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~'1' . ;~:.- II Xj !'1 ,'. ':'(1 . " ~ r~: ", ~l '.-.. t?\ r.... , .' OO;~03~ The pH range was 7.8 to 9.5, a very high range considering the fact that 6.0 to 9.0 is the normal range for natural waters. pH is an important parameter with several. interpretations in this instance. Temporarily high pH'levels are often produced in highly productive waters through photosynthetic activity of the aquatic plants, by converting the carbonate to the hydroxide resulting in increased pH. Because these levels only prevail for a few hours, the harmful effects of sustained high pH levels do not occur. The pH can also be a factor in preventing or slowing do~~ aquatic growth. A high pH (9.5) would reduce pro- ductivity because of the lack of bicarbonates and may have had this effect at Williams Creek; Another significant effect of pH is its relationship to the ionization of ammonia as previously discussed. A high pH would decrease the ionization of ammonia which increases its toxicity. ,'-11 ~ [~~ ~:;1 ~ ,.,:.~ ~ J~~ ~ i:J I] j~~s E. Total and Fecal Coliform Bacteria The method used for this study was .the membrane filter technique in which coliform colonies are actually plated and counted. It is now accepted as a standard method <American Public Health Association, 1971).. Tests for the bacterial suitability of water have usually used indicator organisms instead of the actual pathogens. The coliform group of bacteria is such an indicator and has been thoroughly researched. . . The membrane filter technique is capable of determining both the total and fecal coliform groups. The total coliform group. includes organisms that live in the intestines and feces of warm~blooded animals as well as other organisms such as those that live in the soil. By incubating the bacteria at a higher temperature (44.50 C), it. is possible to differentiate those bacteria of fecal origin. This is valuable data because it tells much about the source and remoteness of the pollution. The non-fecal members of the group usually surviVe longer than the fecal members. E'" ,:_>~ -,':~ ~~~.~~ 1..\ .~.:' ." ~::~; I" I!!;j lih t~ The total and fecal bacteria. collected by the Forest Service were analyzed in the lab within six hours of collection. One replicate was plated for each sample concentration. Results of such bacterial examination must be considered along with other data. Also; many samp'lEi's over quite a period of time are required to make sound observations from such. data. These limitations must be understood, because the data collected here was one time sample. r.:: ;:,;.;1 I.". .~. :~ r.~ The results show a general increase in bacteria levels with suc- ceeding downstream stations except the reservoir stations which were low. This was expected (except for the reservoir stations) and usually occurs in heavily grazed watersheds. At no point, however, are the Colorado Water Quality Standards exceeded. The presence of fecal coliform bacteria, however, does indicate recent input of animal waste. The low level of bacteria in the reservoir is unexplained unless the bacteria simply do not survive well in p., I~---..; fl..... Ii:""; ...,-; ;~~ ~. .-' - ",: ":;;; '.,,, ~: I . '1:;"~: :::~; I I ,~~~ :r-.::;.?,f:...,.~ fr;,;~~~ :;:jl1~~ i;t:iii'" *Ji'ij ~., ~ ~:gf~~ I~~ !;fp}~:; ~:::~~:~~;~~~ .... ... . /.- -:' .,..'....." -',' , '. ,. .::)f~...::;.-..:; ':~'~ .; -' ",'." '.". ;:~:-::<::.s . ...'.... ..,.....:. ;.:::' ' ".:;t..:...> ,1;."