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. l . . . " 002859 Planned reservoir-development projects are subject to scrutiny by various groups and agencies at local, State, regional, and Federal levels. Certain basin compacts and legal requirements may restrict the types and degree of surface-water development in the Yampa River basin (Upper Colorado Basin Com- mission, 1965, 1971, 1975). Another possible constraint is the proposed des- ignation of the lower Yampa River as a "wild and scenic" river reach, with likely stipulations that certain characteristics of upstream flows be main- tained through the lower reach. On the other hand, limits on in-basin devel- opment may enhance future proposals for increased water export out of the Yampa River basin or may benefit downstream water users. Status of water rights and diversions in the Yampa River basin, as well as implications of interstate and interbasin compacts, allocations, and transfers are in the process of being studied, in collaboration with the Colorado State Engineer. A recent concern with water-quality impacts of upstream development on waters of the Colorado River basin (see for example, Weatherford and Jacoby, 1975; Water Resources Council, 1971) also will affect any implementation of large- scale water-development plans for the Yampa River basin. Secondary impacts of economic growth stimulated by expanded coal-resource development involve the needs of increased population in the basin. Relevant impacts related to water quality include water supply, wastewater treatment, and effects of additional construction of buildings and roads for housing and services. Greatest impacts are anticipated in and around the existing towns of Steamboat Springs, Craig, Hayden (fig. 1), and Oak Creek, which is just upstream from site Y-69. To aid in evaluating existing and projected impacts of wastewater treat- ment-plant discharges from the Steamboat Springs area, a waste-assimilative capacity analysis was carried out for the mainstem Yampa River between Steam- boat Springs and Hayden in Colorado (Steele and others, 1976a; Bauer and Steele, 1976). Intensive field data-collection surveys were coupled to input requirements of two stream-quality digital computer models. Existing, aa well as anticipated., levels of selected nutrient species were indicated in this analysis as major areas of concern. Details of the study are found in another report in progress (D. P. Bauer and others, written commun., 1976). Other related studies involve determination of reaeration capacity of the above- named reach of the Yampa River and time-of-travel and dispersion character- istics of selected subreaches of both the Yamp.a and Little Snake Rivers. Water-quality data from quarterly sampling at 30 selected sites throughout the basin from December 1975 through August-September 1976 (Steele and others, 1976a) will be analyzed and discussed in a final project report. REFERENCES CITED Adams, D. n., 1975, Predicted and observed temperature and water-quality changes of lakes and reservoirs: Internat. Assoc. Hydrol. Sci. Pub. 117, Symposium, Tokyo, December 1975, p. 873-882. American Public Health Association, 1976, Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 14th edition: Washington, 1193 p. 25 1i:"A;