USGS Water Resource Monitoring and Assessment Activities

Salinity and other topics presented to the Garfield County Energy Advisory Board

Dec. 1, 2005

Paul von GuerardKirby WynnU.S. Geological

SurveyGrand Junction, CO

USGS Water Mission Statement• To provide reliable, impartial, timely information that is

needed to understand the Nation’s water resources to:

– Minimize the loss of life and property.

– Effectively manage ground-water and surface-water resources.

– Protect and enhance water resources for human health, aquatic health, and environmental quality.

– Contribute to wise physical and economic development of the Nation’s resources

USGS role in water-resource assessment

• Assess the quantity and quality of the Nation’s water supplies

• Collect data and conduct water-resources investigations to support local, State, and Federal needs

• Maintain nationwide hydrologic-data network and publicly available database

• Develop methodologies for the hydrologic sciences

Western Slope Streamgaging

Network: 111 Stations Rifle

Western Slope Water-Quality

Network:55 Stations

Rifle

•Commonly includes

• Streamflow

• Major Ions (salinity)

• Nutrients

• Metals

• Real-time water-quality monitors

Current Partners for Monitoring and Assessment in Western

ColoradoPrivate Groups:

Nahcolite and Coal mining companies, Ski Companies, Nonprofit Organizations

Federal Agencies: Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Natural Resource Conservation Service, US Forest Service, National Park Service

Local and State Agencies:Garfield County and many other Counties and Towns, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation

Water Conservancy/Conservation Districts and Water Authorities:Colorado River Water Conservation District, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Roaring Fork Conservancy, Water and Sanitation Districts

Water Data Supports Planning and Assessment

• Resource Management/Water Administration– Rivers, Reservoirs, Aquifers, Ecosystems

• Baseline Conditions– Comparison to Standards– Changes through time– Comparison among Sites

• Flood Warning• Ecosystem recovery and protection• Prioritizing BMPs • Quantify BMP effectiveness• Recreation planning

Data Collection example: Colorado River near Cameo

• Long-term: Real-time streamflow (1933), specific conductance (1935), water temperature (1949)

• Previously, to more completely characterize conditions, data collection included:

– Major Ions (Salinity)– Nutrients– Pesticides and other organics– Trace Metals– Volatile Organic Compounds– Algae, Invertebrate, and Fish Community– Riparian and instream habitat– Sediment transport and chemistry

Cameo

Data Interpretation: Salinity Examples

• “Salinity” describes the dissolved mineral content of water

– Total Dissolved Solids– Major Ions– Specific Conductance

Salinity is a major water-quality concern throughout the Colorado River

Basin

Glenwood SpringsMancos Shale

Irrigation

Colorado River Basin

246,000 square miles246,000 square milesWater for 31 million peopleWater for 31 million peopleMore than 4 million More than 4 million acresacres

irrigatedirrigated

The Problem

9 million tons9 million tons of salt of salt pass pass LeesLees FerryFerry every every

year year 47% natural

sources

53% human-induced

Sources of Salinity

M&I4%

Reservoir12%

Irrigation37% Rangeland

BadlandsSpringsErosion

47%

Salinity Damages($ millions)

53%

24%

7%

4%

5%

7%

Crop $176m

Household $81m

Commercial $22m

Utility $13m

Industrial $16m

Management $22m

Salinity Standards

Developed to reduce economicDeveloped to reduce economic damages in Lower Basindamages in Lower Basin

Approved in 1975 & adoptedApproved in 1975 & adopted by each of the seven basin statesby each of the seven basin states

Salinity Trends in the Upper Colorado River Basin

(through 1996)

Salinity Contributions to the Colorado River Upstream from the Colorado State

Line

Salinity Loads to the Colorado River Upstream from the Colorado State Line

Water Quality Data GapsCurrently developing partnerships toDetermine baseline water-quality conditions in South Canyon downstream from Glenwood Springs

Other important water-quality data gaps Midbasin (Debeque/Rulison) streamgage and water-quality site

Detailed baseflow characterization of Colorado River and Tributaries between Glenwood Springs and Cameo

Contact info for follow-up

Paul von Guerard

(970) 245-5257 x14

pbvongue@usgs.gov

Kirby Wynn

(970) 245-5257 x23

khwynn@usgs.gov