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<br />. <br /> <br />PART V <br /> <br />COLORADO RIVER WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT <br /> <br />I- <br />U' <br />..... <br />m <br /> <br />A significant water quality problem in much of Southern Cali- <br />fornia is the adverse salt balance. More tons of salts are imported in <br />water supplies, feed, fertilizers, and other sources, than are exported. <br />In addition, reclamation, recycling, and reuse of the water supply <br />increase the concentration of dissolved minerals in the water. <br /> <br />California' 5 primary need in this instance is to ensure that <br />the situation does not IoUrsen; i.e., that the salinity objectives of the <br />Forum are met. It is, therefore, essential that the fiscal and institu- <br />tional problems be solved so that water quality improvE'TIIent projects <br />adequate to maintain the standards are brought on line. <br /> <br />7. New Hexico <br /> <br />Ne\.' !-lexica's 305(b)[9] report did not specifically identify <br />any problems within the Colorado River Basin. Data from 64 monitoring <br />stations throughout New !'1exico for the period between 1976-1981 indicate <br />that stream water qual ity was good, in general, when compared to the <br />water quality standards. Water quality is consistent with standards <br />in over 90 percent of the perennial streams in New Mexico. Public <br />Service of New Mexico is violating the total containment policy estab- <br />lished by the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum; however, a <br />strict compliance schedule has been established, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />B. Effects of Water Quality on Water Users <br /> <br />I, Recreation, Aesthetics, Fisheries <br /> <br />The major instream usps (uses ...tIen water is not depleted) in <br />the Colorado River include hydroelectric powpr, propagation of fish and <br />aquatic life, recreation (including swimming, water skiing, boating, <br />rafting, etc.), and aesthet ics. A number of confl icts between water uses <br />ha\,'e become more prominent issues in recent years. Temperature and the <br />depth of withdrawal are significant with respect to do,","stream primary <br />body contact sports and cold water sport fisheries versus conditions <br />suitable for wa:-m water endemic or endangered species.IID) In addition, <br />the depth of withdrawal has become a significant issue concerning reser- <br />Val r eut roph icat ion, nut r ient retent ion, ae sthet lC s, and evaporat ion. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />There can be many trade-offs 1n water quality, eutrophication, <br />and aesthetics both 1n the reservoir and dO\o'Ostream, depending on the <br />depth of reservoir withdrawal and the flushing rate.lll] A deep with- <br />drawal is frequently cold and high in nutrients. This can mpan ideal cold <br />water sport fisheries do,","stream, but can also result in both high and <br />low productivity in another do,","stream reservoir. Several factors, <br />such as the flushing rate of the upstream reservoir, and the proximity <br />and water uses of the dO\o'l1stream reservoir are very significant. Other <br />trade-offs include temperature impacts on endangered species. At present <br />there are some concerns about evaporation and nutrient processes in <br />Fontenelle, Flaming Gorge, take Powell, and Lake !'1ead reservoirs, <br /> <br />21 <br />