8025

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8025
• Author: Valdez, R., et al.
• Title: Colorado River Fishery Project, Tributary Report ‎(Gunnison and Dolores River)‎ Final Report.
• USFW Year: 1982.
• USFW - Doc Type: Grand Junction, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

13

stratum has relatively few riffles and side channels. River width varied
from 200 to 260 ft, and average depth in the stratum was 4.3 ft with a
maximum depth of 16.4 ft.

Conductivity was approximately
values varied between 0 and 1 ppth.
dissolved oxygen readings were near

1100 umhos cm-l
High t urb id i ty
8 mg/l.

and salinity
was observed, and

Stratum S: Bridgeport to Escalante. Stratum S was the uppermost
section of the Gunnison River sampled by the GJFS. The upper and middle
portions of this stratum have some floodplain areas occupied by orchards.
The river is braided throughout the stratum with several large islands.
Other features found in the river include several rock dams designed to
pool water for irrigation. Canyon walls are prevalent riparian features
in lower sections of the stratum. River widths ranged from 50 to 100 ft,
and depths averaged approximately 3.3 ft with maximum depths near 10 ft.

Conductivity averaged
cm-1) and salinity was 0-5
loads held in suspension.
8-11 mgll.

1110 umhos cm-1 (range 600-1600 umhos
ppth. Turbidity was high due to silt
Dissolved oxygen concentrations varied

from

Dolores River

Stratum T: Dolores-Colorado River Confluence to Utah-Colorado State
Line. Tl:1o apparently different riverine characteristics- are found in
stratum T. The upper portion of this stratum has several large rapids
which can be treacherous during high flow. The river has fewer riffles
and more floodplain area dO\ffistream near the confluence of the Colorado
River. Several quarries and mining operations are located in the lower
sections of this stratum. Shear canyon walls are found along the river
throughout the stratum. River width varied from 33 to 100 ft and the
mean depth was 3.3 ft.

Salinity was low (0-1 ppth) and conductivity ranged from 550 to 700
umhos cm-1. Dissolved oxygen concentrations averaged 8 mg/l.

Stratum U: Utah-Colorado Stateline to Salt Creek. This section
exhibits a fairly constant pool-riffle pattern although fewer riffles are
found between Gateway, Colorado and Salt Creek. The local topography
features gently sloping floodplain areas. River width varied from 82 to
100 ft. The mean depth of this stratum was 3.3 ft with a maximum depth
of 11.5 ft.

Conductivity ranged from 1350 to 4000 umhos cm-l (mean =
umhos cm-l) while the salinity range was 0-3 ppth. Turbidity
generally high during sampling periods because of silt loads.
oxygen readings were 6-10 rog/l.

1425

was
Dissolved