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<br />r- <br />,~) Salinity or total dissolved solids concentrations have been the water quality <br />:t' <br />...-! parameter of most interest in the Colorado lUver Basin in recent years. <br /> <br />-., <br /> <br />'. .' <br /> <br />Special studies have focused on other water quality problems and parameters. <br /> <br />These other problems include excess sediments in the middle and lower reacnes <br /> <br />of the river (modified by constructed reservoirs); low dissolved oxygen; and <br /> <br />excess nutrients, heavy metals, pesticides, and bacteria. It is expected the <br /> <br />bulk of future basin-wide monitoring will focus on total dissolved solids <br /> <br />and/or specific conductance. <br /> <br />Water quality in tne Uinta Basin is monitored through a series of USGS, USBR, <br /> <br />and State stations. The State of Utah monitors a series of 73 wells for <br /> <br />depth to water table and ground water conductivity. <br /> <br />In the Grand Valley quality of surface and subsurface waters are monitored <br /> <br />extensively by USGS AND USBR. The Reed Wash area has been selected for <br /> <br />intensive monitoring since 1972 to indicate the change in sa.linity loading <br /> <br />resulting from USBR project installation of canal and lateral systems. The <br /> <br />Reed Wash Study consists of both surface and subsurface monitoring, with <br /> <br />varying sampling frequency. <br /> <br />Direct measurement of the salt load or concentration will be used, where <br /> <br />possible, and indicators will be used to show salt changes in the ground <br /> <br />wate r. The primary direct measurement will be at the mouth of the i{eed Wash <br /> <br />study area. Continuous flow measurements are recorded by a Geological Survey <br /> <br />(USGS) gage, and water quality measurements are monitored with an electrical <br /> <br />conductivity (EC) recorder. The EC readings are correlated with weekly total <br /> <br />dissolved solids (TDS) samples. A measurable decrease in the salt load is <br /> <br />expected to appear at the Reed Wash outlet within a year following completion <br /> <br />of construction. It will take several years before all the effects of the <br /> <br />project are realized. <br /> <br />14 <br />