WSP06828

• File Number: 7630.250
• Description: Wild and Scenic-Encampment River
• State: CO
• Date: 10/1/1976
• Author: Smith-Russell
• Title: Encampment River-Supporting Material-Water Quality Summary Upper Encampment River-Hahns Peak Ranger District-Routt National Forest
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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WATER qUALITY SUMMARY
UPPER ENCAMPMENT RIVER lfgLORADO PORTION)

I. INTRODUCTION

The Encampment River, a major tributary of the Upper North Platte
River, heads up near the extreme northern edge of the Routt
National Forest within the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness. That portion of
the Main Encampment in Colurado, and its principal Colorado trib- .
utary, the West Fork, are currently being studied to determine their
eligibility and availability for classification as Wild, Scenic or
Recreational Rivers. One of the primary eligibility criteria is the
quality of the waters of the rivers being investigated.

The Encampment River drainage in Colorado is a part of the Encampment
Barometer Watershed project. The Bal'ometer Watershed is a Forest
Service administrative project designed to study watershed management
tools and princi~als in a controlled situation. The Project, adminis-
tered by the Medicine Bow National Forest, has been in the data
collection phase fo~ a number of years. Consequently there is some
sporatic water quality dilta fl'om several years, but no intensive
studies have been made. This report will summarize, in a general
manner. the available data and broadly characterize the water quality
of the Upper Encampment River.

I I. SUMI'1AR)'

The quality of the Encampl~ent River in CQlorado is typical of high
altitude, undisturbed watersheds located in the Rocky Mountains;
draining the areas of uplifted precambrian metamorphic and acid
igneous (grantic) bedrock. Typically, such streams have highly
variable seasonal flow cycles; are relatively clear and free of ob-
jectionable color, odor, and toxic materials; are very low in sus-
pended and dissolved mineral and organic matter; and are quite cold
and relatively unproductive. Available data suggests that the Upper
Encampment River in Colorado generally meets the Environmental
.Protection Agency's physical and chemical standards for Public (drink-
ing) Water Supplies. That is not to say, however, that the water
from the streams is safe to drink without treatment. The bacteriological
quality is unknown - although it is expected that it easily meets

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