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<br />The nitrogen-phosphorus ratio varied from 2.8:1 down to
<br />.S:l This ratio usually ranges from 1:1 to 100:1 with
<br />10:1 being common for natural waters. The varying ratio
<br />here is unexplained.
<br />
<br />6.
<br />
<br />The Water Quality Management ~lan prepared for the San Juan
<br />Basin under the direction of the Colorado Department of Health
<br />has indicated a probl~ exists with high levels of ammonia.
<br />This may occur under certain t~peraturearid pH conditions that
<br />. cause more of the ammonia to remain unionized. The unionized
<br />fraction can become toxic to fish and other organisms. The
<br />low t~peratures in this. area should prevent this from occurring
<br />unless the ammonia should increase significantly.
<br />
<br />7. The above mentioned plan documented a phosphorus loading pro-
<br />blem into Navajo Reservoir that is primarily a nonpoint source
<br />problem. .This data supports that conclusion.
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<br />8. The high nutrient levels to date have caused Williams.Creek
<br />Reservoir to be one .of the most productive fisheries in Colorado.
<br />Further nutrient additions will likely be harmful, but a highly
<br />enriched condition without excessive aquatic vegetation problems
<br />canbe'desirable.
<br />
<br />B. Temperature
<br />
<br />Temperature is key to the aquatic environment. Lifeprocesses
<br />are t~perature dependent because metabolic rates and physical
<br />activities vary with temperature. Temperature changes also induce
<br />variations in physical and chemical properti.es. As previously
<br />discussed, the relatively low tell)peratures present increase the
<br />ionization of ammonia this decreasing potential toxicity of that
<br />substance.
<br />
<br />The. temperature range found in this study (for surface water) was
<br />410 to 610 F. This range is normal for streams in the San Juan
<br />mountains and is not limiting to any use of the water.
<br />
<br />Figure IV. shows the temperature depth relationship for the two
<br />reservoir stations. This data showed that distinct stratifica-
<br />tion of the lake into a epilimnion, thermocline, and hypolimnion
<br />was not present. At this time of year, the lake is cooling .into
<br />its homogeneous temperature pattern (40 C) which a temperate zone
<br />lake will reach before the autumn overturn is comolete and the
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<br />water becomes warmer with increasing depth. Whether or not a
<br />more distinct stratification is ever present is not known.
<br />
<br />C. Dissolved Oxygen
<br />
<br />The dissolved oxygen test is a key parameter. Oxygen is essential
<br />for all aquatic life. It is necessilry for aerobic organisms and
<br />permits anaerobic organisms to metabolize more ~ffectively. Good
<br />quality waters always have high dissolved oxygen values.
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