9317 ‎(2)‎

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9317
• Author: Spahr, N. E., L. E. Apodaca, J. R. Deacon, J. B. Bails, N. C. Bauch, C. M. Smith and N. E. Driver.
• Title: Water Quality in the Upper Colorado River Basin, Colorado, 1996-98.
• USFW Year: 2000.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver.
• Copyright Material: NO

NATIONAL WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

THIS REPORT summarizes major findings about water quality in the Upper Colorado River Basin that emerged
from an assessment conducted between 1996 and 1998 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-
Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. Water quality is discussed in terms of local and regional issues and
compared to conditions found in all 36 NAWQA study areas, called Study Units, assessed to date. Findings are also
explained in the context of selected national benchmarks, such as those for drinking water quality and the
protection of aquatic organisms. The NA WQA Program was not intended to assess the quality of the Nation's
drinking water, such as by monitoring water from household taps. Rather, the assessments focus on the quality of
the resource itself, thereby complementing many ongoing Federal, State, and local drinking-water monitoring
programs. The comparisons made in this report to drinking-water standards and guidelines are only in the context
of the available untreated resource. Finally, this report includes information about the status of aquatic com-
munities and the condition of instream habitats as elements of a complete water-quality assessment.
Many topics covered in this report reflect the concerns of officials of State and Federal agencies, water-resource
managers, and members of stakeholder groups who provided advice and input during the Upper Colorado River
Basin assessment. Basin residents who wish to know more about water quality in the areas where they live will find
this report informative as well.

Upper Colorado River Basin

NAWQA Study Units-
Assessment schedule

1991-95

D 1994-98

_1997-2001

D Not yet scheduled

D High Plains Regional
Ground Water Study,
1999-2004

THE NAWQA PROGRAM seeks to improve scientific and public understanding of water quality in the Nation's
major river basins and ground-water systems. Better understanding facilitates effective resource management,
accurate identification of water-quality priorities, and successful development of strategies that protect and
restore water quality. Guided by a nationally consistent study design and shaped by ongoing communication
with local, State, and Federal agencies, NAWQA assessments support the investigation of local issues and trends
while providing a firm foundation for understanding water quality at regional and national scales. The ability to
integrate local and national scales of data collection and analysis is a unique feature of the USGS NAWQA
Program.
The Upper Colorado River Basin is one of 51 water-quality assessments initiated since 1991, when the U.S.
Congress appropriated funds for the USGS to begin the NA WQA Program. As indicated on the map, 36
assessments have been completed, and 15 more assessments will conclude in 2001. Collectively, these assessments
cover about one-half of the land area of the United States and include water resources that are available to more
tha~ 60 percent of the U.S. population.

IV National Water-Quality Assessment Program