WSP06951

• File Number: 8273.300
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agencies - USGS
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1985
• Author: USGS
• Title: Ground-Water Contribution to the Salinity of the Upper Colorado River Basin
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

1-&
C)
(:0
o

'"
OQ.f
l!" -Sl,
.,

2
1840)

,~
0'
{7001 ~~e
1 "Vi"
3
(890)
Dillon Reseruoir
124001 4

EXPLANATION

~ 1 SAMPLING SITE AND NUMBER
ITABLE 2 AND FIGURE 31
17001 SALT LOAD, IN TONS PER YEAR

,
.
o
ii:

11l,20m 5
Green Mountain
ReserlJolr
('1,200) 6
~
"'
(11,2001 1

Figure 5.--Drainage system and salt load: Blue River subbasin.

most of the subbasin. No historical data were available for comparison with
sample data.

The Blue River subbasin (site 7) discharged an adjusted estimated annual
base flow of 188 ft3/s and a salt load of 11,200 tons (fig. 5). The
adjustment factors for Dillon Reservoir and Green Mountain Reservoir resulted
in an increase of 27 ft3/s above the measured base flow and a salt load of
6,400 ton/yr less than measured salt loads. This adjustment was applied to
all affected downstream sites.

Ea~le River

The Eagle River subbasin includes the drainage area of the Eagle River
and tributaries upstream from the confluence with the Colorado River.
Cambrian and Ordovician limestones and dolomites crop out in the headwaters
region west of the Eagle River and upstream from Avon" Colo. Pennsylvanian
and Permian sandstones, limestones, dolomites, and shale crop out in the
headwaters east of the Eagle River upstream from Avon. Downstream from Avon,
there are large areas of the Eagle Valley Evaporite, which contain thick salt
beds. In addition, localized deposits of pre-Tertiary conglomerates,
sandstones, and shales crop out in this reach.

22