WSP06933

• File Number: 8272.500
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Colo Dept of Public Health - WQCC and WQCD
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 11/1/1989
• Author: WQCD
• Title: Colorado Nonpoint Assessment Report - November 1989
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Platte River Basin Overview

The Platte River Basin is comprised of the North Platte River, located in

'" north central Colorado, and the South Platte River which drains the
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Rivers join in Nebraska to form the Platte River.

The North Platte basin is sparsely settled with about 1,800 population. Its

economy is for the most. part agriculturally based, although recreation

provides a significant contribution.

.

The South Platte portion of the basin on the other hand has a larger

population than the entire rest of Colorado with 68 percent of the state's

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i,;] population, or about 2,200,000 persons. From its mountainous regions, the
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South Platte and its tributaries, such as the Cache La poudre, Big Thompson,

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St. Vrain, and Boulder Creek, supply high quality water to cities, industries,

and agriculture along the Front Range. Most of these streams provide

excellent habitat for aquatic life and abundant recreational opportunities as

well. SeVeral tributaries, such as Clear Creek, intersect the Colorado mineral

belt and have been degraded by past mining activities. Aquatic life in many

of these mineral belt streams is severely restricted.

Large population centers, located in the middle region of the South Platte,

place a burden on the river and its tributaries to assimilate the wastes from

municipalities, industries, urban runoff and other sources of water

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