REP46855 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Surface Water Monitoring a+z,xsx;,vv~~.:ma•,xa'x:, ;::,.:acx During 1991, quarterly surface water quality and flow analyses were conducted at each of the three stations located on Stollsteimer Creek. These samplings were conducted during March, June, September and December. Methods During visits to each station, flow measurements were made using aTeledyne-Gurley ' Model 622 current meter. Measurements were made by stretching a 100 foot tape across a surveyed cross-section of the creek and utilizing the USGS six-tenths depth method. Crest gauges, which were established at each station during 1986, were also serviced during each ' visit to the site. During samplings for water quality, measurements for temperature, pH and conductivity were made utilizing an Orion Research Model 399A portable pH meter and Hack Model 16300 portable conductivity meter. Prior to field sampling, meters were calibrated with known standards. All other parameters were collected in precharged bottles and submitted to Chemtech Laboratory in Salt Lake City for analyses. Methods of analysis were consistent with EPA standard testing procedures. Results Results of all surface water measurements made during 1985 through 1991 are contained in Appendix 1. A summary of major chemical parameters and flow is presented in Table 1. ' Flow data collected at the surface stations on Stollsteimer Creek during 1991 varied from 0 cfs at station S-1 in December to a high of 54.65 cfs at station S-1 in March. Flow was too ' high to measure during March at station S-2. Crest events were recorded at all three stations during March and June 1991. As indicated from the flow records, 1991 was a typical water year with high flows in the spring and early summer and low flows during fall and ' winter. Recorded flows over the seven year period ranged from a low of 0 cfs at station S-1 to a high of 195 cfs at station S-i in March 1985. Maximum recorded flow was approxi- mately 300 cfs during April 1986, which was estimated at the mine haul road culvert crossing. ' In terms of average flow, 1985 was the highest and 1989 was the lowest. Spreadsheets and graphs of flow recorded at each station are presented in Appendix 1. Generally, the peak flow occurs during March to May with low flow during September to December. ' Surface water chemistry was observed to be stable over the seven year monitoring period (Table 1 and Appendix 1). The water may be classified as a mixed calcium/magnesium- ' sulfate bicarbonate type water. The degree of ionization varied with season, being highest during low flow and lowest during high flow. The ratio of calcium to magnesium was generally consistent over the seasons; however, there is a shift in the ratio of sulfate to 1