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USGS Water Related Publications Available The U.S. Geological Survey has recently pub- lished several reports of interest to Colorado water experts. Copies are available for inspection at the Water Resources Research Institute library in E122 Engineering Bldg, CSU, Fort Collins. They may be ordered from the USGS, Federal Center, Box 25286, MS 517, Denver, CO 80225. You may call 1- 888 - ASK -USGS for price information or go to www.usgs.gov. Effects of Emission Reductions at the Hayden Powerplant on Precipitation, Snowpack, and Surface -Water Chemistry in the Mount Zirkel Vilderness Area, Colorado, 1995 -2003 by M. Alisa Mast, Donald H. Campbell, and George P. Ingersoll (USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2005 -5167) Precipitation, snowpack, and surface -water samples collected during 1995 -2003 were ana- lyzed to evaluate environmental effects of emis- sion reductions at the Hayden powerplant on the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area. The Hayden powerplant, one of two large coal -fired power - plants in the Yampa Valley, was retrofitted with control systems during late 1998- and 1999 to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide -the primary precursors of haze and acidic precipitation. Concentrations and deposition rates of selected constituents were compared for the periods before and after emission reductions at the Hayden powerplant. The trend of decreas- ing sulfur dioxide emissions throughout western North America over the past 20 years is reflected in reduced concentrations of sulfate in lakes that were part of this study, as well as other lakes in the Rocky Mountains. However, detection of the surface -water response to changes in deposition requires a sufficiently long record to minimize effects of climate variability and to allow for lag time as sulfate moves through storage in soil, ground water, and lake reservoirs. Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado by Gerhard Kuhn (USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2005 -5174) Because the drought of 2002 had a substantial effect on streamflows in Colorado a study began in 2004 to analyze statewide streamflows dur- ing 2002 and develop a historical perspective of those streamflows. The purpose of this report is to describe an analysis of streamflows recorded throughout Colorado during the drought of 2002, as well as other drought years such as 1977, and to provide some historical perspective of drought - diminished streamflows in Colorado. Water Conservation Workshops and Forums Planned A Water Efficiency Grant from the Colorado Wa- ter Conservation Board will enable three organi- zations to promote water conservation and water efficiency. The three organizations, Great West- ern Institute, Colorado WaterWise Council and Western Resource Advocates will provide techni- cal workshops and forums throughout the state Suring the spring and summer of 2006. Sixteen local water users, water providers, and other water stakeholders in six of the seven major river basins endorsed the project. Great Western Institute is a Colorado non -profit whose mission is to promote water resource conservation through education, research and policy. The professional organization Colorado WaterWise Council promotes the efficient use of Colorado's water. Western Resource Advocates works to protect and restore the land, air and wa- ter resources of the Rocky Mountain States. 25