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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Below the town of Dolores the water quality of the river is <br /> <br />degraded as it progresses to the state line owing to saline inflows <br /> <br />from natural sources. The most severe degradation occurs through <br /> <br />the Paradox Valley anticline and at the confluence with the <br /> <br />San Miguel River. Because the water quality deterioration is <br /> <br />primarily of natural origin, it does not violate the water quality <br /> <br />criteria of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (P.L. 90-542). <br /> <br />Municipalities in the basin are small and widely separated. They <br /> <br />are on septic tank sewage systems and with the exception of the <br /> <br />town of Dolores are adequately treating their domestic wastes. <br /> <br />Two sources of industrial discharges which affect water quality <br /> <br />have been identified, one at Rico and one at Uravan.. Both of <br /> <br />these sites are outside of the designated reaches, however, <br /> <br />the plant at Uravan discharges ammonia wastes which are Lclow <br />~~~ <br />toxic l~vels, b~L ucverEAelese affect the esthetics of a short <br /> <br />reach of the Dolores below the confluence with the San Miguel. <br /> <br />Plans are underway to reduce the discharge of ammonia at Uravan. <br /> <br />Steps should be taken to insure that future accidental discharges <br /> <br />do not occur at Rico which would impair the river ecosystem in the <br /> <br />designated reaches. <br /> <br />Although the effects of man are apparent on the water <br /> <br />quality of the Dolores River, no serious water quality problems <br /> <br />exist which would preclude its designation as a national wild <br /> <br />or scenic river. <br /> <br />0809 <br /> <br />/ <br /> <br />-6- <br />