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<br />.1. <br />(" ." <br /> <br /> <br />r '\ (, '-1 "=: ~ q <br />,.. -. '- _ .... " '.:1 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />b) Turbidity <br /> <br />Little turbidity data is available, but existing data generally does <br />not exceed 10 JTU (Jacksorr Turbidity Units) even at high flow. Also <br />observations verify that the Encampment has, as a general rule, a <br />high degree of clarity at all times of the year. <br /> <br />c) Sediment <br /> <br />As' a rule, for high mountain streams, the most prevalent water quality <br />problem (if one exists) is sedimentation. (i .e. - the transport of <br />mineral or organic matter by the stream in suspension or by movement <br />along the streambed.) Excessive sedimentation generally occurs due to <br />disturbance by man - but naturally high sedimentation levels also occur <br />infrequently in the Rocky Mountains. The Encampment River, however, <br />appears to have no such sedimentation problems. <br /> <br />Suspended sediment concentl"ations in the Encampment are low throughout <br />the year. However, sediment concentrations do increase with increasing <br />flows. Suspended sediment data is plotted (Figures 2 thru 4) against <br />streamflow for three sites. Once a good I"elationship is determined, <br />the graph can be used to estim~te sediment concentrations at a given <br />flow under normal conditions. The graphs show an apparent downward <br />shift in the suspended sediment/discharge relationship between 1973 <br />and 1975. Since the data is sporatic ard the other variables unknown, <br />there are several Rossihle explanations for this apparent change: <br />. <br />1. Due to natural caUses 01' man's influence, there was more fine <br />sbil material entering the streams or being flushed from the <br />channel in 1973. <br /> <br />2. Different degrees of data r'eliability or insuffi.cient data. <br /> <br />3. Different climatic patterns. <br /> <br />4. A major runoff event in the interval causing significant <br />changes in the stream channels. <br /> <br />In this report, no attempt is made to determine the cause of this <br />shift. In summary, suspended sediment levels at all time of the year <br />are low and cause no problems with aquatic habitat, fisheries, or <br />esthetics. <br /> <br />By weight, it is estimated the majority of mineral material moved by <br />the waters of the Encampment is bedload, or that portion of the <br />sediment load moved along the bottom by rolling, bouncing, or sliding. <br /> <br />-~~-_._.- <br />., <br />( \ / .:) ~'-i <br /> <br />: t',',,} <br />