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<br />by a rapirJ algal productior.. J. seVel'e]y reduced benthic fX'pulation is present <br /> <br />in areas of s10""e:= current .....bere sedil:lent.Jtion covers the substrate to a depth <br /> <br />N <br />~ of 110re tha:l a few millimeters. The preCise origin of these enricr.ed substrates <br />'J <br />o is not presently known. iony suspended matter entering the River cay settle <br /> <br />thereby increasing the depths of the sediment and enriching the substrate. <br /> <br />Continued enrichment will surely bring about further degradation of the Colorado <br /> <br />River ecosystem. <br /> <br />RECOM.'.fENDATIONS <br /> <br />1. Although not degrading the water quality of the Colorado River at 3 <br /> <br />detectable level, the New Castle WWTP effluent is of extremely ;:oor <br /> <br />quality and is not meeting State effluent requirements. This plant <br /> <br />should be upgraded and the 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 s~;ould be determined. Intensive cr.lorophyl-a and prima::y <br /> <br />productivi ty studies may help in this endeavor. <br /> <br />J. Resear=h s.~uld be un~ert3ken to determine the reaeration, primary <br /> <br />produccivicy, ar.d benthic oXygen demand rates i~ the Colcrado River <br /> <br />within the study area. This infor~tion 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 ti~ required to attain these three rates. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND I.VFOR."fATION <br /> <br />hS the River travels the 139 ,~les through the study area, it drops from <br /> <br />6160 feet above sea level to 4330 feet above sea level wit.; an average drop i.... <br /> <br />elevation of 131 feet per ~le (see Figu~e 1). <br /> <br />-5- <br />