7285

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7285
• Author: Stewart, J. M.
• Title: Summary of Water-Resources Activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Colorado, Fiscal Year 1987.
• USFW Year: 1987.
• USFW - Doc Type: Open-File Report 87-388,
• Copyright Material: NO

PROJECT TITLE:

PROJECT NUMBER:
STUDY LOCATION:

COOPERATING AGENCY:

PROJECT CHIEF AND
OFFICE:

PROJECT DURATION:

Effects of Energy-Production
Emissions on Colorado Lakes

CO-80-131

Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa, and
Delta Counties in northwestern
Colorado

U.S. Geological Survey,
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Colorado Department
of Health, and Delta County

John T. Turk, District Office, Lakewood

November 1979 to September 1989

PROBLEM: Current and proposed production of energy in Colorado and surround-
i ng States wi 11 release aci di c gases and other constituents that can
affect the chemi stry of precipitation and of poorly buffered 1 akes and
streams. The water resources of the Flat Tops, Mt. Zirkel, and Weminuche
Wilderness Areas in western Colorado are located downwind from areas of
possible oil-shale development and coal-burning powerplants. The unreac-
tive bedrock of the area, combined with the orographic effect on precipi-
tation, may cause the area to be particularly susceptible to adverse
effects of energy production. Data on precipitation and lake quality do
not exist to define predevelopment conditions or relative sensitivity of
waters to input of additional chemical constituents.

OBJECTIVES: Delineate the areas in Colorado most susceptible to the influence
of acid rain. Determine within susceptible areas the lakes with the
least buffering capacity and the smallest nutrient-loading rate. Select
lakes representative of other lakes within the susceptible areas for more
detailed study. Determine baseline chemical quality of precipitation.

APPROACH: Select areas most susceptible to acidification based on: Downwind
location from acidic-gas sources, unreactive bedrock geology, and large
snowpack accumulation. Measure relative buffering capacity of the lakes
by alkalinity-titration curves. Install and operate precipitation gages
and weather stations to collect samples for analysis of wet- and dry-
deposition quality and data on wind direction and speed.

PROGRESS: Data collection was continued and a model of controls on lake
chloride and sulfate concentrations was developed. Sampling was continued
on three wilderness areas and at precipitation-maintaining sites.

PLANS FOR FY 87: Model will be applied to other areas; sampling will continue.

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