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<br />000724 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />USGS Accomplishments <br /> <br />samples, The highest selenium concentration (88 ugfL) was a sample from Navajo Wash near <br />Towaoc, which drains some of the area of long-term irrigation south of Cortez. <br /> <br />All data collection for the reconnaissance study has been completed, and the final report is <br />scheduled to be published in early FY 1995. Some additional data were collected in 1994 in <br />parts of the Dolores Project and in the Mancos Project for a followup study and field <br />screening. Selenium was detected in most water samples from the new irrigated area served <br />by the Dolores Project between Yellow Jacket Canyon and Dove Creek. Most of the selenium <br />discharge from the Mancos Project seems to be from the Mud Creek Basin, <br /> <br />Irrigation Drainage Reconnaissance of the Pine River Area, Southern Ute Indian <br />Reservation <br /> <br />Large concentrations of selenium in ground water have been reported on parts of the Southern <br />Ute Indian Re5frvation, A documented case of human selenium poisoning caused by drinking <br />well water occurred in 1962, Livestock poisoning is reported occasionally on the reservation, <br />These areas also receive irrigation water from the Federal Pine River Project. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />This study evaluated the Pine River Project to determine if irrigation drainage is contributing <br />selenium, other trace elements, and pesticides to water, bottom sediments, and biota. Ground <br />water in the Ignacio-Oxford area and near Arboles were sampled for selenium, All data <br />collection has been completed, and a report is published, <br /> <br />Irrigation Drainage Detailed Study of the Lower Gunnison and Grand Valley areas <br /> <br />The Gunnison and Uncompahgre Rivers and Sweitzer Lake in west-central Colorado were <br />selected for a reconnaissance investigation in 1987 to evaluate potential water-quality problems <br />related to Reclamation's Uncompahgre Project, Existing data indicated that the Uncompahgre <br />Project area may contribute large amounts of selenium and possibly other toxic contaminants <br />to streams and other water bodies. The investigation team for the study performed in 1987-88 <br />was made up of representatives from the U,S, Geological Survey, Fish and Wildlife Service <br />and Reclamation, The report describing the results of the investigation was released in 1991. <br /> <br />The resultS of the reconnaissance investigation indicated that the Uncompahgre Project was a <br />significant source of selenium, A detailed study was initiated in 1991 to determine source <br />areas of selenium, geochemical processes affecting selenium concentrations in water, and to <br />document effects to biota, Grand Valley is a significant source of salt to the Colorado River, <br />and the geologic formation that is the source of the salt also is a likely source of selenium, <br />Therefore, Grand Valley was included in the detailed study of the Uncompahgre Project. <br /> <br />Data collection for the detailed study was initiated in March 1991 and was concluded in <br />August 1992. Sampling included collection of surface-water, ground-water, soil, bottom- <br />sediment, and various types of biological samples, Mineralogic analyses were done on drill <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />14 <br />