WSP02970

• File Number: 8059
• Description: Section D General Studies-State Water Plan
• State: CO
• Date: 1/1/1969
• Title: Writing the Report 1969-Colorado River Basin Draft2
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

j
1
I ,.
.. \ .)
.1

calcium-bicarbonate-type water. Moving downstrea~~ chemical

characteristics change, indicating greater proportions of

sodium, m~gnesium. sulfate, and chloride leached from

the geological formations by preci~itation and irrigation

return flow waters.

Tabulated below are ty~ical dissolved solids ranges

for streams within the six subbasins studied in the

Colorado River Basin.

Subbasin Typical diss01 ved soUds
concentr-atio:1
Yampa 40 mRIl - 774 m~/l
I-Ihi te 1/ 144 mg/l - 439 r.:g/l
Upper Colorado 25 mg/l - 647 mg/l
. I Gunnison 83 " - 1,u10 m~/J.
mV/J.
\...: "
Dolores 200 mg/l 6,0(1) Mgil
San Juan 41 mgll - 5,000 r.:g/l

(b) Biological - For many years the coliform group of

bacteria has been used as a bacterial indicator cf pollution.

High coliform countsID water supplies are presumed to

indicate pres~nce of pathogenic or~~nisms if contamination

from sewage or animal wastes is likely.

In recent years ffilalytical procedures have been

developed whereby coiiform bacteria of fecal origin can be

identified. Fecal coliform tests measure bacteria from

both man and animal.

Typical total coliform data available ..ithin the

Colorado River Bdsin for the period 1953 to 1970 from troe

.

I
,---

11

Upper .r~aches to lowel~ reaches of ~.~nite River.

J3-I.
8

r-

4~'~

, ,

~