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, , . 002885 RESUL TS OF STUDY . Introduction . An inventory of the complete set of water quality data collected during the "low flow" and "high flow" studies is presented in Appendices A and B, respectively. This large mass of raw water quality data (4940 discrete measurements) has been summarized in Table 3 to facilitate an ~asier and more meaningful analysis. Table 3 shows the four-day average value for each parameter measured at each sampling station during each intensive study period. These average values are shown graphically on profile maps for the White River and selected tributaries and for Milk Creek in the following section of this report. River miles are plotted as the "x" axis while parameter concentration serves as the "y" axis. Scale values may change from one profile to the next, giving the impression of a value of greater magnitude upon first viewing than is actually the case. Soli d 1 ines are used to connect the Fa 11 "low flow" average val ues while dashed lines connect the Spring "high flow" values. These lines should not be interpreted as indicating the parameter concentration at any intermediate point between sampling stations. In order to evaluate the presence of water quality problems in the study area, the data has been compared against recommended water quality criteria and proposed standards. Although the terms "criteria" and "standards" are often used interchangeably, there is an important distinction. "Criteria" are recommended parameter concentrations which, if not exceeded, will afford reasonable protection to aquatic life or designated water uses, w~ereas "standards" are legally-enforceable para- meter limits adopted to protect unique features of specific water bodies. A rrore detailed explanation may be found in Qualit~ Criteria for Water (EPA, 1976). The recommended criteria and propose standards utilized in this report are listed in Table 4. The criteria were obtained from EPA criteria documents (EPA, 1973b; EPA, 1976) while the proposed standards were obtained from a Colorado Department of Health document (CDH, 1976). It is very important to realize that these proposed State standards are only in the development stage at this writing and may undergo change following intensive public review. The numerical values are shown here only for comparison purposes so that potential water quality problems may be identified in advance should the proposed standards be adopted. The more restrictive of the recommended criteria and proposed standards are shown, where applicable, on the water quality profile maps. . . . . . I . General Parameters Flow . One of the major purposes of this study was to collect wa~er samples during both "low flow" and "high flow" periods. In order to determine . 11 . i l-o ,Lc,.;i