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<br />by a r.1.pii ~lgal productior.. ;. severely reduced benthic population is present <br /> <br />in areas of slo.....e: current where sediJ:Jentation covers the substrate to a depth <br /> <br />r'.) <br />to of lIOre than a few millimeters. T.~e precise origin of these enriched substrates <br />~J <br />o is not presently known. Any suspended matter entering the River may settle <br /> <br />~~ereby increasing the depths of the sediment and enriching the substrate. <br /> <br />Continued enrichment ~ill surely bring about further degradation of the Colorado <br /> <br />River ecosystem. <br /> <br />REC0M11ENDA T IONS <br /> <br />1. Although not degrading the water quality of the Colorado River ~t a <br /> <br />detectable level, the New Castle WWTP effluent is of extremely poor <br /> <br />~~ality and is not meeting State effluent requirements. This plant <br /> <br />should be upgraded and ~"e plant operator given technical assistance <br /> <br />in the operation and maintenance of his facility. <br /> <br />2. The extent and affect of the enriched sediments on the Colorado River <br /> <br />ecosystem should be determined. Intensive cr.1orophlJl-a and primary <br /> <br />productivity studies may help in this endeavor. <br /> <br />J. Resear=:h sr.ould be undertaken to deteII:Jine the reaeration, primary <br /> <br />productivity, and benthic oXygen demand rates in ~~e Colorado River <br /> <br />within the study area. This information is vital in any future modeling. <br /> <br />A future study by this Division will be undertaken to help determine the <br /> <br />manpower and time required to attain these three rates. <br /> <br />.MCKGROUND INFOR.'!ATION <br /> <br />As the River travels the lJ9 miles :hrough che study area, it drops from <br /> <br />6160 feet above sea level to ';330 feet dbove sea level with an average drop in <br /> <br />elevation of I31 feet per =ule (see Figure I). <br /> <br />-;- <br />