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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />3.0 Water Quality Sample Results <br /> <br />3.1 Field Parameters <br /> <br />Alkalinity, hardness, temperature, pH, and DO were analyzed in all samples collected by <br />the North Fork volunteers. Samples were analyzed by the project volunteers in the <br />laboratories at the CSU Roger's Mesa Ag Experiment Station in Hotchkiss. The <br />following charts summarize these results from April 2001 - April 2002. <br /> <br />Harness and Alkalinity <br /> <br />These two parameters both increased in <br />concentration in the downstream <br />stations (NF-3, NF-4, and NF-5). In <br />addition, these increases were most <br />significant during the summer months, <br />between July and October. This <br />corresponds to the irrigation season, and <br />the lower sites reflect the greatest <br />influence of irrigation. Water moving <br />through the soil profile picks up the <br />calcium, sodium, and magnesium <br />minerals common to the soils of this <br />area. This may account for the patterns <br />observed in these sample results. <br /> <br />Dissolved Oxygen and <br />Temperature <br /> <br />DO and temperature both varied <br />seasonally at all sample sites. These <br />two parameters have an inverse <br />relationship, meaning when the water is <br />warmer it holds less oxygen. Colder <br />water contains more DO. <br /> <br /> <br />Preparing the sample with reagent <br /> <br />Generally, the river water warms as it travels to lower elevations. On any given sample <br />day, there may be one degree of difference between each station, as the sample stations <br />move down gradient through the watershed. Stations NF-1 and NF-2 were often the <br />coldest stations. This may reflect the spilling of water from the bottom of Paonia <br />Reservoir. The lowest DO value recorded was 5.9 mg/L at NF-5, in June 2001. This is <br />just slightly under the State Standard of 6.0 mg/L. Possible causes for the low DO values <br />are Walm shallow water conditions, with a relatively high degree of algal growth. <br /> <br />3-1 <br />