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. 0 ~- C\, '-. ... I.; ~..: p ._~ . . .A the monument and the North Fork. There are no known wells and only one developed spring within the study corridor. All domestic water used within the monument is brought by truck from outside sources. The entire reach of the Gunnison River easily meets state water quality standards as well as criteria required for eligibility as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Although the Gunnison River is low in dissolved minerals (i. e., low salinity), the entire reach of. the study area is high in iron derived from natural sources. Fecal coliform bacteria levels, which are an indication of contamination by warm-blooded animals, are very low and indicate the cleanliness of the water. The pH of the water is a fairly high 8.3, but this is common for natural waters throughout Colorado. There are no known elements in the water in quantities sufficient to be toxic for fish, wildlife, or humans. I~.q Water flow characteristics through the study reach are partially the result of water rights that are held by upstream and downstr~am appropriators. Within the study segment there is one small diversion located on the west bank of the river about 1/4 mile (0.4 km) upstream from the confluence with the North Fork. Several conditional water decrees have been awarded by the water courts which could affect the reach proposed for designation. Conditional water rights in the segment are held by the City of Delta, Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Company, and Colorado-Ute Electtric Association, Inc.1' Since the proposed water development 1. Awarding of conditional water decrees by the Colorado courts establishes a priority date for storing water should a project ever be constructed and is a preliminary and tentative action before applying to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 91