PROJ01945 ‎(3)‎

• Contract/PO #: C150193
• Contractor Name: Dolores Water Conservancy District
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 34
• County: Montezuma
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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CHAPTER VIII - WATER QUALITY
(Summary from October 2000 Feasibility Report)

The Dolores River, the source of the WETPACK water supply, is fed primarily by melting snow
from the San Juan Mountains. The quality of the water is very good and has proven to be
satisfactory for all Dolores Project purposes and will therefore be adequate for WETP ACK
purposes.

Water samples collected by USBR for the Project showed average dissolved solids of 127
milligrams per liter with a range of 79 to 352 milligrams per liter. (mg/1)

A water quality profile for the Dolores River indicates:

The only heavy metals present in detectable levels are iron, zinc, and mercury;

Arsenic and selenium are the only toxic substances present in detectable amounts;

Water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels are sufficient to support a diverse aquatic
community;

Calcium carbonate values ranges from 23 to 200 mg/1 and average 128;

Calcium values range from 9.2 to 80 mg/l with at average of 51 ;

Radioactivity levels are low.

High levels of mercury have been found in certain species of fish in McPhee and Narriguinepp
Reservoirs. After many years of study the source of the mercury is unknown.

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