Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Reducing the amount of sediment, trace elements, heavy metals, salts, pesticides, <br />and nutrients entering the hydrologic system would improve stream fisheries habitat <br />for the river and the John Martin Reservoir. Sediment and other pollutants affect <br />downstream fisheries diversity and populations by filling pool segments and changing <br />bottom composition and water temperature. The stressing effects of high <br />concentrations of suspended sediment also causes a, reduction of the quality of fish <br />habitat. The heavy metals, especially selenium and uranium, potentially harm fish and <br />wildlife using the watershed. <br /> <br />On-site Problems <br /> <br />Irrigation induced erosion - 4,000 acres eroding at 2-7 times the acceptable <br /> level. An additional 6,000 acres have total <br /> erosion rates exceeding tolerable levels. <br />Productivity on irrigated land decreasing on erosive areas <br />Maintenance on irrigation systems high <br />Irrigation water application fair <br />effectiveness <br /> <br />Off-site Problems <br /> <br />Annual irrigation induced sediment deposition on irrigated areas 57,500T <br />Sediment deposited annually into channels of Arkansas River 20,OOOT <br />Average Selenium Level in Arkansas River at La Junta Recorded at 17 micro <br /> gramslliter <br />Average Nitrate Level of groundwater Exceeds State/EPP. <br /> <br />23 <br />