Laserfiche WebLink
The biological significance of these results for Colorado <br />squawfish is uncertain, but they suggest that adverse effects on <br />wild fish may occur. Yampa River water quality characteristics <br />were chosen for study because adult Colorado squawfish inhabit <br />the river all year, and spawning occurs in it from late June <br />through early August. Results of this study and limited sampling <br />of available water-quality data suggest that copper and zinc <br />concentrations in the Yampa River may inhibit olfactory ability <br />of resident Colorado squawfish. However, a thorough description <br />of water quality and heavy-metal concentrations at various <br />localities in the Colorado River Basin is needed to assess <br />magnitude and duration of exposure to contaminants before a <br />prediction of the likelihood of adverse effects to Colorado <br />squawfish can be made. In addition, a series of field and <br />laboratory studies should be conducted to more thoroughly <br />describe the relationship between contaminant exposure and <br />olfactory inhibition. <br />There are a variety of sources of heavy-metal contamination <br />within the Colorado River Basin. For example, natural hot <br />springs contribute heavy-metal mixtures, irrigation returns <br />mobilize metals from agricultural lands, and historic mining <br />operations deposit acid mine waste and tailings (Pearl 1972; CDOH <br />1988; Liebermann et al. 1989). The potential for these sources <br />of contamination to result in adverse ecological effects is <br />compounded by demand for water in the west. As water resources <br />are diverted for municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses, <br />20 <br />