Laserfiche WebLink
<br />...... <br />CJ1 <br />CJ1 <br />00 <br /> <br />stem, but many tributaries are devoid of aquatic life near old, abandoned mines. <br /> <br />Septic tank failures are a chronic problem in the Upper Arkansas valley, partic- <br /> <br />ularly in the Buena Vista/Johnson City area. Runoff from construction sites <br /> <br />produce localized sediments impacts. <br /> <br />Downstream from Canon City, municipal discharges and sal inity dominate the <br /> <br />water qual ity concerns. Fecal coliforms, ammonia, BOD, and nutrient problems <br /> <br />persist throughout the lower basin. Geologic salt loading occurs around Canon <br /> <br />City, and consumptive use of up to 85% by agriculture produce TDS levels approach- <br /> <br />ing 4000 ppm. These extremely high salinity levels require that the river be <br /> <br />used for irrigation of only salt resistant crops. Drinking water standards are <br /> <br />also violated by salts. Water diversions which frequently take the entire flow <br /> <br />of the river and sandy streambeds limit the fishery resource in the lower main <br /> <br />stem of the Arkansas. <br /> <br />The main stem is used for drinking water suppl ies to Pueblo. The river', <br /> <br />despite its sal inity is not considered to be a determining factor as far as <br /> <br />campI iance with the drinking water regulations is concerned, either for surface <br /> <br />or ground waters. <br /> <br />Rio Grande Basin <br /> <br />The Rio Grande drains the San Luis Valley of south central Colorado. It <br /> <br />is one of the major agricultural areas of the State. Alamosa is the largest <br /> <br />town with a population of approximately 5000. The stream is used for drink- <br /> <br />ing water down to Creede. The avai lable qual ity is not expected to be a <br /> <br />determining factor in relation to the ability of communities to meet the Primary <br /> <br />Drinking Water Regulations. <br /> <br />Several mountain ranges which surround the basin contain early mines, <br /> <br />and many of the high mountain tributaries include mine drainage with metal <br /> <br />II - 3 <br /> <br />,-, <br /> <br />Ai" '-_ ;..;,\;~_j;. _j..: <br /> <br />LJ! <br />