s CRSS model does not model or include as input consumptive uses 

made from tributaries to the Colorado River within the Lower Colorado River Basin. 

Fixed inflow values are used in the CRSS model for the Lower Basin tributaries. More 

detailed data on historical Colorado River Basin consumptive uses and losses (including 

tributary uses in the Lower Basin and reservoir evaporation losses) may be found in 

Reclamation’s Colorado River System Consumptive Uses and Losses Reports or on the 

web at: www.usbr.gov/uc/library/envdocs/reports/crs/crsul.html

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1960 1980 2000 2020 2040 2060

maf/yr

Historic and Modeled Projected Upper

Colorado River Basin Consumptive Use

Tech Rept C

CUL

excludes CRSP reservoir evaporation

Scenario C1 Scenario A

Scenario B

Figure 9 – Historic and Modeled Consumptive Use
14

Table 2 - Upper Basin Total Projected Depletion Demand Scenarios (1000 af/yr)

UPPER BASIN 20151 20351 20601 20152 20352 20602 20153 20353 20603

Arizona 

Agricultural 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Municipal and Industrial 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Energy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Minerals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Fish, Wildlife and Recreation 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Tribal 44 43 43 38 55 71 44 43 43

Total Potential Colorado River Demand 46 46 46 40 57 73 46 46 46

Colorado

Agricultural 1,875 1,875 1,875 1,875 1,791 1,728 1,875

 

1,875 1875

Municipal and Industrial 455 617 732 455 579 1,007 455 555 661

Energy 30 78 118 30 65 66 30 51 58

Minerals 32 59 60 32 65 66 31 59 60

Fish, Wildlife and Recreation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Tribal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Potential Colorado River Demand 2,391 2,629 2,784 2,391 2,535 2,979 2,391 2,540 2,653

New Mexico

Agricultural 111 111 111 111 111 111 111 111 111

Municipal and Industrial 141 183 230 141 187 293 141 153 169

Energy 40 42 42 40 42 42 40 42 42

Minerals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Fish, Wildlife and Recreation 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Tribal 303 363 367 309 413 529 303 363 367

Total Potential Colorado River Demand 600 703 754 606 758 979 600 673 693

Utah

Agricultural 457 459 493 457 446 466 457 458 492

Municipal and Industrial 236 311 342 236 341 409 236 280 274

Energy 47 53 60 47 55 66 47 53 60

Minerals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Fish, Wildlife and Recreation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Tribal 259 259 259 272 299 337 170 241 259

Total Potential Colorado River Demand 999 1,082 1,154 1,012 1,141 1,277 911 1,033 1,084

Wyoming

Agricultural 398 402 406 400 410 423 400 410 423

Municipal and Industrial 30 47 67 30 57 74 28 32 36

Energy 52 65 65 52 103 171 52 65 65

Minerals 29 42 59 34 57 91 29 42 59

Fish, Wildlife and Recreation 2 10 10 2 10 10 2 10 10

Tribal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Potential Colorado River Demand 511 566 606 518 637 769 512 559 592

Note 1: These demand scenarios do not attempt to interpret the Colorado River Compact, the Upper Colorado River 

Basin Compact, or any other element of the “Law of the River.” These scenarios should not be construed as an 

acceptance of any assumption that limits the Upper Colorado River Basin’s depletion.

Note 2: These demand scenarios are for planning purposes only. Their estimates do not constitute an endorsement of 

the Bureau of Reclamation’s 2007 Hydrologic Determination and should not be construed as in any way limiting the 

Upper Division States use of Colorado River water in accordance with the Commission’s resolution of 6/5/06.

Note 3: These demand scenarios exclude shared CRSP evaporation.

Option 1 . Scenario A; (Current projected use), continuation of growth, development patterns, and institutions follow 

long-term trends. Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study. Technical Report C – Water Demand 

Assessment.

Option 2 . Scenario C1; (Rapid Growth) Economic resurgence (population and energy) and current preferences 

toward human and environmental values (greatest water demand model). Colorado River Basin Water Supply and 

Demand Study. Technical Report C – Water Demand Assessment.

Option 3 . Scenario B; (Slow Growth) Slow growth with emphasis on economic efficiency (lowest water demand 

model). Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study. Technical Report C – Water Demand Assessment
15

Table 3 - Lower Basin Depletion Projections (1000 af/yr)

LOWER MAINSTEM 20151 20351 20601 20152 20352 20602 20153 20353 20603

Arizona

Agricultural 1,124 703 703 1.082 703 703 1,145 724 724

Municipal and Industrial 760 1,099 1,460 816 1,305 2,060 823 1,075 1,164

Energy 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2

Minerals 42 54 55 42 53 54 42 60 60

Fish, Wildlife and Recreation 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16

Tribal 997 1,216 1,215 1,013 1,288 1,337 881 1,100 1,100

Total Potential Colorado River Demand 2,940 3,088 3,447 2,967 3,364 4,170 2,906 2,975 3,064

California

Agricultural 3,230 3,103 3,159 3,230 3,103 3,159 3,229 3,103 3,158

Municipal and Industrial 1,433 1,589 1,690 1,433 1,591 1,695 1,431 1,581 1,669

Energy 53 108 156 61 171 284 53 108 156

Minerals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Fish, Wildlife and Recreation 124 24 32 124 24 32 124 24 32

Tribal 92 92 92 92 92 92 92 92 92

Other 48 58 75 48 58 75 48 58 75

Total Potential Colorado River Demand 4,979 4,974 5,203 4,987 5,039 5,336 4,977 4,966 5,182

Nevada

Agricultural 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Municipal and Industrial 289 374 506 289 416 589 289 346 479

Energy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Minerals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Fish, Wildlife and Recreation 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Tribal 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

Total Potential Colorado River Demand 300 385 517 300 427 600 300 357 490

Note: In the LC Basin, demands are from mainstem diversions of the Colorado River only. Does not include demands 

from diversions of Colorado River tributaries or evaporation from mainstem reservoirs. 

Option 1 . Scenario A; (Current projected use), continuation of growth, development patterns, and institutions follow 

long-term trends. Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study. Technical Report C – Water Demand 

Assessment.

Option 2 . Scenario C1; (Rapid Growth) Economic resurgence (population and energy) and current preferences toward 

human and environmental values (greatest water demand model). Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand 

Study. Technical Report C – Water Demand Assessment.

Option 3 . Scenario B; (Slow Growth) Slow growth with emphasis on economic efficiency (lowest water demand model). 

Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study. Technical Report C – Water Demand Assessment.

COMPLIANCE WITH THE SALINITY STANDARDS

Reclamation and the Basin States conducted salt-routing studies for the 2014 Triennial 

Review of the Water Quality Standards for Salinity, Colorado River Basin. As part of the 

triennial review process, Reclamation used the Colorado River Simulation System 

(CRSS) river system model to evaluate whether sufficient salinity control measures are in 

place to offset the effects of development. The information provided in the next two 

sections of the report was used to evaluate compliance with the water quality standards.

In response to the Clean Water Act, the States have adopted water quality (salinity) 

criteria for the Colorado River Basin and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
16

has approved them at all three locations in the Lower Colorado River Basin. The 

standards call for maintenance of flow-weighted average annual salinity concentrations 

(numeric criteria) in the lower mainstem of the Colorado River and a plan of 

implementation for future controls.

The water quality standards are based on the Water Quality Standards for Salinity, 

Including Numeric Criteria and Plan of Implementation for Salinity Control, Colorado 

River System, prepared by the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum, June 1975. 

The document was adopted by each of the Basin States and approved by EPA. A 

summary of the report follows:

The numeric criteria for the Colorado River System are to be established at levels 

corresponding to the flow-weighted average annual concentrations in the lower mainstem 

during calendar year 1972. The flow-weighted average annual salinity for the year 1972 

was used. Reclamation determined these values from daily flow and salinity data 

collected by the USGS and Reclamation. Based on this analysis, the numeric criteria are 

723 mg/L below Hoover Dam, 747 mg/L below Parker Dam, and 879 mg/L at Imperial 

Dam.

It should be recognized that the river system is subject to highly variable annual flow. 

The frequency, duration, and availability of carryover storage greatly affect the salinity of 

the lower mainstem; and, therefore, it is probable that salinity levels will exceed the 

numeric criteria in some years and be well below the criteria in others. However, under 

the above assumptions, the average salinity will be maintained at or below 1972 levels. 

Periodic increases above the criteria as a result of reservoir conditions or periods of 

below normal long-time average annual flow also will be in conformance with the 

standards. With satisfactory reservoir conditions and when river flows return to the longtime average annual flow or above, concentrations are expected to be at or below the 

criteria level.

The standards provide for temporary increases above the 1972 levels if control measures 

are included in the plan. Should water development projects be completed before control 

measures, temporary increases above the criteria could result and these will be in 

conformance with the standard. With completion of control projects, those now in the 

plan or those to be added subsequently, salinity would return to or below the criteria 

level.

The goal of the Salinity Control Program is to maintain the flow-weighted average annual 

salinity at or below the numeric criteria of the salinity standards. The Program is not, 

however, intended to counteract the salinity fluctuations that are a result of the highly 

variable flows caused by climatic conditions, precipitation, snowmelt, and other natural 

factors.

SALINITY CONTROL

Existing salinity control measures prevent nearly 1.31 million tons of salt per year from 

reaching the river. In 2015 the Salinity Control Program for Reclamation has controlled 

approximately 570,000 tons of salt, while the NRCS program has reduced around 
17

612,000 tons of salt, and the BLM has controlled an estimated 126,000 tons of salt per 

year from entering the Colorado River. In 2014 Triennial Review it was determined that 

salinity control units will need to prevent nearly 1.68 million tons of salt per year from 

entering the Colorado River by 2035, in order to meet the standard and keep the 

economic damages minimized. To reach this objective, as shown in Table 4, the Salinity 

Control Program needs to implement 372,000 tons of new controls beyond the existing 

1,308,000 tons of salinity control presently in place (2015) as reported by Reclamation, 

NRCS & BLM. About 18,600 tons per year of new salinity control measures must be 

added each year if the Program is to meet the cumulative target of 1,680,000 tons per 

year by 2035, assuming no degradation of existing salinity projects.

To achieve this goal, a variety of salinity control methods are being investigated and 

constructed. Saline springs and seeps may be collected for disposal by evaporation, 

industrial use, or deep-well injection. Other methods include both on-farm and off-farm 

delivery system and irrigation improvements, which reduce the loss of water and reduce 

salt pickup by improving irrigation practices and by lining canals, laterals, and ditches.

Table 4 - Salinity Control Requirements and Needs Through 2035

Salinity control needs (2035) 1,680,000 tons

Measures in place (2014) - 1,308,000 tons

Plan of Implementation Target 372,000 tons
18

This Page Intentionally Left Blank
19

CHAPTER 3 – TITLE I SALINITY CONTROL 

PROGRAM

The Salinity Control Act, as amended, authorized the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) 

to proceed with a program of works of improvement for the enhancement and protection 

of the quality of water available in the Colorado River for use in the United States and the 

Republic of Mexico. Title I enables the United States to comply with its obligation under 

the agreement with Mexico of August 30, 1973 (Minute No. 242 of the International 

Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico [Minute No. 242]), which 

was concluded pursuant to the Treaty of February 3, 1944 (TS 994).

Figure 10 – Title I Salinity Control Projects

These facilities enable the United States to deliver water to Mexico with an average 

annual salinity concentration no greater than 115 parts per million (ppm) plus or minus 

30 ppm (United States count) over the average annual salinity concentration of the 

Colorado River water at Imperial Dam.

The background and history of the Title I projects (Coachella Canal Lining, Protective 

and Regulatory pumping, Yuma Desalting Plant, Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation & Drainage 

District) can be found in Progress Report 22, chapter 4 at; 

http://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/salinity/pdfs/PR22.pdf
20

Updates for the Title I projects since last Progress Report:

Coachella Canal 

No new activity or change since last progress report.

Protective and Regulatory Pumping

No new activity or change since last progress report. 

Yuma Desalting Plant

No new activity or change has occurred since the last progress report.

Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District (WMIDD)

Total crop acres have remained relatively stable since the early 1970’s because more 

acreage is double-cropped than when the program was initiated. In particular, more 

vegetable crops are being grown in the district than in the past, with lettuce (iceberg and 

romaine) now the major crop. Irrigation efficiency levels and return flow levels for 

1990-2014 are shown in Table 5. 

With the use of monthly groundwater table monitoring using observation well 

measurements as well as input from land users, WMIDD is able to maintain a drainagepumping program that sufficiently maintains the agriculture root zone. Land users 

continue to maintain water efficient farming techniques with the use of sprinkler, drip, 

dead level, high heads, and short runs.

Table 5 - WMIDD Irrigation Efficiency

Year

Drainage

Return 

Flow

(acre-feet)

Irrigation Efficiency, % 

(note: data provided by 

WMIDD)

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

144,900

116,200

8,970

49,820

121,500

119,600

91,695

98,972

94,869

110,287

107,908

119,410

116,477

106,002

110,770

103,810

112,910

120,190

105,482

111,170

108,140

115,630

107,860

111,390

68.8

70.4

68.8

65.4

64.3

60.4

62.2

61.9

63.0

59.7

60.9

61.2

57.8

63.3

64.6

62.3

62.6

63.0

62.7

66.1

64.9

64.1

67.5

64.6
21

CHAPTER 4 - TITLE II SALINITY CONTROL 

PROGRAM

Title II of the Salinity Control Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) and 

the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a broad range of specific and general salinity 

control measures in an ongoing effort to prevent further degradation of water quality in 

the United States. These efforts are shown on the map below. The NRCS, Reclamation

and BLM have a combined goal of controlling 1.68M tons of salt/per year, by the year 

2035. These federal agencies are required to work together under the Salinity Control 

Act, as amended; with Reclamation being the lead federal agency. The Salinity Control 

Act also calls for periodic reports on this effort. The report is to include the effectiveness 

of the units, anticipated work to be accomplished to meet the objectives of Title II with 

emphasis on the needs during the 5 years immediately following the date of each report, 

and any special problems that may be impeding an effective salinity control program. 

Title II also provides that this report may be included in the biennial Quality of Water 

Colorado River Basin, Progress Report. New activities since the last progress report as 

well as ongoing and active projects are listed in this report.

Figure 11 – Title II Salinity Control Projects
22

U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

The background for the BLM salinity program can be found in Progress Report 21 

http://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/salinity/pdfs/PR21.pdf

Reports from BLM State Offices reference many of the salinity activities that the BLM is 

engaged in with partner agencies to improve future ability to quantify salinity reductions. To 

address these challenges, the BLM is co-developing a system of tools/models: RHEMAPEX-AGWA ((Rangeland Hydrology and Erosion Model; Al-Hamdan et al., 2011); 

(Agricultural Policy EXtender model; Sharpley and Williams, 1990); (Automated Geospatial 

Watershed Assessment Tool; Hernandez et al, 2000)). The integration and linking of these 

tools/models was completed during FY2015.

Program Administration

The BLM established a Salinity Coordinator position in 2003. The BLM allocated 

$1,125,000 in FY2015 from its Soil/Water/Air (SWA) Program to support projects 

specifically relating to salinity control subactivity objectives. Projects funded in FY2015 are 

described below in the State Reports section. In addition to the funding allocated from the 

Salinity subactivity, millions of dollars are expended annually by other BLM programs and 

authorized users of public lands on watershed management, restoration, and mitigation 

activities that retain sediment/salt and/or reduce/retain erosion/sediment and salt transport 

efforts. The salinity coordinator’s position is funded separately from the salinity funding. 

BLM allocates the funding to its field offices. The budget allocation is predominantly 

distributed to implementation projects with some funding still given to planning projects 

according to need and availability of personnel to successfully accomplish projects. 

Basin Wide Activities 

Included in the funded projects is the BLM contracted work with USDA-ARS for multiple 

rainfall sediment and salinity transport projects. Data are being collected from Utah, 

Colorado, and other locations and will continue to be collected through 2017. This work 

continues from the previous BLM funded work to collect physical data to validate the tools 

co-developed during FY2015. This tool can eventually be taught to field offices to answer the 

public’s questions regarding salinity. 

A new approach to establishing a baseline from which to move forward was funded by BLM 

in December, 2012. Due to the lapsed labor funds from the vacant Salinity Coordinator 

position, BLM invested $100,000 in a joint USDA ARS-USDOI BLM project to conduct a 

study to improve the current understanding and identify the gaps in knowledge regarding the 

sources and transport mechanisms in rangeland catchments that deliver TDS to streams. A 

literature review ensued that is discussed in detail in the USDA-ARS section. The BLM, 

Reclamation, and NRCS management practices were included in the search for their 

relationship to salinity reduction. 

Thus far, the findings have demonstrated that: (1) TDS is a good surrogate of salinity; (2) It is 

generally accepted that practices that reduce soil erosion and sediment transport might also 

reduce salt loading; (3) Minimal literature exists on the relationship between rangeland 

management practices and runoff or sediment; (4) Limited literature found on direct impact 

of land management practices (i.e., gully plugs, contour farming, chaining); (5) Currently 
23

relationship on salt-management practices inferred from assumed impact of practice on 

runoff and sediment loading (partly because of lack of supporting data) through changes in 

vegetation type and distribution, canopy and ground cover, and soil surface/hydraulic 

roughness; and, (6) Literature indicates that all practices that were evaluated for reducing salt 

loading have a defined lifespan and must be maintained (sediment removed from gully plug) 

or redone to be effective (contour furrow).

Figure 12 – Relationship between Range Runoff and Salt Loading

It has been assumed there is a hypothetical linear relationship between runoff and 

salt/sediments, Figure 13. This relationship needs to be quantified for various dominant 

Ecological Sites due to inherent difference in salts in the soils across the basin and will 

change as a function of vegetation type, density, and canopy and ground cover (i.e. 

management). 

The BLM continues to co-develop a plot to watershed tool, which includes water quality, to 

quantify management actions of sediment, and/or salt retained, by program management 

across the CRB. The expected completion period is approximately 2018 and BLM expects to 

be able to report on the quantification of effectiveness at this time. The collaboration with 

USDA-ARS has already resulted in multiple publications, books, and conference 

presentations (see USDA-ARS section).

Eventually the tool will lead us from BLM and BLM-collaboration funded plot or subcatchment scale to watershed and, if needed, to regional scale. Our rainfall/salinity projects 

will be included in the tool and will be utilized for the combination of linked models as well. 

The sources and inputs of salinity data are now being received from more than just the 

Salinity sub activity. Other programs that indirectly or directly have been affecting salinity in 

the CRB are: Recreation-OHV; Rangeland; Acid Mine Land; Riparian; Wild Horse and 

Burro Management; Fire and Revegetation Emergency Stabilization Recovery; Renewable 

Energy (rights-of-ways); Fluid Mineral (orphaned wells); Hazardous Fuels Reduction 

(Thinning Forests, Urban Interface); and, Forests and Wetlands (grazed, unmanaged lands, 

Christmas tree plots). 
24

The BLM is not able to report reductions accomplished through many of these efforts to the 

Forum because of technical and programmatic issues, but is working to develop approaches 

needed to quantify reductions. Most programs should be integrated into the tool. This year’s 

accomplishment report includes a limited number of programs. 

Rangeland Program 

The BLM has established and continues to improve upon its policies and practices to 

maintain and restore land-health based on key standards reflecting vegetation (erosion, 

conservation-sediment retained), ecological attributes, watershed function, and biotic 

integrity. So far the Land Health Standards have 90 standards that relate to assessing 

sediment retention/erosion. 

Within the CRB, the numbers of BLM rangelands that are meeting all Rangeland Health 

Standards, as inventoried and reported last in 2012 are in the table below. 

We start with the CRB and 472 rangeland allotments totaling 2,990,441 acres, already 

meeting or making significant progress toward the standards in the CRB (Figure 13).

Fuels Treatment Effectiveness Monitoring Program 

Vegetation left on the ground inhibits the transport of sediment and salts. The BLM’s Fuels 

Treatment Effectiveness Monitoring Program manages areas that are likely to intersect with 

wildfires leading to the destruction of vegetation and leaving paths for sediment and salinity 

surficial movement. 

Within the Fuels Treatment Effectiveness Monitoring database (FTEM) and per IM-2015-

001 which states that “offices will complete a fuels treatment effectiveness assessment and 

input appropriate information into FTEM for all wildfires which start in, burn into, or burn 

through any portion of a fuel treatment area that has been completed and reported in the 

Hazardous Fuels Module of the National Fire Plan Operations and Reporting System from 

fiscal year 2003 to present.” Utah has 171 records where a record for example would be the 

Scipio Summit Wildfire in which there is 90 days to report it into the FTEM database. The 

records for Utah account for 21 percent of all of BLM’s records. Since 2003, BLM has 

accomplished millions of acres of fuels management treatments including thinning, 

mastication, and lop and scatter. Wildfires have intersected many of these fuels treatments 

therefore, demonstrating fuels program effectiveness for a minimum of 17,363 acres (70.3 

km2) burned in Utah.

Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Program 

Another BLM Program that impacts sediment and salinity transport is the Emergency 

Stabilization and Rehabilitation. Plans after the Toquerville Fire, Utah, in FY2012 were 

approved for reseeding to minimize soil erosion at a cost of $478,000 over a 4 year period; it 

burned 113 acres of public land. The action plan would not only establish a desired plant 

community but also suppress invasive annuals that can create a burn/re-burn cycle. The plan 

investigates understory and recovery to minimize erosion and reestablishment, fences, 
25

monitoring, soil stabilization, and road/trail diversions.

Figure 13 - Colorado River Basin Rangeland Status

*Standards for Rangeland Health are ecologically-based goals that conform to the Fundamentals of Rangeland 

Health found in 43 Code of Federal Regulations Subpart 4180. Fundamentals of Rangeland Health are 

fundamental requirements for achieving functional healthy public lands. The Fundamentals, and the Standards 

for Rangeland Health that conform to the Fundamentals, address the necessary physical components of 

functional watersheds, ecological processes required for healthy biotic communities, water quality standards, 

and habitat for threatened and endangered species or other species of special interest.
26

Another fire in Utah (White Rock Fire) was approved for $1,636,000 in the BLM 

Program (FY2012): Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation. Its plan of actions over 

3 years was to apply a seed mix aerially, then use chaining to cover the seed. All 

livestock were to be removed for two growing seasons so that the seeding could take 

effect. Based on site characterization of slope, topography, and ecology no additional 

measures were needed. The BLM was treating 3,542 acres that included 263 State acres 

and 212 private acres for a total of 4,017 acres for a total cost of $950,000.

While the monitoring data from the other programs continue to be updated and eventually 

reported, the total number of tons of salt retained by FY2015 Salinity sub activity

accomplishments is 1,248. (Previous years accomplishments are being reviewed and 

recalculated.)

State Activities since last Progress Report

BLM State Offices submitted the following reports describing activities funded by the 

Salinity sub activity

Arizona

ASFO/Salinity Control Structures: Structures built to slow runoff, salinity, erosion to 

Colorado River are now degrading (50 year lifetime). Supports the Arizona Strategic Goal of 

Water for water quality. Project reports a minimum 312 tons of salt savings per year. 

Mittry MSU Salinity Control: Riparian buffer established in 2014. Soils tested across 80 

acres of land and Mittry Lake; soil data indicate decrease in salinity concentration. The buffer 

continues to be managed. 

Colorado

Colorado River Salinity Summary of Monitoring Activities White River Field Office (2008-

2015): The Colorado River Salinity funding (CRS Funds) for the White River have been used 

to augment existing USGS Streamflow monitoring sites, support USGS reports based on data 

collected, purchased equipment for BLM monitoring, and hire seasonal personal for field 

work. This funding resulted in an unprecedented amount of baseline data being collected and 

analyzed for the White River, Piceance Creek, and Yellow Creek drainages. The reports and 

data generated can be used to contributions of anthropogenic impacts to salinity in surface 

waters specifically, the salinity loads from the White River. 

The BLM funded a data repository were completed to collect and assess existing water 

resource information (http://rmgsc.cr.usgs.gov/cwqdr/Piceance/). Data from the repository is 

being migrated to the Colorado Data Share Network (http://www.coloradowaterdata.org/). 

The aforementioned publication contributed invaluable data for WRFO’s Resource 

Management Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement (PRMPA/FEIS) 

impact analysis in-terms of the effects of oil/gas activities contribution to salinity including 

understanding processes of surface runoff and soil erosion’s contribution to salinity loads in 

surface waters. The impact analysis also identified that freshwater use by oil and gas 

development within valid water rights may decrease surface flows in streams and increase the 

proportion of base flow from groundwater and thereby increase salinity concentrations in 

surface waters. 

Accomplishments:
27

USGS Yellow Creek Streamflow Site:

1. Establishment of a new USGS streamflow site above Crooked Wash to bracket an area on 

the White River (White River Dome and Piceance and Yellow Creeks) known to be 

responsible for increasing salinity loads in the White River. Summary of all data available 

and funded by BLM is available at:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/nwisman/?site_no=09306224&agency_cd=USGS. 

2. Collection of additional water quality sampling in the White River, Piceance Creek and 

Yellow Creek. Water quality sampling and measurements were taken. 

3. Six new streamflow measurement sites were established in the Mesa Verde Play Area and 

are maintained by the BLM to measure stream discharge, conductivity, air and water 

temperature and conduct water quality and macroinvertebrate sampling. Two precipitation 

measurement sites and one weather station were established and maintained by the BLM for 

this area. 

4. Over 500 groundwater springs were inventoried over four seasons including the collection 

of field water quality parameters. Information from this inventory can be used to identify 

springs with high salinity and monitor future anthropogenic impacts. 

Mancos Shale Oil and Gas Monitoring 

The USGS in cooperation with the BLM will study the distribution, storage, and release of 

sediment, salinity, and selenium in area of Mancos Shale under two different land uses. The 

study will include 2 basins in Stinking Water Gulch near Rangely, CO, where one basin is 

dominated by oil and gas land use (Basin A) and the other basin is dominated by 

grazing/ranching land use (Basin B). The two basins are of similar size (~1.4 square miles) 

and similar slopes (~16 percent). This approach will provide insight into how different land 

uses effect the distribution, storage, and release of sediment, salinity, and selenium in 

surface-water systems.

Project Update:

2013 – Due to a shortage in funding at the district and field office level, the one-time funds 

were not applied to the project. 

2014 – First year of funding applied to the project. Funds were used to conduct a field 

inventory with BLM and USGS staff in Rangley, CO. The USGS produced a statement of 

work. The statement of work includes 5 tasks and a peer reviewed publication. The USGS 

intends to seek additional funding in 2016 from the Salinity control forum to finish the 

project and produce the publication. 

2015 – Existing remote sensing data will be used to evaluate the land use history of each 

basin and provide the timing and occurrence of changes in channel morphology (channel 

width, sinuosity, and drainage density). 

Field work will be conducted in September to collecting cross section data. It will be used to 

understand differences in channel geometry to facilitate assessment of storage of sediment, 
28

salinity, selenium for each basin. Up to 20 cross-sections in each of the basins will be 

surveyed using GNSS-RTK survey techniques to determine the cross sectional profile of the 

channel.

Figure 14 – Basin A
29

Figure 15 – Basin B

Water Quality Data 

The Colorado River Valley Field Office:

This funding was essential to have water quality laboratory work completed and partially 

support one AmeriCorps Volunteer (hired in partnership with the Middle Colorado 

Watershed Council (MCWC)), who have been successful at on-the-ground watershed 

assessment work and target accomplishments. 

A draft sampling and analysis plan has been written to address data gaps and initial field 

reconnaissance during the summer of 2015 included water quality sampling, discharge 

measurements, riparian and rangeland conditions assessments, and documenting historic 

mining impacts. A GIS analysis has been initiated to identify possible sources of selenium 

and other impaired parameters, and formulate potential restoration efforts that may address 

load reduction goals. 

Overview of the Middle Colorado Watershed Boundary showing the Water Quality Impaired 

or Monitoring & Evaluation listed stream segments. In FY2014, BLM funding supported a 

comprehensive analysis of existing water quality data (2000-2013) and major findings and 

recommendations were published. In FY2015, BLM funding supported field reconnaissance 
30

and baseline watershed assessment work in the Rifle Creek sub-basin, water quality sampling 

and lab analysis, where data gaps had been identified. 

Water chemistry (salinity, conductivity, pH, DO, and TDS) was measured in the field to 

support data gaps and help direct which locations in-depth lab analysis may be important for 

future monitoring.

New Mexico

San Juan River Basin Erosion Reduction 

Project Update:

Focus is on noxious weed removal that threatens native riparian habitat, cutting trees, and 

indicating lack of understory plant growth leading to loss of top soils due to rain/snowmelt 

events that lead to surface products in the stream. Sediment fences are being built, Youth 

Conservation Corps are involved to restore native vegetation, and soil erosion and salinity 

should be reduced. Work is progressing. 

La Manga Canyon Watershed Improvement

Degraded rangelands including sagebrush grasslands and Pinyon/Juniper woodlands are on 

steep hillsides. The trees have minimal understory and excessive soil erosion. Sediment 

retention dams are being built with an estimated salt savings of 13.5 tons of salt per year with 

life expectancy of 10-12 years.

Brush clearing as directed from WO 

To support brush clearing in conjunction with fire relief and revegetation to retain 

sediment/minimize erosion (also results in salinity reduction). Salt and sediment savings data 

unknown as of September 15, 2015. 

Utah

Onion Creek Road Stabilization 

Project Update:

Onion Creek Road is a dirt road maintained in Grand County, Utah which travels along 

Onion Creek for over 8 miles. The road prism is often located adjacent to or within the active 

channel, and involves 27 low water stream crossings. Grand County Road Department 

maintains this road regularly, providing access to private land and BLM recreation 

opportunities. 

Onion Creek is a tributary to the Colorado River, with a relatively short distance from the La 

Sal Mountains to the Colorado River (14 miles). This situation lends itself to large flood 

events on a regular basis and the road is washed out repeatedly. Historically the Grand 

County Road Department would rebuild washed out portions of the road using material from 

the stream channel. This has led to many sections of destabilized stream banks which are 

even more susceptible to flooding damage. 

In 1999, Onion Creek was listed by the State of Utah on the List of Impaired Waters as not 

meeting state water quality standards for stream temperature and Total Dissolved Solids 

(TDS). In 2002, the Utah Division of Water Quality completed a Total Maximum Daily Load 

analysis (TMDL) with management recommendations to improve water quality conditions. 
31

These recommendations include restricting vehicle traffic within the stream channel, 

establishing vegetation on streambanks through plantings, and any work that will help 

improve stream channel morphology and riparian conditions. 

As a result of the TMDL report, a cooperative effort began between the BLM, Grand County 

Road Department and the Utah Division of Water Quality (UDWQ) in 2002. Several 

streambank stabilization structures were constructed which were successful at protecting the 

road from flood damage during most storms. These gabion baskets and large boulder barbs 

are useful techniques that may be installed at up to 12 more unstable locations on the Onion 

Creek Road. 

Figure 16 – Large rock barbs in foreground, gabion baskets in background

In September, 2013, a series of extreme flood events damaged the road and streambanks in 

many places, including previously stabilized sites. Although the road was temporarily 

relocated around new channel locations and erosion obstacles, the road and stream channel 

are both in highly unstable condition. The damage from the large 2013 floods has not been 

repaired, leaving several long stretches of road within the active channel (almost a mile in 

total). There are at least 10 sites where the road is unstable and ready to fail during the next 

flood event, causing significant erosion and sedimentation. 

The Moab Field Office is actively coordinating with the Grand County Road Department and 

UDWQ to evaluate all potential road relocation options, to identify high priority sites for 

road stabilization work and to identify which stabilization structural designs are appropriate 

at these locations. BLM salinity funding in FY2014 was contributed to a new assistance 

agreement with the Grand County Road Department to conduct an in-depth engineering 
32

feasibility study. The study has evaluated several different routes to avoid stream crossings, 

but those options are limited, extremely expensive, and have other resource concerns. 

In FY2015, future stabilization work was necessary, as determined by the BLM and the 

Grand County Road Department, over the next year. Constructing one stabilization structure 

can cost up to $40,000 or more as all materials need to be hauled in from distant sources. 

Installing the simpler gabion structures can be an involved process as they need to be seated 

deep in the channel or sometimes bedrock. This funded work is expected to be completed in 

the fall of 2015. Additional stabilization work could continue over the next 5 years or more, 

as funding is available.

Ongoing Grazing Exclosure Project 

Project update:

The Moab Field Office manages 315,000 acres of moderately saline soils, mainly derived 

from the Mancos Shale Formation. Grazing permits are authorized on these sensitive soils. In 

order to better understand the range of impacts from different grazing systems on saline soils, 

the BLM has been constructing grazing exclosures and conducting baseline data collection 

efforts as part of an extensive assessment of saline soils. 

The Moab Field Office has an assistance agreement with the local Canyon Country Youth 

Corps (CCYC) to construct 3-to 5-acre grazing exclosures on moderately saline soils. Each 

year for the last 5 years, three or more exclosures have been constructed with the goal of at 

least one exclosure in each grazing allotment with more than 10 percent saline soils. The 

exclosures are located adjacent to long-term range study sites maintained as part of the 

grazing monitoring program. These sites are addressed in a National Environmental Policy 

Act (NEPA) document and undergo thorough archeological clearance before construction 

begins.

The Moab Field Office has established an Interagency Agreement (IGO) with the local 

USGS Biological Sciences Center and research ecologist and soil scientist Mike Duniway. 

Over the last several years, USGS staff has conducted intensive soil and vegetation studies 

both inside and outside of the exclosures to establish baseline conditions at this time. 

Detailed data collected includes: vegetation species composition, vegetation cover and 

density, soil crust cover and development stage, soil surface stability (slake tests), soil 

compaction, testing with impact penetrometer, detailed soil pedon data, canopy gap data, and 

chlorophyll A content in soil crusts. Soil pedon and composite soil surface samples from each 

trend plot will be archived for potential future analyses. 

In FY2015, the USGS compiled, summarized, and analyzed data collected thus far by plot 

and across plots using an ecological site frame work. A summary report will be provided to 

BLM by Dec. 31, 2015. We are also collaborating on future analysis that incorporates finer 

temporal resolution and time frames through integration with remote sensing, analysis of 

historical trend data and photos, and other approaches as appropriate. 

These studies will be repeated over time, every 3-5 years, to assess changes to soil and 

vegetation conditions. These data will help BLM manage these grazing allotments more 

efficiently to ensure good and stable watershed conditions and minimize salinity 

contributions to the Upper Colorado River Basin. 
33

Figure 17 – Typical grazing exclosure in moderately saline soils

Ongoing Protection Fencing in Ten Mile ACEC 

Project update:

The Ten Mile Wash Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) is located northwest of 

Moab and drains into the Green River. This 5,000-acre area contains perennial and 

intermittent stream flows that maintain ecological diversity in both upland and riparian zones. 

Ten Mile Wash is subject to extreme flooding, increasing potential safety hazards to vehicle 

and camping activities. The potential for floods is great because the Ten Mile Wash 

watershed basin drains 176,000 acres. The canyon bottoms are filled with moderately saline 

soils which are extremely mobile and are redistributed during flood events. 

The Moab Field Office received funding in FY2015 for this project. This funding went to an 

assistance agreement with American Conservation Experience (ACE) to monitor 5,000 acres 

of Ten Mile ACEC which is constantly struggling with trespass cattle and illegal off-road 

travel. These actions are impacting the ecological values of the ACEC as well as the 

moderately saline soils throughout the canyon bottom. 

Watershed Conditions are monitored and documented, while additional fencing needs and 

their construction are assessed. This is in a very remote area with little vehicle access, so all 

materials and tools need to be hand carried to each site. 
34

Wyoming

High Desert District:

The following information is an estimate of the amount of salt retained on the landscape 

because of actions taken by the Rock Springs, Rawlins, Kemmerer, and Pinedale Field 

Offices in FY2015. The numbers presented are estimations for one potential outcome. As 

the actions taken are designed to prevent erosion and associated salinity increases they 

are estimates only. Soil surveys are presently being conducted but have not yet been 

completed. Exact areas and extent of existing disturbance are unknown.

Salinity sub activity funded two other projects to establish salinity baseline data prior to 

the development and installation of oil and gas pads in the Green River area and along 

specific Colorado Basin tributaries; however, the work completed is currently being 

reported under the State Reports, but will eventually be accounted for under the 

Basinwide Activity Section when the watershed tool is fully operational.

The two projects that the BLM Rawlins Office undertook for FY2015 included: the repair 

of a nonfunctioning reservoir and the stabilizing of a head cut. Exact measurements and 

salt savings for these projects are unknown. The amount of salt retained by a reservoir or 

a head cut structure is highly variable.

Nonpoint Sources 

Nonpoint sources are addressed through regular maintenance of BLM roads and facilities as 

well as reclamation of well pads and other disturbances. During FY2015, this area has 

received unusually high amounts of precipitation. There have been increased levels of stream 

bank erosion. At the same time, broad scale vegetation cover has improved, which reduces 

nonpoint erosion and aids in grazing distribution. 

The Wyoming Lands Conservation Initiative (WLCI) http://www.wlci.gov/ and Jonah 

Interagency Office (JIO) http://www.wy.blm.gov/jio-papo/index.htm provided funding for 

several projects http://www.wy.blm.gov/jio-papo/whatsgoingon.htm in the area that, while not 

focused directly on salt reductions, have the potential to reduce salt volumes by improving 

wildlife habitat and thus focus primarily on vegetation, which also benefits salinity. The 

volume and cost savings of these projects is currently unknown. 

A variety of activities occurred as part of normal activities in FY 2015 that had the secondary 

impact of reducing nonpoint erosion on public lands. Because of the nature of these activities 

and nature of monitoring, exact volumes of salt saved and the efficiency of each activity are 

general estimates. All the tabulations below are for the Green River Basin southwestern 

corner of Wyoming that is covered the Rock Springs, Kemmerer, Pinedale, and portions of 

the Rawlins Field Offices. 

The standard practices of road maintenance and grazing management help to reduce potential 

erosion. The costs and salt savings vary. These practices are key to broad scale erosion 

reduction and salt retention. The following assumptions were made for the calculations 

below: (a) an average work month costs $8,500; (b) soil averages estimated to be about 3 

percent salt by weight for most soils in the area; (c) average bulk density of soil is 2.65 g/cc 

(165.4 lb/cu ft) (4,467 lb/cu yd). 
35

1. Road Maintenance and Reclamation 

(Approximately the same as 2006 - 2014). The road maintained was 350 miles long with 

approximately two work months used and two cubic yards of soil retained per mile of road 

maintained at a cost of $362 per ton of salt resulting in the retention of 47 tons of salt.

2. Reservoir Repair near Rawlins Field Office 

The structure repair was required due to retaining sediment/salt. It required one week of work 

time and 100 cubic yards of soil at a cost of $317.14 per ton of salt resulting in 6.7 tons of 

salt retained. 

3. Headcut

Structures mentioned in previous reports for this area are still operating and have not required 

any maintenance expenditures. Given that they are still preventing the upstream advancement 

of channel drops (head cuts), these structures could be considered to be highly cost efficient 

in preventing salinity contributions. The BLM is cooperating with the Wyoming Game and 

fish in the installation of a fish passage structure on private land in Trout Creek on Little 

Mountain, a tributary to Sage Creek, which contributes directly to Flaming Gorge. This 

structure will slow the upward progression of an existing head cut. This activity was designed 

as a fish passage and irrigation structure, not as an erosion reduction project. Given the 

unknown volume and content of the soil and rate of erosion, no calculations of soil salt 

content and volumes that will be retained by the structure were made. 

The Rawlins Field office undertook one head cut repair. It required two work months and 

1000 cubic yards of soil at a cost of $235 per ton of salt resulting in the retention of 67 tons 

of salt.

4. Grazing Management

(Same as 2006-2014). The area managed includes 28,000 acres of land and used 20 work 

months for grazing management. Based on livestock and the weather variables, the numbers 

provided can fluctuate. At a cost of $808 per ton of salt, the result was 208 tons of salt 

retained.

USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

The NRCS of the USDA conducts Colorado River Basin salinity control activities 

primarily under the authorities of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). 

EQIP was authorized with funding from the passage of PL104-127, Federal Agricultural 

Improvement Act of 1996, a.k.a. “1996 Farm Bill.”

EQIP has been reauthorized in each “farm bill” through 2018. Through EQIP, NRCS 

offers voluntary technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers, including 

Native American tribes, to reduce salt mobilization and transport to the Colorado River 

and its tributaries. Within the 12 approved salinity project areas, producers may be 

offered additional financial incentives to implement salinity control measures with the 
36

primary goal of reducing offsite and downstream damages and to replace wildlife habitat

impacted as a result of the salinity measures.

In FY 2015 $12 million was obligated into new land treatment contracts with agricultural 

producers in project areas in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. These new contracts, when 

fully implemented will provide more than 10,000 tons of annual salt control.

New Salinity Projects and Investigations

Henrys Fork (of the Green River), Wyoming

The Henrys Fork Salinity Control Project was adopted by NRCS in May 2013. This project 

area encompasses 69,929 acres in Sweetwater and Uinta Counties, Wyoming, and Daggett 

and Summit Counties, Utah. The entire Henrys Fork watershed is about 306,000 acres and 

is a tributary to the Green River which is a major tributary to the Colorado River. 

Of the 20,709 irrigated acres within the project area, NRCS expects to improve on-farm 

irrigation application systems and reduce deep percolation and salt loading from about 

14,000 acres, resulting in a salt load reduction of 6,540 tons annually. The first contract 

was developed on 141 acres in 2015.

Figure 18 – Henrys Fork Salinity

West Black’s Fork, Wyoming

An area of some 28,000 acres of irrigated pasture and hayland near Lyman, Wyoming, 

contribute salt to the Blacks Fork River, tributary to the Green River. While a large 

portion of the geology contributes little salt, about 10,000 acres may contribute 

significant amounts of salt from canal and ditch seepage and deep percolation from water 

applied to fields. 

The Wyoming Water Development Commission provided a significant grant to the 

Austin-Wall Canal Company resulting in a comprehensive plan to modernize the 

On-Farm 

Controls, 0

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 5,920

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

1,480

Off-Farm 

Controls, 0

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 0
37

irrigated areas within their service area. NRCS anticipates that, in the near future, the 

Company will begin replacing earthen canals with buried pipelines that will provide 

pressure to operate sprinklers on the irrigated lands. NRCS intends to use its regular 

EQIP authority to assist producers in the area who want to modernize their irrigation 

systems. Such improved systems will provide significant salt control benefits.

Figure 19 – West Black’s Fork Salinity

San Juan Basin, New Mexico and Arizona

The first phase of the “Shiprock Pilot Project” to control salt was completed by the San 

Juan River Dineh Water Users, Inc. (SJRDWU, Inc.) in 2011. A leaky earthen lateral 

supplied water to 12 Navajo Nation farmers on 168 acres of cropland. The SJRDWU, 

Inc. completed the construction using their own resources and a grant from Reclamation. 

The SJRDWU, Inc. also reserved an eight acre parcel of land and has completed practices 

to replace wildlife habitat values that were lost due to the pipeline installation.

NRCS anticipates that the SJRDWU, Inc. will begin construction of a significant project 

with assistance from Reclamation in 2016. This project should enable NRCS to proceed 

with developing EQIP salinity projects with individual native farmers.

Areas Beyond Current Project Boundaries

NRCS has undertaken to identify salt loading and salinity control from irrigated crop, 

pasture and haylands scattered widely throughout the Upper Colorado River Basin but 

outside of the existing project areas. With the assistance of the USGS and Reclamation, 

NRCS has been able to make use of the SPARROW model to assess salt loads outside of 

the existing salinity project areas. While the assessment is ongoing and will require 

considerable refinement, preliminary analysis indicates that as much as 50,000 tons of 

salt control has occurred in Utah and Colorado outside the project areas.

On-Farm 

Controls, 0

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 0

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

0 Off-Farm 

Controls, 1,092

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 

26,908
38

In 2015, Colorado developed EQIP contracts with water quality benefits including salt 

control outside of the approved project areas but within the Colorado River Basin.

Colorado, obligated slightly more than $1/2 million into 14 contracts on 500 acres in in 

Montrose, LaPlata, Garfield, and Eagle Counties. When fully implemented, these 

contracts will control about 800 tons of salt annually.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Project offices continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and quantity of salinity 

control, wildlife habitat, and economic performance replacement in order to improve the 

overall performance and management of the program. Generally, the program continues 

to function effectively and economically, though the overall cost per ton of salt control 

continues to rise in some areas however, when adjusted for inflation the current cost 

effectiveness compares favorably with the projected costs at the time of the adoption of 

the respective projects. It is also noted that additional efforts are needed to identify and 

implement valuable, low-maintenance, sustainable wildlife habitat replacement. The 

individual Monitoring and Evaluation reports for FY 2014 for each project can be found 

on the world-wide-web at; http://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/salinity/index.html

Active Salinity Control Projects 

NRCS is providing technical and financial assistance to landowners and operators to 

implement on-farm salinity control measures in eleven approved project areas in three 

Upper Basin states.

Table 6 – Active Salinity Control Projects

Project Area

State Project (Potential Irrigated Acres) NRCS Servicing Office

Colorado Grand Valley 50,000 Grand Junction

Lower Gunnison River 171,000 Delta and Montrose

McElmo Creek 29,000 Cortez

Mancos Valley 11,700 Cortez

Silt 7,400 Glenwood Springs

Utah Uinta Basin 226,000 Roosevelt, Vernal

Price/San Rafael Rivers 66,000 Price, Castle Dale

Muddy Creek 6,000 Castle Dale

Manila-Washam 8,000 Vernal

Green River 2,600 Price

Wyoming Big Sandy River 18,000 Rock Springs

Henrys Fork 20,700 Lyman

Total 616,4700
39

Grand Valley, Colorado

Implementation has been underway in this unit since 1979 and NRCS considers that the 

salt control measures of the project have been successfully completed as planned. In 

2010, a status report was compiled from field visits and observations. The report 

indicated that at least 12,000 irrigated acres are no longer in agricultural production. Of 

the remaining 44,700 acres still in production, 42,435 acres or 95 percent had received 

varying levels of treatment.

As of October, 2015 the salt reduction goal of 132,000 tons had been exceeded and more 

than 143,000 tons had been reported as controlled. In 2015, 10 new contracts were 

enacted on 175 acres that will deliver an additional 269 tons of salt control.

Figure 20 – Grand Valley Salinity

Lower Gunnison Basin, Colorado

This project encompasses the irrigated farmland in the Gunnison and Uncompahgre River 

valleys. With the expansion into the upper headwaters of the Uncompahgre River in 

2010, implementation is now proceeding in Delta, Montrose, and Ouray Counties. 

Implementation was initiated in 1988 in this unit. About 64 percent of the salt control 

goal has been achieved.

Interest remains high in the project area. Forty four new contracts for about $3.9 M were 

developed in 2015 on 1,878 acres for planned salt control of 2,312 tons. 

On-Farm 

Controls, 136,733

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 67,587

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

51,080

Off-Farm 

Controls, 140,805

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 

139,395
40

Figure 21– Lower Gunnison Basin Salinity

Mancos River, Colorado

This project, near the town of Mancos, Colorado, was initiated and approved for funding 

and implementation by NRCS in April 2004. Currently, about 108 contracts have been 

developed with EQIP and BSP funds. Five new contracts for $314,503 were developed 

on 59 acres in 2015. Planned salt control from these new contracts is 118 tons annually.

Figure 22 – Mancos River Salinity

On-Farm 

Controls, 98,340

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 253,660

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

88,000

Off-Farm 

Controls, 

115,067

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 

284,933

On-Farm 

Controls, 2,407

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 6,793

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

2,300 Off-Farm 

Controls, 2,019

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 

12,481
41

McElmo Creek, Colorado

Implementation was initiated in this unit in 1990. Application of salinity reduction and 

wildlife habitat replacement practices continue to be implemented in this area with 

sprinkler systems, underground pipelines, and gated pipe being installed. In 2015, 32 

new contracts were developed on 732 acres that will provide 952 tons of salt control 

when fully implemented. The project has attained slightly over 64 percent of its salt 

control goal.

Figure 23 – McElmo Creek Salinity

Silt, Colorado

The first applications were funded in 2006. Currently, there are 50 active contracts on 

951 acres in the project. When fully implemented, these contracts will control about 

1,500 tons of salt annually.

Figure 24 – Silt Salinity

On-Farm 

Controls, 27,122

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 19,310

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

11,608

Off-Farm 

Controls, 26,286

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 

15,634

On-Farm 

Controls, 1,409

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 10,495

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

2,976

Off-Farm 

Controls, 865

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 9,055
42

Uinta Basin, Utah

Implementation began in this unit in 1980. The original salt control goal was reached 

several years ago but about 60,000 acres might still be improved. A predominant portion 

of the unimproved acres are within the jurisdiction of the Ute Indian Tribe. 

Opportunities for new contracts are diminishing as the project “matures.” Sixteen new 

contracts were developed in 2015 on 560 acres for about $1.4 M. When fully 

implemented, these contracts will control 873 tons of salt annually. All irrigation 

improvements were either sprinklers, buried pipelines or a combination of the two. 

A significant number of systems have reached or are nearing the end of their useful life. 

While these systems are a lower priority than first-time improvements, NRCS has begun 

providing incentives for replacement or up-grading.

Figure 25 – Uinta Basin Salinity

Price-San Rafael, Utah

This project is approaching 70 percent achievement of its salt control goal. In 2015, 26 

new contracts obligated about $2.2 M on 1,151 irrigated acres. When implemented, these 

measures will control about 4,400 tons of salt annually.

On-Farm 

Controls, 

139,907

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 26,589

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

41,624

Off-Farm 

Controls, 43,141

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 

76,859
43

Figure 26 – Price San Rafael Salinity

Muddy Creek, Utah

There was one new contract developed in the Muddy Creek area in 2015, bringing the 

total to three contracts on 251 acres to control 358 tons of salt. On-farm progress in the 

project area awaits improvement and piping of the century-old earthen canal.

Figure 27 – Muddy Creek Salinity

On-Farm 

Controls, 

108,960

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 31,584

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

35,136

Off-Farm 

Controls, 47,197

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 

21,123

On-Farm 

Controls, 99

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 7,565

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

1,916

Off-Farm 

Controls, 0

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 

5,393
44

Green River, Utah

One EQIP contract was developed in the project area in 2012 that will control 1,310 tons 

when fully implemented. Interest remains high but off-farm infrastructure improvements 

are needed to allow on-farm systems to operate properly and efficiently. Irrigation 

continues to expand, particularly on the plateau to the east of the Green River but, as all 

of the new irrigation systems are high-efficiency sprinklers, NRCS does not anticipate a 

significant increase in salt loading to the river. These expansions are not eligible for 

EQIP assistance.

Figure 28 – Green River Salinity

Manila-Washam, Utah/Wyoming

Astride the Utah-Wyoming border, and adjacent to the shores of Flaming Gorge 

Reservoir, the Manila-Washam Project has achieved about 54% of its salt control goal. 

There are currently 51 contracts on 3,800 acres in various stages of implementation. All 

new irrigation systems have been some form of sprinkler system, such as side roll, pods, 

or center pivots. NRCS is also seeking opportunities for wildlife habitat replacement as 

the project is currently deficit.

On-Farm 

Controls, 685

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 7,315

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

2,000

Off-Farm 

Controls, 0

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 

5,700
45

Figure 29 – Manila Washam Salinity

Big Sandy River, Wyoming

Implementation has been underway in this unit since 1988. Approximately 13,500 acres 

of the planned 15,700 acres have been treated (86 percent) and about 70 percent of the 

salt control goal has been reached. Producers also report that the water savings from 

improvements in irrigation systems now allows a full irrigation season of water for the 

entire irrigation district. In 2015, two new contracts were developed on 29 acres.

Figure 30 – Big Sandy Salinity

On-Farm 

Controls, 9,373

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 12,227

On-Farm 

Unobtainable 

5,400

Off-Farm 

Controls, 10,992

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 

2,008

On-Farm 

Controls, 58,522

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 12,421

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

17,736

Off-Farm 

Controls, 12,821

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 

23,400
46

Table 7 - NRCS Salinity Control Unit Summary 2015

1Controls Potential Percent Costs 2Indexed 3Cost/ton

Unit (tons) (tons) of Goal (FA+TA) cost/ton FY2015

Mancos River, CO 4,426 11,940 37% $7,037,014 $66 $192

Muddy Creek, UT 99 11,677 1% $187,475 $75 $n/a

Manila-Washam, UT 10,417 17,430 60% $8,463,894 $53 $52

Silt, CO 2,274 3,990 57% $4,466,241 $92 $232

McElmo Creek, CO 29,455 46,000 64% $26,141,274 $98 $134

Uinta Basin, UT 157,217 140,500 112% $122,634,864 $133 $186

L. Gunnison, CO 119,057 186,000 64% $86,080,081 $86 $164

Price/San Rafael, UT 80,114 146,900 55% $56,605,330 $36 $44

Grand Valley, CO3 143,495 132,000 109% $59,701,529 $39 $150

Big Sandy, WY 58,180 83,700 70% $13,844,400 $39 $23

Green River, UT 685 6,540 10% $430,964 $103 $32

Henry’s Fork, UT 0 6,540 0% 0

Totals 605,419 793,217 76% $385,593,066

1Includes Off-farm funded with EQIP or BSP funds, not selected thru Reclamation FOA

2Cost per ton based as projected in NEPA document indexed by Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index 3Nominal cost of current year practice installation

Bureau of Reclamation 

Basinwide Salinity Control Program (Basinwide Program)

One of the greatest advantages of the Salinity Control Program comes from the 

integration of Reclamation’s program with NRCS’s program. Water conservation within 

irrigation projects on saline soils is the single most effective salinity control measure 

found in the past 30 years of investigations. By integrating NRCS’s on-farm irrigation 

improvements with Reclamation’s off-farm improvements, significantly higher 

efficiencies can be obtained. If landscape permits, pressure from piped delivery systems 

(laterals) may be used to drive sprinkler irrigation systems at efficiency rates far better 

than those normally obtained by flood systems. Reclamation now has much greater 

flexibility (in both timing and funding) to work with NRCS to develop these types of 

projects.

Another significant advantage of the Basinwide Program is that projects are “owned” by 

the proponent, not Reclamation. The proponent is responsible to perform on its proposal. 

Costs paid by Reclamation are controlled and limited by an agreement. 
47

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) 

Applications to reduce salinity contributions to the Colorado River were solicited through 

a FOA for both the Basinwide Program and BSP. The FOA was released on April 27, 

2015, and closed on July 17, 2015. Reclamation’s Grants Officer received the 

applications and reviewed for responsiveness to the requirements as described in the 

FOA. The 28 acceptable applications were forwarded onto an Application Review 

Committee (ARC) for a detailed review. 

The ARC was composed of Reclamation personnel, a member from the NRCS, and three 

advisors from the Colorado River Basin States. Reclamation convened a meeting of the 

ARC on August 3-5, 2015. The 28 applications totaling over $75 million came from all 

four Upper Basin States. 

After reviewing and ranking the applications, the ARC recommended to the Grants 

Officer the awarding of about 15 projects totaling about $43.5 million. Ten projects 

totaling about $36 million and controlling over 31,000 tons of salt will be awarded 

cooperative agreements through Reclamation’s Basinwide Program. Five projects 

totaling about $7.5 million and controlling over 5,600 tons of salt will be awarded 

agreements through the BSP. Reclamation executed most of the agreements in fiscal year 

2016. The average cost effectiveness of the selected Basinwide Program projects is 

$48.72 and the average cost effectiveness of the selected BSP projects is $54.65 

All salinity projects are required to replace incidental wildlife habitat losses concurrent 

with construction of salinity features and maintain this habitat for the life of the project.

Price – San Rafael River Basins, Utah

Huntington Cleveland Irrigation Company (HCIC) Project: The Project is located in 

northern Emery County, Utah, around the towns of Huntington, Lawrence, Cleveland, 

and Elmo. Approximately 350 miles of open earthen canals and laterals are being 

replaced with a pressurized pipeline distribution system (Distribution System) to 

accommodate sprinkler irrigation on about 16,000 acres. The Project, scheduled to be 

completed in 2016, will result in the annual reduction of 59,000 reportable tons of salt in 

the Colorado River at an anticipated cost of approximately less than $100/ton. Of the 

59,000 tons of salt, 13,000 are attributed to the Off-Farm Distribution System and 46,000 

tons are attributed to the On-Farm Distribution System and the on-farm salinity control 

measures (sprinklers).

Cottonwood Creek Irrigation Improvement Project: The $6,509,548 Cottonwood Creek 

Irrigation Improvement Project is located in Emery County, west of Castledale, Utah 

Construction began in May 2011, and the project was operational for the 2013 irrigation 

season. This project replaced approximately 31 miles of earthen canals and laterals with 

a pressurized pipeline system resulting in a reduction of 2,094 reportable tons of salt in 

the Colorado River. It is expected that the pressurized pipeline will induce on-farm 

improvements resulting in the annual reduction of an additional 9,100 reportable tons of 

salt. It is anticipated that the project will result in the total annual reduction of 11,194 

reportable tons of salt in the Colorado River at an anticipated cost of approximately $59 
48

per ton of salt. Construction is complete and the canals will be taken out of service in the 

fall of 2015 when all of the farms will be converted to sprinkler irrigation.

Blue Cut/Mammoth Unit, Cottonwood Creek Consolidated Irrigation Company Salinity 

Project: The $5,500,000 Blue Cut/Mammoth Unit, Cottonwood Creek Irrigation 

Company Irrigation Project was selected from the applications received in the 2012 FOA. 

A cooperative agreement was executed in August 2013. The Blue Cut phase has 

completed construction with on-farm improvements ongoing. The Mammoth phase of 

this project has begun and construction began in December of 2014. This project will 

replace approximately 45.6 miles of earthen canals and laterals with a pressurized 

pipeline system resulting in the reduction of 3,789 reportable tons per year of salt in the 

Colorado River at an anticipated cost of approximately $67.57 per ton of salt. The 

pressurized pipeline will serve 5,680 acres resulting in additional on farm salt savings.

Manila-Washam Salinity Area, Utah 

South Valley Lateral Salinity Project: This project is located in Daggett County south of 

the town of Manila, Utah. It was selected from the applications received in the 2012 FOA 

and was submitted by the Sheep Creek Irrigation Company. A cooperative agreement 

was executed in May of 2013, for the amount of $4,026,264.75. This project will replace 

approximately 27,400 feet of earthen laterals with irrigation pipe resulting in the annual 

reduction of 3,373 reportable tons of salt in the Colorado River at an anticipated cost of 

approximately $55.57 per ton of salt. The project began in the fall of 2014. Project 

completion is scheduled for spring of 2016.

West Blacks Fork Salinity Area, Wyoming 

Austin/Wall Off-Farm Irrigation Project: This project is located in Uintah County in the 

vicinity of Lyman, Wyoming. It was selected from the applications received in the 2012 

FOA and was submitted by the Austin/Wall Irrigation District. A cooperative agreement 

was executed in May 2013, for the amount of $1,350,000. This project will replace 

approximately 32,000 feet of earthen canal and laterals with irrigation pipe resulting in 

the annual reduction of 1,092 reportable tons of salt in the Colorado River at an 

anticipated cost of approximately $57.55 per ton of salt. The project is scheduled to begin 

construction in the fall of 2015, and be completed in the spring of 2016.

Big Sandy Project, Sweetwater County, Wyoming

Eden Valley, Farson/Eden Pipeline Project: This project was selected in the 2008 FOA. 

A Cooperative Agreement was executed in February of 2009, for the amount of 

$6,453,072. This project will replace approximately 24 miles of earthen laterals with 

irrigation pipe resulting in the annual reduction of 6,594 reportable tons of salt in the 

Colorado River at an anticipated cost of approximately $52.57 per ton of salt. Laterals E7, E-8, and E-13 are completed, and work on the West Side Canal was completed and 

operational in the spring of 2014. Some habitat work is still pending.

Gunnison Basin, Colorado
49

Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (UVWUA) Phase 5 Project: As a result of 

the 2010 FOA, the UVWUA was awarded a $4.3 million cooperative agreement for 

Phase 5 of the East Side Lateral (ESL). This phase involves an additional 19 miles of 

laterals under the Selig and East Canal systems and the reduction of about 5,034 tons of 

salt loading annually. Construction began in November 2011 and was completed in 2015.

UVWUA Phase 7 Project: As a result of the 2010 FOA, the UVWUA was awarded a 

$3.2 million cooperative agreement for Phase 7 of the ESL. This phase involves an 

additional 12.7 miles of laterals under the Selig and East Canal systems and the reduction 

of about 3,029 tons of salt loading annually. The cost is estimated at $52.11 per ton of 

salt. Construction began in the fall of 2012 and will continue through 2016.

UVWUA Phase 8 - East Side Laterals (ESL) Project: As a result of the 2012 FOA, the 

UVWUA was selected to be awarded a $3.5 million cooperative agreement for Phase 8 of 

the ESL. This phase involves an additional 14.1 miles of laterals under the South Canal, 

East Canal and the Loutzenhizer systems and the reduction of about 3,307 tons of salt 

loading annually. The cooperative agreement was executed in FY 2014, with construction 

beginning in the summer of 2015, and continuing through 2016.

Lower Stewart Pipeline Project: Awarded from the 2010 FOA, this project involves 

piping a portion of the Stewart Ditch & Reservoir Company (SDRC) existing unlined 

canals in a tributary to the North Fork of the Gunnison River near Paonia, Colorado. In 

September 2011, Reclamation entered into an agreement to provide up to $6.0 million to 

pipe 11.5 miles of existing canals with an expected salt load reduction of about 5,892

tons/year. Construction began in the fall of 2012, and was completed during the winter 

of 2014/2015.

Minnesota Canal Salinity Control Piping Project Phase II: Awarded from the 2012 FOA, 

this project involves piping the Minnesota Extension portion of the Minnesota Canal & 

Reservoir Company (MCRC) existing unlined canals in a tributary to the North Fork of 

the Gunnison River near Paonia, Colorado. In June of 2013, Reclamation entered into an 

agreement to provide up to $3.03 million to pipe 3.8 miles of existing canals with an 

expected salt load reduction of about 2,328 tons/year. Construction began in the fall of 

2014 with an anticipated completion in the fall of 2015.

Clipper Irrigation Salinity Control – Project 4: Awarded from the 2010 FOA, this 

project involves piping a portion of the Crawford Clipper Ditch existing unlined canals in 

a tributary to the Cottonwood Creek drainage of the Gunnison River near Hotchkiss, 

Colorado. In September 2012, Reclamation entered into an agreement to provide up to 

$1.21 million to pipe 3.5 miles of existing canals with an expected salt load reduction of 

about 1,427 tons/years. Construction began in 2014 and is anticipated to be completed in 

the fall of 2015.

Slack/Patterson Laterals Piping Project: Awarded from the 2012 FOA, this project 

involves piping of the Slack and Patterson Laterals portion of the Roger’s Mesa Water 

Distribution Association’s existing, unlined laterals supplied by Fire Mountain Canal and 

Leroux Creek, a tributary to the North Fork of the Gunnison River near Hotchkiss, 

Colorado. In June 2013, Reclamation entered into an agreement to provide up to $3.39 

million to pipe 9.1 miles of existing laterals with an expected salt load reduction of about 
50

3,345 tons/year. Construction will begin in the fall of 2014 with an anticipated 

completion in the fall of 2015.

Cattleman's Harts, Hart/McLaughlin, Rockwell, Poulsen Ditch's: Awarded from the 2012 

FOA, this project involves piping a portion of the Cattleman’s earthen laterals, operated 

by the Cedar Canyon Iron Springs Irrigation Company and supplied by Crystal Creek, a 

tributary to the Gunnison River near Crawford, Colorado. In July 2013, Reclamation 

entered into an agreement to provide up to $2.01 million to pipe 6.3 miles of existing 

laterals with an expected salt load reduction of about 1,855 tons/year. Construction will 

begin in the fall of 2014 with an anticipated completion in 2016.

In order to complete the Lower Gunnison Basin mapping project, Reclamation submitted 

a funding modification in 2013 to the existing, financial assistance agreement with the 

Colorado State Soil Conservation Board. This additional funding is being used to 

complete the remaining, off-farm ditch mapping in the Colona and Ridgway areas. In 

cooperation with irrigation entities, quality assurance checks are also being performed on 

previously mapped and newly mapped systems in the Lower Gunnison Basin. Quality 

assurance has been completed and the remaining mapping is anticipated to be completed 

in the winter of 2015/16. 

Grand Valley, Colorado

Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC) Canal Improvement Grant 2010: As a result 

of selection under the 2010 FOA, the GVIC was awarded a $2.8 million cooperative 

agreement to line about 1.9 miles of their main canal and pipe about 4,100 ft of ditch 

within the Grand Valley. A salt loading reduction of approximately 1,749 tons annually 

is expected. The canal lining will consist of a PVC membrane with a shotcrete cover and 

the pipe will be concrete. Construction began in December 2011, and will continue 

through 2015.

Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC) Canal Improvement Grant 2012: As a result of 

selection under the 2012 FOA, the GVIC was awarded a $4.9 million cooperative 

agreement to line about 2.4 miles of their main canal within the Grand Valley. A salt 

loading reduction of approximately 4,001 tons annually is expected. The canal lining will 

consist of a PVC membrane with a shotcrete cover. The cooperative agreement was 

executed in FY 2014 and construction will begin in December 2014, and will continue 

through 2017.

Basin State Program (BSP)

Reclamation has determined that state agricultural (ag) agencies within the upper Basin 

states to be appropriate partners and has executed cooperative agreements to utilize the 

services of these state ag agencies to assist in seeking and funding cost-effective activities 

and projects to reduce salinity in the Colorado River system by improving water 

management and increasing irrigation efficiencies. Interagency agreements have been 

executed with the NRCS in the states of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming to provide the 

technical assistance for the BSP.

Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB)
51

In Colorado, the BSP is delivered through six local Conservation Districts that operate 

within the boundaries of the approved salinity control areas in the state. These salinity 

control areas include the Silt Mesa, Grand Valley, Lower Gunnison, McElmo Creek, and 

Mancos River salinity areas. The Bookcliff, Mesa, Delta, Shavano, Dolores, and Mancos 

Conservation Districts receive funds from the CSCB that in turn receives Financial 

Assistance (FA) funding based upon a contract agreement with Reclamation.

The projects are planned, designed and certified by NRCS or District employees. 

Thirteen District employees are paid from BSP Technical Assistance (TA) funding 

earned by NRCS in Colorado and provided to the CSCB and Conservation Districts.

All projects are planned, designed and certified based upon current NRCS Standards and 

Specifications. Each participant signs and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) 

agreement to remain in effect for the life of the irrigation and wildlife improvements 

installed (usually 25 years). Each participant is required to perform proper Irrigation 

Water Management on the fields in which irrigation improvements were installed. The 

projects are planned and contracted using the current NRCS EQIP payment schedule.

Applications are competitively screened and prepared by the NRCS. Applications are 

funded in order of the best cost effectiveness. All applications meeting NRCS planning 

standards that result in an annualized cost per ton of less than $150/ton and that were also 

not eligible for EQIP are considered for funding depending upon funds available. The 

cost effectiveness and salt loading data used for these calculations are standardized for all 

salinity control areas in the State of Colorado by the NRCS.

Progress in Colorado:

BSP Projects:

Reclamation has provided $5,960,000 in funding to Colorado. Nine EQIP-like BSP 

projects have been obligated totaling $1,239,206. These projects will result in salt 

control of 2,155.9 tons and treat and/or serve 611.5 acres at an average cost effectiveness 

of $51.37/ton. One of the approved projects is a wildlife habitat improvement project. 

Two projects were approved in the Grand Valley Area, and seven projects were approved 

in the Lower Gunnison area.

Grand Valley Wildlife Project:

The Colorado State Conservation Board has contracted with Colorado Parks and Wildlife 

(CPW) to fund approximately 491 acres of wildlife improvements along the Colorado 

River in the Grand Valley for a cost of $804,415, utilizing BSP special funding received 

from Reclamation in 2013. This project is now under construction, with all the brush 

control work now completed. $129,019 has been expended in this project to date. This 

project has been planned and designed as a joint effort with CPW, FWS, and NRCS. 

Completion of this project will satisfy the remaining acres of replacement habitat 

required in the Grand Valley salinity unit.

Reclamation Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA):

Colorado was pleased to be involved in the 2012 and 2015 FOA process. The expansion 

of the ranking and selection criteria to include projects funder 1,000 tons of salt control 
52

allowed more coordination with EQIP and BSP on-farm salinity control improvements. 

Colorado has contracted with three of the Reclamation projects approved through the 

FOA process, for a total cost of approx. $2.3M.

Construction has been completed for the irrigation portion in the Forked Tongue/Holman 

Ditch and Bostwick Park FOA projects. Construction of the required wildlife habitat 

features for these projects is underway and will be completed by October. Construction 

will continue in the Clipper Zanni Project in October 2015.

Ditch Mapping:

Colorado received $34,000 in special BSP funding to complete ditch mapping activities 

in Ouray County in the Lower Gunnison area, and to review and complete data for ditch 

mapping previously completed in other portions of the Lower Gunnison area. This 

project has been completed.

Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF)

With the BSP agreement in place with Reclamation, UDAF, working through NRCS’s 

EQIP program has funded 3 projects for $3,452,009.00. One project came to UDAF 

through Reclamation’s 2012 FOA. This project is with Sheep Creek Irrigation Company, 

Manila, Utah and is a canal piping project that will retain 2,220 tons of salt per year at a 

cost of $2,897,129.18. The other projects will treat 417 acres and control 1,083 tons of 

salt with a combined cost of $471,879.00. All 3 projects are essentially completed with 

minor clean-up and restoration planting in Sheep Creek and Irrigation Water 

Management for the on farm work.

From Reclamation’s 2015 FOA, UDAF received two projects totaling $2,924,479 that 

will be expended over the next 2 years.

As requested by Reclamation, UDAF had contracted with Emery County Water 

Conservancy District for data collection of a long term study at Desert Lake, Emery 

County. UDAF paid Emery County Water Conservancy $11,368.85. This study has 

concluded and the contract with Emery has been closed.

UDAF has paid the Uintah basin salinity coordinator $38,537.96 during the past federal 

FY using BSP funds. The coordinator has been successful in helping several irrigation 

companies to submit successful applications for the 2015 FOA. These projects are 

competitive because of the coordinator’s efforts to confederate historically opposing 

companies into accepting unified systems that improve each company. Improvements 

with the Ute Tribe have also been made and it is anticipated that in future FOA’s the tribe 

will submit applications. UDAF feels that using BSP funds for this position has greatly 

benefited the Salinity Control Program in the Uintah Basin area.

Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC)

A new agreement has been put in place with the Wyoming Water Development 

Commission that will end in 2020. The agreement is similar to the agreements with Utah 

and Colorado and has a value of $2,800,000 of which $310,000 has been obligated. This 
53

agreement will allow Wyoming to accept work from the 2015 FOA and any future EQIP 

pass-offs. From the 2015 FOA, WWDC received one project totaling $2,024,413 from 

BSP funds and an additional $2,024,413 from the WWDC. This project will take 

approximately 3 years to complete.

Paradox Valley Unit

The Paradox Valley Unit was authorized 

for investigation and construction by the 

Salinity Control Act. The unit is located 

in southwestern Colorado along the 

Dolores River in the Paradox Valley, 

formed by a collapsed salt dome 

(Figure31). Groundwater in the valley 

comes into contact with the top of the salt 

formation where it becomes nearly 

saturated with sodium chloride. This 

project intercepts extremely saline brine 

(260,000 mg/l total dissolved solids) 

before it reaches the Dolores River and 

disposes of the brine by deep well 

injection (injection interval about 14,000 

feet below ground surface.

The project continues to intercept and 

dispose of 100,000+ tons of salt annually 

(Figure 32). The pressure necessary to 

inject the brine into the disposal formation 

at 14,000 feet is increasing. Induced 

seismicity and the increasing pressure 

necessary to inject the brine into the 

disposal formation at are the limiting

factors of the project. As the formation 

fills with brine, the pressure necessary to 

inject increases (Table 8).

As the pressure increases, the potential 

for increased seismicity may exist. In 

January 2013, a M4.4 earthquake 

occurred that caused Reclamation to 

modify injection operations which 

included a new shut down schedule and 

injection rate reduction. Those 

modifications have significantly 

decreased the injection pressure which 

could result in additional life of the well. 

The current projected life of the well remains at 3 to 5 years. (Table 8).

Figure 32 - Schematic of Paradox Project.

COLLECTION

WELLS

INJECTION

WELL

Dolores

River

SALINE GROUNDWATER

Paradox Valley Unit

Figure 31 – Paradox Valley
54

Table 8 - Paradox Well Injection Evaluation

Injection 

Period

Operational 

Days1

Pressure 

Start

High 

Pressure 

During 

Period

Injection 

Period Net 

Pressure 

Change

Tons of 

Salt 

Injected2

No. of Induced 

Seismic 

Events

Maximum 

Magnitude of 

Induced 

Seismic 

Events

Estimated 

Tons of Salt 

Entering the 

River3

Jan-May '024 148 1609 4432 52,860 25 2.9 8,469

June-Dec '025 178 929 4593 161 58,953 34 2.2 8,333

Jan-May '035 144 1172 4627 34 53,173 27 2.1 18,037

June-Dec '035 184 1154 4675 48 59,530 106 2.3 11,185

Jan-May '046 140 1201 4640 -35 51,449 47 2.4 20,225

June-Dec '047 160 1091 4541 -99 51,589 57 3.9 6,442

Jan-May '055 140 1038 4736 195 55,024 69 2.4 14,011

June-Dec '058 148 1203 4750 14 46,551 31 2.6 38,582

Jan-June '069 138 375 4680 -70 44,779 1010 2.4 53,039

July-Dec '065 162 1084 4797 117 56,920 1310 2.1 18,605

Jan-June '075 159 1066 4796 -1 56,068 710 1.1 19,728

July-Dec '075 163 1232 4712 -84 57,395 31 2.6 11,279

Jan-June '0811 160 1152 4813 101 54,720 47 1.3 15,305

July-Dec '085 162 1263 4822 9 56,734 61 2.1 16,378

*

Jan-Mar ‘095 84 1246 4756 -66 29,163 20 2.6 22,029

Apr-Sept '0912 160 1157 4891 135 55,083 70 2.7 16,507

Oct ‘09-Mar '105 153 970 4930 39 51,589 91 2.9 32,876

Apr ‘10-Sep '105 162 1347 4990 60 55,747 75 2.7 17,223

Oct ‘10-Mar '115 161 1378 5000 10 55,501 43 2.9 22,916

Apr ‘11-Sep '1113 158 1276 5102 102 54,422 63 2.7 11,591

Oct ’11-Mar ‘12 162 1282 5115 6 56,531 59 2.5 21,003

Apr ’12-Sep ‘12 161 1417 5108 -7 55,605 116 1.9 5,507

1. Operational days include partial days of operation which accounts for variations in tons of salt injected

2. Tons of salt injected based on 260,000 mg/L. Brine concentration varies slightly due to seasonal and environmental 

fluctuations

3. Tons of salt entering the river based on regression equations (Ken Watts, USGS Administrative Report – “Estimates of 

Dissolved Solids Load of the Dolores River in Paradox Valley, Montrose County, CO, 1988-2009, August 5, 2010”). The 

2010 FAR contained erroneous estimated tons of salt entering the river.

4. Begin 100% brine injection

5. No problems

6. Down from 3/1/04 through 3/7/04 for mechanical problems

7. Implemented quarterly 10-day shutdown schedule from 9/22 to 10/22; M3.9 earthquake on 11/7; plant shut down until 

11/18; discontinued 10-day shutdown schedule

8. Down from 11/13/05 through 12/31/05 for mechanical problems

9. Down from 1/1/06 through 1/19/06 and 2/16/06 through 3/2/06 for mechanical problems

10. Seismic data for 2006 and the first half of 2007 is likely incomplete due to seismic network problems

11. Down from 4/16-17/08 for mechanical problems

12. Down from 5/18-19/09 for mechanical problems

13. Down from 9/18-9/20 for communication link failure.

* Biannual shutdown schedule changed from winter/summer to spring/fall
55

Injection 

Month

Min 

Injection 

Pressure

Max 

Injection 

Pressure

Monthly 

Pressure 

Change

Tons of 

Salt 

Injected1

Estimated 

Salt Load

in tons3

# of 

Induced 

Seismic 

Events

Max Mag 

of 

Seismic 

Events 

No. of 

Seismic 

Events in 

Past 12 

Months

No. of 

Seismic 

Events in 

Past 12 

Months, M ≥ 

0.5

Jan-13 2,733 5,111 8,115 263 23 4.4 209 69

Feb-13 893 2,733 -2,378 0 1,324 9 1.7 213 70

Mar-13 500 893 -1,840 0 2,600 35 1.2 228 64

Apr-13 390 4,250 3,357 4,064 3,351 9 0.7 215 60

May-13 3,290 4,452 202 8,752 1,535 13 1.8 209 58

Jun-13 3,948 4,685 233 8,311 2,089 7 0.8 187 52

Jul-13 4,143 4,740 55 8,457 1,823 5 1.2 158 47

Aug-13 4,218 4,722 -18 8,629 289 4 0.5 155 47

Sep-13 3,513 4,770 48 7,557 659 2 0.3 141 43

Oct-13 3,683 4,770 0 9,610 195 6 1.2 126 35

Nov-13 4,208 4,803 33 8,814 577 5 0.7 127 36

Dec-13 4,195 4,758 36 8,713 778 6 0.8 121 34

Jan-14 4,202 4,739 -19 8,584 681 2 0.3 100 19

Feb-14 4,187 4,745 6 7,760 925 6 1.7 97 20

Mar-14 4,193 4,757 12 8,713 1,275 4 1.5 66 22

Apr-14 4,206 4,772 15 8,159 675 1 0.9 59 19

May-14 4,215 4,775 3 8,711 258 7 1.2 53 18

Jun-14 4,217 4,769 -6 8,381 186 0 N/A 46 16

Jul-14 4,218 4,778 9 8,428 236 5 2.3 46 17

Aug-14 4,212 4,781 3 8,645 -300 0 N/A 43 16

Sep-14 4,206 4,772 -9 8,215 -832 3 1.8 43 16

Oct-14 4,215 4,776 4 8,773 758 8 1.0 46 17

Nov-14 4,223 4,773 -3 8,297 2,992 3 1.1 44 18

Dec-14 4,205 4,778 5 8,272 4,202 6 0.4 44 17

Jan-15 4,202 4,766 -12 8,731 3,246 8 1.0 49 19

Feb-15 4,202 4,754 -12 7,775 4,353 3 1.1 46 17

Mar-15 4,228 4,766 12 8,457 6,282 0 N/A 42 14

Apr-15 4,196 4,760 -6 8,230 3,959 10 0.6 51 15
56

May-15 4,190 4,763 3 8,512 1,708 11 0.7 55 14

Jun-15 4,209 4,761 -2 8,279 174 16 0.9 71 16

Jul-15 4,227 4,777 16 8,637 -336 18 1.1 84 15

Aug-15 4,164 4,797 20 8,614 -478 9 1.6 93 18

Sep-15 4,239 4,787 -10 8,124 810 13 1.0 104 20

Oct-15 3,598 4,767 -20 7,863 733 7 0.9 103 21

Nov-15 4,206 4,737 -30 8,594 2,361 12 1.0 112 22

Dec-15 4,195 4,754 17 8,494 2,976 16 0.8 122 23

Jan-16 4,194 4,762 8 8,671 3,484 14 1.6 129 25

Previous 

12 

Months 

8 100,250 26,026 129 1.6

Previous 

24 

Months 

17 201,335 39,647 180 2.3

1

Tons of salt injected based on 260,000 mg/l. PVB concentration varies slightly due to seasonal and environmental fluctuations.

2

Estimated salt load based on regression equations (Ken Watts, USGS Administrative Report - "Estimates of Dissolved Solids Load of the 

Dolores River in Paradox Valley, Montrose County, Colorado, 1988 through 2009, dated August 5, 2010") and provisional data provided by 

USGS. Some daily EC and streamflow discharge values are estimates. 

Alternative Study

At the request of the Salinity Control Forum, Reclamation initiated an Alternative 

Study/EIS Process to evaluate alternative methods for salt disposal at Paradox. A Notice 

of Intent was published in the Federal Register on September 10, 2012, and public 

scoping meetings were held in Paradox, Montrose, and Grand Junction in 2012. 

Reclamation prepared a Scoping Summary Report in early 2013. Reclamation continues 

to have meetings and discussions on the Alternatives Study with the BLM, EPA, 

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and other stakeholders. 

A Request for Information for commercial salinity control alternatives was published in 

2015 to identify potential alternatives other than deep well injection and evaporation. One 

response was received for a brine crystallization process and a contract to evaluate that 

proposal is currently underway to determine its technical and economic viability. 

A panel of experts was convened in March and presented a list of questions regarding the 

operation, regulation and design of evaporation ponds. A final report was received in July 

with the results of that meeting and recommendations on how to proceed. In response to 

the board’s recommendations, Reclamation has initiated several investigations including 

an ecological Risk Assessment to evaluate the Migratory Bird issue, evaporation pan tests 

to provide information on pond size, and a pond optimization study to investigate pond 

operation. 
57

Preliminary evaporation pond cost estimates have been developed, but will be largely 

dependent on site selection and regulatory requirements. A Request for Information for 

commercial salinity control alternatives was published in 2015 to identify potential 

alternatives other than deep well injection and evaporation. One response was received 

for a brine crystallization process and a contract to evaluate that proposal is currently 

underway to determine its technical and economic viability. 

A panel of experts was convened in March and presented a list of questions regarding the 

operation, regulation and design of evaporation ponds. A final report was received in July 

with the results of that meeting and recommendations on how to proceed. In response to 

the board’s recommendations, Reclamation has initiated several investigations including 

an ecological Risk Assessment to evaluate the Migratory Bird issue, evaporation pan tests 

to provide information on pond size, and a pond optimization study to investigate pond 

operation. 

Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program Summary Data

The following tables summarize the Salinity Control Program using the latest available 

data. 
58

Table 9 – Summary of Federal Salinity Control Programs (2015)

Salinity Unit Tons / Year Removed

MEASURES IN PLACE BY RECLAMATION

Basinwide Program 214,700

Basin States Program 1/ 16,500

Meeker Dome 48,000

Las Vegas Wash Pitman 3,800

Grand Valley 122,300

Paradox Valley 2/ 100,700

Lower Gunnison Winter Water (USBR) 41,400

Dolores 23,000

Reclamation Subtotal 570,000

MEASURES IN PLACE BY NRCS/BSP 3/

Grand Valley 143,500

Price-San Rafael 80,100

Uinta Basin 157,200

Big Sandy River 58,200

Lower Gunnison 119,100

McElmo Creek 29,500

Mancos 4,400

Muddy Creek 100

Manila 10,400

Silt 2,300

Green River 700

Tier 2 4/ 6,800

NRCS/BSP Subtotal 612,000

MEASURES IN PLACE BY BLM

Nonpoint Sources 5/ 111,600

Well-Plugging 14,600

BLM Subtotal 126,000

Measures in Place Total 1,308,000

GOALS TO REACH TARGET

Reclamation Basinwide Program 222,000

NRCS Program 150,000

Goals Subtotal 372,000

Target Total (Measures in Place + Goals) 1,680,000

Target by 2035 1,680,000

1/ Off-farm projects funded by the BSP

2/ Paradox injection well capacity estimated to decline beginning in 2020; assumed 

 continuation of well or alternative control methods after 2020

3/ May include off-farm controls that were not goaled.

4/ Measures in areas outside approved projects.

5/ BLM non-point source are estimates.
59

Table 10 – Summary of Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program Appropriations and Cost Share from the 

Basin Funds (2005 thru 2015)

TOTAL PROGRAM ($1,000)

Unit 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Subtotal

Grand Valley O&M 863 1,223 1,340 1,125 1,757 1,021 1,373 1,289 1,515 1,885 2,247 15,638

Paradox Valley O&M 2,536 2,423 2,633 3,621 3,121 3,764 3,660 3,236 3,124 3,501 3,575 35,194

Lower Gunnison 

O&M

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

McElmo Creek 

(Dolores) O&M

623 739 419 559 603 676 491 480 563 479 576 6,208

USBR Basinwide 

Program

11,776 12,103 12,770 11,406 24,686 9,577 12,104 11,854 12,399 10,021 10,419 139,115

Subtotal (USBR 

Program)

15,797 16,487 17,162 16,711 30,167 15,038 17,629 16,860 17,600 15,887 16,816 196,155

NRCS Program 28,039 28,194 26,466 22,803 23,346 20,833 23,403 22,121 19,077 20,697 21,751 256,730

BLM (no Basin 

Funds)

800 751 800 800 800 800 800 800 800 800 800 8,751

Total 44,636 45,432 44,428 40,314 54,313 36,671 41,832 39,781 37,477 37,384 39,367 461,636

Unit 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Subtotal

Grand Valley O&M 647 917 1,005 844 1,318 766 1,030 967 1,133 1,414 1,685 11,726

Paradox Valley O&M 1,902 1,817 1,975 2,716 2,341 2,823 2,745 2,427 2,343 2,626 2,681 26,396

Lower Gunnison 

O&M

(2) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (2)

McElmo Creek 

(Dolores) O&M

436 517 293 391 422 473 344 336 394 335 403 4,344

USBR Basinwide 

Program

8,243 8,472 8,939 7,984 17,280 6,704 8,473 8,298 8,679 7,015 7,293 97,380

Subtotal (USBR 

Program)

11,226 11,723 12,212 11,935 21,361 10,766 12,592 12,028 12,549 11,390 12,062 139,844

NRCS Program 19,627 19,736 18,526 15,962 16,342 14,583 16,382 15,485 13,354 14,488 15,226 179,711

 Total 30,853 31,459 30,738 27,897 37,703 25,349 28,974 27,513 25,903 25,878 27,288 319,555

Appropriations Expended ($1,000)
60

Unit 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Subtotal

Grand Valley O&M 32 46 50 42 66 38 52 48 57 71 84 586

Paradox Valley O&M 95 91 99 136 117 141 137 121 117 131 134 1,319

Lower Gunnison 

O&M

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

McElmo Creek 

(Dolores) O&M

28 33 19 25 27 30 22 22 25 22 26 279

USBR Basinwide 

Program

530 545 575 513 1,111 431 545 533 558 451 469 5,981

Subtotal (USBR 

Program)

685 715 742 716 1,321 641 756 725 757 675 713 8,165

NRCS Projects 1,262 1,269 1,191 1,026 1,051 937 1,053 995 858 931 979 11,552

 Total Payment 1,947 1,983 1,934 1,743 2,371 1,578 1,809 1,720 1,616 1,606 1,692 19,717

Unit 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Subtotal

Grand Valley O&M 183 260 285 239 373 217 292 274 325 401 477 3,326

Paradox Valley O&M 539 515 560 770 663 800 778 688 664 744 760 7,481

Lower Gunnison 

O&M

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

McElmo Creek 

(Dolores) O&M

159 188 107 142 154 172 125 122 144 122 147 1,582

USBR Basinwide 

Program

3,003 3,086 3,256 2,908 6,295 2,442 3,087 3,023 3,162 2,555 2,657 35,474

Subtotal (USBR 

Program)

3,884 4,049 4,207 4,060 7,485 3,631 4,281 4,107 4,294 3,822 4,041 47,863

NRCS Projects 7,150 7,190 6,749 5,815 5,953 5,312 5,968 5,641 4,865 5,278 5,547 65,468

 Total 11,034 11,239 10,956 9,874 13,438 8,944 10,249 9,748 9,159 9,100 9,587 113,331

UPPER BASIN FUND COST SHARE PAYMENTS ($1,000)

LOWER BASIN FUND COST SHARE PAYMENTS ($1,000)
61

Table 11 - UCRB Agriculture Salinity Control Summary (tons) - 2015

Project Area Total Salt Load Total Ag. Load Total Controls Remaining Ag. Load

Big Sandy 157,500 124,900 70,480 54,400

Grand Valley 580,000 535,500 275,624 259,876

Green River 15,700 15,700 657 15,043

Lower Gunnison 1,440,000 840,000 114,476 725,524

Mancos 43,000 26,000 25,331 669

Manila 49,000 40,000 9,643 30,357

McElmo 164,075 99,960 38,713 61,247

Muddy Creek 90,000 14,980 71 14,909

Price-San Rafael 430,000 244,000 77,695 166,305

Rifle - Silt NA 24,700 56,793 -32,093

Uinta 500,000 328,120 196,153 131,967

Total 3,469,275 2,293,860 865,636 1,428,224

1. Off-farm load shown only. On-farm loads have not been estimated for the San Juan and Paria areas

2. Agricultural load for Paria only represents the conveyance systems which were piped as part of the Tropic Project

3. Areas outside existing project boundaries.

Figure 33 – Salt Load

On-Farm 

Controls, 549,100

On-Farm 

Remaining 

against cap 

(80%), 500,600

On-Farm 

Unobtainable, 

262,400

Off-Farm 

Controls, 316,700

Off-Farm 

Remaining, 

685,800
62

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63

CHAPTER 5 - OTHER WATER QUALITY 

RELATED ISSUES

Gold King Mine Spill

On August 5, 2015, EPA was conducting an investigation of the Gold King Mine (GKM) near 

Silverton, Colorado. While excavating above the old adit, pressurized water began leaking above 

the mine tunnel, spilling about three million gallons of water stored behind the collapsed material 

into Cement Creek, a tributary of the Animas River. (EPA) On August 8, the USGS measured 

increased flows for several hours using a stream gauge. This measurement resulted in a 

provisional calculated flow volume of 3,043,067 gallons or 9.34 acre feet (af) discharged from 

the Gold King Mine. This flow went down Cement Creek into the Animas River and then into 

the San Juan River headed to Lake 

Powell and the Colorado River. 

The major concern of this unintended 

discharge was the metals (lead, 

chromium, cadmium, mercury, 

arsenic, zinc, copper, iron, manganese 

and aluminum) which were in the 

mine wastewater and their potential 

impact to water users downstream. 

The acid mine drainage (AMD) 

plume was being monitored in real 

time primarily by the color of the 

water and its pH or acidity. Other 

samples were taken for metal content 

but could not be used to monitor the 

AMD in real time since those samples 

had to be sent to a lab for analysis. 

The pH of the AMD near the mine 

was less than 5, which is fairly acidic, 

and kept most of the metals in a dissolved state within the AMD. Once the AMD plume reached 

and mixed with the Animas and especially the San Juan Rivers the buffering capacity of those 

alkaline waters, > 7 pH, increased the pH of the AMD water. When the AMD plume reached the 

San Juan River it could no longer be tracked by the color of the water, since the San Juan River 

is very high in suspended sediments and thus has a high turbidity. The pH was also not useable 

as an indicator of the spill plume once it reached the lower Animas River and entered the San 

Juan River since all water testing showing pH levels of 8 – 8.1, which is the normal pH of those 

rivers, so tracking the AMD plume down the San Juan River became almost impossible using the 

color and pH of the water. The base flow out of Navajo Reservoir, upstream on the San Juan 

River from the confluence with the Animas River, during this time was 650 cfs (1,288 af/day) 

and Reclamation increased the flow out of Navajo Reservoir for 2 days to 1,300 cfs (2,577 

Figure 34- Animas River
64

af/day) to help dilute the AMD. The 9.3 af of the AMD plume was less than 2% of the daily 

flow in the San Juan River which also made tracking the AMD plume even harder to follow once 

it reached the San Juan River, due to the dilution effect. 

According to the EPA, as the dissolved metals in the acidic waters of the mine entered into the 

alkaline water of the Animas and San Juan rivers naturally occurring chemical reactions changed 

the soluble metals into an insoluble or solid form which would then precipitate or drop out of the 

water column and mix with the river sediment. It was estimated by the EPA that 2/3 of the 

metals precipitated out over 200 km of the Animas River streambed and 1/3 reached the San 

Juan River. 

Monitoring of the water and sediment will continue to verify there is no long term impact along 

the lower Animas and San Juan Rivers or into Lake Powell.

Dreissenid Mussels in the Upper Colorado River Basin

A fairly recent problem, which has the potential to affect the water quality in the Colorado River 

basin, is the introduction of dreissenid mussels. The dreissenid mussels (quagga and zebra) were 

first found in the Great Lakes area in 1988. The quagga mussels travel either downstream with 

the water current or via watercraft movement and were first found in the Colorado River basin at 

Lake Mead in 2007. The quagga mussels found in 2007 were adults and well established, so they 

probably were introduced into Lake Mead around 2005. Since 2007, quagga mussels in the 

lower Colorado River 

basin have become well 

established. 

Prior to quagga mussels 

being found in Lake 

Mead, scientists 

originally thought that 

Lake Powell would be the 

first western water body 

to become infested. In 

order to keep this from 

happening the National 

Park Service (NPS) Glen 

Canyon National 

Recreation Area (GLCA) 

started a campaign to 

keep the mussels out of Lake Powell beginning around 2000 with education and boat inspections 

being the primary activity. However, the Reclamation lab in Denver was getting random and 

inconclusive results of mussels in water samples after 2007. Since there was no conclusive 

positive results (both positive microscopy and PCR), NPS didn’t accept the Denver lab results 

and established their own mussel sampling and lab using both microscopy and DNA at Lake 

Powell.

Figure 35 – Mussel encrusted chair from Lake Powell
65

Mussel larvae, or veligers, were first confirmed in Lake Powell in late 2012, by NPS after 

routine water monitoring tests discovered mussel DNA in water samples taken just upstream 

from Glen Canyon Dam. Adult mussels were first reported in March 2013 when a local marine 

services business discovered 4 adult mussels on a boat that had been pulled for service. Adult 

mussels continued to be found on moored boats and marina structures at Wahweap and Antelope 

Point Marinas. Adult mussels have also been found attached to submerged canyon walls in and 

around Wahweap Bay and on fixed wheel gates on the Glen Canyon Dam penstocks, when they 

have been pulled for maintenance in the last couple of years. The majority of mussels are found 

in the southern end of the reservoir but veligers and adults are now being found farther up 

reservoir.

The impacts that the mussels will have at Lake Powell are yet to be seen as their overall 

population is still fairly low, but with increasing populations increased problems will be 

encountered. At the lower end of the reservoir, near the dam, when the female mussels are 

spawning concentrations of veligers in the water have been found to be greater than 100,000 per 

liter. Problems caused by high numbers of mussels include; plugging of the infrastructure and 

piping of Glen Canyon Dam, the water intake for the Navajo Power Plant, City of Page water 

delivery, and the yet to be built Lake Powell Pipeline to St. George. Other impacts could 

negatively impact the recreational activities on the beaches with the sharp mussel shells and 

smell when the mussels die as the water level fluctuates, boat engine overheating and increased 

fuel consumption from mussels on the boat hulls. As the mussels filter the water they will also 

reduce the amount of phytoplankton in the water column which is the base food source for the 

reservoir fishery, and potentially shift the algal community into a blue green algae base, which 

has the potential for releasing toxic byproducts. 

Figure 36- Wheel gate from Glen Canyon Dam and rock wall with mussels.

Since Lake Powell is popular with boaters and surveys have shown that when boaters leave Lake 

Powell that they like to boat at other waters in and out of the Colorado River Basin, another 

concern is the potential for the spread of these mussels into new waters. The NPS and State of 

Utah are working hard to educate boaters and decontaminate boats, if necessary, to reduce the 

chance of moving quagga mussels to other non-infested waters in the area.
66

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67

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75

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77

APPENDIX A

SALINITY MONITORING STATION INFORMATION

Figure A1 - Colorado River Basin 20 Stream Gage Locations

UC CRSS stream gauges

LC CRSS stream gauges

1. Green River nr Green River, WY

2. Green River nr Greendale, UT

3. Yampa River nr Maybell, CO

4. Duchesne River nr Randlett, UT

5. White River nr Watson, UT

6. Green River nr Green River, UT

7. San Rafael River nr Green River, UT

8. Colorado River nr Glenwood Springs, CO

9. Colorado River nr Cameo, CO

10. Gunnison River nr Grand Junction, CO

11. Dolores River nr Cisco, UT

12. Colorado River nr Cisco, UT

13. San Juan River nr Archuleta, NM

14. San Juan River nr Bluff, UT

15. Colorado River @ Lees Ferry, AZ

16. Colorado River nr Grand Canyon, AZ

17. Virgin River @ Littlefield, AZ

Numeric Criteria Stations

18. Colorado River below Hoover Dam

19. Colorado River below Parker Dam

20. Colorado River @ Imperial Dam

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

11 10 12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Monitoring Stations 
78

Table A1. Characteristics of the 20 Salinity Streamflow-gaging Stations in the Colorado River Basin. 

[NA, indicates not applicable; Latitude and Longitude datum: NAD83; Elevation datum: NGVD29.]

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey 

streamflowgaging 

station 

number

U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging 

station name

Site 

short 

name

Latitude, 

in decimal 

degrees

Longitude, 

in decimal 

degrees

Elevation, 

in feet 

above sea 

level

Drainage 

area, in 

square 

miles

09217000 Green River near Green River WY GRWY 39.5589 -107.2909 5,760 4,556

09234500 Green River near Greendale, UT GDALE 39.2391 -108.2662 4,814 7,986

09251000 Yampa River near Maybell, CO YAMPA 38.9833 -108.4506 4,628 7,923

09302000 Duchesne River near Randlett, UT DUCH 38.7972 -109.1951 4,165 4,580

09306500 White River near Watson, UT WHITE 38.8105 -109.2934 4,090 24,100

09315000 Green River at Green River, UT GRUT 41.5164 -109.4490 6,060 14,000

09328500 San Rafael River near Green River, UT SANRAF 40.9083 -109.4229 5,594 19,350

09071750 Colorado River above Glenwood Springs, CO GLEN 40.5027 -108.0334 5,900 3,383

09095500 Colorado River near Cameo, CO CAMEO 40.2103 -109.7814 4,756 3,790

09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction, CO GUNN 39.9789 -109.1787 4,947 4,020

09180000 Dolores River near Cisco, UT DOLOR 38.9861 -110.1512 4,040 44,850

09180500 Colorado River near Cisco, UT CISCO 38.8583 -110.3701 4,190 1,628

09355500 San Juan River near Archuleta, NM ARCH 36.8019 -107.6986 5,653 3,260

09379500 San Juan River near Bluff, UT BLUFF 37.1469 -109.8648 4,048 23,000

09380000 Colorado River at Lees Ferry, AZ LEES 36.8647 -111.5882 3,106 111,800

09402500 Colorado River near Grand Canyon, AZ GRCAN 36.1014 -112.0863 2,419 141,600

09415000 Virgin River at Littlefield, AZ VIRGIN 36.8916 -113.9244 1,764 5,090

09421500 Colorado River below Hoover Dam, AZ-NV HOOVER 36.0153 -114.7386 675 171,700

09427520 Colorado River below Parker Dam, AZ-CA PARKER 34.2956 -114.1402 301 182,700

09429490 Colorado River above Imperial Dam, AZ-CA IMPER 32.8837 -114.4674 183 188,500
79

Figure A2 - Colorado River Basin Flows and Salinity
80

APPENDIX B

SALT LOAD 2014 UPDATE FOR THE 20 STATIONS

(Updates calendar years 2010 through 2013)

STATION CLASSIFICATIONS

U.S. Geological Survey

Colorado Water Science Center

Western Colorado Office

September 3, 2014
81

INTRODUCTION

Methodology

Three Statistical Analyses System (SAS) computer programs, FLAGIT, DVCOND, and SLOAD are used to 

estimate dissolved-solids concentrations and loads from existing data. The program FLAGIT retrieves data from the 

daily-values (DV) file and water-quality file (QW) of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water Data Storage and 

Retrieval System (WATSTORE) (Hutchinson, 1975), examines the data, deletes incomplete observations, and flags 

possible errors in the remaining observations. FLAGIT also produces the data base used by the programs DVCOND 

and SLOAD. The program DVCOND fills in missing values in the daily specific-conductance record by linear 

interpolation. DVCOND needs to be used only when the flow at a streamflow-gaging station is extensively 

regulated. 

The program SLOAD derives regression relations from water-quality data, modeling dissolved solids and six major 

ions as functions of specific conductance and discharge (Q). SLOAD then applies these relations to the daily 

specific conductance and discharge data and computes daily loads of dissolved solids and the other six major ions. 

The computed daily loads are summed by month and by year. Monthly and annual dissolved-solids and major ion 

concentrations are computed from the monthly and annual loads and streamflows. Monthly, annual, and seasonal 

concentrations and loads, in addition to regression statistics, are printed and saved on SAS data sets. Separate 

versions of SLOAD enable annual summation either by water year (WY) or calendar year (CY) (Lieberman and 

others, 1987). 

The computerized method can be used for streamflow-gaging stations that have a complete record of DV Q and 

periodic QW analyses. The reliability of the estimate is considerably increased if DV specific conductance (SC) also 

is available. Water-quality analysis that includes total dissolved solids (TDS) with major ion analysis (also referred 

to as sum of constituents or SOC/SUM; herein referred to as SOC) is preferred over residue on evaporation at 180 

degrees Celsius (ROE). SOC enables SLOAD calculations of the 8 major constituents normally present in natural 

streams: Calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), silica (Si), chloride (Cl-

), sulfate (SO4

2-

), and carbon, expressed as carbonate equivalent (Liebermann and others, 1987).

Classification Criteria

The 20 stations are classified A, B, or C, according to the quantity and quality of available data for the salt-load 

computations. Optimal data collection at each station includes daily mean streamflow, daily mean SC, and at least 6 

water quality samples per WY which include TDS. SC may be monitored continuously with an instrument (daily 

mean) or sampled once per day by an observer (instantaneous). Continuous monitoring for daily mean SC by 

instrument is the preferred method. 

Types of Specific Conductivity

Specific Conductivity at the sites is classified into several types:

• Daily – mean daily SC collected by instrumentation. To be considered “daily”, the record may have up to 

60 missing days of SC per water year which are spread out in small groups over the year.

• Intermittent – mean daily SC which has more than 60 missing days per water year spread out over the water 

year.

• Seasonal – mean daily SC has been continuously shut off during the winter (November through March 

typically), with more than 60 missing days.

• Instantaneous – single SC values which have been manually collected by an observer. Usually spaced 

several days apart, and may be missing during winter months.
82

CLASS A

For Class A, adequate data must be available for salt-load computation using SLOAD. Site data includes:

• 6 or more QW samples per WY which include some type of TDS (ROE, SOC, or Calculated). SLOAD 

automatically discards QW records without any type of TDS. 

• Daily Q (SLOAD allows no days with missing Q). 

• Mean daily SC from instrumentation. The SC record must be “daily”, and must have no more than 60 total 

days of missing values for the WY.

CLASS B

Salt-load computation is possible using SLOAD, but limited data availability could be contributing to error in salt 

load estimate. Even though the site has daily Q and daily SC, if there are fewer than 6 QW observations, the site will 

be Class B. Site data includes:

• There are fewer than 6 QW samples per WY which include some type of TDS. 

• Daily Q (SLOAD allows no days with missing Q). Missing Q values may be interpolated from surrounding 

values.

• SC may be mean daily (with up to 60 missing days), seasonal, intermittent (more than 60 missing days), 

instantaneous from observers, or non-existant. 

CLASS C

Inadequate data exists for SLOAD salt-load computation. Site data includes:

• Some QW records may exist, but none have TDS, hence they are not usable. 

• SC may or may not exist, but is not used.

• Salt concentration and load are calculated from regression analysis of old data (Q and TDS). 

Improvements and Declines in Class

The classification is shown by year for each site in the tables. This is helpful to see the trend in classifications. 

A judgment call must be made for the final year classification. The final year has incomplete data, and the data have 

not been finalized by USGS. The final year classification will be shown as “provisional” if the criteria for the class 

are being met as of the cutoff date for the data. For example, if sufficient QW records exist to suggest that 6

observations will be made by the end of the WY, and if daily SC is being recorded, then A (provisional) will be 

given. The pattern of QW observations for the previous years is taken to project the QW for the final year. The final 

year will not be shown as provisional if no daily SC is being recorded, (the class is clearly B), or, if no QW records 

are available, (the class is clearly C).
83

#1 GRWY - STATION 09217000, Green River near Green River, WY

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

12 12 12 12 8 (thru 5-08)

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC None None None None None

ROE TDS 

samples

12 12 12 12 8

SOC TDS 

samples

12 11 12 12 8

Class by Year B B B B B (provisional)

Classify Notes No SC No SC No SC No SC No SC

Operation is by USGS for daily Q, daily SC, and periodic QW. 

#2 GDALE - STATION 09234500, Green River near Greendale, UT

Daily Q only, no SC until WY 2013, no QW with TDS until WY 2012. Due to insufficient data, SLOAD 

computations cannot be run for this station. Salt loads were calculated using a linear regression equation 

derived from old Q and TDS data (1/1990 through 8/2000.) SLOAD analysis should be possible in 2016 if 

current data collection is continued.

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

9 12 12 13 7 (thru 5-15)

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC None None Starts 8/10 (314 

missing)

Daily (8 

missing)

Daily (5 missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

0 0 1 9 5

SOC TDS 

samples

0 0 1 9 5

Class by Year C C B A A (provisional)

Classify Notes No SC or TDS No SC or TDS TDS < 6 / yr

Operation is by USGS for daily Q. 

#3 YAMPA – STATION 09251000, Yampa River near Maybell, CO

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

6 6 6 6 3 (thru 5-19)

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC Daily (44 

missing)

Daily (34 

missing)

Daily (16 

missing)

Daily (23

missing)

Daily (33 

missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

0 0 0 0 0

SOC TDS 

samples

6 6 6 6 3

Class by Year A A A A A (provisional)

Classify Notes Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 60 

/ yr

Operation is by USGS for daily Q, daily SC, and periodic QW. 
84

#4 DUCH – STATION 09302000, Duchesne River near Randlett, UT

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

8 18 8 11 9

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (56 missing)

SC Daily (5 

missing)

Daily (59 

missing)

Daily (0 

missing)

Daily (18 

missing)

Daily (21 

missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

6 8 8 9 5

SOC TDS 

samples

8 8 8 9 5

Class by Year A A A A A (provisional)

Classify Notes Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 60 

/ yr

Operation is by USGS for daily Q, daily SC, and periodic QW. 

#5 WHITE – STATION 09306500, White River near Watson, Utah

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

10 9 9 12 8

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (84 missing)

SC None None None None None

ROE TDS 

samples

9 8 8 9 5

SOC TDS 

samples

9 8 8 9 5

Class by Year B B B B B (provisional)

Classify Notes No SC No SC No SC No SC No SC

Operation is by USGS for daily Q and periodic QW. 

#6 GRUT – STATION 09315000, Green River at Green River, UT

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

8 9 13 8 3

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC None None None None None

ROE TDS 

samples

8 9 9 8 3

SOC TDS 

samples

8 9 9 8 3

Class by Year B B B B B (provisional)

Classify Notes No SC No SC No SC No SC No SC

Operation is by USGS for daily Q and periodic QW. 
85

#7 SANRAF – STATION 09328500, San Rafael River near Green River, UT

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

8 11 10 9 4

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC None None None None None

ROE TDS 

samples

8 9 9 8 3

SOC TDS 

samples

7 9 9 8 3

Class by Year B B B B B (provisional)

Classify Notes No SC No SC No SC No SC No SC

Operation is by USGS for daily Q, daily SC, and periodic QW. 

#8 GLEN – STATION 09071750, Colorado River above Glenwood Springs, CO

This station has an SC monitor but no stream gage. Flow is computed as the difference between station 09085100 

(Colorado River below Glenwood Springs, CO) and station 09085000 (Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs, CO). 

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

6 6 6 6 3

Daily Q Estimated (0 

missing)

Estimated (0 

missing)

Estimated (0 

missing)

Estimated (0 

missing)

Estimated (0 

missing)

SC Daily (32 

missing)

Daily (15 

missing)

Daily (2 

missing)

Daily (0 

missing)

Daily (0 missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

0 0 0 0 0

SOC TDS 

samples

6 6 6 6 3

Class by Year A A A A A (provisional)

Classify Notes Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC <

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 60 

/ yr

Operation is by USGS for estimated Q, daily SC and periodic QW. 

#9 CAMEO - STATION 09095500, Colorado River near Cameo, CO

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

5 5 7 5 4

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC Daily (34 

missing)

Daily (38 

missing)

Daily (59 

missing)

Daily (46 

missing)

Daily (2 missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

0 0 0 0 0

SOC TDS 

samples

4 5 6 5 3

Class by Year B B A B B (provisional)

Classify Notes QW 

observations < 

6

QW 

observations < 

6

QW 

observations > 

6

QW 

observations < 

6

Operation is by USGS for daily Q, daily SC, and periodic QW. 
86

#10 GUNN - STATION 09152500, Gunnison River near Grand Junction, CO

 Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

5 7 9 9 5

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC Daily (9 

missing)

Daily (37 

missing)

Daily (7 

missing)

Daily (60 

missing)

Daily (9 missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

0 0 0 0 0

SOC TDS 

samples

5 7 8 9 2

Class by Year B A A B A (provisional)

Classify Notes Missing SC >59 

/ yr

Operation is by USGS for daily Q, daily SC, and periodic QW.

#11 DOLOR - STATION 09180000, Dolores River near Cisco, UT

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

8 8 11 8 5

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC Daily (12 

missing)

Daily (29 

missing)

Daily (0 

missing)

Daily (26 

missing)

Daily (7 missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

8 8 9 8 4

SOC TDS 

samples

7 8 9 8 4

Class by Year A A A A A (provisional)

Classify Notes Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 60 

/ yr

Operation is by USGS for daily Q, daily SC, and periodic QW. 

#12 CISCO - STATION 09180500, Colorado River near Cisco, UT

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

8 8 12 8 4

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC Daily (13 

missing)

Daily (2 

missing)

Daily (13 

missing)

Daily (11 

missing)

Daily (6 missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

7 8 9 8 2

SOC TDS 

samples

8 8 9 8 2

Class by Year A A A A A (provisional)

Classify Notes Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC <

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 60 

/ yr

Operation is by USGS for daily Q, daily SC, and periodic QW. 
87

#13 ARCH - STATION 09355500, San Juan River near Archuleta, NM

Due to improvements in QW observations starting in 2009, it was possible to use SLOAD for the update in 2014.

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

3 4 5 4 1

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC None None None None None

ROE TDS 

samples

3 4 4 3 1

SOC TDS 

samples

1 3 3 3 1

Class by Year B B B B B (provisional)

Classify Notes

Operation is by USGS for daily Q and periodic QW. 

#14 BLUFF - STATION 09379500, San Juan River near Bluff, UT

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

9 9 9 9 3

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC Daily (9 

missing)

Daily (6 

missing)

Daily (1 

missing)

Daily (30 

missing)

Daily (9 missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

9 9 8 9 2

SOC TDS 

samples

9 9 8 9 2

Class by Year A A A A A (provisional)

Classify Notes Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 

60 / yr

Missing SC < 60 

/ yr

Operation is by USGS for daily Q, daily SC, and periodic QW. 

#15 LEES - STATION 09380000, Colorado River at Lees Ferry, AZ

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

4 4 5 14 10

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC Daily (16 

missing)

Daily (0 

missing)

Daily (2 

missing)

Daily (0 

missing)

Daily (0 missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

4 4 4 14 9

SOC TDS 

samples

4 4 5 14 9

Class by Year B B B A A (provisional)

Classify Notes TDS samples < 

6

TDS samples < 

6

TDS samples < 

6

Operation is by USGS for daily Q, daily SC, and periodic QW. 
88

#16 GRCAN - STATION 09402500, Colorado River near Grand Canyon, AZ

Daily Q only, no SC or QW. There has been no water quality sampling since late 1980’s. Salt loads are computed 

with a special version of SLOAD by using the load at station 09380000 (Colorado River at Lees Ferry, AZ) and the 

flow difference between the 2 stations. 

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-

31)

QW 

Observations

None None None None None

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC None None None None None

ROE TDS 

samples

0 0 0 0 0

SOC TDS 

samples

0 0 0 0 0

Class by Year C C C C C

Classify Notes No SC or QW No SC or QW No SC or QW No SC or QW No SC or QW

Operation is by USGS for daily Q. 

#17 VIRGIN - STATION 09415000, Virgin River at Littlefield, AZ

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

4 4 4 4 2

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC None None None None None

ROE TDS 

samples

2 4 4 4 2

SOC TDS 

samples

2 4 4 4 2

Class by Year B B B B B (provisional)

Classify Notes No SC, TDS 

samples < 6

No SC, TDS 

samples < 6

No SC, TDS 

samples < 6

No SC, TDS 

samples < 6

No SC, TDS 

samples < 6

Operation is by USGS for daily Q and periodic QW. 

#18 HOOVER – STATION 09421500, Colorado River below Hoover Dam, AZ-NV

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

11 11 11 11 6

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC Daily (1 missing) Daily (0 missing) Daily (3 missing) Daily (11 

missing)

Daily (51 

missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

11 11 11 11 6

SOC TDS 

samples

11 11 11 11 6

Class by 

Year

A A A A A (provisional)

Classify 

Notes

Includes USBR

data

Includes USBR

data

Includes USBR

data

Includes USBR

data

Includes USBR

data

Operation is by USGS for daily Q and periodic QW and by Reclamation for daily SC and periodic QW. 
89

#19 PARKER - STATION 09427520, Colorado River below Parker Dam, AZ-CA

Daily SC data provided by Reclamation was available for the first time for the 2014 update.

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-

31)

QW 

Observations

29 28 31 37 24 (thru 5/21)

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (2 missing) Yes (0 missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

29 28 31 37 23

SOC TDS 

samples

29 28 31 37 23

Class by Year A A A A A

Classify Notes Includes USBR

data

Includes USBR

data

Includes USBR

data

Includes USBR

data

Includes USBR

data

Operation is by USGS for daily Q and periodic QW and by Reclamation for daily SC and periodic QW. 

#20 IMPER - STATION 09429490, Colorado River above Imperial Dam, AZ-CA

Water Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (thru 5-31)

QW 

Observations

30 27 26 27 17

Daily Q Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing) Yes (0 missing)

SC Daily (0 

missing)

Daily (0 

missing)

Daily (0 

missing)

Daily (0 

missing)

Daily (0 missing)

ROE TDS 

samples

30 27 26 27 16

SOC TDS 

samples

4 4 10 27 16

Class by Year A A A A A (provisional)

Classify Notes Includes USBR

data

Includes USBR

data

Includes USBR

data

Includes USBR

data

Includes USBR

data

Operation is by USGS for daily Q and quarterly QW, and by BOR for daily SC and additional periodic QW. 
90

APPENDIX C

REGRESSION STATISTICS FOR 2014 SLOAD

Updates CY 2010-2013

1. STATION 09217000 (GRWY) Green River near Green River, WY

STATION 09217000 Green River near Green River, UT UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 36 2.8 0.0

2 2011 36 2.8 0.0

3 2012 36 2.8 0.0

4 2013 32 0.0 0.0

5 2014 32 0.0 0.0

STATION 09217000 Green River near Green River, UT UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 36 0.78425 0.16147 1.17013 0.79566 35 0.99398 0.02779 -6.70133 0.96864 1.08661

2 Calcium 35 0.04699 0.16402 4.51269 -0.09299 34 0.89891 0.05508 -3.10829 0.07752 1.04790

3 Magnesium 35 0.15118 0.14546 3.90034 -0.15674 34 0.94655 0.03765 -3.01949 -0.00206 0.95171

4 Chloride 35 0.15812 0.26883 3.59769 -0.29748 34 0.87079 0.10842 -8.48670 -0.02928 1.66499

5 Sulfate 35 0.36880 0.22813 7.66155 -0.44527 34 0.95446 0.06322 -3.12322 -0.20500 1.48452

6 Carbonate 35 0.01276 0.12104 4.71130 -0.03514 34 0.85332 0.04804 -0.77306 0.08783 0.75372

7 Sodium +K 35 0.45037 0.18611 6.42602 -0.43018 34 0.84514 0.10134 -1.14891 -0.26330 1.04559
91

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 36 0.78425 0.16147 1.17013 0.79566 35 0.99398 0.02779 -6.70133 0.96864 1.08661

9 Calcium 35 0.04699 0.16402 4.51269 -0.09299 34 0.89891 0.05508 -3.10829 0.07752 1.04790

10 Magnesium 35 0.15118 0.14546 3.90034 -0.15674 34 0.94655 0.03765 -3.01949 -0.00206 0.95171

11 Chloride 35 0.15812 0.26883 3.59769 -0.29748 34 0.87079 0.10842 -8.48670 -0.02928 1.66499

12 Sulfate 35 0.36880 0.22813 7.66155 -0.44527 34 0.95446 0.06322 -3.12322 -0.20500 1.48452

13 Carbonate 35 0.01276 0.12104 4.71130 -0.03514 34 0.85332 0.04804 -0.77306 0.08783 0.75372

14 Sodium +K 35 0.45037 0.18611 6.42602 -0.43018 34 0.84514 0.10134 -1.14891 -0.26330 1.04559

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 36 0.85861 0.14919 0.59168 0.87741 36 0.99573 0.02633 -6.81492 0.98229 1.08946

16 Calcium 35 0.00027 0.15896 3.89778 -0.00614 35 0.88938 0.05370 -3.58966 0.10098 1.09975

17 Magnesium 35 0.05876 0.13644 3.35825 -0.08021 35 0.93607 0.03611 -3.22095 0.01392 0.96635

18 Chloride 35 0.07972 0.25476 2.73525 -0.17642 35 0.81714 0.11532 -8.65506 -0.01347 1.67300

19 Sulfate 35 0.28603 0.21921 6.81453 -0.32645 35 0.92314 0.07304 -3.52812 -0.17849 1.51912

20 Carbonate 35 0.00102 0.11360 4.40280 0.00853 35 0.81362 0.04983 -0.71469 0.08174 0.75165

21 Sodium +K 35 0.41100 0.17753 5.85872 -0.34892 35 0.79389 0.10664 -1.29045 -0.24665 1.05006

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 32 0.81897 0.11376 0.04654 0.95683 31 0.82824 0.11414 -0.90112 1.05703 0.04376

23 Calcium 32 0.05132 0.12479 3.06838 0.11478 31 0.12035 0.12429 1.92540 0.23530 0.05310

24 Magnesium 32 0.00009 0.10274 2.77827 0.00389 31 0.05116 0.10340 2.01162 0.08400 0.03629

25 Chloride 32 0.00021 0.15073 1.56809 -0.00864 31 0.04453 0.15237 0.51796 0.10131 0.04950

26 Sulfate 32 0.06829 0.16188 5.76621 -0.17331 31 0.13065 0.16122 4.28457 -0.01536 0.06720

27 Carbonate 32 0.01730 0.09181 4.13016 0.04818 31 0.02058 0.09369 3.90781 0.06979 0.01205

28 Sodium +K 32 0.20091 0.13475 5.29398 -0.26719 31 0.22743 0.13693 4.42363 -0.17509 0.04012

2. STATION 09234500 (GDALE) Green River near Greendale, UT, NO REGRESSION STATS

This site has daily Q, no daily SC, and periodic QW observations. There are no TDS measurements included in the QW records prior 

to 2012, therefore there is insufficient data for SLOAD computations. Salt loads were calculated using a linear regression equation 

derived from old data (01/1990 through 08/2000.) See spreadsheet gdale_regression_2014.xlsx. If current QW sampling continues 

with TDS, there should be possible an SLOAD calculation in 2016. 
92

3. STATION 09251000 (YAMPA) Yampa River near Maybell, CO

STATION 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell, CO UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

 

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 17 0.0 0.0

2 2011 17 0.0 0.0

3 2012 17 0.0 0.0

4 2013 15 0.0 0.0

5 2014 15 0.0 0.0

STATION 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell, CO UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 17 0.92766 0.32294 0.56887 0.87050 17 0.99928 0.03334 -7.45796 1.02395 1.14446

2 Calcium 17 0.15501 0.23837 4.12354 -0.07685 17 0.90085 0.08452 -1.47070 0.03009 0.79762

3 Magnesium 17 0.12689 0.35907 3.65154 -0.10304 17 0.97388 0.06429 -5.18290 0.06585 1.25960

4 Chloride 17 0.79302 0.28465 5.12268 -0.41942 17 0.96487 0.12138 -1.35649 -0.29555 0.92379

5 Sulfate 17 0.07684 0.46778 5.25035 -0.10159 17 0.97970 0.07180 -6.30568 0.11933 1.64765

6 Carbonate 17 0.40007 0.21064 5.09804 -0.12948 17 0.80251 0.12509 0.78851 -0.04709 0.61445

7 Sodium +K 17 0.52397 0.34288 5.24684 -0.27080 17 0.96312 0.09879 -2.98003 -0.11352 1.17298

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 17 0.92766 0.32294 0.56887 0.87050 17 0.99928 0.03334 -7.45796 1.02395 1.14446

9 Calcium 17 0.15501 0.23837 4.12354 -0.07685 17 0.90085 0.08452 -1.47070 0.03009 0.79762

10 Magnesium 17 0.12689 0.35907 3.65154 -0.10304 17 0.97388 0.06429 -5.18290 0.06585 1.25960

11 Chloride 17 0.79302 0.28465 5.12268 -0.41942 17 0.96487 0.12138 -1.35649 -0.29555 0.92379

12 Sulfate 17 0.07684 0.46778 5.25035 -0.10159 17 0.97970 0.07180 -6.30568 0.11933 1.64765

13 Carbonate 17 0.40007 0.21064 5.09804 -0.12948 17 0.80251 0.12509 0.78851 -0.04709 0.61445

14 Sodium +K 17 0.52397 0.34288 5.24684 -0.27080 17 0.96312 0.09879 -2.98003 -0.11352 1.17298
93

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 17 0.91611 0.35691 0.75361 0.83104 17 0.99919 0.03624 -7.23087 1.03361 1.09955

16 Calcium 17 0.25034 0.28521 4.31660 -0.11613 17 0.95124 0.07529 -1.88273 0.04115 0.85371

17 Magnesium 17 0.20943 0.42179 3.87190 -0.15296 17 0.98820 0.05335 -5.53874 0.08579 1.29595

18 Chloride 17 0.84266 0.30494 5.56992 -0.49723 17 0.98209 0.10648 -0.88308 -0.33352 0.88865

19 Sulfate 17 0.15165 0.52418 5.49289 -0.15615 17 0.97743 0.08851 -6.13265 0.13879 1.60096

20 Carbonate 17 0.47600 0.23683 5.23939 -0.15904 17 0.84854 0.13179 0.75049 -0.04516 0.61817

21 Sodium +K 17 0.59829 0.38449 5.57181 -0.33062 17 0.97374 0.10176 -2.78402 -0.11863 1.15069

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 15 0.88596 0.40327 0.93593 0.79919 15 0.99938 0.03087 -7.36973 1.04341 1.11376

23 Calcium 15 0.28999 0.31995 4.48693 -0.14538 15 0.95938 0.07965 -1.92875 0.04326 0.86032

24 Magnesium 15 0.26563 0.47075 4.12982 -0.20130 15 0.99191 0.05143 -5.53828 0.08297 1.29646

25 Chloride 15 0.83084 0.35236 5.89115 -0.55522 15 0.98043 0.12473 -0.95189 -0.35401 0.91763

26 Sulfate 15 0.17276 0.59705 5.70166 -0.19399 15 0.98963 0.06959 -6.55071 0.16627 1.64300

27 Carbonate 15 0.52162 0.25848 5.43198 -0.19191 15 0.89828 0.12406 0.69536 -0.05263 0.63517

28 Sodium +K 15 0.59520 0.43897 5.86364 -0.37846 15 0.98376 0.09153 -3.01801 -0.11731 1.19100

4. STATION 09302000 (DUCH) Duchesne River near Randlett, UT

STATION 09302000 Duchesne River near Randlett, UT UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 24 0.0 0.0

2 2011 24 0.0 0.0

3 2012 25 0.0 4.0

4 2013 22 0.0 4.5

5 2014 22 0.0 4.5

STATION 09302000 Duchesne River near Randlett, UT UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)
94

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 24 0.92729 0.24232 2.41805 0.64737 23 0.99908 0.02695 -6.97015 1.00366 1.08730

2 Calcium 24 0.65932 0.21762 5.45805 -0.22648 23 0.94163 0.09339 -2.27285 0.06680 0.89548

3 Magnesium 24 0.68090 0.27950 5.32165 -0.30543 23 0.98892 0.05373 -5.48914 0.10732 1.24948

4 Chloride 24 0.85083 0.26502 6.12180 -0.47350 23 0.97982 0.10032 -3.35476 -0.11664 1.10043

5 Sulfate 24 0.81953 0.29598 8.00317 -0.47183 23 0.98071 0.09954 -2.87334 -0.05999 1.26064

6 Carbonate 24 0.54949 0.22841 5.93173 -0.18871 23 0.90604 0.10812 -2.09513 0.11796 0.92751

7 Sodium +K 24 0.84772 0.25810 6.93225 -0.45556 23 0.99112 0.06402 -2.77578 -0.08836 1.12563

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 24 0.92729 0.24232 2.41805 0.64737 23 0.99908 0.02695 -6.97015 1.00366 1.08730

9 Calcium 24 0.65932 0.21762 5.45805 -0.22648 23 0.94163 0.09339 -2.27285 0.06680 0.89548

10 Magnesium 24 0.68090 0.27950 5.32165 -0.30543 23 0.98892 0.05373 -5.48914 0.10732 1.24948

11 Chloride 24 0.85083 0.26502 6.12180 -0.47350 23 0.97982 0.10032 -3.35476 -0.11664 1.10043

12 Sulfate 24 0.81953 0.29598 8.00317 -0.47183 23 0.98071 0.09954 -2.87334 -0.05999 1.26064

13 Carbonate 24 0.54949 0.22841 5.93173 -0.18871 23 0.90604 0.10812 -2.09513 0.11796 0.92751

14 Sodium +K 24 0.84772 0.25810 6.93225 -0.45556 23 0.99112 0.06402 -2.77578 -0.08836 1.12563

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 25 0.96022 0.19821 2.32122 0.67101 25 0.99945 0.02387 -7.13389 1.00409 1.11130

16 Calcium 25 0.67693 0.19583 5.31006 -0.19532 25 0.92588 0.09591 -2.94768 0.09558 0.97057

17 Magnesium 25 0.79120 0.20143 5.17066 -0.27017 25 0.98906 0.04715 -4.24840 0.06164 1.10707

18 Chloride 25 0.88994 0.23104 6.04367 -0.45268 25 0.98418 0.08955 -4.22618 -0.09089 1.20707

19 Sulfate 25 0.86774 0.25977 7.95932 -0.45847 25 0.99128 0.06821 -4.10068 -0.03362 1.41747

20 Carbonate 25 0.68727 0.13665 5.66843 -0.13958 25 0.89017 0.08280 0.38100 0.04668 0.62146

21 Sodium +K 25 0.88437 0.22513 6.82198 -0.42900 25 0.99017 0.06713 -3.52224 -0.06459 1.21581

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 22 0.92052 0.19805 2.34201 0.66884 22 0.99913 0.02122 -7.35038 1.01619 1.13492

23 Calcium 22 0.41509 0.19606 5.19693 -0.16390 22 0.87321 0.09365 -3.34146 0.14209 0.99979

24 Magnesium 22 0.63298 0.20043 5.14980 -0.26120 22 0.98039 0.04753 -4.44570 0.08268 1.12357

25 Chloride 22 0.83521 0.21885 6.19715 -0.48892 22 0.97839 0.08132 -3.84087 -0.12918 1.17539

26 Sulfate 22 0.75539 0.25799 7.93247 -0.44990 22 0.98976 0.05416 -4.49409 -0.00456 1.45507

27 Carbonate 22 0.50113 0.13226 5.64217 -0.13155 22 0.77151 0.09184 0.85072 0.04016 0.56105

28 Sodium +K 22 0.81154 0.22344 6.95768 -0.46012 22 0.98403 0.06674 -3.56109 -0.08315 1.23168
95

5. STATION 09306500 (WHITE) White River near Watson, UT

STATION 09306500 White River near Watson, UT UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 23 0.0 0.0

2 2011 23 0.0 0.0

3 2012 24 0.0 0.0

4 2013 21 0.0 0.0

5 2014 21 0.0 0.0

STATION 09306500 White River near Watson, UT UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 23 0.94429 0.15572 1.45052 0.77393 23 0.99498 0.04787 -7.60188 1.01580 1.17935

2 Calcium 23 0.58461 0.10935 5.10920 -0.15661 23 0.76637 0.08403 0.70089 -0.03882 0.57432

3 Magnesium 23 0.62456 0.15568 4.60898 -0.24240 23 0.92007 0.07360 -3.80815 -0.01750 1.09659

4 Chloride 23 0.74415 0.24795 5.45283 -0.51050 23 0.94071 0.12231 -7.79196 -0.15661 1.72554

5 Sulfate 23 0.59345 0.25141 7.19344 -0.36670 23 0.96367 0.07701 -7.42766 0.02397 1.90485

6 Carbonate 23 0.40020 0.10035 5.26197 -0.09896 23 0.69365 0.07349 0.98437 0.01534 0.55729

7 Sodium +K 23 0.52133 0.27688 5.76904 -0.34884 23 0.88975 0.13617 -9.03454 0.04670 1.92862

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 23 0.94429 0.15572 1.45052 0.77393 23 0.99498 0.04787 -7.60188 1.01580 1.17935

9 Calcium 23 0.58461 0.10935 5.10920 -0.15661 23 0.76637 0.08403 0.70089 -0.03882 0.57432

10 Magnesium 23 0.62456 0.15568 4.60898 -0.24240 23 0.92007 0.07360 -3.80815 -0.01750 1.09659

11 Chloride 23 0.74415 0.24795 5.45283 -0.51050 23 0.94071 0.12231 -7.79196 -0.15661 1.72554

12 Sulfate 23 0.59345 0.25141 7.19344 -0.36670 23 0.96367 0.07701 -7.42766 0.02397 1.90485

13 Carbonate 23 0.40020 0.10035 5.26197 -0.09896 23 0.69365 0.07349 0.98437 0.01534 0.55729

14 Sodium +K 23 0.52133 0.27688 5.76904 -0.34884 23 0.88975 0.13617 -9.03454 0.04670 1.92862
96

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 24 0.95088 0.14602 1.31237 0.80003 24 0.99872 0.02409 -6.94672 1.01728 1.07746

16 Calcium 24 0.45464 0.11840 4.99452 -0.13463 24 0.72846 0.08552 0.18608 -0.00815 0.62730

17 Magnesium 24 0.57682 0.14799 4.45968 -0.21516 24 0.92464 0.06392 -3.22968 -0.01290 1.00313

18 Chloride 24 0.78275 0.20035 5.25892 -0.47358 24 0.96259 0.08509 -5.18810 -0.19878 1.36289

19 Sulfate 24 0.59121 0.22104 7.01097 -0.33105 24 0.98230 0.04707 -5.38032 -0.00510 1.61654

20 Carbonate 24 0.28067 0.09396 5.10849 -0.07309 24 0.76914 0.05448 0.67087 0.04364 0.57892

21 Sodium +K 24 0.46812 0.25009 5.45176 -0.29219 24 0.90545 0.10793 -7.54531 0.04970 1.69556

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 21 0.93220 0.12670 1.15094 0.82710 21 0.99856 0.01898 -6.75544 1.01762 1.04854

23 Calcium 21 0.08706 0.09938 4.53971 -0.05402 21 0.52677 0.07351 0.18970 0.05080 0.57689

24 Magnesium 21 0.45722 0.12755 4.38998 -0.20608 21 0.88597 0.06006 -2.76004 -0.03378 0.94823

25 Chloride 21 0.60639 0.20055 5.04136 -0.43822 21 0.90501 0.10122 -5.97670 -0.17271 1.46121

26 Sulfate 21 0.39900 0.19031 6.66749 -0.27298 21 0.97542 0.03954 -5.08809 0.01031 1.55901

27 Carbonate 21 0.20094 0.07942 5.08258 -0.07011 21 0.71246 0.04895 1.07478 0.02647 0.53151

28 Sodium +K 21 0.33849 0.22867 5.41843 -0.28797 21 0.85791 0.10888 -7.36244 0.02003 1.69499

6. STATION 09315000 (GRUT) Green River at Green River, UT

STATION 09315000 Green River at Green River, UT UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 26 0.0 0.0

2 2011 26 0.0 0.0

3 2012 26 0.0 0.0

4 2013 20 0.0 0.0

5 2014 20 0.0 0.0

STATION 09315000 Green River at Green River, UT UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)
97

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 26 0.94161 0.18777 2.11825 0.74956 26 0.99902 0.02481 -6.81928 1.00350 1.06202

2 Calcium 26 0.54175 0.16705 5.44243 -0.18056 26 0.95599 0.05288 -2.18152 0.03606 0.90594

3 Magnesium 26 0.49352 0.22634 4.90599 -0.22210 26 0.96488 0.06088 -5.57513 0.07571 1.24545

4 Chloride 26 0.79987 0.19916 6.15847 -0.39580 26 0.98115 0.06244 -2.94016 -0.13728 1.08117

5 Sulfate 26 0.62777 0.24860 7.62181 -0.32092 26 0.99047 0.04063 -4.15721 0.01376 1.39967

6 Carbonate 26 0.51793 0.16043 5.90192 -0.16530 26 0.77867 0.11105 0.23849 -0.00439 0.67297

7 Sodium +K 26 0.78039 0.18733 6.84291 -0.35103 26 0.98756 0.04554 -1.89068 -0.10288 1.03779

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 26 0.94161 0.18777 2.11825 0.74956 26 0.99902 0.02481 -6.81928 1.00350 1.06202

9 Calcium 26 0.54175 0.16705 5.44243 -0.18056 26 0.95599 0.05288 -2.18152 0.03606 0.90594

10 Magnesium 26 0.49352 0.22634 4.90599 -0.22210 26 0.96488 0.06088 -5.57513 0.07571 1.24545

11 Chloride 26 0.79987 0.19916 6.15847 -0.39580 26 0.98115 0.06244 -2.94016 -0.13728 1.08117

12 Sulfate 26 0.62777 0.24860 7.62181 -0.32092 26 0.99047 0.04063 -4.15721 0.01376 1.39967

13 Carbonate 26 0.51793 0.16043 5.90192 -0.16530 26 0.77867 0.11105 0.23849 -0.00439 0.67297

14 Sodium +K 26 0.78039 0.18733 6.84291 -0.35103 26 0.98756 0.04554 -1.89068 -0.10288 1.03779

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 26 0.93502 0.21406 2.12875 0.74857 26 0.99939 0.02123 -7.35604 1.01704 1.12960

16 Calcium 26 0.52170 0.19195 5.47892 -0.18480 26 0.95441 0.06053 -2.64919 0.04526 0.96803

17 Magnesium 26 0.49350 0.23726 4.85527 -0.21590 26 0.96968 0.05930 -5.38639 0.07400 1.21974

18 Chloride 26 0.77359 0.23298 6.16040 -0.39699 26 0.97734 0.07529 -3.67884 -0.11849 1.17182

19 Sulfate 26 0.60792 0.28033 7.63097 -0.32178 26 0.98255 0.06040 -4.56831 0.02352 1.45289

20 Carbonate 26 0.56375 0.15703 5.90080 -0.16456 26 0.95288 0.05272 -0.70166 0.02233 0.78633

21 Sodium +K 26 0.72251 0.23443 6.81354 -0.34871 26 0.97615 0.07021 -3.16445 -0.06628 1.18834

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 20 0.80563 0.22144 2.71636 0.66828 20 0.99883 0.01764 -7.67801 1.03869 1.15375

23 Calcium 20 0.43532 0.19156 5.94456 -0.24932 20 0.92747 0.07064 -2.47535 0.05072 0.93459

24 Magnesium 20 0.39267 0.24408 5.40813 -0.29092 20 0.97591 0.05002 -5.85325 0.11037 1.24999

25 Chloride 20 0.66284 0.23851 6.87493 -0.49572 20 0.97385 0.06835 -3.91016 -0.11139 1.19712

26 Sulfate 20 0.44165 0.29757 8.13402 -0.39230 20 0.98390 0.05199 -5.67259 0.09970 1.53250

27 Carbonate 20 0.56828 0.14873 6.55535 -0.25295 20 0.94370 0.05527 0.02544 -0.02025 0.72481

28 Sodium +K 20 0.63062 0.24056 7.68919 -0.46594 20 0.96955 0.07108 -3.15999 -0.07933 1.20424
98

7. STATION 09328500, San Rafael River near Green River, UT

 

STATION 09328500 San Rafael River near Green River, UT UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 26 3.8 0.0

2 2011 26 3.8 0.0

3 2012 26 0.0 0.0

4 2013 20 0.0 0.0

5 2014 20 0.0 0.0

STATION 09328500 San Rafael River near Green River, UT UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 26 0.91521 0.31389 2.94805 0.64393 26 0.99732 0.05704 -7.42052 1.00639 1.16111

2 Calcium 25 0.59706 0.35610 6.31706 -0.27023 25 0.70763 0.31015 0.10648 -0.05046 0.69350

3 Magnesium 25 0.68924 0.39353 6.00357 -0.36538 25 0.92101 0.20287 -5.31172 0.03504 1.26352

4 Chloride 25 0.70722 0.44425 5.51665 -0.43044 25 0.88936 0.27923 -6.14931 -0.01762 1.30268

5 Sulfate 25 0.72243 0.41180 8.53751 -0.41417 25 0.97409 0.12864 -4.51752 0.04781 1.45779

6 Carbonate 25 0.34566 0.31223 5.49690 -0.14148 25 0.34739 0.31883 4.96353 -0.12260 0.05956

7 Sodium +K 25 0.62684 0.51805 6.97731 -0.41859 25 0.85413 0.33117 -6.48382 0.05777 1.50314

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 26 0.91521 0.31389 2.94805 0.64393 26 0.99732 0.05704 -7.42052 1.00639 1.16111

9 Calcium 25 0.59706 0.35610 6.31706 -0.27023 25 0.70763 0.31015 0.10648 -0.05046 0.69350

10 Magnesium 25 0.68924 0.39353 6.00357 -0.36538 25 0.92101 0.20287 -5.31172 0.03504 1.26352

11 Chloride 25 0.70722 0.44425 5.51665 -0.43044 25 0.88936 0.27923 -6.14931 -0.01762 1.30268

12 Sulfate 25 0.72243 0.41180 8.53751 -0.41417 25 0.97409 0.12864 -4.51752 0.04781 1.45779

13 Carbonate 25 0.34566 0.31223 5.49690 -0.14148 25 0.34739 0.31883 4.96353 -0.12260 0.05956

14 Sodium +K 25 0.62684 0.51805 6.97731 -0.41859 25 0.85413 0.33117 -6.48382 0.05777 1.50314
99

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 26 0.92906 0.30209 2.81708 0.68273 26 0.99665 0.06703 -6.99319 0.99798 1.10942

16 Calcium 26 0.57713 0.30284 6.16910 -0.22095 26 0.67140 0.27270 1.41202 -0.06808 0.53797

17 Magnesium 26 0.62366 0.39892 5.80534 -0.32071 26 0.89385 0.21642 -5.43997 0.04065 1.27171

18 Chloride 26 0.64993 0.44787 5.32162 -0.38111 26 0.87342 0.27510 -6.58403 0.00147 1.34638

19 Sulfate 26 0.70535 0.37748 8.37447 -0.36473 26 0.96481 0.13326 -3.41013 0.01395 1.33269

20 Carbonate 26 0.36730 0.30981 5.52419 -0.14742 26 0.40887 0.30590 2.88223 -0.06252 0.29877

21 Sodium +K 26 0.57383 0.52339 6.81335 -0.37928 26 0.85085 0.31629 -7.22560 0.07184 1.58763

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 20 0.91112 0.26165 2.56526 0.77271 20 0.99445 0.06726 -6.17112 0.98415 1.01063

23 Calcium 20 0.27676 0.22169 5.92414 -0.12649 20 0.29322 0.22551 4.77094 -0.09858 0.13340

24 Magnesium 20 0.31314 0.44176 5.67251 -0.27513 20 0.90238 0.17137 -8.43656 0.06635 1.63215

25 Chloride 20 0.32479 0.48599 5.13054 -0.31090 20 0.82393 0.25537 -9.27780 0.03782 1.66677

26 Sulfate 20 0.47247 0.27243 8.01514 -0.23781 20 0.94643 0.08933 -0.88921 -0.02230 1.03006

27 Carbonate 20 0.25682 0.29133 5.54344 -0.15797 20 0.58914 0.22290 -1.17418 0.00461 0.77710

28 Sodium +K 20 0.25886 0.56721 6.61740 -0.30920 20 0.75524 0.33541 -9.38933 0.07821 1.85167

8. STATION 09071750 (GLEN) Colorado River above Glenwood Springs CO

 

STATION 09071750 Colorado River above Glenwood Springs, CO UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 18 0.0 0.0

2 2011 18 0.0 0.0

3 2012 18 0.0 0.0

4 2013 15 0.0 0.0

5 2014 15 0.0 0.0

STATION 09071750 Colorado River above Glenwood Springs, CO UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)
100

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 18 0.90628 0.11032 3.8626 0.46251 18 0.99325 0.03057 -8.25824 1.10004 1.16234

2 Calcium 18 0.83199 0.11687 6.4882 -0.35061 18 0.96362 0.05617 -5.30957 0.26992 1.13136

3 Magnesium 18 0.82083 0.13705 5.2548 -0.39547 18 0.93542 0.08498 -7.24558 0.26203 1.19874

4 Chloride 18 0.97273 0.11609 11.2073 -0.93481 18 0.98700 0.08279 1.62949 -0.43104 0.91848

5 Sulfate 18 0.84667 0.16058 8.0158 -0.50870 18 0.95558 0.08926 -7.41909 0.30315 1.48015

6 Carbonate 18 0.82800 0.09130 6.0761 -0.27005 18 0.95548 0.04797 -2.88816 0.20145 0.85964

7 Sodium +K 18 0.96007 0.11917 9.7983 -0.78777 18 0.98974 0.06240 -1.91751 -0.17155 1.12350

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 18 0.90628 0.11032 3.8626 0.46251 18 0.99325 0.03057 -8.25824 1.10004 1.16234

9 Calcium 18 0.83199 0.11687 6.4882 -0.35061 18 0.96362 0.05617 -5.30957 0.26992 1.13136

10 Magnesium 18 0.82083 0.13705 5.2548 -0.39547 18 0.93542 0.08498 -7.24558 0.26203 1.19874

11 Chloride 18 0.97273 0.11609 11.2073 -0.93481 18 0.98700 0.08279 1.62949 -0.43104 0.91848

12 Sulfate 18 0.84667 0.16058 8.0158 -0.50870 18 0.95558 0.08926 -7.41909 0.30315 1.48015

13 Carbonate 18 0.82800 0.09130 6.0761 -0.27005 18 0.95548 0.04797 -2.88816 0.20145 0.85964

14 Sodium +K 18 0.96007 0.11917 9.7983 -0.78777 18 0.98974 0.06240 -1.91751 -0.17155 1.12350

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 18 0.89141 0.11833 3.9130 0.45219 18 0.99329 0.03038 -8.30693 1.10826 1.16165

16 Calcium 18 0.84175 0.11854 6.5679 -0.36463 18 0.96272 0.05943 -4.48162 0.22861 1.05039

17 Magnesium 18 0.83085 0.12809 5.1118 -0.37861 18 0.95538 0.06795 -6.60541 0.25048 1.11385

18 Chloride 18 0.96709 0.13152 11.2863 -0.95084 18 0.98619 0.08801 0.60547 -0.37740 1.01534

19 Sulfate 18 0.83103 0.17480 8.0344 -0.51703 18 0.96270 0.08483 -8.41678 0.36622 1.56387

20 Carbonate 18 0.83717 0.08914 6.0499 -0.26957 18 0.94634 0.05285 -1.73148 0.14821 0.73971

21 Sodium +K 18 0.95700 0.12971 9.9891 -0.81606 18 0.99294 0.05428 -2.65347 -0.13730 1.20182

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 15 0.82628 0.14299 3.8366 0.46092 15 0.99612 0.02226 -8.15638 1.10201 1.14483

23 Calcium 15 0.74203 0.13906 6.4486 -0.34857 15 0.95297 0.06179 -4.21771 0.22160 1.01820

24 Magnesium 15 0.74660 0.14561 5.0359 -0.36942 15 0.96054 0.05981 -6.31347 0.23726 1.08340

25 Chloride 15 0.94982 0.15303 11.5048 -0.98404 15 0.97848 0.10432 1.69541 -0.45968 0.93639

26 Sulfate 15 0.69493 0.21355 7.7343 -0.47636 15 0.93961 0.09889 -8.48857 0.39084 1.54862

27 Carbonate 15 0.75635 0.09969 5.9617 -0.25961 15 0.93061 0.05538 -1.19006 0.12269 0.68270

28 Sodium +K 15 0.91747 0.16680 10.0129 -0.82198 15 0.98636 0.07057 -2.91457 -0.13094 1.23404
101

9. STATION 09095500 (CAMEO) Colorado River near Cameo, CO

STATION 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo, CO UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 15 0.0 0.0

2 2011 15 0.0 0.0

3 2012 16 0.0 0.0

4 2013 14 0.0 0.0

5 2014 14 0.0 0.0

STATION 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo, CO UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 15 0.69355 0.20719 5.4497 0.35552 15 0.99087 0.03723 -9.7008 1.15985 1.28917

2 Calcium 15 0.53831 0.35876 7.6834 -0.44186 15 0.92347 0.15203 -16.6433 0.84963 2.06998

3 Magnesium 15 0.97066 0.07130 6.3860 -0.46775 15 0.98268 0.05702 2.9976 -0.28786 0.28832

4 Chloride 15 0.98501 0.10667 12.6991 -0.98628 15 0.98852 0.09715 8.8654 -0.78275 0.32621

5 Sulfate 15 0.67720 0.42328 10.2562 -0.69928 15 0.97094 0.13218 -19.7201 0.89214 2.55071

6 Carbonate 15 0.94935 0.05726 6.5579 -0.28275 15 0.96268 0.05116 8.7390 -0.39855 -0.18559

7 Sodium +K 15 0.98784 0.08660 11.6184 -0.89036 15 0.99166 0.07466 8.0161 -0.69911 0.30652

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 15 0.69355 0.20719 5.4497 0.35552 15 0.99087 0.03723 -9.7008 1.15985 1.28917

9 Calcium 15 0.53831 0.35876 7.6834 -0.44186 15 0.92347 0.15203 -16.6433 0.84963 2.06998

10 Magnesium 15 0.97066 0.07130 6.3860 -0.46775 15 0.98268 0.05702 2.9976 -0.28786 0.28832

11 Chloride 15 0.98501 0.10667 12.6991 -0.98628 15 0.98852 0.09715 8.8654 -0.78275 0.32621

12 Sulfate 15 0.67720 0.42328 10.2562 -0.69928 15 0.97094 0.13218 -19.7201 0.89214 2.55071

13 Carbonate 15 0.94935 0.05726 6.5579 -0.28275 15 0.96268 0.05116 8.7390 -0.39855 -0.18559

14 Sodium +K 15 0.98784 0.08660 11.6184 -0.89036 15 0.99166 0.07466 8.0161 -0.69911 0.30652
102

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 16 0.64393 0.22372 5.1436 0.38825 16 0.99077 0.03739 -9.8711 1.16934 1.30316

16 Calcium 16 0.46220 0.35538 7.5203 -0.42516 16 0.91268 0.14860 -14.5966 0.72540 1.91959

17 Magnesium 16 0.90305 0.11830 6.3206 -0.46592 16 0.95168 0.08667 0.6233 -0.16954 0.49448

18 Chloride 16 0.97460 0.11503 12.1166 -0.91955 16 0.98443 0.09345 7.2494 -0.66635 0.42244

19 Sulfate 16 0.57217 0.42857 9.7279 -0.63959 16 0.94659 0.15714 -17.5348 0.77866 2.36620

20 Carbonate 16 0.89816 0.07271 6.4952 -0.27866 16 0.89837 0.07538 6.7157 -0.29013 -0.01914

21 Sodium +K 16 0.96363 0.12739 11.2169 -0.84617 16 0.97903 0.10038 5.5795 -0.55290 0.48929

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 14 0.52482 0.24140 5.2225 0.37616 14 0.99345 0.02960 -10.4777 1.21798 1.33804

23 Calcium 14 0.34296 0.38095 7.4078 -0.40808 14 0.95987 0.09834 -16.7670 0.88814 2.06029

24 Magnesium 14 0.87588 0.12134 6.3938 -0.47791 14 0.93935 0.08859 0.7116 -0.17324 0.48427

25 Chloride 14 0.97822 0.09691 12.4139 -0.96306 14 0.98811 0.07480 8.1375 -0.73376 0.36445

26 Sulfate 14 0.42070 0.46401 9.3243 -0.58630 14 0.96446 0.12004 -20.1167 0.99229 2.50910

27 Carbonate 14 0.80594 0.07831 6.1599 -0.23661 14 0.80726 0.08151 6.5837 -0.25933 -0.03612

28 Sodium +K 14 0.95943 0.11925 11.2831 -0.85990 14 0.97852 0.09064 5.9262 -0.57267 0.45654

10. STATION 09152500 (GUNN) Gunnison River near Grand Junction, CO 

STATION 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction, Co UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 21 0.0 0.0

2 2011 21 0.0 0.0

3 2012 25 0.0 0.0

4 2013 21 0.0 0.0

5 2014 21 0.0 0.0

STATION 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction, Co UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)
103

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 21 0.75515 0.18860 3.2308 0.61397 21 0.99146 0.03618 -6.67547 0.98558 1.07359

2 Calcium 21 0.41139 0.21899 7.0209 -0.33936 21 0.91791 0.08402 -3.83998 0.06805 1.17703

3 Magnesium 21 0.63531 0.17201 6.4570 -0.42085 21 0.91950 0.08303 -1.66142 -0.11631 0.87983

4 Chloride 21 0.80294 0.13262 5.6407 -0.49625 21 0.88934 0.10211 0.94576 -0.32013 0.50881

5 Sulfate 21 0.51136 0.23788 8.9302 -0.45109 21 0.98321 0.04531 -3.56743 0.01772 1.35442

6 Carbonate 21 0.68793 0.10560 6.5579 -0.29064 21 0.83715 0.07837 2.65375 -0.14418 0.42311

7 Sodium +K 21 0.64034 0.18331 7.2117 -0.45339 21 0.93655 0.07910 -1.68229 -0.11976 0.96388

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 21 0.75515 0.18860 3.2308 0.61397 21 0.99146 0.03618 -6.67547 0.98558 1.07359

9 Calcium 21 0.41139 0.21899 7.0209 -0.33936 21 0.91791 0.08402 -3.83998 0.06805 1.17703

10 Magnesium 21 0.63531 0.17201 6.4570 -0.42085 21 0.91950 0.08303 -1.66142 -0.11631 0.87983

11 Chloride 21 0.80294 0.13262 5.6407 -0.49625 21 0.88934 0.10211 0.94576 -0.32013 0.50881

12 Sulfate 21 0.51136 0.23788 8.9302 -0.45109 21 0.98321 0.04531 -3.56743 0.01772 1.35442

13 Carbonate 21 0.68793 0.10560 6.5579 -0.29064 21 0.83715 0.07837 2.65375 -0.14418 0.42311

14 Sodium +K 21 0.64034 0.18331 7.2117 -0.45339 21 0.93655 0.07910 -1.68229 -0.11976 0.96388

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 25 0.77282 0.18880 3.5705 0.57022 25 0.99299 0.03391 -6.68460 0.98410 1.07648

16 Calcium 25 0.52634 0.21939 7.3442 -0.37870 25 0.95286 0.07076 -4.14238 0.08488 1.20574

17 Magnesium 25 0.72350 0.16867 6.6487 -0.44678 25 0.94012 0.08026 -1.58840 -0.11434 0.86465

18 Chloride 25 0.87980 0.11563 5.7433 -0.51226 25 0.92582 0.09288 1.79594 -0.35295 0.41435

19 Sulfate 25 0.62645 0.23481 9.2891 -0.49793 25 0.98510 0.04795 -3.40534 0.01440 1.33253

20 Carbonate 25 0.73513 0.11613 6.7637 -0.31679 25 0.88050 0.07975 2.01700 -0.12522 0.49826

21 Sodium +K 25 0.74330 0.18009 7.5806 -0.50182 25 0.94140 0.08798 -1.14841 -0.14953 0.91629

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 21 0.54587 0.15494 4.7783 0.39469 21 0.98056 0.03294 -7.45124 1.02475 1.14713

23 Calcium 21 0.57480 0.21006 8.6362 -0.56748 21 0.96884 0.05842 -7.67838 0.27305 1.53032

24 Magnesium 21 0.76353 0.14573 7.7653 -0.60842 21 0.91897 0.08764 -1.76674 -0.11732 0.89411

25 Chloride 21 0.89710 0.09925 6.9134 -0.68089 21 0.91421 0.09311 3.64860 -0.51269 0.30624

26 Sulfate 21 0.74266 0.17413 10.5898 -0.68733 21 0.98212 0.04716 -2.96182 0.01085 1.27115

27 Carbonate 21 0.69600 0.11764 7.4314 -0.41358 21 0.92585 0.05969 -0.82100 0.01159 0.77408

28 Sodium +K 21 0.80890 0.14139 8.7895 -0.67588 21 0.92328 0.09204 -0.03520 -0.22123 0.82776
104

11. STATION 09180000 (DOLOR) Dolores River near Cisco, UT

STATION 09180000 Dolores River near Cisco, UT UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 25 4.0 0.0

2 2011 25 4.0 0.0

3 2012 24 0.0 0.0

4 2013 20 0.0 0.0

5 2014 20 0.0 0.0

STATION 09180000 Dolores River near Cisco, UT UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 25 0.73201 0.33233 3.09468 0.53432 25 0.99325 0.05394 -6.11243 0.97097 0.97772

2 Calcium 24 0.64619 0.25565 6.21452 -0.32936 24 0.78208 0.20536 1.55242 -0.11050 0.49871

3 Magnesium 24 0.75260 0.26548 5.56640 -0.44141 24 0.91647 0.15789 -0.79126 -0.14295 0.68009

4 Chloride 24 0.55728 0.66788 8.66663 -0.71434 24 0.86376 0.37922 -7.68448 0.05326 1.74911

5 Sulfate 24 0.69339 0.37441 8.17155 -0.53675 24 0.80949 0.30207 1.39229 -0.21850 0.72519

6 Carbonate 24 0.73592 0.12646 5.50512 -0.20126 24 0.82850 0.10431 3.30185 -0.09782 0.23569

7 Sodium +K 24 0.59210 0.51962 7.79399 -0.59682 24 0.92585 0.22675 -6.03636 0.05245 1.47946

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 25 0.73201 0.33233 3.09468 0.53432 25 0.99325 0.05394 -6.11243 0.97097 0.97772

9 Calcium 24 0.64619 0.25565 6.21452 -0.32936 24 0.78208 0.20536 1.55242 -0.11050 0.49871

10 Magnesium 24 0.75260 0.26548 5.56640 -0.44141 24 0.91647 0.15789 -0.79126 -0.14295 0.68009

11 Chloride 24 0.55728 0.66788 8.66663 -0.71434 24 0.86376 0.37922 -7.68448 0.05326 1.74911

12 Sulfate 24 0.69339 0.37441 8.17155 -0.53675 24 0.80949 0.30207 1.39229 -0.21850 0.72519

13 Carbonate 24 0.73592 0.12646 5.50512 -0.20126 24 0.82850 0.10431 3.30185 -0.09782 0.23569

14 Sodium +K 24 0.59210 0.51962 7.79399 -0.59682 24 0.92585 0.22675 -6.03636 0.05245 1.47946
105

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 24 0.78785 0.25997 2.86985 0.55173 24 0.98901 0.06057 -6.11259 0.97802 0.97324

16 Calcium 24 0.60790 0.23158 6.09818 -0.31755 24 0.71575 0.20181 1.78844 -0.11302 0.46695

17 Magnesium 24 0.68757 0.27198 5.50471 -0.44434 24 0.88211 0.17100 -2.11070 -0.08293 0.82512

18 Chloride 24 0.58465 0.58403 8.72886 -0.76309 24 0.87295 0.33060 -8.53670 0.05630 1.87070

19 Sulfate 24 0.70051 0.29956 7.94080 -0.50455 24 0.78219 0.26148 2.38974 -0.24111 0.60145

20 Carbonate 24 0.53764 0.15376 5.37385 -0.18261 24 0.81349 0.09996 1.15948 0.01740 0.45662

21 Sodium +K 24 0.60491 0.45283 7.72671 -0.61707 24 0.94180 0.17789 -7.11081 0.08709 1.60763

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 20 0.65787 0.29430 3.12049 0.49551 20 0.98516 0.06308 -6.19589 0.98908 0.97749

23 Calcium 20 0.61345 0.25381 6.45519 -0.38823 20 0.76579 0.20329 1.29825 -0.11503 0.54107

24 Magnesium 20 0.65042 0.32049 5.93625 -0.53080 20 0.89332 0.18218 -2.71037 -0.07272 0.90721

25 Chloride 20 0.52827 0.57742 8.51457 -0.74194 20 0.85983 0.32388 -7.15338 0.08811 1.64390

26 Sulfate 20 0.67933 0.34174 8.43313 -0.60395 20 0.81129 0.26976 1.33786 -0.22806 0.74444

27 Carbonate 20 0.48179 0.18386 5.54119 -0.21525 20 0.84638 0.10301 0.54992 0.04918 0.52369

28 Sodium +K 20 0.55229 0.46980 7.73818 -0.63357 20 0.94836 0.16418 -6.56362 0.12411 1.50056

12. STATION 09180500 (CISCO) Colorado River near Cisco, UT

STATION 09180500 Colorado River near Cisco, UT UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 25 0.0 0.0

2 2011 25 0.0 0.0

3 2012 25 0.0 0.0

4 2013 19 0.0 0.0

5 2014 19 0.0 0.0

STATION 09180500 Colorado River near Cisco, UT UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)
106

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 25 0.76320 0.16459 5.6954 0.38446 25 0.98595 0.04100 -8.07891 1.05423 1.18027

2 Calcium 25 0.72294 0.25883 9.0757 -0.54400 25 0.89945 0.15943 -8.75107 0.32283 1.52751

3 Magnesium 25 0.92605 0.12556 8.0980 -0.57814 25 0.98222 0.06295 -1.34469 -0.11899 0.80911

4 Chloride 25 0.93496 0.17399 11.6219 -0.85832 25 0.93736 0.17458 8.73367 -0.71788 0.24748

5 Sulfate 25 0.82341 0.26111 11.6341 -0.73361 25 0.96770 0.11418 -8.73233 0.25671 1.74513

6 Carbonate 25 0.87257 0.07652 6.6515 -0.26052 25 0.91998 0.06200 2.62423 -0.06469 0.34508

7 Sodium +K 25 0.95684 0.12357 10.7727 -0.75704 25 0.96373 0.11583 6.51202 -0.54986 0.36508

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 25 0.76320 0.16459 5.6954 0.38446 25 0.98595 0.04100 -8.07891 1.05423 1.18027

9 Calcium 25 0.72294 0.25883 9.0757 -0.54400 25 0.89945 0.15943 -8.75107 0.32283 1.52751

10 Magnesium 25 0.92605 0.12556 8.0980 -0.57814 25 0.98222 0.06295 -1.34469 -0.11899 0.80911

11 Chloride 25 0.93496 0.17399 11.6219 -0.85832 25 0.93736 0.17458 8.73367 -0.71788 0.24748

12 Sulfate 25 0.82341 0.26111 11.6341 -0.73361 25 0.96770 0.11418 -8.73233 0.25671 1.74513

13 Carbonate 25 0.87257 0.07652 6.6515 -0.26052 25 0.91998 0.06200 2.62423 -0.06469 0.34508

14 Sodium +K 25 0.95684 0.12357 10.7727 -0.75704 25 0.96373 0.11583 6.51202 -0.54986 0.36508

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 25 0.74794 0.19699 5.2429 0.43488 25 0.99141 0.03719 -8.48088 1.07151 1.21825

16 Calcium 25 0.63223 0.29033 8.5649 -0.48785 25 0.91726 0.14080 -9.55332 0.35263 1.60834

17 Magnesium 25 0.87198 0.15713 7.6153 -0.52556 25 0.97670 0.06854 -2.45887 -0.05823 0.89428

18 Chloride 25 0.94724 0.15236 11.3184 -0.82735 25 0.95329 0.14658 7.66188 -0.65774 0.32458

19 Sulfate 25 0.75144 0.29849 11.0342 -0.66514 25 0.97001 0.10601 -8.80721 0.25528 1.76130

20 Carbonate 25 0.78836 0.09531 6.4243 -0.23574 25 0.89225 0.06953 1.69115 -0.01617 0.42016

21 Sodium +K 25 0.92962 0.15468 10.4240 -0.72048 25 0.95658 0.12423 3.63778 -0.40567 0.60241

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 19 0.35911 0.23195 5.6016 0.38948 19 0.97722 0.04508 -8.26805 1.07847 1.18115

23 Calcium 19 0.32437 0.32751 8.7398 -0.50903 19 0.86743 0.14954 -9.13816 0.37908 1.52250

24 Magnesium 19 0.64514 0.18494 7.8795 -0.55936 19 0.95835 0.06531 -2.69962 -0.03383 0.90093

25 Chloride 19 0.81703 0.16392 10.8857 -0.77697 19 0.86667 0.14423 5.68740 -0.51874 0.44269

26 Sulfate 19 0.46857 0.33683 11.3865 -0.70946 19 0.93505 0.12138 -7.82766 0.24503 1.63629

27 Carbonate 19 0.59044 0.11345 6.9829 -0.30556 19 0.81407 0.07880 1.87854 -0.05199 0.43469

28 Sodium +K 19 0.74576 0.16989 9.8547 -0.65268 19 0.88921 0.11560 2.08457 -0.26669 0.66171
107

13. STATION 09355500 (ARCH) San Juan River near Archuleta, NM

STATION 09355500 San Juan River near Archuleta, NM UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 11 18.2 0.0

2 2011 11 18.2 0.0

3 2012 11 18.2 9.1

4 2013 8 12.5 12.5

STATION 09355500 San Juan River near Archuleta, NM UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 11 0.99838 0.03964 -0.82861 0.98791 11 0.99943 0.024975 -7.57890 1.01077 1.19937

2 Calcium 9 0.01478 0.03985 3.37951 -0.00470 9 0.30387 0.036177 -1.36735 0.00824 0.84804

3 Magnesium 9 0.13612 0.03464 1.59656 0.01325 9 0.38033 0.031693 -2.45451 0.02430 0.72373

4 Chloride 9 0.11845 0.05237 1.12096 -0.01850 9 0.57739 0.039166 -7.18936 0.00416 1.48466

5 Sulfate 9 0.34936 0.04856 3.85504 -0.03429 9 0.63152 0.039474 -3.17819 -0.01512 1.25650

6 Carbonate 9 0.00341 0.02452 3.88664 -0.00138 9 0.35082 0.021377 0.70247 0.00730 0.56886

7 Sodium +K 9 0.09811 0.05423 2.56832 0.01724 9 0.27226 0.052615 -2.67240 0.03152 0.93627

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 11 0.99838 0.03964 -0.82861 0.98791 11 0.99943 0.024975 -7.57890 1.01077 1.19937

9 Calcium 9 0.01478 0.03985 3.37951 -0.00470 9 0.30387 0.036177 -1.36735 0.00824 0.84804

10 Magnesium 9 0.13612 0.03464 1.59656 0.01325 9 0.38033 0.031693 -2.45451 0.02430 0.72373

11 Chloride 9 0.11845 0.05237 1.12096 -0.01850 9 0.57739 0.039166 -7.18936 0.00416 1.48466

12 Sulfate 9 0.34936 0.04856 3.85504 -0.03429 9 0.63152 0.039474 -3.17819 -0.01512 1.25650

13 Carbonate 9 0.00341 0.02452 3.88664 -0.00138 9 0.35082 0.021377 0.70247 0.00730 0.56886

14 Sodium +K 9 0.09811 0.05423 2.56832 0.01724 9 0.27226 0.052615 -2.67240 0.03152 0.93627
108

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 11 0.99689 0.05646 -0.66235 0.96753 11 0.99938 0.026826 -6.65145 1.00296 1.04049

16 Calcium 9 0.22128 0.05915 3.57276 -0.02826 9 0.75805 0.035613 -1.83905 0.00744 0.93500

17 Magnesium 9 0.08834 0.04068 1.79889 -0.01135 9 0.83946 0.018441 -2.27058 0.01549 0.70308

18 Chloride 9 0.38393 0.07008 1.36465 -0.04957 9 0.88699 0.032419 -5.61347 -0.00355 1.20561

19 Sulfate 9 0.43227 0.10861 4.26193 -0.08493 9 0.92955 0.041326 -6.93940 -0.01105 1.93525

20 Carbonate 9 0.16482 0.03535 3.98779 -0.01407 9 0.60731 0.026185 1.15196 0.00463 0.48995

21 Sodium +K 9 0.20648 0.10130 3.07983 -0.04630 9 0.72960 0.063871 -5.98378 0.01347 1.56592

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 8 0.99523 0.06709 -0.48319 0.94146 8 0.99936 0.027033 -7.36332 1.01001 1.16019

23 Calcium 7 0.51668 0.05165 3.72623 -0.04877 7 0.97396 0.013404 -2.46011 0.01981 1.03326

24 Magnesium 7 0.45254 0.04060 1.94714 -0.03371 7 0.98309 0.007978 -2.97453 0.02085 0.82204

25 Chloride 7 0.71228 0.06263 1.64154 -0.08999 7 0.92325 0.036162 -4.96185 -0.01678 1.10292

26 Sulfate 7 0.64785 0.11750 4.68876 -0.14555 7 0.94958 0.049708 -8.70456 0.00293 2.23700

27 Carbonate 7 0.52423 0.04058 4.15466 -0.03890 7 0.82100 0.027831 0.20782 0.00485 0.65922

28 Sodium +K 7 0.43870 0.09307 3.30101 -0.07515 7 0.75559 0.068666 -5.31035 0.02032 1.43830

14. STATION 09379500 (BLUFF) San Juan River near Bluff, UT

STATION 09379500 San Juan River near Bluff, UT UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 25 0.0 0.0

2 2011 25 0.0 0.0

3 2012 26 0.0 0.0

4 2013 19 0.0 0.0

5 2014 19 0.0 0.0

STATION 09379500 San Juan River near Bluff, UT UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)
109

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 25 0.65567 0.24495 1.29613 0.83311 25 0.99458 0.03141 -7.18479 0.98945 1.14038

2 Calcium 25 0.00587 0.24648 4.57240 -0.04666 25 0.75066 0.12622 -2.87289 0.09059 1.00112

3 Magnesium 25 0.14421 0.30007 4.81187 -0.30360 25 0.36601 0.26408 -0.51931 -0.20532 0.71685

4 Chloride 25 0.32570 0.20565 5.05855 -0.35227 25 0.81375 0.11051 -1.04730 -0.23971 0.82102

5 Sulfate 25 0.04261 0.31306 6.41440 -0.16278 25 0.97758 0.04898 -4.38230 0.03625 1.45177

6 Carbonate 25 0.50799 0.12573 6.43751 -0.31489 25 0.75582 0.09057 3.32328 -0.25748 0.41875

7 Sodium +K 25 0.10224 0.33965 5.79613 -0.28250 25 0.65905 0.21401 -3.53868 -0.11041 1.25520

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 25 0.65567 0.24495 1.29613 0.83311 25 0.99458 0.03141 -7.18479 0.98945 1.14038

9 Calcium 25 0.00587 0.24648 4.57240 -0.04666 25 0.75066 0.12622 -2.87289 0.09059 1.00112

10 Magnesium 25 0.14421 0.30007 4.81187 -0.30360 25 0.36601 0.26408 -0.51931 -0.20532 0.71685

11 Chloride 25 0.32570 0.20565 5.05855 -0.35227 25 0.81375 0.11051 -1.04730 -0.23971 0.82102

12 Sulfate 25 0.04261 0.31306 6.41440 -0.16278 25 0.97758 0.04898 -4.38230 0.03625 1.45177

13 Carbonate 25 0.50799 0.12573 6.43751 -0.31489 25 0.75582 0.09057 3.32328 -0.25748 0.41875

14 Sodium +K 25 0.10224 0.33965 5.79613 -0.28250 25 0.65905 0.21401 -3.53868 -0.11041 1.25520

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 26 0.92782 0.21995 -1.33160 1.23257 26 0.99859 0.03135 -7.50197 1.00002 1.17769

16 Calcium 26 0.28700 0.28373 2.39650 0.28137 26 0.72328 0.18056 -3.89147 0.04439 1.20013

17 Magnesium 26 0.00209 0.42362 2.92739 -0.03028 26 0.26527 0.37131 -3.23600 -0.26256 1.17635

18 Chloride 26 0.34586 0.18292 4.10121 -0.20790 26 0.59710 0.14665 0.88947 -0.32895 0.61300

19 Sulfate 26 0.33696 0.27531 3.33471 0.30677 26 0.97890 0.05016 -4.33984 0.01753 1.46478

20 Carbonate 26 0.42385 0.11745 5.37351 -0.15746 26 0.42883 0.11946 5.06425 -0.16911 0.05903

21 Sodium +K 26 0.17776 0.27256 2.65689 0.19809 26 0.53318 0.20979 -2.42002 0.00675 0.96899

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 19 0.93217 0.24894 -1.26969 1.23026 19 0.99892 0.03232 -7.46200 1.00502 1.16558

23 Calcium 19 0.26739 0.34540 2.45697 0.27817 19 0.74558 0.20981 -4.54003 0.02366 1.31704

24 Magnesium 19 0.00110 0.48241 2.85655 -0.02135 19 0.33683 0.40517 -4.15602 -0.27643 1.31997

25 Chloride 19 0.37866 0.21669 4.24912 -0.22549 19 0.64599 0.16859 0.68533 -0.35512 0.67081

26 Sulfate 19 0.36238 0.30635 3.37953 0.30786 19 0.98430 0.04955 -4.20666 0.03192 1.42795

27 Carbonate 19 0.48172 0.13358 5.47356 -0.17167 19 0.49191 0.13633 5.00391 -0.18875 0.08840

28 Sodium +K 19 0.20837 0.27143 2.82272 0.18563 19 0.51080 0.21994 -1.38382 0.03262 0.79180
110

15. STATION 09380000 (LEES) Colorado River at Lees Ferry, AZ

STATION 09380000 Colorado River at Lees Ferry, AZ UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 13 0.0 0.0

2 2011 13 0.0 0.0

3 2012 22 0.0 0.0

4 2013 27 0.0 0.0

5 2014 27 0.0 0.0

STATION 09380000 Colorado River at Lees Ferry, AZ UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 13 0.93679 0.08677 -0.00704 1.01421 13 0.99723 0.019035 -6.28397 0.99733 0.98615

2 Calcium 13 0.00111 0.07689 4.19316 -0.00777 13 0.65935 0.047093 -0.42438 -0.02019 0.72544

3 Magnesium 13 0.01265 0.05507 3.17120 -0.01892 13 0.77142 0.027789 -0.40001 -0.02853 0.56106

4 Chloride 13 0.00894 0.17282 3.18667 0.04984 13 0.94827 0.041409 -9.26008 0.01636 1.95546

5 Sulfate 13 0.02106 0.10499 4.65077 0.04675 13 0.96926 0.019514 -2.99345 0.02619 1.20096

6 Carbonate 13 0.16475 0.03535 4.83442 -0.04766 13 0.80274 0.018015 2.54915 -0.05381 0.35903

7 Sodium +K 13 0.00404 0.11766 3.81575 0.02276 13 0.90738 0.037631 -4.47395 0.00046 1.30236

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 13 0.93679 0.08677 -0.00704 1.01421 13 0.99723 0.019035 -6.28397 0.99733 0.98615

9 Calcium 13 0.00111 0.07689 4.19316 -0.00777 13 0.65935 0.047093 -0.42438 -0.02019 0.72544

10 Magnesium 13 0.01265 0.05507 3.17120 -0.01892 13 0.77142 0.027789 -0.40001 -0.02853 0.56106

11 Chloride 13 0.00894 0.17282 3.18667 0.04984 13 0.94827 0.041409 -9.26008 0.01636 1.95546

12 Sulfate 13 0.02106 0.10499 4.65077 0.04675 13 0.96926 0.019514 -2.99345 0.02619 1.20096

13 Carbonate 13 0.16475 0.03535 4.83442 -0.04766 13 0.80274 0.018015 2.54915 -0.05381 0.35903

14 Sodium +K 13 0.00404 0.11766 3.81575 0.02276 13 0.90738 0.037631 -4.47395 0.00046 1.30236
111

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 22 0.93635 0.10328 0.55635 0.96015 22 0.99785 0.019495 -6.90662 1.00348 1.07543

16 Calcium 22 0.01022 0.06836 4.30645 -0.01684 22 0.86680 0.025730 -0.36874 0.01030 0.67371

17 Magnesium 22 0.05108 0.07919 3.45474 -0.04453 22 0.87742 0.029200 -1.97766 -0.01299 0.78282

18 Chloride 22 0.02235 0.19865 4.40606 -0.07280 22 0.96763 0.037084 -9.95377 0.01056 2.06929

19 Sulfate 22 0.01713 0.12197 5.51607 -0.03903 22 0.96936 0.022095 -3.30940 0.01221 1.27178

20 Carbonate 22 0.12023 0.04826 4.82209 -0.04324 22 0.77524 0.025026 1.76099 -0.02547 0.44111

21 Sodium +K 22 0.00081 0.12324 4.14818 -0.00850 22 0.88258 0.043345 -4.36273 0.04091 1.22645

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 27 0.85698 0.13101 1.26132 0.89143 27 0.99831 0.014524 -7.30450 1.02047 1.11251

23 Calcium 27 0.07372 0.09327 4.87881 -0.07314 27 0.93408 0.025394 -1.03331 0.01592 0.76785

24 Magnesium 27 0.09893 0.09539 3.90599 -0.08786 27 0.95739 0.021172 -2.21814 0.00439 0.79539

25 Chloride 27 0.10427 0.22755 5.83295 -0.21581 27 0.97853 0.035958 -8.95312 0.00693 1.92038

26 Sulfate 27 0.07901 0.15294 6.38597 -0.12451 27 0.98286 0.021295 -3.57937 0.02561 1.29428

27 Carbonate 27 0.10821 0.05356 4.92613 -0.05186 27 0.91182 0.017189 1.58220 -0.00148 0.43430

28 Sodium +K 27 0.06516 0.16534 5.28532 -0.12134 27 0.93476 0.044580 -5.20322 0.03667 1.36223

16. STATION 09402500 (GRCAN) Colorado River Near Grand Canyon, AZ - NO REGRESSION 

STATS

No QW since late 1980’s. Alternate method from Mueller calculates GRCAN load from Lees Ferry load and the flow difference 

between GRCAN and LEES. See no.15 STATION 09380000 (LEES) Colorado River at Lees Ferry, AZ
112

COLORADO RIVER NEAR GRAND CANYON-09402500- MONTHLY Q, LOAD, TDS DATA, JAN 2011-DECEMBER 2013

Obs YEAR MONTH WMONTH GCQ GCLOAD MTDS

16 2011 1 Jan 1,036,542 652,526 463

17 2011 2 Feb 1,009,377 662,880 483

18 2011 3 Mar 1,088,747 763,988 516

19 2011 4 Apr 1,006,243 732,415 535

20 2011 5 May 1,211,860 835,867 507

21 2011 6 Jun 1,415,469 939,378 488

22 2011 7 Jul 1,533,417 1,000,189 480

23 2011 8 Aug 1,537,255 965,285 462

24 2011 9 Sep 998,567 627,824 462

25 2011 10 Oct 1,014,408 622,860 452

26 2011 11 Nov 1,127,689 655,382 427

27 2011 12 Dec 1,257,872 652,818 382

28 2012 1 Jan 886,142 508,891 422

29 2012 2 Feb 673,226 449,683 491

30 2012 3 Mar 629,120 471,203 551

31 2012 4 Apr 628,225 458,955 537

32 2012 5 May 624,780 428,571 504

33 2012 6 Jun 735,191 488,483 489

34 2012 7 Jul 918,543 586,686 470

35 2012 8 Aug 878,874 563,738 472

36 2012 9 Sep 525,878 363,102 508

37 2012 10 Oct 524,754 347,336 487

38 2012 11 Nov 764,523 494,583 476

39 2012 12 Dec 822,664 519,035 464

40 2013 1 Jan 838,669 531,746 466

41 2013 2 Feb 634,136 443,985 515

42 2013 3 Mar 652,681 483,170 544

43 2013 4 Apr 575,938 458,212 585

44 2013 5 May 630,471 489,271 571

45 2013 6 Jun 831,642 610,947 540

46 2013 7 Jul 924,327 656,202 522

47 2013 8 Aug 882,252 623,741 520

48 2013 9 Sep 686,242 517,262 554

49 2013 10 Oct 502,480 387,771 568

50 2013 11 Nov 722,946 555,964 566

51 2013 12 Dec 620,157 470,795 558
113

17. STATION 09415000 (VIRGIN) Virgin River at Littlefield, AZ

STATION 09415000 Virgin River at Littlefield, AZ UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 10 0.0 0.0

2 2011 10 0.0 0.0

3 2012 12 0.0 0.0

4 2013 10 0.0 0.0

5 2014 10 0.0 0.0

STATION 09415000 Virgin River at Littlefield, AZ UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 10 0.91167 0.08503 3.69869 0.58475 10 0.99950 0.00686 -6.9362 0.99171 1.08882

2 Calcium 10 0.82043 0.08436 7.44489 -0.38600 10 0.90672 0.06500 0.1099 -0.10531 0.75097

3 Magnesium 10 0.88742 0.05538 6.03912 -0.33285 10 0.94814 0.04018 0.9376 -0.13763 0.52231

4 Chloride 10 0.79838 0.12318 8.39955 -0.52472 10 0.96302 0.05640 -5.5626 0.00957 1.42947

5 Sulfate 10 0.90493 0.07602 9.17721 -0.50208 10 0.99278 0.02240 0.0105 -0.15130 0.93850

6 Carbonate 10 0.01918 0.17422 4.73029 0.05216 10 0.46825 0.13713 -10.0565 0.61800 1.51389

7 Sodium +K 10 0.72445 0.11641 7.61629 -0.40406 10 0.98796 0.02601 -6.6630 0.14237 1.46193

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 10 0.91167 0.08503 3.69869 0.58475 10 0.99950 0.00686 -6.9362 0.99171 1.08882

9 Calcium 10 0.82043 0.08436 7.44489 -0.38600 10 0.90672 0.06500 0.1099 -0.10531 0.75097

10 Magnesium 10 0.88742 0.05538 6.03912 -0.33285 10 0.94814 0.04018 0.9376 -0.13763 0.52231

11 Chloride 10 0.79838 0.12318 8.39955 -0.52472 10 0.96302 0.05640 -5.5626 0.00957 1.42947

12 Sulfate 10 0.90493 0.07602 9.17721 -0.50208 10 0.99278 0.02240 0.0105 -0.15130 0.93850

13 Carbonate 10 0.01918 0.17422 4.73029 0.05216 10 0.46825 0.13713 -10.0565 0.61800 1.51389

14 Sodium +K 10 0.72445 0.11641 7.61629 -0.40406 10 0.98796 0.02601 -6.6630 0.14237 1.46193
114

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 12 0.91701 0.09530 3.33673 0.65739 12 0.99902 0.01093 -7.0746 1.00178 1.09998

16 Calcium 12 0.78618 0.09242 7.37308 -0.36775 12 0.88896 0.07021 0.3310 -0.13481 0.74401

17 Magnesium 12 0.88655 0.05408 5.94772 -0.31373 12 0.95979 0.03394 1.1722 -0.15576 0.50455

18 Chloride 12 0.58306 0.15120 7.62157 -0.37103 12 0.92736 0.06653 -7.4782 0.12845 1.59533

19 Sulfate 12 0.84808 0.09050 8.89159 -0.44369 12 0.99181 0.02216 -0.7820 -0.12371 1.02204

20 Carbonate 12 0.03859 0.14234 4.70108 0.05918 12 0.36366 0.12207 -4.3947 0.36005 0.96099

21 Sodium +K 12 0.42752 0.14048 6.83400 -0.25192 12 0.91856 0.05585 -7.4644 0.22105 1.51066

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 10 0.95597 0.06530 2.92979 0.74233 10 0.99752 0.01658 -6.4482 0.99102 1.02775

23 Calcium 10 0.87613 0.05508 7.35621 -0.35740 10 0.97812 0.02475 -0.0334 -0.16144 0.80984

24 Magnesium 10 0.90432 0.04138 5.93555 -0.31042 10 0.97189 0.02398 0.7939 -0.17407 0.56348

25 Chloride 10 0.35990 0.09663 6.67153 -0.17678 10 0.89883 0.04107 -6.4380 0.17087 1.43670

26 Sulfate 10 0.81232 0.07400 8.55658 -0.37562 10 0.97961 0.02608 -1.7730 -0.10170 1.13203

27 Carbonate 10 0.33832 0.05083 4.61224 0.08868 10 0.33976 0.05428 4.2617 0.09798 0.03842

28 Sodium +K 10 0.14400 0.08798 6.03935 -0.08804 10 0.81399 0.04385 -5.4693 0.21715 1.26125

18. STATION 09421500 (HOOVER) Colorado River below Hoover Dam, AZ-NV

STATION 09421500 Colorado River below Hoover Dam, AZ UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 33 0.0 0.0

2 2011 33 0.0 0.0

3 2012 33 0.0 0.0

4 2013 28 0.0 0.0

5 2014 28 0.0 0.0

STATION 09421500 Colorado River below Hoover Dam, AZ UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)
115

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 33 0.99477 0.036527 0.51365 0.99202 33 0.99743 0.026007 -4.83370 0.99074 0.78408

2 Calcium 33 0.00261 0.050173 4.35525 -0.00505 33 0.06174 0.049467 1.84961 -0.00565 0.36740

3 Magnesium 33 0.00132 0.059810 3.24967 -0.00428 33 0.05244 0.059222 0.47404 -0.00495 0.40699

4 Chloride 33 0.00445 0.056333 4.42705 -0.00742 33 0.48911 0.041022 -3.63479 -0.00936 1.18210

5 Sulfate 33 0.00457 0.046893 5.44468 -0.00626 33 0.46571 0.034923 -1.10172 -0.00783 0.95989

6 Carbonate 33 0.00005 0.020899 4.41052 -0.00028 33 0.03425 0.020878 5.20324 -0.00009 -0.11624

7 Sodium +K 33 0.02789 0.068173 4.70594 -0.02274 33 0.48181 0.050596 -4.84897 -0.02503 1.40102

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 33 0.99477 0.036527 0.51365 0.99202 33 0.99743 0.026007 -4.83370 0.99074 0.78408

9 Calcium 33 0.00261 0.050173 4.35525 -0.00505 33 0.06174 0.049467 1.84961 -0.00565 0.36740

10 Magnesium 33 0.00132 0.059810 3.24967 -0.00428 33 0.05244 0.059222 0.47404 -0.00495 0.40699

11 Chloride 33 0.00445 0.056333 4.42705 -0.00742 33 0.48911 0.041022 -3.63479 -0.00936 1.18210

12 Sulfate 33 0.00457 0.046893 5.44468 -0.00626 33 0.46571 0.034923 -1.10172 -0.00783 0.95989

13 Carbonate 33 0.00005 0.020899 4.41052 -0.00028 33 0.03425 0.020878 5.20324 -0.00009 -0.11624

14 Sodium +K 33 0.02789 0.068173 4.70594 -0.02274 33 0.48181 0.050596 -4.84897 -0.02503 1.40102

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 33 0.99630 0.040401 0.46218 0.99525 33 0.99845 0.026615 -5.70943 0.99281 0.90924

16 Calcium 33 0.00000 0.046355 4.30377 -0.00008 33 0.09342 0.044867 1.46190 -0.00121 0.41868

17 Magnesium 33 0.00268 0.052747 3.24656 -0.00410 33 0.33104 0.043914 -2.82425 -0.00650 0.89439

18 Chloride 33 0.00642 0.064496 4.39770 -0.00778 33 0.62447 0.040306 -5.80536 -0.01181 1.50318

19 Sulfate 33 0.00025 0.053286 5.37028 -0.00126 33 0.48820 0.038756 -2.09677 -0.00421 1.10009

20 Carbonate 33 0.01256 0.025378 4.44787 -0.00429 33 0.01287 0.025794 4.35881 -0.00433 0.01312

21 Sodium +K 33 0.01683 0.070100 4.58337 -0.01376 33 0.40185 0.055581 -4.21563 -0.01724 1.29632

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 28 0.99830 0.029853 0.43532 0.99629 28 0.99864 0.027215 -3.44201 0.99450 0.57265

23 Calcium 28 0.01200 0.038581 4.34898 -0.00586 28 0.01206 0.039344 4.26689 -0.00590 0.01213

24 Magnesium 28 0.00482 0.047307 3.22913 -0.00454 28 0.01685 0.047952 1.72228 -0.00523 0.22255

25 Chloride 28 0.00413 0.045481 4.33530 -0.00404 28 0.37137 0.036850 -3.66758 -0.00773 1.18196

26 Sulfate 28 0.00088 0.037116 5.32415 0.00152 28 0.17818 0.034329 0.79363 -0.00058 0.66912

27 Carbonate 28 0.03604 0.025974 4.47461 -0.00692 28 0.04046 0.026428 3.96473 -0.00715 0.07530

28 Sodium +K 28 0.00975 0.064329 4.50939 -0.00879 28 0.11920 0.061871 -1.68770 -0.01166 0.91526
116

19. STATION 09427520 (PARKER) Colorado River below Parker Dam, AZ-CA

 

STATION 09427520 Colorado River below Parker Dam, AZ UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 88 0.0 0.0

2 2011 88 0.0 0.0

3 2012 96 0.0 0.0

4 2013 90 0.0 0.0

5 2014 90 0.0 0.0

STATION 09427520 Colorado River below Parker Dam, AZ UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 88 0.99135 0.037009 0.53468 0.99148 88 0.99562 0.026502 -6.24631 1.00584 0.96909

2 Calcium 88 0.04327 0.047797 4.05924 0.02543 88 0.07659 0.047233 1.73181 0.03036 0.33262

3 Magnesium 88 0.10423 0.065531 3.74044 -0.05593 88 0.31776 0.057525 -4.60735 -0.03825 1.19300

4 Chloride 88 0.00686 0.065623 4.53644 -0.01364 88 0.32532 0.054405 -5.15912 0.00689 1.38561

5 Sulfate 88 0.00496 0.051685 5.49372 -0.00913 88 0.36013 0.041690 -2.56290 0.00793 1.15139

6 Carbonate 88 0.06225 0.029503 4.22371 0.01902 88 0.07676 0.029445 5.18140 0.01699 -0.13687

7 Sodium +K 88 0.05851 0.063943 4.89743 -0.03989 88 0.45032 0.049145 -5.86510 -0.01709 1.53810

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 88 0.99135 0.037009 0.53468 0.99148 88 0.99562 0.026502 -6.24631 1.00584 0.96909

9 Calcium 88 0.04327 0.047797 4.05924 0.02543 88 0.07659 0.047233 1.73181 0.03036 0.33262

10 Magnesium 88 0.10423 0.065531 3.74044 -0.05593 88 0.31776 0.057525 -4.60735 -0.03825 1.19300

11 Chloride 88 0.00686 0.065623 4.53644 -0.01364 88 0.32532 0.054405 -5.15912 0.00689 1.38561

12 Sulfate 88 0.00496 0.051685 5.49372 -0.00913 88 0.36013 0.041690 -2.56290 0.00793 1.15139

13 Carbonate 88 0.06225 0.029503 4.22371 0.01902 88 0.07676 0.029445 5.18140 0.01699 -0.13687

14 Sodium +K 88 0.05851 0.063943 4.89743 -0.03989 88 0.45032 0.049145 -5.86510 -0.01709 1.53810
117

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 96 0.99428 0.027426 0.51925 0.99092 96 0.99574 0.023798 -3.21758 0.99757 0.53778

16 Calcium 96 0.00538 0.044856 4.20876 0.00904 96 0.01061 0.044978 3.33186 0.01060 0.12620

17 Magnesium 96 0.07085 0.049858 3.57241 -0.03773 96 0.10656 0.049152 0.93527 -0.03303 0.37952

18 Chloride 96 0.00676 0.061383 4.50725 -0.01388 96 0.36466 0.049356 -5.43362 0.00381 1.43063

19 Sulfate 96 0.01798 0.036114 5.50321 -0.01339 96 0.10482 0.034665 2.60591 -0.00824 0.41696

20 Carbonate 96 0.11842 0.026078 4.16056 0.02619 96 0.21969 0.024666 1.77602 0.03043 0.34317

21 Sodium +K 96 0.08570 0.043938 4.83417 -0.03686 96 0.22039 0.040790 0.28449 -0.02877 0.65476

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 90 0.99635 0.026470 0.54868 0.98662 90 0.99657 0.025811 -1.74425 0.98949 0.33204

23 Calcium 90 0.00197 0.037137 4.32353 -0.00372 90 0.03887 0.036652 1.79666 -0.00055 0.36592

24 Magnesium 90 0.02652 0.058896 3.41259 -0.02192 90 0.02754 0.059202 4.08871 -0.02276 -0.09791

25 Chloride 90 0.03637 0.050000 4.55562 -0.02190 90 0.13464 0.047653 -1.09438 -0.01482 0.81818

26 Sulfate 90 0.10300 0.035225 5.61735 -0.02691 90 0.10812 0.035325 4.67549 -0.02573 0.13639

27 Carbonate 90 0.19515 0.025362 4.14175 0.02816 90 0.27516 0.024206 1.31224 0.03170 0.40974

28 Sodium +K 90 0.04354 0.046491 4.68633 -0.02236 90 0.05203 0.046549 3.13664 -0.02042 0.22441

20. STATION 09429490 (IMPER) Colorado River above Imperial Dam, AZ-CA

STATION 09429490 Colorado River above Imperial Dam, AZ UPDATE 2014

SUMMARY OF QW OBSERVATIONS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUP

Obs

WATER

YEAR

# OF QW

OBSV.

% P70300

SUBST.

% P00060

SUBST.

1 2010 83 0.0 0.0

2 2011 83 0.0 0.0

3 2012 80 0.0 0.0

4 2013 69 0.0 0.0

5 2014 69 0.0 0.0

STATION 09429490 Colorado River above Imperial Dam, AZ UPDATE 2014

REGRESSION STATISTICS, BY 3-YEAR SLIDING GROUPS

REGRESSION #1: VARIABLE = e**A * DISCHARGE**B

REGRESSION #2: VARIABLE = e**C * DISCHARGE**D * COND**E

VARIABLE=(mg/L), except for SALT LOAD (tons/day)

DISCHARGE=(cfs) COND=(uMHOS/cm)
118

GROUP=2010

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

1 SALT LOAD 83 0.97037 0.039604 2.28118 0.81453 83 0.99468 0.016886 -7.77873 1.02775 1.16164

2 Calcium 83 0.25100 0.053067 5.38900 -0.11040 83 0.44218 0.046082 -2.12972 0.04895 0.86820

3 Magnesium 83 0.33384 0.060009 4.72249 -0.15267 83 0.58429 0.047700 -5.59614 0.06603 1.19152

4 Chloride 83 0.61045 0.055375 6.86562 -0.24913 83 0.83894 0.035827 -5.02775 0.00295 1.37335

5 Sulfate 83 0.57224 0.043945 7.20811 -0.18267 83 0.83535 0.027433 -2.45706 0.02218 1.11606

6 Carbonate 83 0.52188 0.035634 5.70451 -0.13380 83 0.78187 0.024219 -1.66452 0.02238 0.85092

7 Sodium +K 83 0.55810 0.059446 6.89525 -0.24010 83 0.77703 0.042489 -4.83874 0.00860 1.35495

GROUP=2011

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

8 SALT LOAD 83 0.97037 0.039604 2.28118 0.81453 83 0.99468 0.016886 -7.77873 1.02775 1.16164

9 Calcium 83 0.25100 0.053067 5.38900 -0.11040 83 0.44218 0.046082 -2.12972 0.04895 0.86820

10 Magnesium 83 0.33384 0.060009 4.72249 -0.15267 83 0.58429 0.047700 -5.59614 0.06603 1.19152

11 Chloride 83 0.61045 0.055375 6.86562 -0.24913 83 0.83894 0.035827 -5.02775 0.00295 1.37335

12 Sulfate 83 0.57224 0.043945 7.20811 -0.18267 83 0.83535 0.027433 -2.45706 0.02218 1.11606

13 Carbonate 83 0.52188 0.035634 5.70451 -0.13380 83 0.78187 0.024219 -1.66452 0.02238 0.85092

14 Sodium +K 83 0.55810 0.059446 6.89525 -0.24010 83 0.77703 0.042489 -4.83874 0.00860 1.35495

GROUP=2012

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

15 SALT LOAD 80 0.97540 0.033215 2.11056 0.83244 80 0.99469 0.015528 -6.66907 1.00220 1.03635

16 Calcium 80 0.22601 0.045066 5.27686 -0.09694 80 0.39350 0.040151 -0.98075 0.02406 0.73865

17 Magnesium 80 0.39795 0.043334 4.60951 -0.14024 80 0.68857 0.031368 -4.37724 0.03353 1.06079

18 Chloride 80 0.62728 0.044740 6.69556 -0.23104 80 0.87046 0.026547 -4.09123 -0.02246 1.27327

19 Sulfate 80 0.56464 0.036437 7.03570 -0.16517 80 0.80954 0.024256 -1.12150 -0.00745 0.96287

20 Carbonate 80 0.43449 0.034838 5.59351 -0.12155 80 0.69675 0.025677 -1.48806 0.01538 0.83591

21 Sodium +K 80 0.49728 0.052289 6.57144 -0.20701 80 0.76392 0.036064 -4.79525 0.01278 1.34172

GROUP=2013

Obs VARIABLE

#1

obsv.

R-square

#1

Std.

Error A B

#2

obsv.

R-square

#2

Std.

Error C D E

22 SALT LOAD 69 0.98281 0.027512 2.34901 0.80552 69 0.99745 0.010666 -5.88913 0.97874 0.95547

23 Calcium 69 0.55062 0.031278 5.61692 -0.13408 69 0.69409 0.026001 -0.11659 -0.01352 0.66498

24 Magnesium 69 0.60828 0.035540 4.88572 -0.17150 69 0.78917 0.026270 -2.94937 -0.00676 0.90872

25 Chloride 69 0.79047 0.035305 7.00230 -0.26555 69 0.96585 0.014360 -3.47638 -0.04522 1.21533

26 Sulfate 69 0.75487 0.028524 7.28668 -0.19383 69 0.90528 0.017865 0.03828 -0.04142 0.84068

27 Carbonate 69 0.44439 0.037976 5.68603 -0.13152 69 0.63897 0.030844 -1.60478 0.02178 0.84560

28 Sodium +K 69 0.65016 0.044411 6.80446 -0.23445 69 0.83577 0.030658 -3.68993 -0.01379 1.21715
119

APPENDIX D

20 Station Flow and Salt over Time
120

Figure D1 – Flow and TDS over Time for Sites 1-4
121

Figure D2 – Flow and TDS over Time for Sites 5 - 8
122

Figure D3 – Flow and TDS over Time for Sites 9 - 12
123

Figure D4 – Flow and TDS over Time for Sites 13 - 16
124

Figure D5 – Flow and TDS over Time for Sites 17 - 20