ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT
REPORT ON
WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS IN THE
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN,COLORADO
1971-72
t
•
,
m m P
NATIONAL FIELD INVESTIGATIONS CENTER-DENVER
AND
REGION
DENVER. COLORADO
JUNE 1972
C.EA
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT
Report on
WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS IN THE
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
1971 - 72
NATIONAL FIELD INVESTIGATIONS CENTER - DENVER
and
REGION VIII DENVER, COLORADO
June 1972
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
LIST OF APPENDICES ii
LIST OF FIGURES ill
LIST OF APPENDICES TABLES vi
GLOSSARY OF TERMS xi
I. INTRODUCTION 1
A. Studies Prior to 1970 1
B. Water Quality Investigations 1971-72 2
II. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 5
III. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA 17
A. Physical Description 17
B. Climate 20
C. Hydrology 21
D. Population and the Economy 22
IV. STREAM SURVEYS 25
A. Bear Creek 25
B. Clear Creek 26
C. Boulder Creek 28
D. St. Vrain. Creek 30
Summer Survey (September 7-10, 1971) 30
Fall Survey (December 6-10, 1971) 32
E. Little Thompson River 33
Summer Survey (September 7-10, 1971) 33
Fall Survey (December 6-10, 1971) 35
F. Big Thompson River 36
Summer Survey (September 7-10, 1971) 36
Fall Survey (December 6-10, 1971) 38
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
LIST OF APPENDICES ii
LIST OF FIGURES ill
LIST OF APPENDICES TABLES vi
GLOSSARY OF TERMS ., xi
I. INTRODUCTION „ 1
A. Studies Prior to 1970 1
B. Water Quality Investigations 1971-72 2
II. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 5
III. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA 17
A. Physical Description 17
B. Climate 20
C. Hydrology 21
D. Population and the Economy 22
IV. STREAM SURVEYS 25
A. Bear Creek 25
B. Clear Creek 26
C. Boulder Creek 28
D. St. Vrain. Creek 30
Summer Survey (September 7-10, 1971) 30
Fall Survey (December 6-10, 1971) 32
E. Little Thompson River 33
Summer Survey (September 7-10, 1971) 33
Fall Survey (December 6-10, 1971) 35
F. Big Thompson River 36
Summer Survey (September 7-10, 1971) 36
Fall Survey (December 6-10, 1971) 38
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
G. Cache la Poudre River
Summer Survey (September 13-16, 1971) . . . .
Fall Survey (December 6, 7 and 13-15, 1971) .
H. South Platte River
Summer Survey (August 30-September 6, 1971) .
Fall Survey (November-December 1971) ....
VI. WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS
A. South Platte River and Tributaries - Waterton
to Platteville
B. St. Vrain Creek Basin
C. Big Thompson River Basin
D. Cache la Poudre River Basin
E. South Platte River - Fort Morgan to the
State Line
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
A WATER QUALITY STANDARDS FOR
COLORADO AND NEBRASKA
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
LIST OF STREAM STATIONS
STUDY METHODS
CHEMICAL AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
FOR STREAM SURVEYS
BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
AQUATIC GROWTHS
BENTHOS
FISH
DATA FOR WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS
Page
39
39
42
45
45
54
65
65
69
70
71
72
73
A-l
B-l
C-l
D-l
E-l
F-l
G-l
H-l
1-1
ii
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure No. Title Follows Page
1 Location Map Water Quality
Investigation, South Platte
River Basin 1971 18
2 Sampling Location - South
Platte River Basin Water
Quality Investigations,
Waterton to Henderson (1971) 26
3 Sampling Locations - South
Platte River Basin Water
Quality Investigations,
Henderson to Kersey (1971) 26
4 Sampling Locations - South Platte
River Basin Water Quality
Investigations, Weldona to
Nebraska State Line (1971) 26
5 Bacterial Densities, Bear Creek,
Colorado August-September 1971 26
6 Populations of Benthic Inver-
tebrates, Bear Creek, Colorado
September 1971 26
7 Populations of Benthic Inver-
tebrates Clear Creek, Colorado
September 1971 26
8 Bacterial Densities, Clear Creek
Colorado August-September 1971 28
9 Bacterial Densities, Boulder
Creek, Colorado September 1971 28
10 Populations of Benthic Inverte-
brates St. Vrain and Boulder
Creeks, Colorado September 1971 30
11 Bacterial Densities, St. Vrain
Creek, Colorado September 1971 32
iii
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LIST OF FIGURES (continued)
Figure No. Title Follows Page
12 Populations of Benthic Inver-
tebrates, Big Thompson and
Little Thompson Rivers,
Colorado September 1971 34
13 Bacterial Densities, Little
Thompson River, Colorado
September 1971 34
14 Bacterial Densities, Big
Thompson River, Colorado
September 1971 38
15 Populations of Benthic Inver-
tebrates, Cache la Poudre
River, Colorado September 1971 40
16 Bacterial Densities, Cache la
Poudre River, Colorado
September 1971 42
17 Attached Algae (chlorophyll a)
Cache la Poudre River,
Colorado 1966 and 1971 42
2
18 Attached Algae (cells/in )
Cache la Poudre River,
Colorado 1966 and 1971 42
19 Fish Populations, Cache la
Poudre River, Colorado
1966 and 1971 42
20 Periphyton from Glass-Slide
Substrates - Cache la Poudre
River at Greeley, Colorado
November 1971 44
21 Populations of Benthic Inver-
tebrates, South Platte River
(Waterton to Brighton) 46
iv
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LIST OF FIGURES (continued)
Figure No. Title Follows Page
22 Benthos and Suspended Solids,
Waterton to Bowles Avenue,
South Platte River, Colorado
1966 and 1971 46
23 Fish Populations and Suspended
Solids, Waterton to Bowles
Avenue, South Platte River,
Colorado 1966 and 1971 46
24 Bacterial Densities, South Platte
River from Water to Kersey,
Colorado September 1971 50
25 Populations of Benthic Inver-
tebrates South Platte River
(Brighton to Kersey) 52
26 Periphyton from Glass-Slide
Substrates, South Platte
River at Brighton, Colorado
November 1971 56
27 Extracted Chlorophyll a-Volatile
Solids Ratio from Glass-Slide
Substrates - South Platte
River at Brighton, Colorado
November 1971 56
28 Periphyton from Glass-Slide Sub-
strates - South Platte River
at Fort Morgan, Colorado
November 1971 60
29 Periphyton from Glass-Slide Sub-
strates - South Platte River
at Sterling, Colorado November 1971 60
30 Periphyton from Glass-Slide Sub-
strates - South Platte River,
Colorado-Nebraska State Line
November 1971 62
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LIST OF APPENDICES TABLES
Table No. Title Page
A-l Stream Classifications, South Platte
River Basin, Colorado A-13
B-l Stream Sampling Locations in the
South Platte River Basin, 1971 B-l
D-l Summary of Field Measurements and
Chemical Data for Stream Surveys
on Tributaries in the Denver Metro-
politan Area - Bear Creek, Cherry
Creek, Sand Creek, and Clear Creek
August 30-September 2, 1971 D-l
D-2 Summary of Field Measurements and
Chemical Data at Selected Stations
on St. Vrain and Boulder Creeks
September 7-10, 1971 D-2
D-3 Summary of Field Measurements and
Chemical Data at Selected Stations
on St. Vrain Creek, December 6-10, 1971 D-3
D-A Summary of Field Measurements and
Chemical Data at Selected Stations
on the Big and Little Thompson
Rivers, September 7-10, 1971 D-4
D-5 Summary of Field Measurements and
Chemical Data at Selected Stations
on the Big and Little Thompson
Rivers, December 6-10, 1971 D-5
D-6 Summary of Field Measurements and
Chemical Data at Selected Stations
on the Cache la Poudre River,
September 13-16, 1971 D-6
D-7 Summary of Field Measurements and
Chemical Data at Selected Stations
on the Cache la Poudre River
December 6-7, and 13-15, 1971 D-7
vi
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LIST OF APPENDICES TABLES (continued)
Table No. Title
E-5 Summary of Bacteriological Analyses
at Selected Stations on the Big
and Little Thompson Rivers,
December 6-10, 1971 E-8
E-6 Summary of Bacteriological Analyses
at Selected Stations on the Cache
la Poudre River, December 6-7 and
13-15, 1971 E-9
E-7 Summary of Bacteriological Analyses
at Selected Stations on the South
Platte River, November 17-21, 1971 E-10
E-8 Summary of Bacteriological Analyses at
Selected Stations on the South Platte
River from Brighton Downstream to
Kersey, December 6-15, 1971 E-ll
E-9 Summary of Bacteriological Analyses at
Selected Stations on the South Platte
River from Upstream of Ft. Morgan to
1-80 Bridge in Nebraska, November 29-
December 3, 1971 E-12
F-l Aquatic Growths from Glass-Slide
Substrates, Cache la Poudre River
Ten Day Exposure, Recovered in
September 1971 F-l
F-2 Aquatic Growths from Glass-Slide
Substrates, South Platte River
Basin, Colorado, 14-Day Exposure
Recovery in November 1971 F-2
G-l Benthos, Bear Creek, Colorado,
August 30, 1971 (Numbers per
square foot) G-l
G-2 Benthos, Clear Creek, Colorado,
August 30, 1971 (Numbers per
square foot) G-3
G-3 Benthos, Boulder Creek, Colorado,
September 7, 1971 (Numbers per
square foot) G-5
I
vii
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LIST OF APPENDICES TABLES (continued)
Table No. Title Page
G-4 Benthos, St. Vrain Creek, Colorado,
September 9, 1971 (Numbers per
square foot) G-8
G-5 Benthos, St. Vrain Creek, Colorado,
November 29, 1971 (Numbers per
square foot) G-ll
G-6 Benthos, Little Thompson River,
Colorado, September 8, 1971
(Numbers per square foot) G-12
G-7 Benthos, Little Thompson River,
Colorado, November 29, 1971
(Numbers per square foot) G-13
G-8 Benthos, Big Thompson River, Colorado,
September 8, 1971 (Numbers per
square foot) G-14
G-9 Benthos, Big Thompson River, Colorado
November 29, 1971 (Numbers per
square foot) G-17
G-10 Benthos, Cache la Poudre River,
Colorado, September 13, 1971
(Numbers per square foot) G-19
G-ll Benthos, Cache la Poudre River,
Colorado, November 30, 1971
(Numbers per square foot) G-22
G-12 Benthos, South Platte River and
Selected Tributaries, Colorado,
Collected in August, September,
and October 1971 (Numbers per
square foot) G-23
G-13 Benthos, South Platte River, Colorado,
Collected November 29 and 30, 1971
(Numbers per square foot) G-27
H-l Fish Captured Per Unit of Effort,
Bear Creek, Colorado, September 1971 H-l
Vlll
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LIST OF APPENDICES TABLES (continued)
Table No. Title Page
H-2 Fish Captured Per Unit of Effort,
Clear Creek, Colorado, September 1971 H-2
H-3 Fish Captured Per Unit of Effort,
Boulder Creek, Colorado, September 1971 H-3
H-A Fish Captured Per Unit of Effort,
St. Vrain Creek, Colorado, September 1971 H-4
H-5 Fish Captured Per Unit of Effort,
Big Thompson River, Colorado,
September 1971 H-5
H-6 Fish Captured Per Unit of Effort
Cache la Poudre River, Colorado,
September and October 1971 H-6
H-7 Fish Captured Per Unit of Effort,
South Platte River, Colorado,
August and September 1971 H-8
1-1 Summary of Analytical Data for
Industrial Waste Source Evaluations,
South Platte River Basin 1-1
1-2 Summary of Industrial Waste
Sources in the South Platte River 1-3
1-3 Summary of Field Measurements and
Analytical Results of Effluent
Discharge from the Great Western
Sugar Company Plants 1-6
1-4 Summary of Bacteriological Analyses
on Sugar Beet Mill Discharges
in the South Platte River Basin,
November-December 1971 1-9
1-5 Summary of Waste Treatment for the
Great Western Sugar Plants in the
South Platte River Basin,
November-December 1971 1-11
ix
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LIST OF APPENDICES TABLES (continued)
Table No. Title Page
1-6 Summary of Analytical Data for
Municipal Waste Source Evaluations -
South Platte River Basin,
August 1971 - February 1972 1-15
1-7 Summary of Bacteriological Analyses
on Municipal Waste Treatment Plant
Discharges in the South Platte
River Basin, August and September 1971 1-20
1-8 Summary of Bacteriological Analyses
of Selected Municipal Waste Treatment
Plant Discharges, South Platte River
Basin Survey, November-December 1971 1-2*3
1-9 Summary of Bacteriological Analyses
on Municipal Waste Treatment Plant
Discharges in the South Platte River
Basin, January-February 1972 1-24
1-10 Summary of Findings Municipal Waste
Source Evaluations in the South
Platte River Basin, August 1971-
February 1972 I-2i5
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
BOD - Biochemical Oxygen Demand, 5-Day
COD - Chemical Oxygen Demand
DO - Dissolved Oxygen
MPN - Most Probable Number
NH-N - Ammonia Nitrogen
N02-N0 -N - Nitrite Nitrate Nitrogen
P - Phosphorus
PO, - Orthophosphate
SS - Suspended Solids
TOC - Total Organic Carbon
RM - river mileage measured from stream mouth. Multiple numbers
(e.g. 311.1/6.7) denote distance from junction of North and
South Platte River to confluence with a tributary stream and
second value indicating distance upstream from mouth of
tributary stream
cfs - flow rate given in cubic feet per second
gpm - flow rate given in gallons per minute
mgd - flow rate given in million gallons per day
mg/1 - concentration given in milligrams per liter
urahos/cm - unit of specific conductance (mho — the inverse of
the standard unit of electrical resistance, the ohm)
measured over a 1-centimeter distance, conventionally
made at 25°C
Municipal waste - combination of domestic and industrial waste-
waters discharged to waterways by governmental
units, such as cities or sanitary districts
xi
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Industrial waste - spent process waters discharged to waterways
by industries.
Agricultural waste - irrigation return waters, feedlot drainage,
and erosion (Commodity wastes, such as sugar,
meat, and canned produce, are considered as
industrial or municipal wastes, based upon
disposal jurisdiction.)
xii
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I. INTRODUCTION
A. STUDIES PRIOR TO 1970
Federal documentation of water pollution in the South Platte River
Basin began in 1950.— By 1963, it was apparent that water pollution was
a serious problem affecting beneficial water uses at a number of locations
in Colorado. At the request of the Governor of Colorado, the first ses-
sion of the Conference in the Matter of Pollution of the South Platte
River Basin (Colorado) was held on October 29, 1963, under the provisions
2/
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.— As a result of this confer-
ence, a Federal-State study was Initiated to define sources of pollution,
delineate water quality conditions, and recommend appropriate abatement
measures. The South Platte River Basin Project was formed to provide
the Federal technical staff for carrying out the study.
From 1963 to 1966, the Project, in cooperation with the State of
Colorado, conducted studies of various aspects of the pollution problem
in the Basin and published a total of 13 technical reports. Results
of the studies indicated that the principal water pollution problems were
lack of adequate treatment for municipal and industrial waste discharges;
bacterial contamination of surface streamflow and irrigation supplies;
high organic loadings in some stream reaches, resulting in severe dissolved
oxygen depletion; contamination of subsurface water supplies by municipal
and industrial wastes; and a severe odor problem at Barr Lake. Both water
quality objectives to protect beneficial water uses and pollution abate-
ment measures to meet these objectives were set forth in the reports.
On April 27, 1966, a second session of the enforcement conference
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3/
was held to review the progress that had been made in abating pollution.—
The Project recommendations concerning water quality objectives and abate-
4/
ment measures were presented to the Conferees.— The session was adjourned,
without formulating recommendations, in order to allow the newly formed
Colorado Water Pollution Control Commission time to review these recom-
mendations.
At a reconvened second session held on November 10, 1966, the Con-
ferees agreed that "all discharges into the South Platte River shall have
adequate remedial or control facilities in full operation by June 30,
1971, so as to comply with water quality standards [to be] established by
the Colorado Water Pollution Control Commission as approved by the Secre-
tary of the Interior'1.—
Water quality standards were established by the Commission and ap-
proved as Federal standards [Appendix A]. No additional sessions of the
Conference have been held. Thus, the recommendations of the reconvened
second session ar?. the prsssnt conference requirements for pollution
abatement. Since 1966 no basin-wide water quality investigations have
been conducted to evaluate the status of compliance with the Conference
recommendations.
Z. WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS 1971-72
In 1971 the Enforcement Division, Region VIII, Environmental Protec-
tion Agency (EPA), Denver, Colorado, requested the National Field Investi-
gations Center-Denver (KFIC-D), EPA Office of Enforcement, to conducte a
comprehensive water quality investigation in the South Platte River Basin.
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The basin-wide water quality studies began in August 1971 and were com-
pleted in February 1972. Objectives of these studies were:
1. To define water quality conditions in the South Platte River and
its principal tributaries and resultant effects on aquatic life
and other beneficial water uses;
2. To evaluate water pollution abatement practices and abatement
needs at municipal and industrial waste sources and to determine
the effects of waste discharges from these sources on receiving
waters;
3. To evaluate progress toward compliance with the 1966 Conference
recommendations;
4. To determine whether Colorado Water Quality Standards have been
violated;
5. To determine the need for abatement proceedings.
Studies were conducted in an area including the South Platte River
and its principal tributaries from the Metropolitan Denver area downstream
to the Colorado-Nebraska state line. Physical, chemical, and biological
parameters were evaluated for major stream reaches. Municipal and indus-
trial waste sources were inventoried and studied to characterize waste
loads and to evaluate the effectiveness of waste treatment.
Although these studies document technical, legal, and institutional
problems related to the water quality conditions in the South Platte
River Basin, only the technical aspects of pollution are summarized in
this report. Water quality and biological conditions observed during
the stream survey are discussed in Section V. Water quality standards
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established by Colorado and Nebraska for the South Platte River and its
tributaries are summarized in Appendix A. Sampling locations and study
methods are discussed in Appendices B and C, respectively. Physical,
chemical, bacteriological, and biological data are presented in Appen-
dices D through H. Waste source evaluations and pollution abatement
needs are discussed in Section VI. Waste source data are summarized in
Appendix I as well as proposed waste load limitations for major industrial
waste discharges.
Additional information on the studies is contained in the following
reports entitled:
1. Effects of Waste Discharges on Water Quality of South Platte
River - Denver Metropolitan area. June 1972.
2. Technical Appendix on Municipal Waste-Source Evaluations, Water
Quality Investigation in the South Platte River Basin Colorado
1971-72. June 1972.
2. Technical Appendix on Industrial Waste-Source Evaluations, Water
Quality Investigations in the South Platte River Basin Colorado
1971-72. June 1972.
4. Investigations of the Effects of the Waste Discharges from
the Great Western Sugar Mil at Ovid, Colorado, on Water
Quality Conditions of the South Platte River. June 1972.
5. Effects of Waste Discharges on Water Quality of the Cache
la Poudre and South Platte Rivers - Greeley Area. June 1972.
Technical information contained in the latter two reports was used
as a basis for informal public hearings regarding the 180-day notices
issued by the Environmental Protection Agency to the Great Western Sugar
Company for its mills at Greeley and Ovid, Colorado pursuant to Section
10(c)(5) of the Federal Uater Pollution Control Act. The hearings were
held on March 28 and 29, 1972, respectively.
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II. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. Stream surveys were conducted in the South Platte River Basin,
Colorado, during August, September, November, and December 1971. Bear
Creek and Boulder Creek upstream of Coal Creek, St. Vrain Creep upstream
of Longmont, and the South Platte River upstream of the Littleton, Colorado,
waste discharge, have better water quality than was observed during the South
Platte River Basin Project studies in 1964-65, although still degraded by
point- and area-pollution sources. In the reach of the South Platte River
from the Littleton waste discharge downstream to the Metropolitan Denver
Sewage Disposal District No. 1 Plant (Metro) discharge and in Clear Creek,
from Wheatridge (Colorado) to its confluence with the South Platte River,
water quality has improved since 1964-65; but the water quality remains
degraded.
2. Water quality in Bear Creek, Clear Creek, Boulder Creek, St. Vrain
Creek, Big Thompson River, Little Thompson River, and in the Cache la Poudre
River as well as the South Platte River upstream of Denver, is acceptable
for fisheries and all other uses — with the exception of isolated reaches
affected by pollutional sources.
3. The South Platte River from the Metro discharge to Fort Lupton
(Colorado) is severely degraded by the organic pollutant load from the
Denver Metro area. Water quality of Sand Creek at the mouth, Boulder
Creek downstream from Coal Creek, the Little Thompson River downstream
from Johnstown, and the Cache la Poudre River downstream from Greeley
was found to be as polluted during the 1971 survey as during the 1964-
65 surveys.
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4. The results of the evaluations of twenty-three municipal waste-
water treatment facilities made in November and December 1971 and
January 1972 are as follows:
a. Providing 80 percent removal of BOD and adequate disinfection:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
b . Less
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
Arvada
Clear Creek Valley
Fort Collins #2
Fort Lupton
Lyons
than 80 percent BOD removal:
Metro
Greeley
Baker WSD
Boulder #1
Boulder //2
Brighton
Coors-Golden
Englewood
Fort Collins #1
Fort Morgan
Julesburg
Littleton
Longmont
Loveland
South Adams WSD
South Lakewood
Sterling
Wheatridge
c. Inadequate disinfection:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
- (12)
(13)
Metro
Greeley
Brush (no disinfection)
Brighton
Englewood
Fort Collins #1
Fort Morgan (no disinfection)
Julesburg
Longmont (inoperative)
Loveland
South Adams WSD
Sterling
Wheatridge
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Since the time of this survey, Coors-Golden has expanded its faci-
lities to provide at least 80 percent BOD removal; and expansion and modi-
fications are underway or planned at the Brighton, Boulder #2 (75th Street),
Greeley, Metro, South Lakewood, Englewood, and Fort Morgan waste treatment
facilities.
5. Since the 1964-65 study the organic load from industrial wastes
has been reduced from approximately 400,000 Ib/day of BOD, measured in
1964-65, to approximately 52,500 Ib/day, measured during the 1971 survey
through either the connection to municipal systems or the construction of
industrial wastewater treatment facilities. The processing of sugar beets
is the largest single source of industrial pollution in the South Platte
River Basin. The Great Western Sugar Company is providing the additional
pollution control facilities needed to reduce their BOD load from the
341,600 Ib/day measured in 1964-65 to 12,800 Ib/day by the 1973-74 cam-
paign. Improvements are presently being made at the Greeley, Ovid,
Johnstown, Longmont, Fort Morgan, and Sterling beet-sugar factories.
Proposed facilities at the Johnstown plant will require further evaluation
to determine their effectiveness. Other industrial sources requiring
additional pollution abatement, as determined from effluent sampling, are
the Continental Oil Company and the Refinery Corporation of Commerce City
and the Weld County By-Products Company and the Loveland Packing Company
of Loveland. Although effluent sampling was not performed, additional
pollution abatement is required for the Burlington-Northern Railroad, Inc.,
of Denver and the Floyd Haag Sand and Gravel Company of Loveland.
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6. Water quality of Bear Creek has Improved since 1965; the previ-
ously reported conditions of sewage odors and suspended fecal and organic
particles were not found in 1971. Treated domestic sewage from the cities
of Evergreen and Morrison and approximately 30 storm sewers discharge into
the Creek. The stream from Morrison to the South Platte River confluence
remains biologically enriched. This reach has been classified by the
State of Colorado as a warm-water fishery and for irrigation use. Bear
Creek was in compliance with approved water quality standards.
7. Cherry Creek receives pollutants from numerous sources in the
Denver metropolitan area. The Creek, described as severely polluted by
sewage in 1965, was moderately polluted by organic material in 1971.
Although the Creek is not classified for specific uses, the water was
contaminated by total- and fecal-coliform bacteria densities as high as
120,000 and 3,000 per 100 ml, respectively.
8. Sand Creek, at the confluence with the South Platte River, was
severely polluted by sewage; contamination was shown by average total-
coll form bacteria counts that exceeded 110,000 per 100 ml and fecal-
coliform bacteria densities of 8,800 per 100 ml. This creek which carries
municipal and industrial wastes and storm-water runoff has not been clas-
sified by the State of Colorado for specific uses. Sand Creek has un-
sightly, putrescent, and odorous bottom deposits; there was objectionable
odor and turbidity in the water. These conditions are in violation of
the Basic Standards applicable to all waters of Colorado.
9. Clear Creek at RM 18.7 was damaged by mine drainage, as evidenced
by a toxic concentration of zinc (0.36 mg/1) and severely restricted
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aquatic life. At RM 15.A wastes were discharged into Clear Creek from
the Adolph Coors Company treatment facility, which also treats domestic
wastes from the City of Golden. These wastes, wastes from the Wheatridge
and Baker Sanitary District waste treatment plants, and storm-water run-
off contributed to the pollution of Clear Creek. From Golden to the
mouth, the creek is classified for use as a potable water supply. Down-
stream from the Coors discharge at RM 14.1, the water was turbid and
smelled of sewage. Unsightly, putrescent, and odorous sludge deposits
blanketed portions of the stream bed. The creek contained an average
X
fecal-coliform bacteria density of 5,800 per 100 ml. Dissolved oxygen
concentrations ranged as low as 3.4 mg/1. These conditions are in vio-
lation of approved Water Quality Standards of Colorado.
In 1971, Clear Creek, from RM 10.4 to the mouth, contained higher
dissolved oxygen concentrations and lower bacterial densities than it did
in 1965. Although this lower reach showed improvement, it remained in
violation of the Colorado Standards that prohibit sludge deposits.
10. Boulder Creek is classified by the State of Colorado for use as
a warm-water fishery. The creek was polluted by wastes from the Pearl
Street (RM 21.3) and 75th Street (RM 17.8) treatment plants in Boulder.
In this reach the dissolved oxygen concentration ranged as low as 4.7 mg/1,
and the water was murky and smelled of sewage. Sludge blanketed portions
of the stream bed. These conditions are prohibited by approved Colorado
Standards. From RM 14.2 to the mouth of Boulder Creek, Water Quality
Standards were not: violated. Coal Creek, which flows into Boulder Creek
at RM 7.9, receives treated municipal wastes from Erie, Lafayette, and
Louisville, and was polluted with respect to coliform bacteria.
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10
11. Prior to the sugar-beet campaign St. Vrain Creek which is
classified by the State of Colorado for industrial and irrigation uses
was polluted by inadequately treated wastes from the Longmont Wastewater
Treatment Plant. Sludge deposits, odors, and turbidity were observed.
These conditions are prohibited by approved Colorado Water Quality Standards.
During the sugar-beet campaign wastes discharged from the Great Western
Sugar Company mill, at RM 22.5, in combination with Longmont domestic wastes,
severely polluted St. Vraln Creek. Dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged
from 0.3 to 3.7 rag/1, violating the 3.0 mg/1 criterion approved for this
\
stream reach. Organic solids, partly composed of putrefying slimes, formed
large sludge beds; these conditions also violated Colorado Standards.
12. Water quality of the Little Thompson River has not changed sub-
stantially since 1964. The stream receives wastes from a combination of
sources including animal feedlot drainage, irrigation return water, unre-
stricted livestock watering in the river, and domestic wastes from the
Berthoud Wastewater Treatment Plant. At RM 11.1 no violations occurred of
approved Colorado Standards for water classified as industrial supply and
for irrigation; however, damage was indicated by a sparse population of
pollution sensitive invertebrates (7 percent) and fecal-coliform bacteria
numbering 1,900 per 100 ml.
Municipal wastes discharges, both from Johnstown (RM 1.15) and
Milliken (RM 0.6), and the discharge from the Great Western Sugar Company
Monosodium Glutamate and Sugar Recovery Plant (RM 2.8) severely polluted
the Little Thompson River downstream from Johnstown. The formation of
sludge deposits; production of objectionable odor and turbidity; and the
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11
development of slime growths were in violation of the Colorado Water
Quality Standards.
13. The Big Thompson River, from Loveland to the mouth, is classi-
fied by the State of Colorado for industrial and irrigation uses. In
this reach the major source of pollution is inadequately treated wastes
discharged from the Loveland Wastewater Treatment Plant (RM 24.5). One
mile downstream, the water was trubid and smelled of sewage, and the stream
bed was covered with organic sludge. These conditions are not in accord-
ance with approved Colorado Water Standards. Although there are no
X
bacterial standards for the river downstream from Loveland, fecal-coliform
bacteria counts averaging 1,300 per 100 ml indicated contamination.
Additional waste sources include the Loveland Packing Company (RM 25.6)
and seasonal discharges from the Great Western Sugar Company (RM 22.0).
Great Western at Loveland has substantially improved its wastewater treat-
ment since 1964, reducing the mill effluent BOD from 50,000 (510 mg/1) to
800 (13 mg/1) Ib/day. At RM 16.5 water quality improved; no Standards
violations occurred.
Inflow of the polluted waters of the Little Thompson River severely
degraded the Big Thompson River from RM 7.0 to the mouth. The water was
turbid and sludge deposits and slimes blanketed the river bed. This was
a violation of Colorado Water Quality Standards. Contamination was also
indicated by an average fecal-coliform bacteria density of 2,600 per 100 ml.
14. The State of Colorado has classified the Cache la Poudre River,
from Fort Collins to Greeley, for use as a warm-water fishery. From
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Greeley to the mouth the river is classified for industrial and irrigation
uses. Principal waste sources discharging to the Cache la Poudre River
include: the Fort Collins (RM 44.1 and 40.2) and Greeley (RM 5.3) waste-
water treatment plants; and the Great Western Sugar Company mill at Greeley
(RM 4.3). Since 1964 there has been a reduction in the waste loads dis-
charged to the Cache la Poudre River. The Great Western mill at Windsor
which formerly discharged 74,000 Ib BOD day closed in 1966; the Eaton
Great Western mill installed pollution control measures that reduced the
BOD of its wastes from 20,800 Ib/day in 1965 to 490 Ib/day in 1971.
Downstream from Fort Collins the Cache la Poudre River was degraded
by sewage. Summertime production of dense mats of algae constituted vio-
lations of approved Colorado Water Quality Standards. During the summer
and fall of 1971 the river was severely polluted from RM 5.3 to the mouth.
Inadequately treated wastes were discharged from the Greeley Wastewater
Treatment Plant and the Great Western Sugar Company mill at Greeley. There
is no bacteriological standard for this lower reach, but severe contami-
nation was indicated by total- and fecal-coliform bacteria densities as
high as 1,500,000 and 100,000 per 100 ml, respectively. The dissolved
oxygen content of waters classified for industrial use must not be less
than 3 mg/1. This standard was violated at RM 0.5 where concentrations
ranged as low as 2.7 mg/1. Additional water-quality standards violations
included the development of sludge banks and objectionable odors and
turbidity in the water.
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15. The State of Colorado has classified the South Platte River,
from its headwaters to Exposition Avenue (RM 321.9) in Denver, for use
as cold-water fishery. Major waste sources in this reach include the
municipal treatment plants at Littleton (RM 327.6) and Englewood (RM 325.1).
Other sources include storm-water runoff and minor discharges. No violations
of the approved Colorado Water Quality Standards occurred in this reach.
The South Platte River, from Exposition Avenue to York Street
(RM 313.4), is classified as a warm-water fishery. Waste sources include:
numerous storm sewers; minor industrial discharges; South Lakewood Sanita-
tion District; occasional bypassing from sanitary sewers and the inflow
from Cherry Creek. Raw sewage which entered the South Platte River at
47th Avenue (RM 315.1) and at Franklin Street (RM 314.3) resulted in
fecal-coliform bacteria densities that averaged more than 13,000 per 100 ml;
sludge banks built up downstream from each of these discharges. These con-
ditions were in violation of Colorado Water Quality Standards.
The South Platte River, from York Street to the Colorado-Nebraska
State Line, is classified for industrial and irrigation uses. The major
waste source in this reach is the Metro plant. Adequate treatment was
not being provided by the Metro plant for BOD and suspended solids removal.
The BOD removals ranged from 63 to 96 percent and were below the State
requirement of 80 percent BOD removal 20 percent of the time. Suspended
solids removal ranged between 39 and 95 percent. Adequate disinfection
was not provided, as shown by the low chlorine residuals and the high
bacteria densities in the effluent. Fecal-coliform bacteria densities
in the effluent were as high as 430,000/100 ml. The Colorado Department
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of Health recommendation for a residual chlorine value of 1 mg/1 after
15 minutes at maximum hourly flow was not maintained during the study.
The Denver Northside Waste Treatment Plant provides primary treat-
ment prior to discharge to Metro. Wastes from the Northside plant con-
stitute about 75 percent of the total hydraulic load and more than 70
percent of the organic load received by Metro. During the study-period
the Denver Northside Waste Treatment Plant had BOD removal efficiencies
ranging from minus 11 percent (an increase in BOD) to 58 percent and
suspended solids removal efficiencies ranging from 6 percent to 96 percent.
Inadequate primary treatment at Denver Northside significantly affects
removal efficiencies at the Metro facility.
The Colorado Department of Health and EPA are working with the staff
at the Denver Northside waste treatment plant to improve treatment methods
at this plant, thereby reducing the wasteload contributed to the Denver
Metro facility.
Official State-Federal Water Quality Standards in the South Platte
River will not be met by the attainment of a minimum 80 percent removal
of five-day BOD at the Metro facility. The South Platte River water
quality criteria for dissolved oxygen could be met by the expansion of the
Metro plant and improvement in plant operation in order to produce an
average effluent of 10,000 Ib/day of BOD with a maximum Instantaneous
limit equivalent to 15,000 Ib/day. This average limit is equivalent to
an effluent concentration of 10 mg/1 and would require an estimated 95
percent BOD reduction, based on present influent values.
Other principal waste sources in the South Platte River, downstream
from York Street, include: municipal discharges from South Adams
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15
(RM 306.7), Brighton (RM 295.8), Fort Morgan (RM 195.2), Brush (RM 185.6),
Sterling (RM 148.6), and Julesburg (RM 86.9); inflows from Sand Creek,
Clear Creek, St. Vrain Creek, the Big Thompson River, and the Cache la
Poudre River; and seasonal discharges from the Great Western Sugar Company
mills at Brighton (RM 295.7), Fort Morgan (RM 196.2), Sterling (RM 150.4),
and Ovid (RM 94.8).
At Henderson (RM 301.7), during the summer, the 3 mg/1 dissolved
oxygen standard was violated. From the Metro discharge (RM 312.2), down-
stream to Fort Lupton (RM 288.2), dissolved oxygen concentrations were
often below 4 mg/1 in the summertime, and sludge beds blanketed tt\e stream
bottom. Odor, turbidity, and the development of these sludge beds were in
violation of the Colorado Standards.
During the sugar-beet campaign violations of the Colorado Standards
occurred downstream from the Great Western Company mills at Fort Morgan,
Sterling, and Ovid. Sludge banks and slime growths developed; odor and
turbidity were imparted to the water. Although there are no bacterio-
logical standards applicable to the South Platte River from York Street
(RM 313.4) to the Colorado-Nebraska State Line (RM 83.7) severe contami-
nation was indicated by fecal-coliform bacteria densities as high as
910,000 per 100 ml and by the presence of pathogenic Salmonella. Both
Colorado and Nebraska bacterial criteria were grossly violated at the State
Line by waste discharged from the Great Western mill at Ovid, Colorado.
The Colorado Water Pollution Control Commission is in the process of
re-evaluating water quality standards for the South Platte River. Public
hearings have been held concerning the establishment of effluent standards
to enhance water quality in the South Platte River.
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16
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17
III. DESCRIPTION OP THE STUDY AREA
A. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
The South Platte River basin lies in northeastern Colorado, south-
eastern Wyoming, and southwestern Nebraska and is part of the headwaters
of the Missouri River [Figure 1]. More than 80 percent of the Basin's
24,300 square miles are in Colorado. This report is concerned only with
the South Platte River and its principal tributaries within Colorado.
The South Platte River, rising along the eastern slope of the Con-
tinental Divide, in areas northwest of Fairplay, flows south and then
east across the broad area known as South Park and through Eleven Mile
Canyon. Near Lake George the river flows northward through mountainous
country to emerge from the foothills about 15 miles south-southwest of
the Metropolitan Denver area and then to continue in a northward direction
to the vicinity of Greeley. There, the river turns and follows an irreg-
ular east-northeast course, joining with the North Platte River at North
Platte, Nebraska. The length of the river from its source to the mouth is
approximately 442 miles.
The study area lies within two types of land formation, mountains
and plains. In the. mountainous areas, exposed bedrock or thin soil de-
posits bound the streams. The cool, crystal-clear headwaters are formed
primarily from snow melt and rainfall runoff and contain a minimum of nu-
trients. Steep stream gradients (up to 1,000 feet per mile) cause the
water to cascade over large boulders. The resulting turbulence not only
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18
helps maintain a desirable balance of dissolved gasses but also causes
erosion. Dissolved materials are added to the stream in this process.
Environmental conditions are adequate to support a variety of inverte-
brates, which are food for fish. Water quality is suitable for cold water
fishery, including rainbow and brown trout. With the exception of stream
reaches affected by mine drainage, water quality problems are minor.
For this reason, the study area extended upstream only to the foothill
reaches of the river and tributaries.
In the plains, channels of the river and lower reaches of tributaries
cut through deep alluvial gravel and soil deposits. Sparse vegetation
does not hold the soil so that erosion is common. Because of this condition
there is rapid runoff; rain storms temporarily muddy the streams. Ground
water seepage carries dissolved salts and nutrients leached from the soils
into the stream. This increases the hardness and biological productivity
in the river. Stream gradients in the plains area are from eight to
twenty feet per mile and the water turbulence is thereby reduced. During
the summer, low-water conditions prevail because of increased evaporation,
lack of rainfall, and the various uses made of the river water (e.g. irri-
gation diversions). The shallow mainstream water and isolated pools are
warmed by the sun. After rain storms, pooled water mixes with the main
stream as the river rises and often increases the water temperature. Addi-
tionally, in these pools and elsewhere, organic materials accumulate.
Decomposition of this organic matter alters the balance of dissolved gasses.
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In combination, these conditions often cause a decrease in the invertebrate
variety and an increase in the biological productivity. The waters of
the plains are suitable for warmwater fishery which includes such game-
fish as bass and catfish.
Water quality conditions in the plains streams are substantially
affected by municipal and industrial waste discharges, feedlot drainage,
irrigation return flows, and other agricultural activities. Irrigation
diversions also exert a major influence on water quality. They reduce
the stream flow available for assimilation of pollutants carried into
the streams from the above sources. Water quality degradation is most
severe downstream from urban areas.
Principal tributary streams in the study area, in downstream order,
are: Bear, Clear, Boulder and St. Vrain Creeks, and the Big Thompson
and Cache la Poudre Rivers. These streams originate along the Continental
Divide and in drain areas similar in character to the watershed of the
South Platte main stem.
Bear Creek, the uppermost principal tributary in the study area, flows
northeastward past the towns of Evergreen and Morrison to join the South
Platte at River Mile (RM) 326.4 in south Denver.
Clear Creek, whose water quality is influenced by old mining activities
near the mountain communities of Central City and Idaho Springs, flows
down from the mountains through Golden and enters the river at RM 311.1,
in the northern part of Denver, downstream from the Metropolitan Denver
Sewage Disposal plant.
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20
Boulder Creek, a major tributary of St. Vrain Creek, flows easterly
through the city of Boulder and across the southern portion of Boulder
County. The creek enters the St. Vrain River 17.4 miles upstream of its
confluence with the South Platte River.
The St. Vrain River rises from two small tributaries in the foothills
of northwestern Boulder County. This creek flows easterly through the city
of Longmont, then across the high plains of northern Boulder County into
Weld County, and joins the South Platte at RM 270.
The Little Thompson River, a principal tributary of the Big Thompson
River, arises in south-central Larimer County and flows eastward, passing
through Boulder County, into Weld County, joining the Big Thompson River
at RM 7.0. The latter stream flows easterly across the highlands of
southern Larimer County into Weld County and joins the South Platte River
at RM 260.4.
The northernmost and largest tributary to the South Platte River is
the Cache la Poudre River. Its headwaters begin north of Rocky Mountain
National Park, converge and flow northeast along the eastern slope of
the Rocky Mountains. The river turns east, about 20 miles from the
Colorado-Wyoming state line, and flows past the communities of Ft. Collins,
Windsor, and Greeley, where it joins the South Platte River at RM 249.
B. CLIMATE
Climate in the study area is primarily a function of elevation and
landform. Elevations in the main river valley range from about 3,500 feet
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21
above sea level near the eastern edge of the study area to about 5,000 feet
at Denver. Foothills and mountain areas range between 6,500 and 11,000
feet with some mountain peaks reaching 14,000 feet.
The plains are characterized by low relative humidity, light rainfall,
warm summers, mild winters, considerable wind, and large annual variations
• *
in precipitation. Mountain areas have lower temperatures and some snowfall.
The foothill areas present a transitional climatological zone.
Precipitation is greatest in the mountain headwater areas, exceeding
30 inches per year. Downstream, the annual precipitation decreases to
15 inches in the foothills and to about 12 inches near Greeley and then
increases again to about 19 inches at the lower end of the basin.
Temperature extremes range from -30 to 110°F. The frost-free period
ranges from about 165 days in the Denver area to about 133 days in the
northern plains.
C. HYDROLOGY
The primary source of water in the study area is runoff from melting
snowpack. Numerous reservoirs have been constructed in the mountain
and foothill areas to store this runoff. As a result, all of the princi-
pal streams in the study area are regulated to some degree. During the
irrigation season diversions and return flows cause major changes in
stream flow within relatively short stream reaches.
High intensity summer rainstorms may produce flash floods in the
plains streams and several major floods have occurred in the Metropolitan
Denver area.
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The basin is a water short area and water use far exceeds the natural
supply. Re-use of water Is practiced In a nuaber of areas, notably the
use of portions of the treated waste effluent from the Metropolitan Denver
area for Irrigation purposes. The natural surface runoff In the basin
averages about 1,244,000 acre-feet annually. An additional 500,000 acre-
feet are Imported annually from the Colorado River Basin, primarily by
Denver for municipal and industrial purposes and by the Bureau of Reclama-
tion Colorado-Big Thompson Project for irrigation uses. Extensive use
of ground water is also made for irrigation in the plains areas.
D. POPULATION AND THE ECONOMY
Population growth in the basin has been rapid in recent years, with
an increase of at least 52 percent occurring since 1960, mostly in urban
areas. The Metropolitan Denver urban area population increased from
855,000 in 1960 to 1.3 million in 1970. Other urban areas and their 1970
populations are: Greeley, 38,900; Fort Collins, 45,000; Longmont, 23,200;
Loveland, 16,200; and Boulder, 66,900.
The plains and mountain areas are sparsely populated. Most of the
urban areas are concentrated along the eastern edge of the foothills.
Agriculture is the primary Industry in the plains area. The produc-
tion of crops is primarily dependent upon irrigation. The principal
crops are alfalfa, Small grains, corn, and sugar beets. Important agri-
cultural related industries Include sugar beet processing mills, live-
stock feedlots, meat packing plants, and canneries.
Mining and livestock grazing were historically the major industrial
activities in mountain areas. Recreational land use including skiing,
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23
camping and hiking has recently achieved major importance.
The Metropolitan Denver area supports a large number of diverse indus-
trial and related activities including aerospace; light manufacturing;
electronics; computer and data processing; educational and scientific com-
plexes; Federal and State government offices and laboratories; and the
manufacturing of rubber products.
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IV. STREAM SURVEYS
In August and September 1971 the South Platte River and its principal
tributaries were studied from Waterton through the Denver metropolitan
area downstream to Kersey, Colorado [Figures 2 and 3]. [A tabulation of
the stream stations, analyses performed, and study methods are contained
in Appendices B and C.] The data, presented in the sections titled Summer
Survey, represent river conditions prior to the 1971 sugar beet campaign.
In November and December selected stations in the South Platte River
and in the subbasins of St. Vrain Creek, Big Thompson River, and Cache
la Poudre River within the State of Colorado were studied [Figures 2, 3
and 4]. Results are presented in the sections titled Fall Survey and
represent river conditions during the 1971 sugar beet campaign.
A. BEAR GREEK
In the mountainous area near the community of Morrison (RM 13.0), Bear
Creek had good water quality. The BOD averaged 2.5 mg/1 [Appendix D,
Table D-l] and the fecal-coliform bacteria log mean number was 720/100 ml
2
of water [Figure 5]. The benthos consisted of 670 organisms/ft [Figure 6],
and were represented by 19 kinds. Rainbow trout comprised 14 percent of
the total fish population of this reach [Appendix 11, Table 11-1].
Downstream, at RM 5.9, the waters of Bear Creek were fertilized by
waste discharged from the Morrison area. An estimated 29 storm sewers
and outfalls (of unknown origin) discharge to Bear Creek between Morrison
6/ 2
and the mouth.— The density of benthic organisms increased to 1,634/ft
[Figure 6] and diversity increased to 21 kinds by the addition of facul-
tative and pollution-tolerant organisms [Appendix G, Table G-l].
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26
Wastes entering Bear Creek between RM 5.9 and 0.7 sustained the en-
riched conditions. Nutrients [Appendix D, Table D-l] in this reach
stimulated the production of dense algal mats that caused DO levels to
fluctuate between 5.7 and 11.3 mg/1 at different times of the day. The
variety of benthos was reduced to 16 kinds, mostly facultative and pol-
lution-tolerant forms. Pollution-intolerant forms decreased from 67
percent, upstream at RM 5.9, to 11 percent at RM 0.7. Fish populations
near the Bear Creek mouth consisted of non-game species.
The quality of Bear Creek waters has improved since 1964. The creek
was enriched with nutrients from Morrison downstream to the South Platte
River confluence. Bear Creek was, at the time of the survey, in com-
pliance with approved water quality standards.
B. CLEAR CREEK
In the portion of Clear Creek immediately upstream of Golden (RM 18.7)
the water contained little organic matter [Appendix D, Table D-l] and
acceptably low numbers of bacteria [Appendix E, Table E-l]. Benthos con-
sisted of only nine kinds of organisms; however, 84 percent of these were
mayflies and caddisflies, forms intolerant of organic pollution, and pol-
lution-tolerant forms numbered less than one percent of the benthos com-
2
munity [Figure 7]. The low density (112/ft ) and restricted variety
of benthic organisms probably resulted from the influence of mine drainage
[Tables G-2 and D-12]. Fish populating this reach consisted of longnose
suckers and brown trout in very low numbers.
The Coors wastewater treatment plant (domestic and industrial wastes)
discharges to Clear Creek (RM 15.4). Analyses of the plant effluent durinp
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1,000,000 _
100,000 _
10,000 .
1000 _
100 -
20
18
16
K E Y:
TOTAL COLIFORMS
FECAL COLIFORMS
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
14
I T
10 8
RIVER MILES
1
6
1
4
13 0
0.7
Figure 5 Bacterial Densities, Bear Creek, Colorado
August - September, 1971
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27
September 21-24, 1971 Indicated that the average wastewater discharge
of 7.2 mgd contained 6,000 Ib of BOD.
47
It was reported in 1966-1 that Clear Creek downstream from Golden
supplied nine municipal water systems and numerous irrigation ditches.
These various diversions account for the extreme low-flow conditions that
occur In the summer months. During the summer 1971 stream survey the
average flow at the USGS station (BM 18.7) upstream of Golden was 185 cfs.
Downstream from Golden the flow was reduced by diversions to 21 cfs at
York Street (RM 0.3). At times, flow in the lower reaches of Clear
Creek is almost entirely wastewater from sewage treatment plants and
the Coors brewery.
At Mclntire Road (RM 14.1), downstream from the Coors wastewater
treatment plant, the log mean fecal-coliform bacteria density was
5,800/100 ml [Figure 8], a violation of the bacterial standards for a pot-
able water supply [Appendix A]. The DO decreased to 3.4 mg/1, which was
a violation of the oxygen criterion (4.0 mg/1).
. At Kipling Street (RM 10.4) organic materials had settled on the
stream bed, forming sludge beds that were damaging to aquatic biota. The
2
density of benthos increased to 536 organisms/ft ; 89 percent were pol-
lution-tolerant sludgeworms and snails and. only seven percent were
intolerant organisms [Figure 7].
Upstream of this station residual wastes from small treatment plants,
storm sewers, and urban runoff contributed to the pollution of Clear
Creek. Violations of Sections B and D of the Basic Standards Applicable
to All Waters of the State occurred. However, quality conditions observed
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28
during this survey are in marked contrast to conditions observed during
4/
studies by the South Platte River Basin Project- in 1964 which showed,
under similar flow conditions, BOD and DO values of 95 and 1.8 mg/1,
respectively. Dissolved oxygen levels in 1971 were greater than 5 mg/1.
Effluents from both the Baker and Clear Creek Sanitation Districts,
and from the Arvada and Wheatridge wastewater treatment plants enter
Clear Creek upstream of RM 0.3. These four plants discharge about 6.5 mgd
of wastewater, with a dally BOD load of 3,600 Ib, to the creek.
Near the mouth of Clear Creek (RM 0.3) the DO levels were similar to
those observed at RM 10.4. Fecal-coliform bacteria densities of 780/100 ml
2
did not exceed the standards. Benthic organisms decreased to 127/ft , but
the variety Increased to 14 kinds and pollution-intolerant organisms made
up 17 percent of the total. Most of the Increase in the variety was due
to the presence of additional facultative forms. All of the fish col-
lected near the mouth of Clear Creek were non-game species.
In summary, there has been an improvement since 1964 in the water
quality of Clear Creek, from RM 10.4 continuing downstream. However,
violations of the standards for bacteria, dissolved oxygen, and sections B
and D of the Basic Standards were observed.
C. BOULDER CREEK
At RM 27.6, upst'ream of the city of Boulder, Boulder Creek had good
water quality [Table D-2, BOD 0.8-1.0], was free from serious bacterial
contamination [Figure 9 and Table E-2], and supported a good biotic com-
munity. Algal growth provided food and a habitat for 17 kinds of aquatic
insects and crustaceans. The fish population in this reach included trout,
suckers, and minnows.
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N ^^F WP^ft R ^^FA L
FOR BACTERIA ( 1OOO FECAL C O L IFO RM S/1OO ML )
1,000,000 «J
100,000 J
10,000
1,000 -i
100 J
22
18.7
14.1
A
12
TOTAL COLIFORMS
KEY : H FECAL COLIFORMS
10 86
RIVER MILES
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
4
0.3
Figure 8 Bacterial Densities, Clear Creek, Colorado
August - September, 1971
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VIOLATION OF WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
FOR BACTERIA (1OOO FECAL C O L IF O RM S/1 OOm I)
KEY :
TOTAL COLIFORMS
IT 1,000,000-j
K loo.oooj
£ 1
z 10,000_j
C9
1000..
100-
30
24
COAL CREEK INFLOW TO BOULDER CREEK
100,000 _|
10,000 «
1000 -
100 —I
16 14 12
RIVER MILES
10
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
FECAL COLIFORMS
GREATER THAN VALUE
LESS THAN VALUE
BOULDER CREEK
7.9
7.3
Figure 9 Bacterial Densities. Boulder (.reck. Colorado
September. 1971
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29
Boulder has two municipal wastewater treatment plants that dis-
charge to the creek. The outfall of the Pearl Street plant is located
at RM 21.3 and the 75th Street plant discharges at RM 17.8. During an
evaluation of these plants in August 1971 an average BOD of 4,400 Ib
per day was being discharged.
Downstream from the Pearl Street plant outfall, at RM 19.9, the.
bacteriological quality [Table E-2] of Boulder Creek remained acceptable,
thus indicating adequate disinfection of the city sewage. The BOD was
14 mg/1. The stream in this reach was murky and smelled of sewage.
The stream bed was blanketed with sludge and supported a bottom
community indicative of organic pollution [Figure 10 and Table G-3].
These conditions were in violation of Sections B and D of the Water
Quality Standards.
Streamflows at RM 27.6 averaged 56 cfs while near the mouth (RM 1.9)
they averaged 7 cfs because of numerous irrigation diversions. Flows
were affected between these two points by tributary and waste inflows,
and upstream of the irrigation diversions it is estimated the flow
reached 100 cfs.
In the lower reach the effects of Coal Creek (RM 7.3) were evident.
Coal Creek receives municipal wastewater effluents from the communities
of Erie, Lafayette, and Louisville. Degradation from these sources was
shown by poor bacterial and chemical water quality in Coal Creek
(FC-1,300/100 ml, FS=72,000/100 ml and BOD-13 mg/1).
Boulder Creek water quality and substrate were sufficiently improved
at RM 1.9 to support a diverse bottom community (19 kinds, including
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30
mayflies and caddisflies) and a fish population of smallmouth bass and
various non-game fish.
In summary, the severe effects of organic pollution reported in 1967—
as originating from the municipal plant at Boulder were less evident in
this study. Water quality and the stream bed environment of Boulder Creek
were degraded by Boulder municipal wastewater effluents, but conditions suc-
cessively Improved downstream to Coal Creak. Inflow from Coal Creek chem-
ically and bacteriologically degraded lower Boulder Creek.
D. ST. VRAIN CREEK
Summer Survey - (September 2.~1P_» 1971)
The flow of St. Vrain Creek was affected by diversions and by inflows
from tributaries and waste sources. The flow rate was estimated at 25-30
cfs upstream of Longmont (RM 26.6) and averaged 211 cfs at a gaging sta-
tion (RM 1.3) near the mouth.
Upstream of Longmont the creek was shallow and swift, with good water
quality [Table D-2] and with a sand and rock-rubble bottom. Attached
algae provided aquatic animals with food and shelter. Game fish, Including
trout and largemouth bass, were collected in St. Vrain Creek upstream of
Longmont. Other fish found inhabiting this area were carp, suckers, chubs,
dace, and minnows. A variety (29 kinds) of invertebrates were found
inhabiting the stream bed, especially in the algae. Among the inverte-
brates found were immature mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies [Table G-4].
The presence of these insects in diverse communities reflected an unpol-
luted aquatic environment.
Wastewater (approximately 4.0 mgd) from the Longmont treatment plant
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Numbers per. Square Foot
Figure 10. Populations of Benthic Invertebrates
St.Vrain and Boulder Creeks,Colorado.
September,1971
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31
enters St. Vrain Creek at RM 22.5. At the point of discharge the effluent
was essentially the entire flow of St. Vrain Creek because upstream, the
creek was diverted to the water supply pond of the Great Western Sugar
Company, with excess flow diverted back to St. Vrain Creek at RM 22.0.
Evaluations of the Longmont plant showed that it discharged from 1,750
to 2,100 Ib of BOD per day. Downstream, at RM 20.8, the effect of the
Longmont plant discharge was evident. The fecal coliform densities in-
creased to 1,400/100 ml [Figure 11]. These wastes and wastes from feed-
lots and other agricultural activities degraded the creek from Longmont
downstream to its confluence with the South Platte River [Table D-2].
At RM 14.6 the creek carried large amounts of solids (mean total solids
value of 1,020 mg/1), giving the water a murky appearance. In slack areas
of this stream reach the heavier solids settled to the creek bed, forming
sludge deposits. Effects of the suspended solids and putrifying bottom
sludge were reflected by changes in the creek bottom animal community
[Figure 10]. Pollution-sensitive forms, found in abundance upstream
(RM 26.6), were reduced in number or eliminated by pollution at RM 14.6.
Violations of section B and D of the Basic Water Quality Standards,
applicable to all Colorado waters, occurred.
Water quality improved near the St. Vrain Creek mouth at RM 1.3.
Although the water was still murky (mean total solids value ranged from
630-920 mg/1), sludge deposits were less evident and fecal bacteria were
reduced, as compared to upstream at RM 20.8 [Table E-2], Benthic organisms
reflected the improved stream-bed condition by an increase in their
variety, including a fex* pollution-sensitive invertebrates, e.g. stone-
flies, caddisflies, and mayflies [Figure 10]. Stream conditions remained
-------
32
unsuitable for a game-fish population. The fish community was composed
of carp, shad, and various minnows.
Comparison of the 1964 and 1971 surveys revealed a trend toward Im-
proved environmental conditions downstream from Longmont. The closure
of a Longmont cannery contributed to this Improvement. The Kuner-Empson
cannery had polluted St. Vraln Creek In previous years by discharging
wastewater containing solid pieces of vegetables. The resultant waste
was reported scattered over the creek bottom and along its banks for
several miles downstream from the cannery discharge.— These conditions
were not observed during the 1971 survey.
Other evidence of improvement since 1964 included: better water
quality; reduction in algal mass; less bacterial contamination; and an
increase in the diversity of bottom organisms, especially near the creek
mouth.
Fall Survey (December 6-10. 1971)
Upstream of the Great Western Sugar Company mill and the municipal
waste treatment plant at Longmont (RM 22.5), St. Vrain Creek had good
water quality [Table D-3]. The log mean number of fecal coliform bacteria
was 190/100 ml of water [Table E-4]. The sandy stream bed provided a re-
latively poor habitat for benthos as compared to the rubble area (RM 26.6)
sampled in September; nevertheless, the benthos collected in December
included organisms considered intolerant to organic pollution, such as
caddisflies and mayflies. Conditions were indicative of clean water.
As in September, the entire flow of the St. Vrain Creek near RM 22.5
was diverted to the water supply pond at the Great Western mill. The
-------
KEY:
1,000,000 _
_ 100,000 _
ta
10,000 _,
1000 —
100 _
30
18
I
12
26.6
20.8
16 14
RIVER MILES
10
i
8
Figure 11 Bacterial Densities, Si. Vrain (ireek, Colorado
September, 1971
TOTAL COLIFORMS
FECAL COLIFORMS
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
-------
33
pond overflow joins the mill condenser water, and is discharged to the
creek at KM 22.0. A few feet downstream from the water supply is the
Longmont municipal waste treatment plant outfall. As was the case in
September, this effluent constituted the flow of the St. Vrain Creek from
RM 22.5 to 22.0.
Approximately 5,000 Ib of BOD per day were discharged into the stream
from these two waste sources. The effects of the discharges from the
mill and the Longmont treatment plant were evident downstream (RM 20.6).
The BOD values ranged from 45 to 65 rag/1 and the DO values ranged from
0.3 to 3.7 mg/1, indicating that violations of the DO criteria (3.0 mg/1)
were occurring. At this same location the fecal coliform densities
increased to greater than 1,300/100 ml as a result of the discharge from
the Longmont waste treatment plant. Other types of bacteria were sus-
tained by the nutrients contained in sugar beet wastewaters; Sphaerotilus,
a filamentous bacterium, covered much of the stream bottom with dense
2
growths (about 4 million filaments/in ). Organic solids, partly composed
of putrifying slimes, formed large sludge beds in this reach of the creek.
The intensity of the pollution was sufficient to eliminate virtually all
intolerant benthos, such as mayflies and caddisflies, and to greatly re-
duce the numbers of tolerant sludgeworms and bloodworms [Table G-5].
E. LITTLE THOMPSON RIVER
Summer Survey (September 7_-J.O_, 1971)
The Little Thompson River was surveyed from near Berthoud (RM 18.9)
downstream to its mouth. The BOD at the upstream station was 3.6 mg/1,
with the DO varying from 6.0 to 8.1 mg/1. Downstream, at RM 11.1, the
-------
34
river was moderately polluted. Possible sources included: animal feedlot
drainage, irrigation return water, unrestricted livestock watering in the
stream, and wastes from the Berthoud wastewater treatment plant. Stream
damage was indicated by the sparse population of pollution-sensitive
invertebrates (seven percent) collected from the stream bed at KM 11.1
[Figure 12],
Downstream at KM 0.1 pollution was more severe than at RM 11.1.
Conditions at this station were affected by municipal waste discharges
both from Johnstown (RM 1.15; BOD of the effluent ranged from 20 to 40
mg/1) and Milliken (RM 0.6; effluent BOD averaged about 20 mg/1) and
the discharge (RM 2.8) from the Great Western Sugar Company monosodium
glutamate production factory at Johnstown. During the survey the facil-
ities (production operation and sugar recovery plant) were closed for
maintenance, but the residual effects of previous discharges were evi-
dent. Treated wastewater from this Great Western plant is discharged
to the Little Thompson River. A study in 1970 reported "the discharge
to the Little Thompson was septic — and contributed a gray color and
8/
hydrogen sulfide odor to the river."— The sustained bacterial contam-
ination [Figure 13] and alterations to the river biota, at RM 0.1, were
caused by upstream pollution. The most conspicuous biotic change was
the vast development of slime growths. These slimes covered rocks and
much of the stream bottom, virtually eliminating the habitable area for
many desirable fish-food organisms [Table F-5]. In the Little Thompson
River the river-bottom-dwelling animal populations [Figure 12] revealed
* These values are based on information obtained from officials of the
Colorado State Health Department.
-------
JOHNSTOWN
-N-
Numbers per. Square Foot
Figure 12. Populations of Benthic Invertebrates,Big Thompson and
Little Thompson Rivers,Colorado September,1971
-------
KEY:
1,000,000-
100,000 —
10,000
1000
100
I
16
I
14
12
10 8
RIVER MILES
T
4
T
2
TOTAL COLIFORMS
FECAL COLIFORMS
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
GREATER THAN VALUE
11.1
FigurelS Bacterial Densities, Little Thompson River. Colorado
September. 1971
-------
35
the adverse effects of pollution including the increase in its severity
downstream from the Great Western plant at Johnstown (RM 0.1).
Comparison of the 1971 findings with earlier reported data (1964 and
1966) does not reveal any substantial change in the water quality of the
Little Thompson River. Violations, of Sections B and D of the Basic
Standards, occurred.
Fall Survey (December 6-10, 1971)
The Great Western Sugar Company at Johnstown was in operation at the
time of survey. Upstream from the plant, at RM A.O, the Little Thompson
River was turbid because of sediments transported by the stream. Log
mean fecal coliform densities were 360/100 ml and the DO value remained
near saturation, with a range of 10.4 to 10.7 mg/1 [Table D-5], indicating
relatively clean water. The stream bed of shifting sand, at RM 4.0, pro-
vided a limited habitat for benthos; a low diversity of eight kinds, with
2
a population of 12 organisms/ft was found. Benthos intolerant of organic
pollution (e.g., stoneflies) were among the invertebrates collected.
Downstream (at RM 1.15) from the Great Western complex the Little
Thompson River was severely polluted. Both the BOD and the fecal coliform
bacteria increased by a factor of 20 and the DO was reduced from 10.4 mg/1
to 4.0 mg/1. Dense slime growths, including Sphaerotilua , covered rocks
and logs submerged in the stream. Some of the filamentous bacteria were
observed floating downstream in the river currents. Near the shoreline
and in other slack areas these filaments settled to the stream bed,
contributing to the formation of sludge banks. The bottom animal community
-------
36
was affected and was limited to a few mollusks, fly larvae, beetles, and
sludgeworms [Table G-7],
Sections B and D of the Basic Standards were being violated. More-
over, conditions in the Little Thompson River have not improved since 1965
4/
when studies by the Project— showed high BOD (22-114 mg/1) and fecal-coliform
bacteria densities exceeding 10,000/100 ml downstream from Johnstown.
F. BIG THOMPSON RIVER
Stream flow in the study reach fluctuated because of irrigation di-
97
versions and return flows. Previous studies— indicated that the flows
in certain reaches are practically depleted during the irrigation season.
Summer Survey (September 7-10, 1971)
At RM 37.9, upstream of Loveland, the Big Thompson River was small,
shallow, swiftly flowing, and had numerous gravelly riffles. Bacteriolog-
ical and chemical analyses of the water indicated that the area was free
from major organic waste sources [Table D-4]. However, nutrients were
sufficient to stimulate growth of attached algae covering large boulders
submerged in the stream. Diverse invertebrate fauna (22 kinds), including
numerous pollution-sensitive mayfly and stonefly nymphs, were found among
the algae and on the stream bed. These organisms are basic food items
for trout and other fish that inhabited this area.
The Loveland Packing Company (RM 25.6) and the Loveland municipal
wastewater treatment plant (RM 24.5) discharge into the Big Thompson
River. Subsequent investigations of these two waste sources indicated
that the packing plant discharges about 80 Ib BOD/day and the treatment
plant about 1,400 Ib/day. Downstream from Loveland (RM 23.5) effects
-------
37
of these waste loads were evident. The water was murky (average SS
570 mg/1), smelled of sewage (fecal coliform 1,300/100 ml) [Figure 14]
and contained excessive amounts of nutrients (average values 0.7 mg/1
total P and 0.90 mg/1 NO -NO -N). Chemical and physical changes in the
stream-bed environment adversely affected the biota. Some sensitive
invertebrate organisms, such as immature stoneflies, were found in un-
polluted upstream habitats (RM 37.9), but were not present in bottom sam-
ples taken at KM 23.5. There was a proportional deoo-nse in sensitive or-
ganisms and an increase in tolerant animals, such as sludgeworms, with an
2
overall increase in the total number of organisms/ft [Figure 12]. Coupled
with an increase in BOD, TOC, and solids [Table D-4], these changes re-
flected organic pollution.
Further downstream, at RM 16.5, the water became clear, but plant
nutrients remained in high concentrations (average values for total P of
0.5 mg/1 and N02~NO_-N of 1.2 mg/1). These conditions provided an ideal
environment for a development of periphyton growth. The stream bed and
algae provided a satisfactory habitat for a variety of invertebrates (18
2
kinds) including numerous pollution-sensitive mayfly nymphs (830/ft ) and
caddisfly larvae (34/ft2).
At RM 8.2 the river transported silt (SS as high as 60 mg/1) that
originated from upstream, irrigation-return water. The turbid water con-
tained a sparse amount of algae and, in low-velocity areas, the silt
settled over the original sand and gravel bottom. The bottom animal re-
sponse to these changes, e.g., a reduction in both variety (four less
2
kinds) and number of organisms (1,019/ft less) is illustrated in
Figure 12.
-------
38
The polluted waters of Little Thompson River enter at RM 7.0. This
tributary transported suspended solids [Table D-4], some in the form of
drifting slimes, and high densities of fecal-coliform bacteria [Figure 11
and Table E-2] into the Big Thompson River. Downstream at RM 0.9 the
Big Thompson River was extremely turbid and had a SS value of. 140 mg/1.
Fecal-coliform bacteria densities were 2,600/100 ml in this reach. Sludge
deposits were conspicuous; these were principally composed of slime
filaments that had settled to the bottom and destroyed the benthic habitat.
Sludgeworms and fly larvae tolerated the bottom conditions and accounted
for 99 percent of the animals that were recorded. The fish population re-
flected the adverse effects of pollution. Game-fish were absent, and
suckers dominated the population, e.g. 137 of 141 fish captured were
white suckers. Comparison between the 1971 and 1964 studies did not
show any marked improvement in the environmental conditions of the Big
Thompson River. Sections B and D of the Basic Standards were violated.
Fall Survey (December jv-10, 1971)
Upstream of the Great Western Sugar Company waste source at Loveland
(RM 25.6) the quality of the Big Thompson River was good. Except for ex-
pected seasonal changes, the biological conditions were similar to those
recorded for the area upstream of Loveland during the summer survey (RM
37.9) [Tables G-8 and G-9], The diverse invertebrate community (22
kinds) included stoneflies, mayflies, and several other kinds of pollution-
sensitive organisms.
Water from the Loveland municipal waste treatment plant enters the
Big Thompson River at RM 23.5. Downstream from this point effects of
-------
KEY:
1,000,000 -
100,000 -
10,000 _
ta
1000 -
100 „
40
37.9
I
32
I
28
I
20
16 12
RIVER MILES
23.5
TOTAL COLIFORMS
FECAL COLIFORMS
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
LESS THAN VALUE
I
4
0.9
Figurel4 Bacterial Densities, Big Thompson River, Colorado
September. 1971
-------
39
the waste discharge were evident, as was the case during September. The
dominance of sludgeworms (63 percent) in the bottom-dwelling animal com-
2
munity and the excessive algal growths (7.4 million cells/in ) were biotic
responses to organic wastes.
The Great Western mill at Loveland (RM 22.0) discharged (one outfall)
an average of 800 Ib BOD/day from the lagoons. An unknown amount of seep-
age from the lagoons was also entering the Big Thompson River. Water
quality downstream (RM 21.0) from the Great Western discharge was similar
to that observed at RM 23.5.
Comparison of the December data with the study results of January
1964—Indicated that there has been a substantial improvement in the qual-
ity of effluent discharged by the sugar mill. The effluent BOD in 1964
averaged 510 mg/1, whereas the recent survey showed an average of 13 mg/1.
G. CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER
Numerous diversions caused flow in the Cache la Poudre River to vary
from station to station in September 1971. For example, the river flowed
at 218 cfs as it came out of the canyon (RM 55.5). A flow of 311 cfs from
a storage reservoir increased total flow to more than 500 cfs. However,
this flow was reduced to about 45 cfs along its course through Fort
Collins. Fluctuations continued downstream as water was added through
seepage, irrigation returns, and tributaries, and was reduced through di-
versions. Near the mouth of the Cache la Poudre, the flow was 110 cfs.
Summer Survey (September 13-16., 1971)
Upstream of Bellvue, at RM 53.6, the river was clear and swift-flow-
ing, with sparse growths of algae. Chemically [Table D-6] and bacterio-
-------
40
logically [Table E-2], the water was of good quality. A diverse inverte-
brate community was found inhabiting the stream bed. Immature stone-
flies, mayflies, and other pollution-sensitive invertebrates were a common
constituent [Figure 15]. The environment was suitable for existing pop-
ulations of rainbow and brown trout.
The effluent from the Fort Collins Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 1
entered downstream at RM 44.10. This plant discharged to the stream
about 1,900 Ib BOD and 3,500 Ib of SS/day. At RM 41.2 effects of the
waste discharge on the river were evident. Dense mats of algae and pond
weeds covered much of the stream bottom. The aquatic growths were sus-
tained by high concentrations of nutrients [Table D-6] originating from
the treatment plant. Additional changes in the stream biota were observed
at this station. Several pollution-sensitive Invertebrates were elimi-
nated while facultative and tolerant invertebrates increased in numbers.
This community change is the classical response of bottom-dwelling animals
to organic pollution [Figure 15]. The fish population in this area was
composed of bullheads, sunfish, suckers, carp, and various minnows.
At RM 40.2 Ft. Collins Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 2 discharged
approximately 1,200 Ib BOD and 1,000 Ib of SS/day into the river.
Stream improvement at RM 36.3 was limited by wastewater contamination
from the Fort Collins plant No. 2, and irrigation return water. Signs of
improvement included a reduction in the algal growth [Figures 17 and 18],
compared to RM 41.2, and a fish population of largemouth bass, pumpkinseed,
bullhead, and yellow perch [Figure 19].
Downstream, at RM 26.5, optimum conditions existed for the production
-------
-N-
Niikers
Flit
FigurelS.Populations of BeHthie Invertebrates
Cache LaPoudre River,Colorado.September,1971
-------
41
2
of black fly larvae. Nearly 6,000 of the 6,724 animals/ft were immature
black flies. These larvae feed by filtering bacteria (total coliforms
equalled 4,600/100 ml) and microscopic organic matter from the flowing
stream. Upon emergence the terrestrial adults are a blood-feeding nui-
sance and disease-vector to man and livestock. The BOD at this station
was 3.9 mg/1 and DO levels were above saturation.
Stream enrichment stimulated algal growth at RM 17.9. Prevalence of
facultative and pollution-tolerant bottom animals [Figure 15] and a toler-
ant fish population, primarily composed of minnows and suckers, reflected
the adverse effects of organic enrichment in this river stretch.
At RM 9.4 the BOD was 1.9 mg/1 and the log mean fecal coliform den-
sity was 640/100 ml, which is within the bacterial standard (1,000/100 ml
log mean) established for this reach [Figure 16]. Immediately downstream
from this station an irrigation drain discharged about 300 Ib BOD/day,
almost doubling the load carried by the river.
At 6th Avenue in the city of Greeley (RM 6.3) the stream showed the
effects of several irrigation drains and Eaton Draw. The DO values
were below saturation levels, but well above the DO criterion of 5.0 mg/1.
The fecal coliform standard was violated at this station (log mean density
3,200/100 ml).
Effects of the Greeley municipal wastewater treatment plant (RM 5.3)
were evident at RM 5.2 and 0.5. The Greeley plant discharged from 10,000
to 22,000 Ib of BOD per day into the river (treatment efficiency varying
from 25-60 percent). At these stations DO levels ranged from 32 to 84
percent of saturation and the DO standard (3.0 mg/1) was violated at RM 0.5.
-------
42
Chemical [Table D-6] and bacteriological findings [Figure 16] indica-
ted that the Cache la Poudre was grossly polluted downstream from the
Greeley discharge. The murky water smelled of sewage, and rich organic
sludge beds blanketed most of the stream bottom. These sludge beds con-
stituted a violation of sections B and D of the Basic Standards. Sludge-
2
worms were numerous (22,810/ft ) because of large amounts of available
food in the sludge bed habitat. Fish populations near the mouth of the
Cache la Poudre consisted of forage species; no game-fish were found.
During September, 1965, studies conducted in the Cache la Poudre
River revealed that water quality was good at Bellvue but deteriorated
downstream. As the river flowed through Greeley, this degradation in-
creased because of the waste discharge from the municipal treatment
plant. Additional causes of this degradation stem from numerous runoffs
from irrigation and other agricultural operations. Comparison of the
1964-66 survey findings with those of the 1971 survey indicated that
the quality of the river has not substantially improved in six years.
[In Figures 17 to 19 are summarized the net pollutional effect on the
algae in 1966, and these results are compared with conditions in 1971.]
Fall Survey (December £, ]_ and 13.-15, 1971)
The Cache la Poudre River was surveyed from upstream of Eaton Draw
(RM 7.0) downstream to the mouth in order to ascertain the combined effect
caused by waste discharges from both the Great Western Sugar Company
(Greeley) mill and the Greeley municipal treatment plant.
Upstream of Eaton Draw, the Cache la Poudre River was moderately
2
polluted [Table D-7], Dense growths of algae (3.8 million cells/in ) were
-------
1,000,000 -
100,000 -
10,000 -
1000 —
100 -
56
53.6
46.8
36 32 28
RIVER MILES
41.2 36-3 26.5
24 20
KEY:
TOTAL COLIFORMS
FECAL COLIFORMS
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
GREATER THAN VALUE
LESS THAN VALUE
17.9
6.1 5.2
Figurel6.Bacterial Densities, Cache La Poudre River, Colorado
September, 1971
-------
40—
30'
CM
20—
10—I
50
,
RIVER MILES
Figure 17 Attached Algae (chlorophyll «fe) Cache La Poudre River, Colorado 1966 and 1971
-------
80-
60-
40—
<-» 20 —
X-
30 20,
RIVER MILES
10
Figurel8Allached Algae (cells/in^) Cache La Poudre River, Colorado. 1966 and 1971
-------
15 _
1966
CJ
t/>
LU
5 -
60
51.7
KEY
• GAME FISH
D
TOTAL SPECIES OF FISH
42.5 36.3 20'. 0 10'.3
RIVER MILES
15 -
5 -
1971
60
53.6
41.
0
o's
RIVER MILES
Figurel9. Fish Populations,Cache La Poudre River,Colorado. 1966 and 1971
-------
43
found at RM 7.0. Bacteriological studies showed log mean total- and fecal-
coliform bacteria densities of 1,800 and 150/100 ml, respectively [Table E-6]
Although DO and coliform levels were well within the established standards,
organic enrichment affected the benthos. Sludgeworms and facultative or
pollution-tolerant fly larvae accounted for 95 percent of the bottom
animals collected.
Eaton Draw was surveyed from upstream of the Great Western mill at
Eaton (RM 6.9/7.2) and downstream to its mouth (RM 6.9/0.1) from November
30 to December 4, 1971. The upstream station had an average BOD value of
3.4 mg/1 [Table D-7] with the DO ranging from 8.3-10.5 mg/1. The log
mean bacterial densities were 920/100 ml fecal coliform and 16,000/100 ml
fecal streptococci. At the time of the survey the Great Western mill
(Eaton) and the community waste treatment plant (RM 6.6) discharged
approximately 600 Ib BOD (500 and 100, respectively) into Eaton Draw.
Effects of these waste discharges to Eaton Draw were evident at
RM 6.5. There the DO was found to be 3.0 mg/1 and the BOD as high as
36 mg/1. At the mouth of the draw the DO neared saturation levels
(9.1 - 10.0) and the BOD averaged 14 mg/1 (range — 12 to 18 mg/1).
Bacterial densities were 500 fecal coliform and 6,800/100 ml fecal
streptococci. Flows from Eaton Draw, during December 6-7 and 13-15, 1971,
averaged about 11 cfa.
The poor water quality of the Cache la Poudre River at 6th Avenue
(Greeley) was similar to that observed upstream of Eaton Draw. Changes
in the benthos community were limited primarily to a reduction in numbers
[Table G-ll] because of different substrate (more sand and less sludge).
-------
44
The BOD levels had Increased slightly (5.0 mg/1 to 8.5 mg/1), attributable
to inflows from Eaton Draw. Log mean total coliform densities were
1,900/100 ml. DO levels and fecal coliform densities met the criteria.
As a result of the Great Western (Greeley) discharge (RM 4.3) severe
pollution conditions continued to exist near the mouth of the river
(RM 0.5). This Great Western sugar-beet processing mill discharged about
26,000 Ib of BOD dally into the stream. The fecal coliform bacteria had
increased by five times, to 19,000/100 ml. The river was murky and
covered with slimes, primarily Sphaerotilus. There was an increase in
Sphaerotilua growth downstream from the municipal (Greeley) treatment
plant and the mill wastewater discharge [Figure 20]. Effects of the
Great Western mill wastes on the benthos were masked by the upstream
sewage discharge; sludge deposits cover much of the stream the year
around. These sludge deposits were attributable to sugar beet processing
wastewater discharges and sewage; no specific waste sources could be
isolated as the principal contributor.
The BOD in the Cache la Poudre River near the mouth varied from 30
to 135 mg/1. The swift and shallow nature of the Cache la Poudre River
prevented DO depletion. Dissolved oxygen saturations varied from 48 to
63 percent (5.1 - 7.1 mg/1) but exceeded the minimum requirements of the
Standards.
4/
A 1963-64 survey— revealed that the river in the Greeley area was
degraded by residual wastes. In its course through Greeley, the river
water quality was markedly affected; the BOD increased from approximately
200 to 350 mg/1 (measured at both RM 9.4 and 2.9, respectively). The lower
-------
400-
300-
CD
200-
100-
KEY
D I
ALGAE SPHAEROTILUS
A SUGAR BEET PLANT
SEWAGE TREATMENT
PLANT
8.0
6.0
RIVER MILES
4.0
2.0
Figure 20 Periphyton from Class-Slide Substrates - Cache La Poudre River
at Creeley,Colorado Nov.* 1971
-------
portion of the Cache la Poudre River represented the most severe case of
surface water pollution existing in the entire South Platte River Basin
in 1964.
Since the closure of the Great Western mill at Windsor (1966), the
mill at Eaton has installed pollution control measures; the Monfort
plant presently diverts all wastes to the Greeley wastewater treatment
plant. In spite of the significant reduction in waste loads, the lower
reach (RM 5.3 to the mouth of the Cache la Poudre) remained severely
polluted. In order to protect and enhance the water quality of the lower
river and if existing water quality standards are to be met, the present
waste loads from both the Greeley treatment plant and the Great Western
mill must be substantially reduced.
H. SOUTH PLATTE RIVER
The section of the South Platte River studied lies between Waterton
(RM 339.2), and the 1-80 Bridge (RM 81.1) near the Colorado-Nebraska
state line.
Summer Survey (August 30-September 16, 1971)
The South Platte River at Waterton (RM 339.2) was of good quality
and did not have high numbers of coliform bacteria. The benthos consisted
of a variety (15 kinds) of organisms, in low numbers [Figure 21], most
of which were intolerant of organic pollution. The river had a game-fish
population of rainbow and brown trout. Flows at this station (USGS Gage)
averaged 320 cfs during the (August 30 to September 3, 1971) sampling
period.
-------
46
Downstream, at Blakeland Highway (RM 336.5), the river continued to
have good water quality [Table D-8]. The diversity of benthos increased
to 21 kinds; pollution-sensitive and facultative forms were prevalent.
Game-fish, such as rainbow trout and black bullheads, inhabited this
reach.
At the time of the 1966 studies,- the Peter Kiewit and the Cooley
sand and gravel companies (RM 335 and 332.5, respectively) were discharging
highly turbid wash water directly to the South Platte River. Levels of
suspended solids as high as 3,586 mg/1 were recorded in the river at
RM 335.9 in 1966 and adversely affected aquatic biota for six miles down-
stream [Figures 22 and 23]. Since then, both companies have constructed
settling ponds that effectively reduced the solids content in the river
and damages to the biota. Game-fish did not inhabit this reach in 1966,
but they are now present.
At RM 334.9 no damages to aquatic biota from gravel washing were
evident. Suspended solids levels ranged as high as 50 mg/1. Benthos com-
munities were relatively diverse (14 kinds) and consisted of congruous
2
assemblages in moderate densities (337/ft ). Game-fish (black bullheads
and channel catfish) were collected from this reach.
Damages to river biota from past gravel operations were still evident
at RM 332.3 and 329.8 (Bowles Avenue). The river was not turbid (maximum
suspended solids detected was 40 mg/1) and the bed of the South Platte
River reach was covered with sand. This shifting sand provided poor
habitat for benthic invertebrates, which are important as food for fishes.
Benthos intolerant of organic pollution were found; brown trout inhabited
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
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CM
1966
I
D
KEY
TOLERANT
FACULTATIVE
SENSITIVE
1971
360 _
330 -
300 -
270 -
240 -
210 -
180 -
150 -
120 -
90 -
60 -
30 -
*4
O*
«.
o
I—
1
1
1
3600-
"£j 3300-
x 3000-
^
H-
K 2700 -
u 2400 -
oo 2100 -
1 1800-
il 1
33
«
•
i
J
I i
S39 338 337
1.2 336
«
J
n
m
.5
1
33.
(,-
1
in
n
n
i.
335.9
a 1500-
o.
oo 1200 -
900 -
600 -
•
•
H
•
1
1 1
334 339
33*-9
2 33
RIVER MILE
• 300 -
•
m
.
332 331 330
2.3 339
AUGUSTS!, 1971
^^^™^^^^^^^^^^
1 ^^^
339 338 337
.2 33
336 33!
t.5 33
a 1
334 333 332 331 330|
4.9 332.3 329.8
RIVER MILE
'VALUES PLOTTED ARE FOR DAY HIGHEST READING OCCURED
Figure 22. Benthos and Suspended Solids*,Waterton to Bowles Avenue,South Platte River,Colorado.1966 and 1971.
-------
8 -
7 -i
6 -
5-
1966
I I I . .
339 338 337 2
332 331 330
336.5
332.3
335.9 335.2
RIVER MILE
VALUES PLOTTED ARE FOR DAY HIGHEST READING OCCURED
CO
CO
KEY
i GAME
D NON-GAME
3600-
3300-
3000-
2700-
2400-
2100-
1800-
1500-
1200-
900-
600-
300-
1971
AUG 31,1971
339 338 337 336 335
339.2
336.5 334.9
RIVER MILE
332.3
329.8
Figure 23. Fish Populations and Suspended Solids*,Waterton to Bowles Avenue,South Platte River,Colorado.1966 and 1971;
-------
47
the upatream reach (RM 332.3). However, the numbers and varieties of
benthic organisms were severely reduced in these reaches [Figure 21],
Thus, an important source of fish-food continued to be damaged in
September, 1971.
Downstream the effluent from the Littleton Waste Treatment Plant
enters the South Platte River at RM 327.6. An evaluation of this plant
revealed that approximately 1,500 Ib of BOD and 2,100 Ib of suspended
solids were being discharged into the river dally. At RM 326.A Bear
Creek joins the South Platte. Earlier in this report this creek was
described as being enriched at its mouth.
Waste from the Englewood Waste Treatment Plant discharges to the
river at RM 325.1. A previous investigation of this plant indicated that
about 4,000 Ib of BOD and 5,600 Ib of SS were being discharged daily.
The effects were evident at the Florida Avenue bridge (RM 323.2). The
BOD increased on all sampling days and measured as high as 7.8 rag/1.
Suspended solids increased to as high as 120 mg/1. Because these organic
materials did not settle immediately to the river bottom, benthos were
not severely affected in this reach. The benthos consisted of 15 kinds
of organisms including several intolerant forms in low numbers [Figure 21].
During the studies— in 1964-65, more than 130 wastewater outfalls
were found along the South Platte River from Florida Avenue to the mouth
of Cherry Creek (RM 317.7); nineteen of these were sampled and, of these,
seven contained BOD in excess of 100 mg/1 (four were greater than
400 mg/1). In combination, these various sources were contributing sever-
al thousand pounds of BOD to the river daily. It has been reported that
-------
48
the majority of these waste sources have (since the 1964-65 studies) been
controlled through their connection to the Metro treatment plant.—
Organic materials settled on the river bottom, at BM 317.8, producing
a habitat suitable for pollution-tolerant species. Caddisflies were eli-
minated; other intolerant forms constituted only three percent of benthic
invertebrates (as compared with 23 percent at RM 323.2). Conversely,
pollution-tolerant invertebrates increased from 21 to 75 percent of the
total population.
Cherry Creek, described as severely polluted during the 1964-65
studies,— appeared moderately polluted at the mouth in 1971 [Tables D-l
and E-l]. Bacterial contamination was evident (log mean fecal coliform den-
sity was 780/100 ml). The benthic community was dominated by pollution-
tolerant and facultative organisms, such as sludgeworms and midges.
Intolerant caddisflies and mayflies constituted about one percent of
the benthos.
The South Flatte River remained degraded downstream from Cherry
Creek. The benthos at RM 317.3 (19th Street bridge) were dominated by
pollution-tolerant forms; the density of organisms did not increase
materially. Flows, at this station, ranged from 291 to 344 cfs (average
307) from August 30 to September 3.
During the 1964-65 studies— there were about 100 storm sewers and out-
falls located in the reach from Cherry Creek (RM 317.7) downstream to York
Street (RM 313.4); twenty-five of these were sampled; several were found
to contain BOD in excess of 250 rag/1 and fecal coliform densities greater
than three million MPN/100 ml, thus indicating that these discharges con-
tained raw sewage. One of these outfalls was located at 47th Avenue.
-------
49
On several occasions, during August and September 1971, raw sewage was
observed being discharged from this outfall. Raw sewage was also ob-
served overflowing at a manhole near Franklin Street (RM 314.3). It
was evident from the huge sludge bank just downstream that there had
been large overflow volumes entering the river for a prolonged period.
Water samples collected at the York Street-South Platte station were
severely contaminated by fecal matter. The number of fecal coliform bac-
teria was greater than 13,000/100 ml (log mean) which is in violation
of the standard of 1,000/100 ml established for this reach. The levels
of suspended solids were high in this reach. Levels of DO at the York
Street station ranged from 5.6 to 7.4 mg/1.
Downstream (RM 312.5) the Cherokee Plant of the Public Service Company
of Colorado discharged about 10 mgd of cooling water into the South Platte
River. Suspended solids in the discharge were measured at SO mg/1.
The Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District #1 Plant (RM 312.2)
treats the majority (more than 80 percent) of the Denver area domestic
wastes and is one of the most significant pollution sources in the South
Platte River Basin. Wastewaters discharged daily from August 30 to Sep-
tember 3, 1971 contained about 60 mg/1 BOD (62,000 Ib/day) and 85 mg/1 sus-
pended solids (88,000 Ib/day). During an in-plant survey in early August,
bacteriological analyses of the effluent Indicated total coliforms ranged
from 6,600 to 14,000,000/100 ml, 230 to 430,000/100 ml of which were fecal
coliform bacteria. Adequate disinfection was not being practiced at this
plant.
During the August 1971 survey the flow in Sand Creek (RM 312.1/0.1)
was primarily overflow from the Burlington Ditch which contained raw
-------
50
sewage discharges. The creek smelled of sewage and was gray in color.
Densities of total coliform bacteria were greater than 110,000/100 ml
(log mean value), and the log mean level of fecal coliform bacteria was
8,800/100 ml [Table E-l]. Benthic invertebrates, dominated by pollution-
tolerant sludgeworms, inhabited the creek bottom in dense populations
2
(1,494/ft ). The diversity of organisms was limited to six kinds; most
were pollution-tolerant or facultative forms.
The South Platte River became severely polluted downstream from
Metro and Sand Creek. At RM 311.5 the odor of sewage was strong and the
water was gray, turbid, and covered with foam. The river bed was .blan-
keted with organic sludge. The benthic community was limited to seven .
kinds and consisted mostly of pollution-tolerant sludgeworms and snails.
Violations of Sections B and D of the Basic Standards were evident.
Pollutants discharged to the South Platte River by Clear Creek
(RM 311.1) additionally degraded the water quality of the South Platte
River. Pollutants from all these sources (Metro, Sand Creek, and
Clear Creek) had settled to the river bottom, forming sludge beds that
were evident from Clear Creek to Ft. Lupton — approximately 23 river
miles. The densities of coliform.bacteria were equivalent to those of
many sewers; fecal coliform bacteria numbered more than 7,900/100 ml and
total coliform bacteria numbered more than 320,000/100 ml [Figure 24].
Dissolved oxygen values were depressed to levels that cannot be tolerated
by fish for extended periods [Table D-8].
Downstream from the Metro discharge, the DO approached the criterion
of 3.0 mg/1 at 88th Avenue, Brighton, and Fort Lupton and fell below the
-------
VIOLATION OF WATER QUALITY
STANDARDS FOR BACTERIA
(1OOO FECAL COLIFORMS/1OO ML)
100,000 -
10,000 -
1000 -
CHERRY Cr. § MOUTH
100
1,000,000
100,000
10,000
1000 -
100
342
339.2
KEY:
SAND Cr. @ MOUTH
i.o
326 318
TOTAL COLIFORMS
FECAL COLIFORMS
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
GREATER THAN VALUE
LESS THAN VALUE
329.8
313.4
317.3
RIVER MILES
i
301.7 288.2
276.7 270.1 264.7
256.1 252.5 246.5
250.6
Figure24 Bacterial Densities, South Platte River From Waterton to Kersey, Colorado September, 1971
-------
51
criterion at Henderson (dissolved oxygen levels were measured during a
24-hour period at these stations). The concentrations of suspended solids
were extremely high; much of this material was in the form of organic
compounds. Total organic carbon levels were highest when river flows
were greatest, thus indicating that settled materials were being re-
suspended by high-flow turbulence. These pollutants were damaging to
South Platte River biota.
At 88th Avenue (RM 308.8) the number of benthic invertebrates in-
2
creased to 732/ft with a variety of only eight kinds. Ninety-two percent
of these organisms were pollution-tolerant sludgeworms. This condition
persisted at Henderson (RM 301.7). Downstream from this station the
effluent from the South Adams Water and Sanitation District plant (RM
306.7) discharged to the South Platte River. An in-plant evaluation re-
vealed that the effluent had daily BOD and SS loads of 940 and 2,200
pounds, respectively. The waste load from this plant and the residual
wastes from the Metro Denver plant sustained pollution conditions at
2
Henderson (RM 301.7). Benthic organisms increased to 1,424/ft with
a diversity of six kinds. Pollution-tolerant sludgeworms accounted for
more than 90 percent of the benthos. Fish collected at Henderson con-
sisted of the non-game species. Flows at this station ranged from 275
to 794 cfs (average, 489) during this study period (from August 30 to
September 3, 1971).
Effluent from the Brighton waste treatment plant enters the stream
at RM 295.8. The plant discharged approximately 600 Ib BOD and 900 Ib
suspended solids per day during the in-plant survey. The Fort Lupton
-------
52
plant (RM 288.6) discharged negligible amounts of BOD and suspended
solids. A large feedlot (Manein! Feedlot) borders the South Platte
River between Brighton and Fort Lupton. The extent of pollution from
this source was not determined.
Conditions at Brighton (RM 296.1) and Fort Lupton (RM 288.2) were
similar to those noted at Henderson. Benthlc organisms Increased to
o 2
2,292/ft at Brighton and 3,268/ft at Fort Lupton. Pollution-tolerant
sludgeworms accounted for more than 90 percent of the benthos.
At Plattevllle (RM 276.7) the quality of the South Platte River
remained degraded. Fecal-collform bacteria densities were less than
values recorded upstream, but averaged 4,700/100 ml. The BOD values
ranged from 5.4 to 9.6 mg/1, but DO levels (4.0-6.6 mg/1) were not severely
2
depressed. The density of benthlc Invertebrates decreased to 409/ft and
tolerant forms made up 57 percent. Only ten kinds of Invertebrates In-
habited this reach; most were tolerant and facultative forms [Figure 25].
All fish collected were of the non-game species.
The reach of river from Plattevllle (RM 270.1) to just downstream
from the mouth of the Big Thompson River (RM 256.1) was surveyed during
September 7 to 10, 1971. The chemical quality was similar to that pre-
viously recorded upstream [Table D-8] at RM 276.1. However, the number
of fecal collform bacteria Increased to 11,000/100 ml and the DO level
was below 4.0 mg/1 on one occasion.
St. Vraln Creek enters the river at RM 270.0. Downstream from the
St. Vraln confluence at the Colorado Highway 60 bridge, the quality of the
river Improved because of the diluting effect of the St. Vraln waters.
-------
BRIGHTON
-N-
Numbers pir.Square Foot
Figure 25 Populations of Benthic Invertebrates
South Plalte River,(Brighton to Kersey)
-------
The South Platte River contained less suspended solids (10-130 mg/1) at
RM 264.7 than at 270.1 (20-200 mg/1) and DO levels exceeded 5 mg/1. The
community of benthic invertebrates, although dominated by facultative
organisms and consisting of only twelve kinds, contained several kinds
of intolerant organisms. The density of benthos decreased to only 69
2
organisms/ft in this reach.
The South Platte River was degraded, but not severly polluted, from
RM 264.7 to downstream from the mouth of Big Thompson River RM 256.1.
Log mean coliform bacteria levels were excessive (total greater than
34,000, fecal; 2,400/100 ml) at RM 256.1, between LaSalle and Evans.
The BOD ranged from 3.1 to 12 mg/1 at the latter station; the DO levels
ranged from 5.6 to 7.5 mg/1, i.e., above the criterion of 3.0 mg/1.
From September 13 to 16, 1971, the reach of the South Platte River
extending from RM 252.5 (east of Evans) downstream to Kersey (RM 246.5)
was surveyed. Flow conditions were affected by precipitation (an increase
from 50 to 150 cfs) during the survey period. The quality of the South
Platte River east of Evans (RM 252.5) was generally better than at
RM 256.1. Because of high flows, only six kinds of benthic invertebrates
2
were collected, at: a density of 74/ft . Of these, approximately equal
proportions (13 percent) were tolerant and sensitive forms. Fish popu-
lations consisted of non-game species, such as longnose suckers, minnows,
and carp. The BOD was low (2.0 mg/1 average) and the DO levels ranged
from 7.6 to 8.8 mg/1.
At RM 250.6 the quality of the river was similar to that recorded at
RM 252.5. The DO levels were well above the Basic Standard (range 6.9 to
8.5 mg/1).
-------
54
At Kersey (RM 246.5) the South Platte River again became severely
polluted as a result of the Cache la Poudre River inflow. The total
coliform (33,000/100 ml) and fecal coliform bacteria (2,000/100 ml) were
excessive. Because of a shifting sand substrate the density of benthic
2
organisms was recorded at only 58/ft . Pollution-tolerant sludgeworms
increased to 37 percent of the population and intolerant forms decreased
to three percent.
A limited survey, during September 27-29, 1971, was conducted from
Ovid, Colorado (RM 95.4) to the 1-80 bridge in Nebraska (RM 81.1) in order
to ascertain bacteriological conditions prior to the seasonal operation of
the Great Western Sugar Company mill at Ovid. Bacteriological analyses
indicated that the log mean total and fecal coliform bacterial densities
were less than 2,000 and 250/100 ml respectively, at all stations.
In summary, the water quality of the South Platte River in 1971 was
similar to that found in 1964 and 1966, with the exception of one area.
In the reach near the Cooley and the Kiewit sand and gravel companies
(RM 335 and 332.5, respectively) the loads of suspended solids have de-
creased; the layer of sand on the river bed should eventually dissipate
sufficiently for the establishment of a desirable benthic biota and more
game-fish.
Fall Surveys (November - December, 1971)
From November 17 to 21, 1971, a bacteriological survey was conducted
from the 19th Street (RM 317.3) location to the Colorado Highway 224 (RM
310.9) crossing. Effects of waste discharges, primarily that from the
Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal Plant (Metro), on the quality of the
-------
55
127
South Platte River were ascertained [Table E-7]. The survey—Indicated
that violations of the bacteriological standard (1,000/100 ml log mean)
were occurring at the York Street location. Downstream from the Metro
discharge the log mean fecal-coliform bacteria densities exceeded 7,000/
100 ml. Salmonella, a pathogenic bacterium, was isolated in both the
river and Burlington Ditch at York Street and in the South Platte down-
stream from Metro.
Flow in the river during December was about one-fourth of that ob-
served during the August-September stream survey. From December 13 to
17, 1971, water samples were collected for chemical analyses in the reach
from 19th Street to 88th Avenue. Findings [Table D-9] illustrated the
effects of the Metro discharge on receiving water quality. To improve
127
water quality in this reach it has been recommended-^— that the Metro
plant discharge an effluent which contains not greater than 10 mg/1 each
of BOD and suspended solids.
Four Great Western Sugar Company mills discharge treated wastewater
directly into the South Platte River. These plants are located in or
near the cities of Brighton (RM 295.7), Fort Morgan (RM 196.2), Sterling
(RM 150.4), and Ovid (RM 94.8). Sampling stations were established up-
stream of and downstream from each of these sugar beet processing mills
in order to evaluate the impact of mill waste discharges on the water
quality and biota in the river.
Upstream (RM 296.1) of the Great Western Company mill at Brighton
the South Platte River was polluted by waste discharges from metropolitan
Denver. The stream was murky and sludge deposits blanketed portions of
the bottom. Water samples from this reach were seriously contaminated
-------
56
with bacteria (log mean of >760,000 total coliform; 31,000 fecal coliform,
and 22,000 fecal streptococci/100 ml of water). Benthic invertebrates
consisted of eight kinds, with 95 percent being pollution-tolerant sludge-
worms [Table G-13]. Dissolved oxygen (5.1 to 5.4 mg/1) in this reach was
depressed by the residual wastes from upstream discharges.
The effluent from the Brighton wastewater treatment plant enters the
river at RM 295.8. Bacterial densities (total coliform >910,000/100 ml,
fecal coliform 31,000/100 ml) downstream from this discharge (RM 295.7
upstream of the Great Western mill discharge) were similar to those at
RM 296.1.
Nutrients discharged by this municipal treatment plant stimulated
dense growths of Sphaerotilus and algae [Figure 26], The number of ben-
2
thic invertebrates decreased to 71/ft ; of the five kinds found, 90 per-
cent were sludgeworms. Dissolved oxygen was depressed; it ranged from
4.5 to 5.0 mg/1.
Downstream (RM 294.4) from the Great Western mill (Brighton) dis-
charge (RM 295.7) degradation of the South Platte water quality continued.
The effluent from the sugar mill was low in BOD (230 Ib/day BOD) and in
bacterial contamination (>110 and 1,700/100 ml fecal coliform and fecal
*
streptococci, respectively). However, nutrient concentrations were
adequate to stimulate massive growths of slimes and algae [Figures 26
and 27].
Bacterial contamination values of the South Platte River, downstream
* Data, reported by the Great Western Company for October-December 1971,
show phosphorus in the range of 0.05 to 0.25 mg/1 and nitrogen ranging
from 17.5 to 20.4 mg/1.
-------
4.0 -i
3.fl-
ex*
' 2.0
CO
KEY
ALGAE SPHAEROTILUS
ASUGAR BEET PLANT
ASEWAGE TREATMENT
PLANT
297
295'
RIVER MILES
293
I
291
Figure 26 Pcriphyton from Class-Slide Sublrates - South Plalle River
al Brighton,Colorado Nov. 1971
-------
KEY
0.6H
0.4'
C4
0.2-
A SUGAR BEET PLANT
A SEWAGE TREATMENT
PLANT
297
295
293
291
RIVER MILES
Figure 27Kxlracled Chlorophyll 2&-Volalile Solids Ratio from Class-Slide
Substrates - South Platte River at Brighton,Colorado Nov. 1971
-------
57
from all municipal and industrial waste discharges in the Brighton area,
were similar to those often found in sewers; fecal-coliform bacteria den-
sities were 77,000/100 ml and fecal streptococci were 51,000/100 ml, while
total coliform bacteria numbered more than one million/100 ml of water.
Benthos collected from the sludge-covered river bed were dominated by
sludgeworms (86 percent). The DO ranged from 4.5 to 5.3 mg/1. During
the December 6 to 10, 1971 survey, flows increased from an average of
200 cfs at Henderson (RM 301.7) to an average of 322 cfs at Fort Lupton
(RM 288.2).
Studies conducted both in January 1964 and January 1965 indicated
that the South Platte River, upstream from the Great Western mill (Brigh-
4/
ton), was polluted by organic waste from Denver.— The river near Brighton
carried over 42,000 Ib of BOD (flow of approximately 100 cfs), with the
Great Western mill adding about 27,000 Ib. The DO upstream of this sugar
beet processing mill was as low as 3.1 mg/1; downstream the DO was reduced
to 1.7 mg/1. Waste loads carried by the South Platte upstream of Brighton,
as determined during the 1971 survey, were of the same magnitude as in 1964
and 1965; however, with the waste load reduction at the sugar beet mill,
there was only a minor increase in the waste load carried downstream.
Water quality conditions were examined (during December 6-7, and 13-15,
1971) on the South Platte River, both upstream and downstream from the Cache
la Poudre River, in order to determine the effects of the discharges from
the municipal waste treatment plant and the Great Western Sugar Company
mill — both in Greeley. These two sources discharged a combined BOD load
of about 35,000 Ib/day. Upstream (RM 250.6) of its confluence with the
Cache la Poudre River, the South Platte River appeared moderately polluted
-------
58
by residual wastes. ' Bacterial densities (log mean) were greater than
140,000/100 ml total coliform, 4,300/100 ml fecal coliform, and
11,000/100 ml fecal streptococci. Downstream, at RM 246.5, the fecal
coliform densities increased by a factor of about four. Dense growths
of Sphaerotilus developed. Sludgeworms increased in numbers, replacing
the pollution-sensitive insects observed upstream of the Cache la Poudre
River confluence.—
4/
A comparison with studies— conducted in both January of 1964 and
of 1965 indicated that although there has been some restoration of quality,
additional improvement is necessary. During the time of the earlier
studies the Cache la Poudre was carrying each day more than 150,000 pounds
BOD to the South Platte River. At that time three sugar-beet processing
mills and the Monfort of Colorado packing plant were all discharging to
the Cache la Poudre River. The daily residual waste carried by the South
Platte River upstream of the mouth of the Cache la Poudre River was about
80,000 pounds BOD. The BOD level upstream ranged from 43 to 54 mg/1,
while downstream (RM 246.6) it ranged from 73 to 99 mg/1 and DO decreased
to 3.0 mg/1.
In 1971, water quality improvement in the South Platte had been
achieved by additional treatment at the Longmont (St. Vrain Creek Basin),
Loveland and Johnstown (Big Thompson River Basin), and at the Eaton (Cache
la Poudre River Basin) Great Western sugar mills, and by the closure of
the Windsor mill. The BOD level upstream ranged from 7.5 to 15 mg/1,
while downstream (RM 246.5) it ranged from 16 to 36 mg/1 and the DO
ranged from 7.6 to 9.1 mg/1 [Table D-10]. However, further improvement
is necessary to prevent water-quality degradation in the South Platte River.
-------
59
From upstream of Fort Morgan (RM 196.6) downstream to the 1-80
bridge in Nebraska (RM 81.1) the river was surveyed at selected stations
(upstream and downstream from Great Western Fort Morgan, Sterling, Jules-
burg and Ovid sugar mill discharges) during the period November 29 to
December 3, 1971. Stream flows were measured at the USGS gages located
at Weldona, Balzac and Julesburg [Table D-ll]. Irrigation diversions and
accretions caused flow variations between these points. During the survey
the flows at Kersey (RM 246.6) and at Weldona (RM 203.9) averaged 874 and
288 cfs, respectively. The decrease in flow between these two points was
attributed to diversions for storage.
Water quality of the South Platte River upstream of Fort Morgan was
improved over that observed at Kersey. Bacterial densities were reduced
to a log mean total coliform of 500, fecal coliform of 53, and fecal strepto-
cocci of 950/100 ml. Algal and slime growths were minor [Table F-2]
and the sandy stream bed was free from sludge deposits. The bottom-
dwelling animals were limited to nine kinds of organisms due to the shift-
ing sand bottom. The presence of mayflies and caddisflies indicated the
absence of the severe pollution.
During the time of the survey, the Great Western sugar mill at Fort
Morgan (RM 196.2/0.80) discharged approximately 2,300 Ib per day of BOD.
(Company data indicated that effluent loads up to 26,000 Ib per day of BOD
were discharged during the 1971-72 campaign). Nutrients from the mill dis-
charge sustained slimes and algae in this river reach [Figure 28].
Although pollution did not result in serious bacterial contamination
[Table E-9] or sludge accumulation, it did have an adverse affect on ben-
2
thos. Bottom-dwelling invertebrates numbered 257/ft and were represented
-------
60
by five, kinds of which sludgeworms accounted for about 83 percent.
At Sterling, upstream of the Great Western mill (BM 151.6), the
bacterial densities were low (log mean densities of 150 total colifonn,
less than 22 fecal colifonn, and 150/100 ml fecal streptococci) and
excessive slime or algal growths were absent [Table F-2], Of the six
kinds of organisms collected 95 percent were pollution-tolerant sludge-
worms, while intolerant forms were limited to a few caddisflies and a
single type of mayfly [Table G-13]. The benthic invertebrate community
indicated that this river reach was degraded. The BOD was low [Table D-ll]
and the DO level was adequate (10.2 to 11.5 mg/1).
The Great Western Sugar Company mill at Sterling discharged about
1,450 Ib per day of BOD during the time of the survey. Bacterial den-
sities (log mean) measured 370/100 ml fecal-coliform bacteria and more
than 860,000/100 ml fecal streptococci. The low-fecal colifonn densities
were attributed to the toxic effect of high pH (range 8.4 to 8.6).
Downstream from the Sterling mill discharge (BM 150.0) the South
Platte River was severely polluted. Massive growths of slimes and algae
covered logs, rocks, and other submerged objects [Figure 29]. Fecal-
coliform bacteria density was 63/100 ml (log mean), but other more
tolerant forms of bacteria survived, resulting in total collform and
fecal streptococci densities of greater than 350,000 and 31,000/100 ml,
respectively. Pollution was so intense at RM 150.0 that the pollution-
2
tolerant sludgeworms were virtually eliminated (reduced from 752/ft at
2 : . '
RM 151.6 to 6/ft ). Sections B and D of the Basic Standards were vio-
lated in this reach of the river.
-------
2.0-1
1.5 -
CD
1.0-
0.5-
197
D
KEY
ALGAE SPHAEROTILUS
A SUGAR BEET PLANT
195 193
RIVER MILES
191
Figure 28 Periphylon from Glass-Slide Substrates - South Plalle River
at Fort Morgan,Colorado Nov. 1971
-------
4.0-n
3.
-------
61
Water quality was good in the South Platte River at RM 95.4 (up-
stream of the Great Western sugar mill at Ovid). Coliform bacteria
numbered 1,900/100 ml total and 140/100 ml fecal. The BOD was 3.5 mg/1.
Growths of algae and slimes were low [Table F-2]. The river water was
clear and the sand bottom free from sludge deposits. Benthos were limited
to eight kinds because the shifting sand was a poor habitat. However,
the invertebrates included sensitive forms such as caddisflies and may-
flies indicating this stream reach was free from serious pollution.
(A survey, conducted by the South Platte River Basin Project during Decem-
ber 1963, showed fecal coliform concentrations of more than 300/100 ml and
4/
a BOD of more than 3 mg/1 during similar flow conditions.)—
Downstream (RM 94.0) from the Great Western sugar mill (Ovid) dis-
charge the log mean fecal coliform densities increased by a factor of
2,000 times, and the BOD increased to 13 mg/1. This discharge stimulated
algal and slime growth. Sludge deposits blanketed portions of the sandy
stream bed. These deposits, composed of organic materials, provided hab-
itat and food for the sludgeworm-dominated benthic community [Table G-13].
In this reach violations of Sections B and D of the Basic Standards were
observed.
At Julesburg (RM 86.9), upstream of the municipal waste treatment
plant discharge, the quality of the South Platte River, although improved,
was degraded. Algal and slime growths were reduced [Figure 30]. Bacterial
contamination remained high, with a log mean fecal coliform level of
93,000/100 ml and a fecal streptococci density of more than 150,000/100 ml.
The water was clear. The sandy bottom supported a limited amount of
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62
2
benthos (seven kinds, 13 organisms/ft ) including a few pollution-sensitive
forms (i.e. caddisflies) .
The Julesburg waste treatment plant discharges at KM 86.6. Flow
was estimated at 0.2 mgd and the fecal coliform density (log mean) in the
effluent was 160,000/100 ml, at least one order of magnitude less than the
density at the Great Western mill discharge (>1.9 X 10 /100 ml). However,
the contribution from the Julesburg plant was not meeting the disinfection
requirements of the State of Colorado.
The South Platte River, downstream from the Colorado-Nebraska state
line (RM 81.1), was polluted. Although the water was clear, it was bac-
terially contaminated. It contained total and fecal coliform densities
(log mean) of 610,000 and 120,000/100 ml, respectively, and these densities
were 60 times greater than those allowed by the Nebraska bacterial cri-
14/
terion.—' In this reach dense algal growth bordered the stream bed.
2
Benthos numbered about 5,900/ft of which 83 percent were pollution-
tolerant sludgeworms.
4/
Studies conducted during December 1963— from Fort Morgan to the
Colorado-Nebraska state line were compared with the 1971 findings. During
the earlier survey the sugar mills at Fort Morgan, Sterling, and Ovid
daily discharged more than 93,000 pounds of BOD to the South Platte
River (Fort Morgan mill, 16,000 Ib/day; Sterling mill, 42,000; and
Ovid mill, 35,000). Very high bacterial counts (total-and fecal-coliform)
were observed downstream from these discharges. At times a complete lack
of oxygen was observed. At the Colorado-Nebraska state line, total and
fecal coliform bacteria densities were about 750,000 and 35,000 MPN/100 ml,
respectively.
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2.0-1
!.§••
I
LU
I
r,
CO
.0.
GO
0.5
n
KEY
ALGAE SPHAEROTILUS
A SUGAR BEET PLANT
ASEWAGE TREATMENT
PLANT
90
RIVER MILES
85
80
FigureSO Periphyton from Class-Slide Substrates - South Platte River,
Colorado-Nebraska Slate Line Nov. 1971
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In summary, the November and December 1971 survey of the South Platte
River showed that water pollution control measures in operation at the
Brighton Great Western mill have reduced the amount of degradation of water
quality downstream. Residual wastes from the Metropolitan Denver area have
continued to pollute the river. Conditions in the river upstream and down-
stream from the Cache la Poudre River were improved over those observed in
1964 and 1965; however, additional treatment is required in the Greeley area.
Water quality conditions have improved in the reach from Fort Morgan to
the Colorado-Nebraska state line by additional pollution control at the
three sugar mills. However, additional measures are necessary if the
water quality standards in the South Platte River are to be met.
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64
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65
V. WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS
A total of 44 industrial and 23 municipal waste sources were investi-
gated during the period August 1, 1971 to February 5, 1972. Nine indus-
trial sources were sugar-beet-processing mills owned by the Great Western
Sugar Company. Individual municipal-waste-sources reports are contained
in the report entitled Technical Appendix on Municipal Waste-Source
Evaluations, Water Quality Investigation in the South Platte River Basin,
Colorado, 1971-72. Industrial-investigation reports are contained in
the report entitled 'Technical Appendix on Industrial Waste-Source Evalua-
tions, Water Quality Investigations in the South Platte River Basin,
Colorado, 1971-72. Waste treatment recommendations for municipal and
industrial waste sources were based on the following factors:
1. Expected low flows In the receiving stream determined by an
examination of available flow records;
2. Compliance with applicable water quality standards;
3. Installation, at industrial sources, of best practicable treat-
ment technology currently available;
4. Pretreatment of industrial wastes, where applicable, prior to
discharge to municipal treatment plant, to levels comparable with that
expected of untreated domestic sewage (250 mg/1 biochemical oxygen
demand and suspended solids);
5. Effluent limits for municipal discharges consistent with those
established for industries using best practicable treatment technology.
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66
Of the 44 industries visited, twenty-three were selected for in-plant
sampling to determine the waste loads discharged and the adequacy of
present pollution control practices. [A summary of the analytical results,
and abatement needs for the industrial waste sources, are contained in
Tables 1-1 through 1-5.] The following industries require additional
pollution abatement measures:
Adolph Coors Company — Golden, Colorado
Great Western Sugar Company plants at Greeley, Ovid,
Johnstown, Longmont, Fort Morgan and Sterling
Continental Oil Company — Commerce City, Colorado
Refinery Corporation — Commerce City, Colorado
Weld County By-Products Company — Greeley, Colorado
Loveland Packing Company — Loveland, Colorado
Pollution abatement needs were apparent at the following industries
which were not sampled:
Burlington Northern Railroad, Inc. — Denver, Colorado
Floyd Haag Sand and Gravel Company — Loveland, Colorado
The twenty-three municipal waste treatment plants that were investi-
gated discharged more than 95 percent of the municipal wastes generated
in the South Platte River Basin. The following plants were not meeting the
80 percent minimum BOD removal requirement of the State of Colorado:
Baker Water and Sanitary District
Boulder Pearl Street
Boulder 75th Street
Brighton ^
Englewood
Fort Collins Plant #1
Fort Morgan
Greeley
Julesburg
Longmont
Loveland
Littleton
Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District //I Plant (Metro)
* The Englewood plant was being expanded at the time of the evaluation.
Operational procedures had been modified to accomodate the construction
activities.
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67
South Adams Water and Sanitation District
South Lakewood Sanitation District
Sterling
Wheatridge
[A summary of the analytical results and abatement needs for the
municipal plants is contained in Tables 1-6 through 1-10.] A brief dis-
cussion of the waste sources discharging into selected reaches of the
South Platte River and its tributaries follows.
A. SOUTH PLATTE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES-WATERTON TO PLATTEVILLE
Within this portion of the basin the discharges from municipal waste
treatment plants and Adolph Coors Brewery were the major sources of
*
pollution. The 11 municipal plants evaluated in this portion of the
basin discharged more than 140 mgd of which approximately 115 mgd (82 per-
127
cent) were discharged by Metro.— The Metro plant also discharged about
LI
75 percent of the BOD load. Studies- in 1964-65 indicated that the BOD
load discharged by municipal plants in the study reach was about 135,000
Ib/day. During the 1971-72 surveys, an estimated 55,000 Ib/day (including
the wastes from Coors) originated from waste sources in this reach.
Industrial discharges in the reach totaled approximately 45 mgd in
1971 of which 75 percent was cooling water discharged by the plants of
the Public Service Company of Colorado. During an in-plant survey in
February the Coors brewery (Golden) was discharging about 7,900 Ib per
day of BOD to Clear Creek. The brewery discharge constitutes the largest
21
single waste source to this stream. South Platte Project studies,—
* The Littleton, Englewood, South Lakewood Sanitation District, Metro,
South Adams Water and Sanitation District, and Brighton and Ft. Lupton
plants discharge directly to the South Platte River. The Wheatridge
Sanitation District, Clear Creek Valley Sanitation District, Arvada,
and Baker Water and Sanitation District plants discharge to Clear Creek.
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68
conducted in 1964-65, showed that the brewery discharged less than 700
pounds/day of BOD (2.7 mgd at 30 mg/1). Coors was reported to have been
operating its plant at 96 percent efficiency. An in-plant survey (see
Technical Appendix on Industrial Waste Source Evaluations) revealed
that the Company was providing about 81 percent removal of BOD. However,
the waste discharge from this plant has increased by a factor of ten
since 1964.
Downstream from Golden four municipal plants discharged about 6.5
mgd containing 3,600 Ib BOD/day to Clear Creek or one of its tributaries.
Studies— (in 1964) indicated that approximately 22,000 Ib per day of
BOD were being discharged to the stream from nine plants, including
Coors. With the construction of the Metro plant and the diversion of all
or a portion of the flow from some of these plants to Metro, there has
been a substantial BOD reduction. Total loads now discharged daily by
the combination of the Adolph Coors Brewery and the four municipal plants
are about 11,000-12,000 pounds. The four municipal plants treat less than
five percent of the total municipal waste flow in the Denver Metropolitan
area. Three of these plants — Wheatridge Sanitation District, Arvada,
and Baker Water & Sanitation District — are connected to the Metro system.
The latter two divert a major portion of their flows to Metro. It appears
feasible for the total wastes of all four plants to be treated by Metro.
The South Adams Water and Sanitation district plant located down-
•*
stream from Metro and Clear Creek was not providing adequate treatment
during the survey. At Brighton (RM 295.8) inadequate treatment was
provided. An expansion of the facilities was underway. The Great Western
Sugar Company mill (Brighton) was discharging an effluent containing
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69
230 Ib per day of BOD. This mill exemplified the effective pollution
control that is achievable in a sugar beet processing mill. The Ft. Lupton
Wastewater Treatment Plant (RM 287.6) was providing adequate treatment
and disinfection.
B. ST. VRAIN CREEK BASIN
The two waste treatment plants at Boulder constitute the major dis-
charges to Boulder Creek, a tributary of St. Vrain Creek. In-plant
evaluations carried out during 1971 (Technical Appendix on Municipal
Waste-Source Evaluations) indicated that these two plants were not pro-
viding adequate treatment. However, the planned plant expansion and
improved methods of operation should alleviate treatment problems.
The major discharges to St. Vrain Creek were effluents from the
Longmont Wastewater Treatment Plant and, during the sugar beet campaign,
the Longmont Great Western mill. An in-plant evaluation of the Longmont
Wastewater Treatment Plant revealed that adequate treatment (80 percent
BOD removal) was not provided. The combined effect of discharges from
both this plant and the Great Western mill was detrimental to the
receiving waters. The Longmont wastewater plant should be discharging
an effluent containing no more than 25 mg/1 each of BOD and suspended
solids; the Great Western mill should be discharging no greater than
one-half Ib each of BOD and suspended solids per ton of beets sliced,
not to exceed 1,650 Ib of each per day, whichever is less. The latter
is attainable in the sugar-beet processing industry using available
waste treatment technology.
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70
C. BIG THOMPSON RIVER BASIN
Major waste sources in this basin were the Loveland waste treatment
plant and the Great Western mills at Loveland and Johnstown. Treatment
at the municipal plant was not adequate. A 3-day, in-plant survey re-
vealed that the BOD removal efficiency ranged from 59-71 percent.
In 1964 the daily waste load from the Loveland Great Western mill
was about 50,000 Ib BOD.—1— During a three-day survey, in December
1971, the waste loads amounted to less than 1,000 Ib per day. This
Great Western plant discharged 0.33 Ib BOD and 2.66 Ib suspended solids
per ton beets sliced during the 1971-72 campaign.— Solids concentrations
were higher than levels attainable through present treatment technology
for the sugar-beet processing industry, i.e., one-half Ib per ton of
beets sliced.
The major discharge to the Little Thompson River was from the Great
Western sugar recovery and monosodium glutamate factory, located near
Johnstown. This plant operates on a continuous basis. In December 1971,
a 3-day survey of the effluent revealed that the plant discharged each
day more than 7,000 Ib BOD. The effluent had a strong sulfide odor and
discolored the receiving water. Further treatment of this effluent
is required.
Three small municipal plants (Berthoud, Johnstown, and Milliken)
*
discharged to the Little Thompson River. These plants were reported
to have adequate treatment.
* This information was provided by officials of the Colorado State Depart-
ment of Health.
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71
D. CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER BASIN
The major discharges in this basin were the two municipal waste
treatment plants in Fort Collins (Plants No. 1 and 2), the Greeley waste
treatment plant, and the Great Western mills (Eaton and Greeley). Other
potential industrial sources were the Farr Farms and the Monfort of
Colorado feedlots and packing plant (all in the Greeley area).
The two municipal plants at Fort Collins discharged about 3,200
Ib of BOD and 4,500 Ib of suspended solids daily to the Cache la Poudre
River in January 1972. Treatment efficiency at Plant No. 1 was less than
80 percent during a 3-day plant evaluation.
The Greeley waste treatment plant and the Greeley Great Western mill
discharged 35,000 Ib of BOD each day to the Cache la Poudre during a
survey in December 1971.— Company data for the 1971-72 beet campaign
showed that the BOD load from the mill varied from 9,100 Ib per day,
in October, to more than 37,000 in January. The Greeley waste treatment
plant was grossly overloaded by the Monfort packing plant wastes. A new
plant is proposed to handle the Monfort wastes and activated sludge
from the existing plant. This will alleviate the overloaded condition.
The Farr Farms and Monfort feedlots have installed holding ponds
with the effluent either employed for irrigation or diverted to evaporation
lagoons. No contamination from animal wastes was apparent during the 1971
stream surveys (September and November-December).
Since the 1964-65 studies the Great Western mill at Eaton has instal-
led pollution control facilities. Waste loads discharged by this plant
were less than one-half Ib each of BOD and suspended solids per ton of
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72
beets processed; these figures are considered to be the .upper limit for waste
loads discharged from sugar-beet processing mills. The Eaton waste treat-
ment plant discharged an effluent containing 72 mg/1 BOD. The removal
efficiency was not determined, but visual observations indicated a poor
quality effluent. Disinfection was inadequate.'
E. SOUTH PLATTE RIVER - FORT MORGAN TO THE STATE LINE
Three sugar-beet processing mills and four municipal plants were
evaluated in this reach. (Findings of the sugar beet mill evaluations
are summarized in Tables 1-3 through 1-5.) Treatment at all four municipal
plants was less than the 80 percent BOD removal level required by the State.
Moreover, the Fort Morgan and Brush plants provided no disinfection
during the survey and disinfection practices at Sterling and Julesburg
were inadequate.
The three mills were exceeding the one-half-pound BOD per ton sliced
beets achievable by best practicable treatment practices for the sugar
beet industry. Additional or improved treatment is necessary at these
mills. The mill located at Ovid was recently the subject of a 180-day
notice hearing called by EPA, Region VIII, for the purpose of discussing
violations of interstate stream standards.
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73
REFERENCES
1. Report of South Platte Basin Water Pollution Investigation. Federal
Security Agency, U. S. Public Health Service, Environmental Health
Center, Cincinnati, Ohio and Missouri River Basin Office, Water
Pollution Control Division, Kansas City, Missouri, (1950).
2. Conference in the Matter of Pollution of the South Platte River
Basin in the State of Colorado, Proceedings, First Session. Denver,
Colorado. U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare,
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River
Basin Project. October 1963.
3. Conference in the Matter of Pollution of the South Platte River
Basin in the State of Colorado, Proceedings, Second Session. Denver
Colorado, U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Federal
Water Pollution Control Administration. (3 vol) April 27, 1966.
4. Report to the Second Session of the Conference in the Matter of Pol-
lution of the South Platte River Basin. U. S. Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare. Federal Water Pollution Control Administration,
South Platte River Basin Project. Denver, Colorado. April 1966.
5. Conference in the Matter of the Pollution of the South Platte River
Basin in the State of Colorado. U. S. Department of the Interior,
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River
Basin Project, Denver, Colorado. November 10, 1966.
6. A Study of Industrial Waste Pollution in the South Platte River Basin.
U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration, South Platte River Basin Project, PR-6C. Denver,
Colorado. December 1966.
7. Effects of Pollution on Aquatic Life Resources of the South Platte
River Basin in Colorado. U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal
Water Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin
Project, Denver, Colorado, and Technical Advisory and Investigation
Branch, Cincinnati, Ohio. Report PR-11 XVII + 149 pp. December 1967.
8. Water Pollution Survey of the Great Western Sugar Company and the
Kuner-Empson Canning Company of Colorado, Colorado State Final
Report. November 24, 1969 to March 11, 1970.
9. Water Quality, Middle Basin Tributary Streams, South Platte River
Basin, Summer 1965. U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River Basin Project.
PR-8. Denver, Colorado. December 1967.
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74
10. The Beet Sugar Industry—The Water Pollution Problem and Status of
Waste Abatement and Treatment. U. S. Department of the Interior,
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, South Platte River
Basin Project. Denver, Colorado. Report PR-8, XII + 142 pp. June 1967,
11. Water Quality Investigations in the South Platte River Basin 1971.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Enforcement, Division of
Field Investigations-Denver Center, Denver, Colorado. June 1971.
12. Report on Effects of Waste Discharges on Water Quality of South Platte
River - Denver Metropolitan area. Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of Enforcement, National Field Investigations Center-Denver, and
Region VIII. Denver, Colorado. February 1972.
13. Report on Effects of Waste Discharges on Water Quality of the Cache la
Poudre and South Platte Rivers - Greeley Area. Environmental Pro-
tection Agency, Office of Enforcement, National Field Investigations
Center-Denver, and Region VIII. Denver, Colorado. February 1972.
14. Report on Investigation of the Effects of the Waste Discharges from
the Great Western Sugar Mill at Ovid, Colorado on Water Quality Condi-
tions in the South Platte River. Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of Enforcement, Division of Field Investigations-Denver Center,
Denver, Colorado. December 1971. .
15. Criteria Used in the Review of Waste Water Treatment Facilities.
Colorado Department of Health, Water Pollution Control Division.
Denver, Colorado. September 1969.
16. Municipal Waste Report Metropolitan Denver Area, South Platte River
Basin^ PR-3, U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare,
Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control, South Platte River
Basin Project. Denver, Colorado. December 1965.
17. R. W. Brenton Memorandum—Condenser Water Survey-1971-72 Campaign,,
Great Western Sugar Company. Denver, Colorado. March 1972.
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APPENDIX A
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS FOR COLORADO AND NEBRASKA
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A-l
March 4, 1971
Honorable John A. Love
Governor of Colorado
Denver, Colorado 80203
Dear Governor Love:
I am pleased to inform you that I am now approving Colorado's
water quality standards in their entirety, based upon my deter-
mination that they are consistent with the protection of the
public health and welfare, the enhancement of the quality of the
water and the purposes of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
as provided by Section 10(c)(3) of that Act. These consist of
the standards approved by the Secretary of the Interior on October 21,
1968 and October 9, 1969, and the additions and revisions adopted by
the Water Pollution Control Commission on June 10, July 14, August 11,
October 13 and November 10, 1970, and submitted to the Water
Quality Office, Environmental Protection Agency, on December 4,
1970. The standards as approved are those applicable under the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act to the interstate waters of Colorado.
We are all aware that water quality criteria and stream classifications
are subject to change as we acquire new knowledge and understanding of
the factors that affect water quality and as existing conditions are
improved. The Water Quality Office will continue to maintain close
contact with Colorado's Water Pollution Control Commission regarding
the important matter of water quality standards.
Signed by:
William D. Ruckelshaus
This letter has been retyped for
microfilming purposes only and
corrections made regarding
approval dates.
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A-2
TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
AS PRESENTED BY
COLORADO WATER POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN
DEMAND
BIOCIDE
3. CLASSIFICATION
4. CONDUCTIVITY
5. CONTROLLABLE SOURCES
6. DISINFECTION
7. DISSOLVED OXYGEN
8. MF
9. MPN
A measure of the amount of oxygen necessary to
satisfy the biochemical oxidation requirements
of pollution in a sample that is maintained at
a temperature of 20° Centigrade for a period of
five days.
A toxic, chemical substance or mixture intended
to abate or destroy noxious forms of life, such
as vermin, insects, viruses and fungi harmful
in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.
The application of a standard or standards to
a segment or segments of the waters of the State.
A measure of the ability of water to conduct
an electric current, which may be used for
approximating the salinity in water.
A source of waste discharge that can be con-
trolled by physical means.
A method of reducing the organisms pathogenic
to man.
A measure of the amount of free oxygen (oxygen
which is not chemically combined with other
substances) available in water to oxidize
oxygen demanding materials.
Refers to the membrane filter technique of
water analysis. This technique involves the
passing of a certain volume of water through
a cellulose ester filter which is then im-
pregnated with a food product for the bacteria
that are retained on the surface of the filter.
An abbreviation of "Most Probable Number" -
a test of bacterial density derived from mul-
tiple tube fermentation techniques. It is
expressed as a number of organisms per hundred
milliliters. It is a number most likely to
occur, in statistical theory, under the given
circumstances or conditions of the test.
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A-3
10. MILLIEQUIVALENT
PER LITER
11. MILLIGRAMS PER LITER -
A unit for expressing the concentration of
chemical constituents in terras of inter-
reacting values of electrically charged
particles or ions in solution. One milli-
equivalent per liter of a positively charged
ion will react with one milliequivalent per
liter of a negatively charged ion.
Also referred to as "parts per million". This
is a unit for expressing the concentration of
any substance by weight, usually as grams of
substance per million grams of solution. Since
a liter of water weighs one kilogram, one
milligram per liter is equivalent to one part
per million.
12. MILLILITER
13. NATIONAL BUREAU OF
One-thousandth of a liter.
to 1.06 quarts.
One liter is equal
14.
- A reference book published by the U. S. Depart-
STANDARDS HANDBOOK 69, ment of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards.
LATEST EDITION It contains recommendations as to the maximum
permissible concentrations of radio nuclides
in the human body, air, and water.
pH - The pH value indicates the relative intensity
of acidity or alkalinity of water, with the
neutral point at pH 7.0. Values lower than
7.0 indicate the presence of acids; above 7.0,
the presence of alkalies.
15. SECONDARY TREATMENT
16. SODIUM ADSORPTION
RATIO
- A method of treatment in which a minimum of
80% of the biochemical oxygen consuming
material is removed.
- An index of hazard to physical condition of
soil due to sodium in irrigation water.
17. STANDARD METHODS FOR -
THE EXAMINATION OF
WATER AND WASTE WATER,
LATEST EDITION
A publication prepared jointly by the American
Public Health Association, American Water Works
Association, and the Water Pollution Control
Federation, accepted by Federal, State, and
local authorities in the field of water pollu-
tion control as the authority for analytical
procedures to be utilized in the examination
or analysis of waters and waste waters.
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A-4
18. STANDARDS
19. TURBIDITY
20. EPILIMNION
.21. EUTROPHICATION
22. HYPOLIMNION
23. NATURAL CAUSES
24. THERMOCLINE
An official limiting value used to determine
the quality of water for a classified use as
established by the Water Pollution Control
Commission.
A measure of the clarity and the light pene-
tration of water as affected by suspended and
colloidal matter.
In a thermally stratified lake, the layer of
water that extends from the surface to the
thermocline, (adopted November 10, 1970)
The process of a lake becoming rich in dis-
solved nutrients, thereby enhancing the growth
of aquatic plants leading to possible seasonal
oxygen deficiencies and accelerating the rate
of lake aging, (adopted June 10, 1970)
The region below thermal stratification in a
lake or reservoir, (adopted August 11, 1970)
(as applied to temperature fluctuation standards)
- Temperature fluctuations due to effluents
from domestic sewage treatment plants and
identifiable irrigation return flows shall be
considered as originating from natural causes.
(adopted August 11, 1970)
In thermally stratified lakes, the layer below
the epilimnion. It is the stratum in which
there is a rapid rate of decrease in temperature
with depth; a minimum of one degree Centigrade
per meter in depth, (adopted November 10, 1970)
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A-5
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS FOR COLORADO
The Second Session of the Forty-Fifth General Assembly of the State
of Colorado passed Water Pollution Control Legislation for the State of
Colorado as set out in Chapter 66, Article 28, C.R.S. 1963 (1967 Pern.
Cum. Supp.). In adopting this legislation, the following legislative
declaration was made, which also was adopted on July 14, 1970 by the
Colorado Water Pollution Commission as its policy statement on nondegra-
dation:
"Whereas the pollution of the waters of this state constitutes
a menace to public health and welfare, creates public nuisances,
is harmful to wildlife, fish and other aquatic life, and impairs
domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational, and other
beneficial uses of water; and whereas the problem of water
pollution of this state is closely related to the problem of
water pollution in adjoining states; and whereas it is the public
policy of this state to conserve the waters of the state and to
protect, maintain, and improve the quality thereof for public
water supplies, for the progagation of wildlife, fish and other
aquatic life, and for domestic, agricultural, industrial, recrea-
tional, and other beneficial uses, and to provide that no wastes
be discharged into any waters of the state without first being
given the degree of treatment necessary to protect the beneficial
uses of such water, it is hereby declared that the prevention,
abatement, and control of the pollution of the waters of this state
are affected with a public interest, and the provisions of this
act are enacted in the exercise of the police powers of this state
for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, and safely, and
general welfare of the people of this state." Relevantly, the
Commission will keep the Federal Government, from time to time,
advised and informed with the information required for the discharge
of its responsibilities under the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act, as amended.
These standards are the foundation for the classification of the waters
of the State of Colorado, as defined in the Water Pollution Control Act
of 1966, as amended. (adopted June 10, 1970)*
Standards are subject to revision as technical data, surveillance
programs, and technological advances make such revisions desirable.
* Underscored material represents changes and/or additions to the
original (May 1968) Colorado Water Quality Standards.
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A-6
For the purposes of enforcement of these standards, sampling will
be done at a point where these standards can be evaluated.
For purposes of enforcement of water classification standards,
sampling of the waters will be done at any point, except for areas
immediately adjacent to outfalls and except as may be noted in the
text of the standards. In such areas, cognizance will be given to the
opportunity for admixture of waste effluents with receiving water.
Tests or analytical procedures to determine compliance with standards
will, insofar as practicable and applicable, be made in accordance with
the methods given in the latest edition of "Standard Methods For The
Examination of Water And Waste Water" published by the American Public
Health Association, or in accordance with tests or analytical procedures
that have been found to be equal or more applicable and satisfactory
and accepted and approved by the Commission.
In areas where a body of water is classified for more than one
use, the standards applicable to each use shall apply and in case of a
conflict, the more restrictive standards shall prevail in each instance.
Where and when additional waters become available, hearings will
be held on the possible classification or reclassification of such
waters for further enhancement. The quality of water will be maintained
as high as possible and in no case shall stream standards be violated.
It is expected that the present uses of the waters of Colorado will
continue but if other uses develop, streams may be classified or
reclassified after public hearings.
Waters of the state, the quality of which exceeds the limits set
in these standards, will be maintained at existing quality unless and
until it can be demonstrated to the State that a change in quality is
justified to provide necessary economic or social development. In that
case, the best practicable degree of waste treatment to protect the
current classification of such waters will be required. The appropriate
Federal authority will be provided with information, from time to'.time,
required to discharge his responsibilities under the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act, as amended, (adopted October 13, 1970)
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A-7
I. BASIC STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO ALL WATERS OF THE STATE (adopted
June 10, 1970)
A. All wastes capable of treatment or control prior to discharge
into any waters of the state, shall receive secondary treatment
with disinfection or its industrial waste equivalent, as
determined by the State Water Pollution Control Commission.
Lesser degrees of treatment or control may be permitted only
where it can be demonstrated that the standards applicable to
the classified use of the water can be attained. Greater
degrees of treatment or control will be required where it can
be demonstrated that it is necessary to comply with the
standards applicable to the classified use of the water.
B. Free from substances attributable to municipal, domestic, or
industrial wastes, or other controllable sources that will either
settle to form unsightly, putrescent, or odorous bottom deposits,
or will interfere with the classified use of the water.
C. Free from unsightly floating debris, oil, grease, scum, and
other floating material attributable to municipal, domestic, or
industrial wastes, or other controllable sources.
D. Free from materials attributable to municipal, domestic, or
industrial wastes or other controllable sources that will produce
objectionable odor, color, taste, or turbidity in the water, or
objectionable aquatic life which may result in eutrophication
or other conditions that interfere with the classified use of
the water, (adopted June 10, 1970)
E. Free from high temperatures, biocides, toxic, or other deleterious
substandes attributable to municipal, domestic, or industrial
wastes, or other controllable sources in levels, concentrations,
or combinations sufficient to be harmful to human or animal life.
F. Radioactive materials attributable to municipal, industrial or
other controllable sources will be minimum concentrations that
are physically and economically feasible to achieve. In no case
shall such materials in the stream exceed the limits established
in the current edition of the U.S. Public Health Service
Drinking Water Standards or the limits approved by the Federal
Radiation Council, or, in the absence of any limits specified
by the U.S. Public Health Service or the Federal Radiation
Council, 1/30 of the 168-hour-week values for other radioactive
substances specified in the National Bureau of Standards Handbook
69.
-------
A-8
II. ADDITIONAL WATER QUALITY STANDARDS FOR BODIES OF WATER THAT HAVE
BEEN CLASSIFIED FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING USES:
CLASS A.
1. The following standards shall apply to water withdrawn for
treatment as a potable supply.
a. Bacteria; Wastes or substances from controllable sources
shall not be discharged into these waters in amounts which
will cause the number of organisms of the fecal coliform
group, as determined by either multiple tube fermentation
or membrane filter technique to exceed a log mean of 1,000
per 100 milliliters or exceed 2.000 per 100 milliliters in
more than 10Z of the samples collected in any 30 day period.
b. Dissolved Oxygen: Dissolved oxygen shall not be less than
4 milligrams per liter.
c. pH; The pH shall be maintained between 6.0 and 9.0.
d. Taste and Odor; Free from materials attributable to
municipal, domestic, and industrial wastes, or other con-
trollable sources that will produce taste or odor in the
water.
e. Dissolved Solids; Total dissolved solids, annual volume
weighted average, should be less than 500 milligrams per
liter.
f. Selected Chemical Constituents; The following substances
shall not be present in such amounts as to exceed the
specified concentrations in a potable water supply according
to the mandatory requirements of the latest edition of the
U. S. Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards:
Substances Concentration - rag/I
Arsenic 0.05
Barium 1.00
Cadmium 0.01
Chromium (Hexavalent) ---------0.05
Cyanide 0.20
Lead 0.05
Selenium 0.01
Silver 0.05
-------
A-9
CLASS B.
1. The following standards shall apply to waters classified for
fish and wildlife (Cold Water Fishery):
a. Bacteria: Wastes or substances from controllable sources
shall not be discharged into.these waters in amounts which
will cause the number of organisms of the fecal coliform
group, as determined by either multiple tube fermentation
or membrane filter techniques, to exceed a log mean of
1,000 per 100 milliliters or exceed 2,000 per 100 milliliters
in more than 10% of the samples collected in any 30 day
period.
b. Dissolved Oxygen: In cold water fisheries, the dissolved
oxygen content shall in no case go below 6 milligrams per
liter.
c. p_H_; pH shall be maintained between 6.5 and 8.5. No con-
trollable pH change will be permitted which will interfere
with fish and aquatic life.
d. Turbidity; No turbidity shall exist in concentrations that
will impair natural and developed fisheries.
*e. Temperature: In cold water fisheries the temperatures shall
not exceed 70 F. No controllable temperature change will be
permitted which will interfere with the spawning and other
aspects of fish life, (adopted October 13, 1970)
f. Toxic Material: Free from biocides, toxic, or other
deleterious substances attributable to municipal, domestic,
or industrial wastes, or other controllable sources in
levels, concentrations, or combinations sufficient to be
harmful to aquatic life.
g. Other Material: Free from materials attributable to
municipal, domestic, or industrial wastes, or other con-
trollable sources that will produce off-flavor in the flesh
of fish.
2. The following standards shall apply to waters classified for
fish and wildlife (Warm Water Fishery):
a. Bacteria; Wastes or substances from controllable sources
shall not be discharged into these waters in amounts which
will cause the number of organisms of the fecal coliform
group, as determined by either multiple tube fermentation
or membrane filter techniques to exceed a log mean of 1,000
per 100 milliliters or exceed 2,000 per 100 milliliters in
more than 10% of the samples collected in any 30 day period.
(adopted June 10, 1970)
-------
A-10
b. Dissolved Oxygen; In warm water fisheries, dissolved
oxygen content shall in no case go below 5 milligrams per
liter.
c. pH; pH shall be maintained between 6.5 and 8.5. No control-
lable pH change will be permitted which will interfere with
fish and aquatic life.
d. Turbidity: No turbidity shall exist in concentrations that
will impair natural and developed fisheries.
*e. Temperature; In warm water fisheries the temperatures shall
not exceed 90 F. No controllable temperature change will be
permitted which will interfere with spawning and other aspects
of fish life. *Note; See additional temperature criteria....
(adopted Oct. 13. 1970)
f. Toxic Material; Free from biocides, toxic, or other deleterious
substances attributable to municipal, domestic, or industrial
wastes, or other controllable sources in levels, concentrations,
or combinations sufficient to be harmful to aquatic life.
g. Other Material; Free from materials attributable to municipal,
domestic, or industrial wastes, or other controllable sources
that will produce off-flavor in the flesh of fish.
*Note; Limits on temperature change in fisheries have not been established
due to lack of historical temperature data and lack of conclusive
temperature change criteria for the aquatic biota of waters of the
state. These factual data are being collected, however, to serve
as a basis for setting limits. In the meantime, the following
tentative criteria will be used as administrative policy;
In cold water fisheries an abrupt change in temperature must be
avoided and the normal pattern of diurnal and seasonal fluctua-
tions must be preserved. The maximum allowable temperature
increase due to waste discharges in streams and in the epilimnion
of lakes shall be 2 F. No warming waste discharge shall be
permitted to the hypolimnion of lakes.
In warm water fisheries an abrupt change in temperature must be
avoided and the normal pattern of diurnal and seasonal changes must
be preserved. The maximum allowable temperature increase due to
waste discharges in streams will be 5 F; in the epilimnion of lakes
the maximum increase will be 3 F. No warming waste discharge shall
be permitted in the hypolimnion of lakes.
In temperature measurement, allowance shall be made for a mixing
zone. Provisions shall be made for adequate mixing and no thermal
barrier to migration and free movement of aquatic biota shall be
permitted in any water of the state, (adopted October 13, 1970)
-------
A-ll
3. The following standards shall apply to recreational waters
classified for body contact sports such as, but not limited to,
swimming and water skiing:
a. Bacteria; Total coliform bacteria shall not exceed 1,000
per 100 milliliters as a monthly average (either MPN or MF
count); nor exceed this number in more than 20% of the
samples examined during any month; nor exceed 2,400 per 100
milliliters in a single sample. In addition, the fecal
coliform count shall not exceed 100 per 100 milliliters,
and the fecal streptococcus count shall not exceed 20
per 100 milliliters, both of these limits to be an average
of five (5) consecutive samples within a month.
b. pH: pH shall be maintained between 6.5 and 8.5.
CLASS C.
1. The following standards shall apply to waters classified for
industrial uses:
a. Dissolved Oxygen; Dissolved oxygen content shall not go
below 3 milligrams per liter.
b. pH: pH shall be maintained between 5.0 and 9.0.
c. Turbidity; No turbidity shall exist in concentrations that
will interfere with established levels of treatment.
d. Temperature; The temperature shall not exceed 90°F.
CLASS D.
1. The following standards shall apply to waters classified for
irrigation:
a* Total Dissolved Solids (Salt) Concentrations; A time-weighted
monthly mean at a monitoring station which exceeds the time-
weighted monthly mean for a base period established by
the Commission by more than two standard deviations shall
be subject to review by the Commission.
b. Sodium Adsorption Ratio; A time-weighted monthly mean at
a monitoring station which exceeds the time-weighted monthly
mean for a base period established by the Commission by
more than two standard deviations shall be subject to review
by the Commission.
-------
A-12
c. Toxic Material; Free from biocides, toxic, or other
deleterious substances attributable to municipal, domestic,
industrial wastes, or other controllable sources in con-
centrations or combinations which are harmful to crop life.
2. The following standards shall apply to waters classified for
livestock watering:
a. Soluble Salts; The soluble salts shall not exceed 3,000
milligrams per liter.
-------
A-13
Table A-l—Stream Classifications, South Platte River Basin, Colorado
Stream Reach
Quality Class
Effective
September. 1971
Middle Fork & Main Stem of South Platte,
including Montgomery, Eleven Mile Canyon
& Lake George Reservoirs, from source
above Fairplay to 1.000 feet below
Englewood Union Avenue Water Treatment
Plant Intake
Lake Chessman Reservoir from inlet to outlet
Main Stem of South Platte River from 1.000
feet below Englewood Union Avenue Water
Treatment Plant Intake to Exposition
Avenue. Denver
Main Stem of South Platte from Exposition
Avenue, Denver to York Street, Denver
Sloan's Lake, Denver, from inlet to outlet
Main Stem of South Platte from York Street.
Denver, to Colo-Nebr. State line
Main Stem of South Platte at State line
South & North Forks of South Platte,
Tarryall Creek & Goose Creek, including
Antero & Tarryall Reservoirs
Bear Creek including Evergreen Lake from
source to Town of Morrison
Bear Creek from Town of Morrison to
confluence with South Platte
Cherry Creek Reservoir from inlet to outlet
Main Stem of Clear Creek from source to
point of diversion of Farmers Highline
Canal (about 1 mile upstream of Golden)
Main Stem of Clear Creek from point of
diversion of Farmers Highline Canal to
confluence with South Platte
A, BI, C,
BI, C, D-L
62, C, D!
B3
c, D!
B2, D!
A, Blf C, D
A, BI, D!
B2, D!
B2> B3
A, BL C, D
A, c, D!
-------
A-14
Table A-l—Stream Classifications, South Platte River Basin, Colorado
(Continued)
Stream Reach
Quality Class
Effective
September. 1971
South Fork of Clear Creek, Chicago Creek,
Soda Creek, Beaver Brook, Elk Creek,
Guy Gulch & Mill Creek from sources to
mouths
Coal Creek from source to intersection
with State Highway #93
Coal Creek from intersection with State
Highway #93 to mouth
South Boulder Creek including Gross
Reservoir from source to intersection
with State Highway #93
South Boulder Creek from intersection
with State Highway #93 to mouth
North Boulder Creek and James Creek
from sources to mouths
Middle Boulder Creek including north and
south forks, Barker Reservoir and main
stem of Boulder Creek, from sources to
intersection with State Highway //119 at
mouth of Boulder Canyon
Main Stem of Boulder Creek, from inter-
section with State Highway //119 at mouth
of Boulder Canyon to mouth
North and South St. Vrain Creeks from
sources to point of confluence at Lyons
Main Stem of St. Vrain Creek, from point
of confluence of North & South St. Vrain
Creeks at Lyons to confluence with South
Platte
A, BI, C,
A, Blt C,
B2, D!
A, Blt C,
B2, C, D!
A, Blf c,
A, Blt C,
B2, Cl, D
A, Blt C,
C, D,
Middle St. Vrain Creek from source to mouth
A, B,
-------
A-15
Table A-l—Stream Classifications, South Platte River Basin, Colorado
(Continued)
Quality Class
Stream Reach Effective
September. 1971
Lefthand Creek from source to intersection A, B-p C,
with State Highway #7
Lefthand Creek from intersection with State C, D^
Highway #7 to mouth
Main Stem of Big Thompson River including A, B]_, C,
Lake Estes, from source to Town of Love-
land 's water treatment plant
Main Stem of Big Thompson River from Town C, DI
of Loveland's water treatment plant to
confluence with South Platte River
Little Thompson River from source to point A, Bj, D^
of diversion for Culver Ditch
Little Thompson River from point of C, DI
diversion for Culver Ditch to confluence
with Big Thompson River
Glacier Creek, Fall River, North Fork of A, B]_, C,
Big Thompson River and Buckhorn Creek
from source to mouth
Carter Lake Reservoir from inlet to outlet A
Main Stem of Cache La Poudre River, A, B-^, DI
including Horsetooth Reservoir from
source to point of diversion for City
of Greeley's water treatment plant
Main Stem of Cache La Poudre from point 82, C, D^
of diversion for City of Greeley's
water treatment plant to Second Avenue
Bridge, Greeley
Main Stem of Cache La Poudre River from C, D^
Second Avenue Bridge, Greeley to
confluence with South Platte
-------
A-16
Table A-l —Stream Classifications, South Platte River Basin, Colorado
(Continued)
Quality Class
Stream Reach Effective
_____ September, 1971
North and South Forks of Cache La Poudre A, B]_
River from source to mouth
Notes:
Water Classification A - Public Water Supply
Water Classification B - Fisheries and Body Contact Recreation
B-j^- Cold Water Fisheries
82- Warm Water Fisheries
83- Body Contact Recreation (Swimming, Water
Skiing, etc.)
Water Classification C - Industrial Water Users
Water Classification D - Irrigation (& Stock Watering)
-------
A-17
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS FOR NEBRASKA
CLASS "C" WATERS
Temperature -
Trout Waters - Allowable change 5°F (maximum list 65°F).
Warm Waters - Allowable change 5°F, May-October; 10°F, November-
April; maximum limit 90°F; maximum rate of change limited
to 2° per hour.
pll -
The hydrogen iron concentration expressed as pll shall be maintained
between 6.5 and 9.0, with a maximum total change of 1.0 pll unit from
the value in the receiving stream.
Dissolved Oxygen -
Shall not be lower than 5 mg/1 in warm waters and 6 mg/1 in trout
waters.
Bacteria -
Coliform group and fecal coliform organisms shall not exceed a
geometric mean of 10,000 total coliform organisms or 2,000 fecal
coliform organisms per 100 ml. No more than 20 percent of the
samples shall exceed 20,000 total or 4,000 fecal coliform bacteria.
-------
APPENDIX B
LIST OF STREAM STATIONS
-------
TABLE B-l
STREAM SAMPLING LOCATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN, 1971
Type of Analysis Performed
Map Key
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Figure
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Station Description
South Platte River at Waterton
Bridge east of water treatment plant.
South Platte River at Blakeland Road.
South Platte River at Colorado "470"
Bridge.
South Platte River downstream from
Cooley Sand and Gravel Company.
South Platte River at Bowles Avenue
in Littleton, Colorado.
Bear Creek near Mouth (at Federal
Boulevard)
Bear Creek at Kipling.
Bear Creek upstream of Morrison along
Colorado 74 (Second Suspended Walkway
across Creek) .
South Platte River at Florida Avenue
South Platte River upstream of
Cherry Creek.
Cherry Creek at Mouth.
South Platte River at "19th"
River
Miles
339.2
336.5
334.9
332.3
329.8
326.4/0.7
326.4/5.9
326.4/13.0
323.2
317.8
317.7/0.1
317.3
Chemical
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
August-September Surveys November-December Surveys
Bacteriological Biological Chemical Bacteriological Biological
X X
X
X
X
X X
X X
X
X X
X
X
X X
X XX X X
13
Street Bridge.
South Platte River at North Denver
Waste Water Treatment Plant Crossover.
314.5
14
South Platte River at York Street.
313.4
-------
TABLE B-l (Continued)
STREAM SAMPLING LOCATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN, 1971
Type of Analysis Performed
Map Key
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
. 30
31
Figure
2
2
"2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
. 3 .
3
Station Description
Burlington Ditch at York Street.
Sand Creek at 'Mouth.
South Platte River at 1-270.
South Platte River at 1-80.
Clear Creek at York Street.
Clear Creek at Kipling.
Clear Creek at Mclntyre Road.
Clear Creek upstream of Golden
South Platte River at Colorado 224.
'South Platte River at 88th Avenue.
South Platte River at Henderson.
South Platte River at Brighton.
South Platte' River downstream from
Waste Water Treatment Plant at
Brighton.
South Platte River downstream from
Great Western at Brighton.
South Platte River at Ft. Lupton.
South Platte River at Platteville.
South Platte River upstream of Mouth
River
Miles
312.1/0.1
312.0
311.5
311.1/0.3
311.1/10.4
311.1/14.1
311.1/18.7
310.9
308.8
301.7
296.1
295.7
294.4
288.2
276.7
270.1
August-September Surveys November -December Surveys
Chemical Bacteriological Biological Chemical Bacteriological Biological
XXX
XX X
X XX
X
X X XX X X
X X
X X
XXX
X X X
X XXX X
XXX
X X XX
X X
X X
X ' X X
XXX X X
x . x • • .
of St. Vrain Creek.
-------
TABLE B-l (Continued)
STREAM SAMPLING LOCATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN, 1971
40
41
42
43
44
Type of Analysis Performed
Map Key
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Figure
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Station Description
South Platte River downstream from
St. Vrain Creek.
St. Vrain upstream of Longmont.
St. Vrain upstream of Great Western
Sugar Company.
St . Vrain downstream from Longmont
County Line Road.
St . Vrain downstream from Longmont
County Line Road .
St. Vrain at 1-25.
St. Vrain near Mouth.
Boulder Creek upstream of Boulder
River
Miles
264.7
270.0/26.6
270.0/22.5
270.0/20.8
270.0/20.6
270.0/14.6
270.0/1.3
270.0/17.4/27.6
August-September Surveys
Chemical Bacteriological Biological
X
X
X
X
X
X
X X
X X
X
X X
X
X
X X
X X
November-December Surveys
Chemical Bacteriological Biological
XXX
X
X
X
X
State Highway 119.
Boulder Creek downstream from Boulder 270.0/17.4/21.0
at 55th Street downstream from Pearl
Street Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Boulder Creek downstream from South 270.0/17.4/19.9
Boulder Creek, 1/2 mile north of Valmont.
Boulder Creek County Road 19 near
Liggett.
Coal Creek just upstream of Mouth.
Boulder Creek downstream from Coal
Creek at Highway 52.
270.0/17.4/14.2 X
270.0/17.4/7.9/1.0 X
270.0/17.4/7.3 X
45
Boulder Creek near Mouth.
270.0/17.4/1.9
-------
TABLE B-l (Continued)
STREAM SAMPLING LOCATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN, 1971
Map Key Figure Statin Description
Type of Analysis Performed
River
Miles
November-December Surveys
Chemical Bacteriological Biological Chemical Bacteriological Biological
August-September Surveys
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
South Platte River downstream from
Big Thompson'River between Evans and
LaSalle at Highway U.S. 85.
256.1
Big Thompson'River West of Loveland 260.4/37.9
on U.S. Highway 34 (3rd Bridge)Fawn Hollow.
260.4/23.5
3 Big Thompson River Two Miles West of
1-25 on Colorado State Highway 402
1/4 mile north on Road 9E.-
3 Big Thompson River downstream from;
Great Western at Loveland.
3 Big Thompson River South of Officer
one mile; east 1/2 mile on Weld County
Road 54. =••',.
3 Big Thompson River at Route 257,
Milliken.
3 Big Thompson River at Mouth.
3 Little Thompson River South and West
of Berthoud '. ' • • •-
3 Little Thompson River at 1-25.
3 Little Thompson River upstream of
Great Western at Johnstown. '
Little Thompson River downstream from 260.4/7.0/1.15
Great Western at Johnstown on Colorado
60 Bridge.
260,4/21.0 .
• 260.4/16.5
.-260.4/8.2
260.4/0.9
260.4/7.0/18.9
260.4/7.0/11.1
260.4/7.0/4.0
X
.X
x
X X
X X
X X
X
X
X
X
X
X
57
Little Thompson'River at Mouth.
260.4/7.0/0.1
-------
TABLE B-l (Continued)
STREAM SAMPLING LOCATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN, 1971
Type of Analysis Performed
Map Key
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
Figure
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Station Description
South Platte River upstream of Cache
la Poudre River near Evans.
South Platte River 1 Mile upstream of
Mouth of Cache la Poudre River.
Cache la Poudre River upstream of
Bellvue off Highway 287 at Highway 54E.
Cache la Poudre River upstream of Fort
Collins at Shields Avenue Bridge.
Cache la Poudre River at Prospect Avenue
in Fort Collins.
Cache la Poudre River at Timnath Road.
Cache la Poudre River upstream of
Windsor.
Cache la Poudre River downstream from
Windsor and South of Bracewell.
Cache la Poudre River at Spanish Colony.
Irrigation return -near Spanish Colony.
Cache la Poudre River upstream of
Eaton Draw.
Eaton Draw at Mouth.
Eaton Draw downstream from Eaton
Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Eaton Draw upstream of sugar factory.
Cache la Poudre River at 6th Avenue,
River
Miles
252.5
250. &
249.0/53.6
249.0/46.8
249.0/41.2
249.0/36.3
249.0/26.5
249.0/17.9
249.0/9.4
249.0/9.35
249.0/7.0
249.0/6.9/0.1
249.0/6.9/6.5
249.0/6.9/7.2
249.0/6.3
August-September Surveys November-December Surveys
Chemical Bacteriological Biological Chemical Bacteriological Biological
XXX
XX XXX
XXX
X X
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
X
X XXX
X XX
X XX
X XX
CO
XX X X X ^
Greeley.
-------
TABLE B-l (Continued)
STREAM SAMPLING LOCATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN, 1971
78
•79
80
81
82
83
84
85
Type of Analysis Performed
Map Key
73
74
75
76
77
Figure
3
3
3
3
4
Station Description
Cache la Poudre River downstream of
Greeley Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Cache la Poudre River on County Road
' South of Greeley Airport.
Cache la Poudre River near mouth at
'Davis Ranch. '
South Platte River at Kersey.
South Platte River at Weldona,
River
Miles
249.0/5.2
249.0/12.9
249.0/0.5
246.5
203.9
August-September Surveys
Chemical Bacteriological Biological
X X
XXX
X X -, X
— Gaging
November-December Surveys
Chemical
X
X
X
Station
Bacteriological
X
X
X
X
Only--
Biological
X
"South on Highway.
4 • South Platte River upstream of Great 197.0
Western Discharge at Fort Morgan.
4 South Platte River at Fort Morgan 196.6
(Colorado 52 Bridge).
4 South Platte River downstream from 195.4
Great Western Discharge at Fort Morgan.
4 South Platte River at Balzac. 174.0
4 South Platte River - South Sterling. 151.6
4 South Platte River downstream from 150.0
Great Western Discharge at Sterling.
4 South Platte River at Ovid (Bridge on 95.4
Colorado 23) .
4 Liddle Ditch downstream from Lodgepole 95.1
Creek at Overflow Structure.
X ^ X
—Gaging Station Only—
X-/ X X
X X
Electroshock for fish at river mile 158.1
-------
TABLE B-l (Continued)
STREAM SAMPLING LOCATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN, 1971
Type of Analysis Performed
Map Key
86
87
Figure
A
4
Station Description
River August-September Surveys November-December Surveys
Miles Chemical Bacteriological Biological Chemical Bacteriological
South Platte River downstream from Ovid.
South Platte River at Julesburg (Bridge
94.0
87.0
X X
X X
Biological
X
X
88
on U.S. 385X
South Platte River downstream from
Nebraska-Colorado State Line (1-80 Bridge).
81.1
-------
APPENDIX C
STUDY METHODS
-------
C-l
WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS
Twenty-three municipal and 45 industrial sources were investigated.
Background data on these sources were collected from existing files
(South Platte River Basin Project records and reports), municipal and
industrial inventories, Colorado implementation plans, State and local
pollution control authorities, and industrial officials.
Where possible, the municipal waste sources were sampled for three
days. The Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District //I Plant (Metro)
was sampled for eight days. Influent and effluent sampling was generally
conducted; however, intermediate points were sampled at some plants—e.g.,
Metro. Water samples were collected manually or by the use of automatic
sampling equipment (SERCO) and composited on a 24-hour, flow-weighted
basis. Chemical analyses included BOD, TOC, solids, and, at selected
stations, COD, metals, and nutrients. Periodic measurements were made
for pH, conductivity, temperature, and chlorine residual (effluent only).
Grab samples of water were collected for bacteriological analyses several
times each day. When flow measuring devices were not available at a
plant, such equipment was installed. In most instances a Parshall flume
was available. When necessary, continuous flow recorders (Stevens Model
F) were used.
Of the 45 industries visited, 23 were selected for sampling of which
nine were Great Western Sugar Company plants. Automatic sampling equip-
ment was used at the nine Great Western plants and at the Adolph Coors
Company. These samples were composited on an equal volume basis.
-------
C-2
Water samples at the other industries were generally collected over an
eight-hour period as grab samples and then composited. Measurements
were made for pH, conductivity, and temperature during the sampling
period. Bacteriological samples were collected periodically at the
Great Western plants and Coors. Where possible flows were measured
and recorded continuously; otherwise, estimates were made.
After collection all samples were iced and transported to the
NFIC-Denver laboratory for analyses. Laboratory personnel split the
samples and added the necessary preservatives.
STREAM SURVEYS
Chemical, Physical, and Bacteriological Parameters :
The stream surveys were conducted during August-September and
November-December 1971. Eighty-six stations [Table B-l] were sampled.
The sampling for chemical and bacteriological analyses was generally
four to five days in duration. The time of sampling at each station
was varied to obtain the maximum time spread. During the summer survey,
a dissolved oxygen profile was conducted over a 24-hour period at se-
lected stations in the following reaches:
1. South Platte River, Waterton to Platteville.
2. South Platte River from upstream of mouth of St. Vraih
Creek to downstream from the mouth of the Big Thompson River.
3. Cache la Poudre River from Bellvue downstream to the mouth
including the South Platte River upstream and downstream from the
mouth of the Cache la Poudre.
-------
C-3
All samples were collected using established sampling procedures.
Samples for chemical analyses were collected in clean, unused containers;
those for bacteriological analyses were collected in sterile glass con-
tainers. The dissolved oxygen samples were collected in 300 ml bottles
using a Sargent sampler. All samples were iced and transported to the
NFIC - Denver laboratory in Denver. The chemistry samples were then
split and preserved for specific analyses by laboratory personnel.
The pH, conductivity, and temperature were measured in the field
at the time of sampling. Flow data were collected from existing gaging
stations where possible. In addition, stream flow measurements were
«
made at selected stations.
Bacteriological analyses for total and fecal coliform and for
streptococcus were performed, according to the method prescribed in
the 13th Edition, Standard Methods for the Examination'of Water and
Wastewater, 1971* using the membrane filter technique.
The BOD and dissolved oxygen tests were determined, according
to the method prescribed in the 13th Edition, Standard Method for the
Examination of Water and Wastewater, 1971* using the azide modifica-
tion of the Winkler method.
All other laboratory analyses and field measurements used were
conducted in accordance with Methods for Chemical Analyses of Water
and Wastes, July 1971.**
*Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 13th
Edition, American Public Health Association, New York, New York, 1971.
**Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, Environmental
Protection Agency, National Environmental Research Center, Analytical
Quality Control Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1971.
-------
C-4
BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS
Algae '
Periphyton or attached algal growths were sampled using artificial
substrates, 1 X 3-inch glass microscope slides. The substrate assemblies
consisted of five slides attached to building bricks with glazier's putty.
After a 10-day exposure in the stream, four slides from each substrate
assembly were placed in 90 percent acetone for subsequent chlorophyll
analysis. The fifth slide was placed in 5 percent formalin to determine
periphyton density and to identify prevalent algal types.
In the laboratory, the slides preserved in acetone were scraped
and rinsed off into the acetone solution. The chlorophyll-bearing
acetone was centrifuged to remove suspended particulate matter and
concentrations of chlorophyll were determined with a recording spectro-
photometer. Previous studies revealed little or no chlorophyll b_ or c^
in South Platte River Basin periphyton samples; therefore, only chlorophyll
ji was measured and recorded in this report. The equation used for ex-
pressing chlorophyll on an areal basis from the substrate was:
Chlorophyll A = C x S = micrograms/sq. inch
1 . A
where: C = concentration of chlorophyll in acetone solute (ug/ml)
S = milliliters of acetone solute
A = square inches of substrate
The slide preserved in 5 percent formalin solution was used to
determine periphyton density and prevalent algal types. Attached algae
were scraped and rinsed off into a formalin solution. A one-milliliter
aliquot was counted in a Sedgwick-Rafter counting cell and the cells
per unit area computed. Prevalent types of algae were identified and
recorded.
-------
C-5
Benthos
Bottom-dwelling invertebrates were sampled using Hester-Dendy
artificial substrates and standard quantitative bottom sampling gear.
The artificial substrates were placed in situ for 42 to 49 days. The
sample collected was brushed off the plates and preserved in 5 percent
formalin. Two kinds of quantitative bottom samplers were used: (1)
Surber square-foot sampler and (2) Petersen grab (dredge). The sampled
streams were generally shallow, so the majority of quantitative sampling
was done with the Surber sampler. A qualitative sample was taken at
each biological stream station also. All samples were preserved in
10 percent formalin. In the laboratory, the preserved organisms were
separated from debris, identified and counted. Results from the artificial
substrates were expressed as number of animals per substrate; results
from Petersen and Surber samplers were expressed "as number of animals
per square foot. Organisms collected in qualitative samples only were
arbitrarily assigned values of one per square foot of stream bed, and
were counted with the quantitative samples.
In the report macroinvertebrates were classified into three
categories depending upon their reaction to environmental stress:*
1. Intolerant - organisms that live in a restricted range of environ-
mental conditions. They exhibit a negative reaction to enriched conditions.
Included in this category were immature stoneflies, caddisflies and mayflies.
2. Facultative - organisms that can withstand a wide range of environ-
mental conditions and that thrive in moderate organic enrichment. These
forms are not commonly found in grossly polluted conditions; e.g. immature
dragonflies, damselflies, midges (except Chironomus), scuds, etc.
-------
C-6
3. Tolerant - organisms that can withstand adverse environmental
conditions. Commonly found in clean to polluted streams, but they
often exhibit a positive reaction to gross organic enrichment by a
drastic increase in numbers; e.g. sludgeworms, leeches, midges
(Chironomus), etc.
Fish
Quantitative sampling of fish was done with modified trap nets
in the South Platte River (RM 339.2 to 332.3) and in the Cache la
Poudre River. Four nets were fished at each location for 24-hour
periods and data were expressed as the equivalent catch for four
net days. Fish were collected also in the South Platte River Basin
by electroshocking.
-------
APPENDIX D
CHEMICAL AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS FOR STREAM SURVEYS
-------
TABLE D-l
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND CHEMICAL DATA FOR STREAM SURVEYS ON TRIBUTARIES IN THE DEaVfi! iCTROPOLITAN AREA
BEAR CREEK, CHERRY CREEK, SAND CREEK AND CLEAR CREEK
AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 2, 1971
Mapa/
Key^X
8
7
6
11
16
22
21
20
19
Station Description
Bear Creek
Bear Creek upstream
of Morrison
(RM 326.4/13.0)
Bear Creek at Kipling
(RM 326.4/5.9)
Bear Creek at Mouth
(at Federal Blvd.)
(RM 326.4/0.7)
Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek at Mouth
(RM 317.7/0.1)
Sand Creek
Sand Creek at Mouth
(RM 312.1/0.1)
Clear Creek
Clear Creek upstream
of Golden
(RM 311.1/18.7)
Clear Creek at
Mclntire Road
(RN 311.1/14.1)
Clear Creek at Kipling
Street
(RM 311.1/10.1)
Clear Creek at York
Street
(RM 311.1/0.3)
FTS5
CFS
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE 21 .8
RANGE 21.7-21.8
AVERAGE
RANGE 9.01-17.8
AVERAGE 102.7
RANGE 95.9-109.5
AVERAGE 185
RANGE 172-204
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE 21
RANGE 16-28
Temp.
°C
_
13.5-20.0
_
15.0-24.0
_
15.0-23.0
-
16.5-24
_
17-19
-
13.5-18.0
-
16-22.5
_
16.5-25.0
_
16-21
Cond.
umhos/cm
_
60-80
_
335-450
_
460-625
-
560-850
_
420-600
-
180-210
-
220-300
_
215-340
_
470-600
pH • Dissolved
S.U. mg/1.
7.6
7.4-8.3 .7.2-8.2
6.8
7.5-8.2 5.7-8.2
8.5
7.8-8.8 6.0-11.3
8.2
7.7-9.7 5.5-11.4
6.8
7.5-8.0 6.4-7.3
8.2
7.9-8.4 7.2-9.1
5.2
7.4-7.9 3.4-7.0
6.5
6.8-8.0 5.2-7.5
6.7
7.3-8.4 4.81-8.6
Oxygen
% Sat.
95
85-105
91
72-114
110
72-150
110
75-155
89
86-95
98
92-105
66
42-86
84
65-93
88
62-115
' ' BOD
mg/1
2.5
0.7-5.0
1.3
1.2-1.3
1.9
1.1-2.6
4.3
2.0-7.6
7.8
6.3-9.4
1.2
0.9-1.8
8.0
5.0-13
5.9
4.5-7.6
4.0
2.9-5.2
tot -
mg/1
c/
r
_
-
2
1-2
3
1-4
7
2-14
2
1-3'
.
-
_
-
3
1-4
Sol ids
Total
80
60-110
273
220-320
360
300-400
585
530-660
572
380-1 ,300
170 .
120-260
272
180-450
258
200-420
379
300-469
mg/1 -
Suspended
25
18-32
2C
10- 3C
19
12-26
34
18-60
203
28-830
57
21-130
92
32-270
35
15-55
35
10-60
Alkalinity
mg/1
30
29-30
162
160-164
215
212-318
192.
192-193
126
125-127
44
43-45
66^
64
63-64
b/
-
NH3 - N
0.2
0.1-6.2
_
-
0.2
0.1-0.2
0.2
0.2-0.3
0.3
0.2-0.5
0.2
0.2-0.3
_
-
-
0.4
0.3-0.5'
mg/1 as
Kj - N
.2
.1-.3
_
-
.3
.1-.5
.£/
-
2.8
1.0-5.4
.3
.2-. 3
_
-
-
7-
.6-. 9
"R
NU2 + NOi
0.18
0.10-0.27
_
-
0.33
0.12-0:54
1.6
1.5-1.7
1.06
.98-1.10
0.18
0.16-0.20
.
-
_
-
1.3
1.0-1.5
Total
(mq/1)
0.3
P
0.2-0.3
.
-
Q.-fJ
-
0.4^
-
0.6
0.5-0.
c/
o.r1
-
.
-
_
-
0.7^
,7
a/ See Figure 2.
E/ One value.
c/ All values the same.
-------
TABLE D-2
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND CHEMICAL DATA AT SELECTED STATIONS ON ST. VRAIN AND BOULDER CREEKS
SEPTEMBER 7-10, 1971
Map,,
Key^/
33
35
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
37
38
Station Description
St. Vrain Creek
St. Vrain Creek
upstream of Longmont
(RM 270.0/26.6)
St. Vrain Creek
downstream of.
Longmont (City Line
Road) (RM 270.0/20.8)
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
Flow Temp.
CFS °C
-
16.0-25.0
_
14.5-24.0
Cond.
ymhos/cm
-
260-340
_
520-1 ,200
PH
S.U.
-
6.9-7.9
.
7.6-8.1
Dissolved
mg/1
7.8
6.9-8.7
8.4
6.5-9.7
Oxygen
* Sat.
99
85-115
111
86-1 34
BOD
mq/1
1.3
1.2-1.5
5.4
1.3-10
TOC Solids
mg/1 Total
5 205
1-7 170-260
630
390-710
mg/1
Suspended
8
4-12
16
8-30
Alkalinity mg/1 as N Total P
mg/1 NH3 - N K.I - N NOj + N03 mg/1
b/
67 0.2 0.3 0.39 O.r'
60-80 0.1-0.3 0.2-0.3 0.09-1.6
65 ....
64-67 ....
Boulder Creek upstream
of Boulder State
Highway 119
(RM 270.0/17.4/27.6)
Boulder Creek down-
stream from Boulder
at 55th Street
(RM 270.0/17.4/21.0)
Boulder Creek down-
stream from South
Boulder Creek
(RM 270.0/17.4/19.9)
Boulder Creek County
Road 19 near Liggett
(RM 270.0/17.4/14.2)
Coal Creek' upstream
of Mouth
(RM 270.0/17.4/7.9/1.
Boulder Creek down-
stream from Coal
Creek at Highway 52
(RM 270.0/17.4/7.3)
Boulder Creek near
Mouth
(RM 270.0/17.4/1.9)
St. Vrain Creek at
1-25
(RM 270.0/14.6)
St. Vrain Creek near
Mouth
(RM 270.0/1.3)
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
0) RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
56
39-67 11.0-16.5
_
13.5-21.0
_
14-22.5
_
14.0-22.0
2.8
2.5-3.1 12.0-24.5
.
14.5-25.0
6.7
5.9-7.9 14.0-25.5
•
16.0-24.0
211
178-232 17.0-23.5
_
70-440
_
200-480
_
260-400
_
400-470
_
1 ,100-1 ,200
..
490-650
_
1 ,200-1 ,400
_
1,100-1,450
.
1,100-1,500
_
7.3-7.5
_
6.8-7.4
_
6.7-7.8
_
7.5-8.0
_
6.2-8.3
-
6.5-8.9
-
7.9-8.6
_
7.5-8.3
_
6.5-8.2
8.5
8.0-8.9
7.1
6.4-8.2
6.7
4.7-8.3
7.6
6.4-8.6
8.3
7.5-9.4
10.6
8.4-13.7
12.1
9.4-14.6
8.8
6.6-10.5
7.2
4.3-8.7
97
92-102
88
79-102
85
65-106
95
73-110
102
81-125
145
99-196
154
110-209
120
86-148
91
60-110
0.9
0:8-1.0
14
13-14
8.8
-
6.5
6.4-6.6
9.0
6.5-13
6.1
SiO-S.O
1.7
1.4-4.3
3.9
3.4-4.4
3.7 ..
2.3-5.6
<2 65
-------
TABLE D-3
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND CHEMICAL DATA AT SELECTED STATIONS ON ST. VRAIN CREEK
DECEMBER 6-10, 1971
Flow Temp. Cond. pH
CFS °C ymhos/cm S.U.
Dissolved Oxygen BOD
mg/1 % Sat, mg/1
Alkalinity
ma/1
a/
Map Key~ Station Description
36 St. Vrain River downstream
from Great Western at
Longmont, Colorado
(RM 270.0/20.6)
34 St. Vrain River upstream of
Great Western at Longmont,
Colorado
(RM 270/22.5)
AVERAGE 56.0 - - 2.1 - 55
RANGE 52.0-57.8 5.0-13.0 1,200-1,380 7.7-8.4 0.3-3.7 3-33 45-65
AVERAGE 38.6
RANGE 34.5-40.3 0.0-1.0
11.3 - 3
825-1,350 7.7-8.3 10.4-12.6 85-106 2-6
251
230-265
214
198-230
a/ See Figure 3.
-------
TABLE D-4
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND CHEMICAL DATA AT SELECTED STATIONS ON THE BIG AND LITTLE THOMPSON RIVERS
SEPTEMBER 7-10, 1971
Mapa/
Key5/
Station Description
Flow
CFS
Temp.
°C
Cond.
umhos/cm
PH
S.U.
Dissolved Oxygen
mg/1
* Sat.
BOD
mg/1
TOC
mg/1
Solids mg/1 Alkalinity
Total Suspended mq/1
NH-, - N
mg/1 as N
K, - N
NO, + NO-)
Total P
mg/1
Big Thompson River Basin
47
48
50
51
53
54
57
52
Big Thompson River
(BTR) west of Love-
land on U.S. 34
Fawn Hallow
(RM 260.4/37.9)
BTR two miles west
of 1-25 on Colorado
402 1/4 mile north
on Road 9E
(RM 260.4/23.5)
. BTR south of Officer
one mile east 1/2 mile
on Weld County- 54
(RM 260.4/16.5)
BTR at Route 257.
Milliken
. (RM 260.4/8.2).
Little Thompson River
(LTR) south and west
of Berthoud
(RM 260.4/7.0/18.9)
LTR at 1-25
(RM 260.4/7.0/11.1)
LTR at Mouth
(RM 260.4/7.0/0.1)
BTR at Mouth
(RM 260.4/0.9)
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE 25
RANGE 81-28
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE 63
RANGE 54-72"
AVERAGE 93
RANGE 92-108
15-17
-
15-21
-
15-20
-
14-19
_
17-25
_
15-22
.
14-18.5
.
14-21
60-100
-
800-1,100
-
675-1 ,300
-
1,600-2,000
_
2,400-3,750
• '
2,700-3.500
_
2,600-4,000
1,700-3,000
7.2-7.7
-
7.5-8.5
-
7.8-8.6
-
7.8-8.3
-
7.9-8.3
_
7.9-8.1
.
7.9-8.1'
.
7.4-8.0
8.2
7.7-8.7
8.5
6.5-9.8
11.9
8:9-15.7
9.3
7.7-10.8
7.1
6.0-8.1
6.9
5.3-8.4
6.8
6.4-7.0
7.5
7.0-8.0
88
83-93
98
76-118
135
103-150
110
79-115
84
66-115
80
65-89
75
72-77
86
76-98
2.0
1.6-2.5
5.8
5.2-6.8
2.4
1.2-3.1
i.6 '-
1.0-2.7
3.6
2.0-6.8
6.1
3.7-8.4
4.1
3.8-4.2
3.1
2.6-3.7
f,.,
8
7-8
5
3-9
5
2-9
6
5-8
-
-
12
11-13
8
6-11
377
50-820
570
480-710
788
670-950
1,370
1,120-1,670
1,970
1,880-2,130
3,210
2,770-4,190
2,520
2,250-2,940
1,760
1,050-2,160
13
8-30
30
6-48
18
7-35
21
8-59
9
7-19
378
61-1,250
225 ,
132-440
140 26
90-1 fi? . "25-26
0.2
0.1-0.3
0.5
0.2-0.8
0.2
0.2-0.3
0.3
0.2-0.4
0.2
0.2-0.3
.
-
0.4
0".3-O.S
0.3
0.2-0.4
0.3
0.1-0.4
1.5
1.1-2.1
0.6
0.3-0.8
0.4
-
0.7
0.4-0.8
_
-
1.0
0.4-1.6
0.7
0.5-0.'8
0.17 0.3
0.03-0.50 0.1-0.4
0.90
0.53-1.4
1.2
0.85-1.6
1.4
0.87-2.2
2.0
0.9-2.7
-
-
3.0
2.9-3.2
2.3
2.2-2.4
0.7
0.5-1.0
0.5
0.4-0.5
0.3
0.2-0.5
0.3
0.1-0.4
-
0.8
0.7-1.0
0.6
0.4-1.0
a/ See Figure 3.
B/ Al1 values the same
-------
TABLE D-5
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND CHEMICAL DATA AT SELECTED STATIONS ON THE BIG AND LITTLE THOMPSON RIVERS
DECEMBER 6-10, 1971
Map Key
Station Description
Flow
CFS
Temp.
°C
Cond.
limbos/cm
pH
S.U.
DissolvedOxygen BOD
ing/1 % Sat.' mg/1
Alkalinity
mq/1
48 Big Thompson River upstream of
Great Western at Loveland,
Colorado
(RM 260.4/23.5)
49 Big Thompson River downstream
from Great Western at Loveland,
Colorado
(RM 260.4/21.0)
56 Little Thompson River down-
stream from Great Western
at Johnstown, Colorado
(RM 260.4/7.0/1.15)
55 Little Thompson River upstream
of Great Western at Johnstown,
Colorado
(RM 260.4/7.0/4.0)
AVERAGE 12.4 - - - 9.7 - 17
RANGE 12.4-12.4 0.0-4.5 1,350-1,500 7.4-8.2 7.6-11.0 62-104 12-24
AVERAGE 18.2 - - - 8.4 - 16
RANGE 9.3-25.3 0.0-4.5 975-1,200 7.8-8.1 7.9-8.9 65-75 11-24
AVERAGE 25.1
RANGE 24.9-25.4
AVERAGE 20.7
RANGE 20.7
5.8 - 82
0.5-4.5 1,400-3,250 7.9-8.3 4.0-7.0 37-58 46-148
10.6 - 4
0.0-2.5 2,750-3,500 7.9-8.4 10.4-10.7 86-87 2-7
203
196-215
238
223-248
354
322-403
317
299-338
-------
TABLE D-6
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND CHEMICAL DATA AT SELECTED STATIONS ON THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER
SEPTEMBER 13-16, 1971
Key ^
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
69
72
73
75
Station Description
Cache la Poudre River
(CLPR) upstream of
Bellevue off Highway
287 at Highway 54E
(RM 249.0/53.60)
CLPR upstream of
Fort Collins at
Shields Avenue Bridge
(RM 249.0/46.80)
CLPR at Prospect .
Avenue in Fort
Collins
(RM 249.0/41.2)
CLPR at Timnath
Road
(RM 249.0/36.3)
CLPR upstream of
Windsor
(RM 249.0/26.5)
CLPR downstream from
Windsor and south of
Bracewel 1
(RM 249.0/17.9) '
CLPR at Spanish
Colony
(RM 249.0/9.4) .
Irrigation return near
Spanish Colony
(RM 249.0/9.35)
Eaton Draw -at Mouth
(RM 249.0/6.9/0.1) '
CLPR at 6th Avenue,
Greeley
(RM 249.0/6.3)
CLPR downstream
from Greeley STP
(RM 249.0/5.2)
CLPR near Mouth at
David Bridge
(RM 249.0/0.5)
Flow Temp. Cond. pH
CFS °C umhos/cm S.U.
AVERAGE 266
RANGE 230-302 11-14 60-85 7.1-7.3
AVERAGE - - - -
RANGE - 10.0-14.5 130-160 7.2-8.0
AVERAGE 55.5
RANGE 35.8-79.5 11.0-15.0 430750 7.3-8.3
AVERAGE - - -
RANGE - 11.0-14.0 1,600-2,000 7.5-7.7
AVERAGE
RANGE - 11.5-14.5 1,300-1,450 7.8-8.2
AVERAGE -
RANGE - 11.5-15 1 ,500-.! ,700.. 7.8-8.0
AVERAGE 39.7
RANGE 32.4-45.1 11-14 1,750-2,100 7.6-8.1
AVERAGE 7.49
RANGE .6.05-8.61 10.5-12.0 1,350-2,600 7.9-8.-1
AVERAGE 1.53^ - - - b/ '
' -'(ANGE 1.32-1.74 10.5-14.0 1,650-1,900 8.5~
AVERAGE - - - -
XANGE - 11-14 -2,000-2,500 7.9-8.2
AVERAGE - - - -
~ANGE - 12-14 1,900-2,600 7.7-8.1
AVERAGE 85.1
RANGE 69.2-101.1 11-15 1,900-2,000 7.7-7.8
Dissolved Oxygen
mg/1
9.6
9.2-10.4
12.3
10-14.5
7.7
7.4-10.1
5.5
3.7-6.5
9.4
8.7-10-.1
8.9 .
8.0-10.4
10.9
8.7-13.9
9.0
8.6-9.4
8.2
7.6-9.3
7.6
6.9-8.5
5.5
3.9-6.8
5.1
2.7-6.1
% Sat.
106
100-114
102
95-111
86
48-120
61
41-71
108
103-112
101
90-116
121
96-155
99
-96-103
92
85-101
86
75-100
62
43-80
57
32-68
BOD,
mg/T
0.9
0.9-1.0
1.2
1.1-1.4
7.4
6.6-8.2
5.3
4.0-6.6
3.9
3.8-4.0
3.4 .
3.1-3.8
1.9
1.5-2.3
7.0
5.2^8.8
11
10-11
3.4
3.2-3.5
27
20-34
10
9.2-11
TOC Solids mg/1
mg/1 Total
<1 65
<1-1 30-120
90
60-150
b/
3 ... 422
320-570
4 1 ,620
2-5 1 ,560-1 ,700
5 1,120
4-6 1,010-1,260
1,360
1,200-1,460
3 1,780
2-4 1 ,690-1 ,940
1 ,820
1,380-2,810
10 1,370
8-12 1,270-1,550
1 .400
620-1,720
1,470
1,410-1,550
8 1,440
6-9 1,320-1,520
Susp.
7
8
5-15
13
9-19
9
7-15
38
30-50
35 -
29-41
8
4-12
310
250-350
100
42-170
50
43-73
78
38-142
35
31-50
Turbidity Alkalinity mg/1 as N Total P
J.T.U.
3.9
3.2-4.5
3.6
2.6-4.5
8.4
2.8-17
4.0
2.5-4.8
14
7.3-18
8.9
2.6-16
4.8
4.5-5.0
120
85-140
42 • -
22-60
20
7.3-30
31
17-50
12
4.5-23
mg/1 NH3 - N K.I - N NO? + NOj mg/1
30 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.1^
26-36 0.2-0.3 0.2-0.3
43 . . . .
39-46 ...
b/
142 0.3^ 1.1 . 0.76 1.2
113-171 - - 0.69-0.84 1.0-1.3
252 1.7 3.0 2.7 1.0
247-257 1.0-2.4 2.9-3.0 - 0.7-V.3'.
195 0.3^ 1.0 1.2 0.4^
187-209 - 1.0-1.1 1.1-1.3
230 ' -
222-248
275 0.2 0.6 4.5 0.1
260-290 0.2-0.3 0.5-0. i 4.3-4.7 0.1-. 0.2
206
162-315 - ' - . -
201 0.2 - 1.4 3.8 0.4
200-202 0.2-0.3 1.3-1.6 3.7-3.8 0.3-0.5
256 -
247-282
251
237-275 -
b/ b/
254 0.4 1.7 3.7- 0.5^
238-267 0.4-0.5 1.4-2.0
a/ See Figure 3.
B/ All values the same.
£/ No flow on September 13 and 16.'1971.
-------
TABLE D-7
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND CHEMICAL DATA AT SELECTED STATIONS ON THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER
DECEMBER 6-7, and 13-15, 1971
Map a/FlowTemp.Cond.pHDissolved OxygenBODTOCAlkalinity
Key ~ Station Description CFS ^C umhos/cm S.U. mg/1 % Sat. mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
75 Cache la Poudre River
(CLPR) near Mouth at
Davis Range AVERAGE 144 - - - - - 59 271
(RM 249.0/0.5) RANGE - 0.5-5.0 1,400-1,700 7.4-7.8 5.1-7.1 48-63 30-135 259-284
73 CLPR downstream
from STP at
Greeley AVERAGE 132 (est) - - - 9.1 - 29 253
(RM 249.0/5.2) RANGE - 0.0-3.5 1,050-1,700 7.6-7.9 8.2-9.6 72-81 22-38 249-257
72 CLPR at 6th Avenue
in Greeley AVERAGE 122 (est) - - - 11.0 - 8.5 253
(RM 249.0/6.3) RANGE - 0.0-2.5 1,000-1,800 7.8-8.1 10.6-12.189-108 6-12 250-257
68 CLPR upstream of
Eaton Draw AVERAGE 111 - - - 11.1 91 4.8 247
(RM 249.0/7.0) RANGE - 0.0-2.5 1,300-1,725 7.5-8.0 10.6-12.789-96 3-10 242-252
69 Eaton Draw- at
Mouth AVERAGE 22.5 - - - - - 14 10 325
(RM 249.0/6.9/0.1) RANGE - 4.0-8.0 1,500-1,850 7.8-8.3 9.1-10.094-109 12-18 9.0-11.0 324-325
71 Eaton Draw upstream
of Great Western AVERAGE 1.8 - - - 9.4 - 3.4 8 348
(RM 249.0/6.9/7.2) RANGE 1.71-2.07 2-7 1,400-1,520 8.0-8.3 8.3-10.575-100 2-6.6 5-10 341-355
70 Eaton Draw down-
stream from STP AVERAGE - - - - 3.5 - 26 13 331
(RM 249.0/6.9/6.5) RANGE 6.0 (est) 15-19 1,450-3,000 7.8-8.2 3.0-4.0 38-50 12-36 7-19 266-395
o
a/ See Figure 3.
b/ These stations sampled during the period November 30-December 4, 1971.
-------
TABLE D-8
SUMMARY OF SELECTED STUDIES ON THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER, WATERTON TO KERSEY,
AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 16, 1971
Mai/
Key&/
1
2
3
5
9
10
12
14
24
25
26
29
30
31
32
Flow
Station Description CFS
South Platte River at
Waterton Bridge east
. of Water Treatment AVERAGE 320
Plant (RM 339.2) RANGE 291-345
South Platte River
at Blakeland Road AVERAGE
(RM 336.5) RANGE
South Platte River
at Colorado 470 AVERAGE
Bridge (RM 334.9) RANGE
South Platte River
at Bowles Avenue • AVERAGE
(RM 329.8) RANGE
South Platte River at
Florida Avenue AVERAGE
(RM 323.2) RANGE
South Platte River up-
stream of. Cherry Creek AVERAGE
(RM 317.8) . ' ". RANGE
South Platte River at
19th Street Bridge AVERAGE 307
(RM 317.3) RANGE 291-344
South Platte River at
York Street - AVERAGE
(RM 313.4) ' RANGE
South Platte River at
88th Avenue AVERAGE
(RM 308.8) RANGE
South Platte River at
(RM 301.7) RANGE • 275-7.94
South Platte River at .
Brighton, Colorado AVERAGE
(RM 296.1) . RANGE
South Platte River at
Fort Lupton, Colorado AVERAGE 738
(RM 288.2) RANGE 630-895
South Platte River at
Platteville, Colorado AVERAGE
(RM 276.7) RANGE
South Platte River up-
stream of Mouth of St. AVERAGE
Vrain Creek (RM 270.1) RANGE
South Platte River
downstream from St. AVERAGE
Vrain Creek (RM 264.7) RANGE
Temp.
°C
-
15.0-20.0
-
16.0-18.0
-
17.0-20.0
-
16.7-21.5
-
16.0-22.0
-
17.0-24.0
-
16.7-24.0
-
17.2-22.5
_
18.0-22.0
18.5-23.0
-
18.5-24.0
- -
18.5-23.5
-
18.7-25.0
_
15-22.5
-
15.0-21.5
Cond.
umhos/cm
-
330-540
-
350-360
-
320-440
-
320-470
-
375-540
-
360-675
-
325-600
-
360-580
-
640-800
600-900
-
620-990
-
750-1,050
-
650-1,010
_
900-1 ,310
-
1,000-1 ,400
pH
S.U.
-
7.3-8.7
-
8.1-8.3
-
8.0-8.3
-
7.1-8.3
-
7.2-8.0
-
7.7-8.6
-
7.2-8.3
-
7.4-8.1
-
7.3-7-6
7.2-7.6
-
7.3-7.8
-
7.3-7.6
-
7.4-8.0
-
6.2-7.8
-
7.0-8.0
Dissolved Oxygen
mg/1
7.6
7-3-8.2
8.2
7.7-9.0
7.7
7.3-8.4
7.9
7.3-9-9
7.0
6.5-7.6
7.0
5.0-8.5
7.0
6.0-7-7
6.9
5.7-7.4
4-5
3-3-5-7
3f
.6
2.4-4.6
3-7
3.0-4.6
"3.8
3.2-4.1
4.9
4.0-6.5
5.0
3-8-5.7
6.8
5.7-7.3
% Sat.
95-8
84.0-100
102
94-110
98
91-107
102
90-135
93
87-97
96
70-114
92
85-100
90
80-100
60
45-75
47
31-60
49
39-63
51
45-56
67
55-85
64
49-77
88'
67-97
BOD;
mg/1
1.0
0.7-1.3
1.0
0.9-1-1
1.5
1.0-2.0
2.8
0.9-6.2
5.1
3.3-7.8
5.1
3.0-6.7
6.1
4.4-7.7
7.4
4.9-13
6.2£/
-
5.2
4.9-5.4
8.1
5.6-13
5.2
4.3-6.2
7
5.4-9:6
6.8
2.9-9.4
6.7
3.2-11
TOC Solids mg/1 Turbidity
mg/1 Total Susp. J.T.U.
<1 250
<1-1 190-320
216
180-250
.283
200-1,070
<\-' 270
230-300
<2 348
-------
TABLE D-8 cont.
SUMMARY OF SELECTED STUDIES ON THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER, WATERTON TO KERSEY, COLORADO
AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 16, 1971
Map
Key2/
1)6
58
59
76
Station Description
Flow
CFS
Temp. Cond.
°C ymhos/cm
pH
S.U.
Dissolved Oxygen
mg/l
% Sat.
BOD 5
mg/l
TOC Solids mg/l Turbidity
mg/l Total
Susp.
J.T.U.
Alkal inity
mg/l
South Platte River down-
stream from Big
Thompson River be-
tween Evans and
La Sal le at Highway
U.S. 85 (RM 256.1)
South Platte River
upstream of Cache la
Poudre River near
Evans (RM 252.5)
South Platte River
upstream of Mouth of
Cache la Poudre
River (RM 250.6)
South Platte River
at Kersey
(RM 21)6.5)
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE 1)38
RANGE 1)00-1)85
-
18-22 1,100-1,700
-
11-11) 1,500-2,000
-
11-15 1,800-2,000
-
11-15 1,600-1,850
-
6.8-8.1
-
8.0-8.2
_
8.1-8.2
-
8.1-8.2
6.9
5.6-7.5
8.1
7.6-8.8
7.7
6.9-8.5
7.7
7.2-8.2
88
65-95
87
87-91)
83
76-91
86
80-89
6.3
3.1-12
2.0
1.8-2.2
1.9
1.7-2.0
l).l
3. l)-i>. 9
12 1,170
l>-23 990-1,290
<2 1,230
-!>. 6
-
-
6 3.8
5-0.7 3.6-3.9
Total
mg/l
1.0
0.6-1.3
0.1)
0.3-0.5
-
-
0.6
0.6-0.7
— See Figures 2 and 3.
— All values the same.
-------
/
Map Key5-'
12
13
14
- 15
M-10
17 .
19
TABLE D-9
SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL RESULTS AND FIELD MEASUREMENTS FOR THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER
19th Street to 88th Avenue
December 13-17, 1971
Flow Temperature pH Cond. DO Percent BOD Total Solids
CFS °C S.U. ymhos/cm mg/1 Saturation mg/i me/1
Station Avg. Range Range Range Range Avg. Range Average Average
SPR at 19th Street 107 3-6 7.6-7.9 775-875 8.5-10.0 9.4 76-93 18 675
(RM 317.3)
b/
SPR at Denver 135~ 3-6 7.4-7.9. 825-1,000 .7.8-9.8 8.9 70-91 14 750
Northside plant
(RM 314.5)
b/
SPR at York Street 2~ 3-5 7.7-7.8 750-1,000 7.8-9.4 8.7 68-86 9 755
(RM 313.2)
Burlington Ditch 1422- 3-5 7.5-7.8 850-1,000 7.7-9.6 8.8 69-91 14 . 725
at York Street
Denver Metro 153 . . ... 44
effluent • ' •
(RM 312.2)
SPR at 1-270 160^ 15-15 7.1-7.4 1,000-1,100 6.0-6.4 6.1 71-76 44 890
bridge
(RM 312.0 " . . '"..'.•
Clear Creek at 54 0.5-2 7.7-8.0 825-1,000 9.2-10.5 9.8 77-89 15
York Street - • .•••••'..
(RM 311.1/0.3)
o
h-
O
Susp. Solids
mg/1
Average
38
29
29
35
95
45
-------
TABLE D-9 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL RESULTS AND FIELD MEASUREMENTS FOR THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER
19th Street to 88th Avenue
December 13-17, 1971
Map Key^
23
24
SPR
224
(RM
SPR
Station
at Colorado
(70th Avenue)
310.9)
at 88th Avenue
Flow
CFS
Avg.
b/
220-
b/
200-
Temperature
°C
Range
8-9
3-12
PH
S.U.
Range
7.3-7.6
7.4-7.7
Cond .
umhos/cm
Range
950-1,050
775-1,100
DO
mg/1
Range
7.4-8.
6.7-7.
.0
,3
Avg.
7.8
7.0
Percent BOD Total Solids
Saturation mg/1 mg/1
Range Average Average
77-83 40 820
60-81
Susp. Solids
rag/1
Average
68
(RM 308.8)
a/ See Figure 2.
b/ Estimated flow.
-------
TABLE D-10
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND CHEMICAL DATA AT SELECTED STATIONS ON THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER
UPSTREAM OF BRIGHTON DOWNSTREAM TO KERSEY
DECEMBER 6-10, 1971
a/
Map Key-
Description
Flow
CFS
Temp. Cond. pH Dissolved Oxygen BOD TOC Alkalinity
°C yimhos/cm S.U. mg/1 % SatT mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
25 South Platte River (SPR) at
Henderson, Colorado
(RM 301.7)
26 SPR at Colorado 7 bridge
west of Brighton, Colorado
(RM 296.1)
27 SPR downstream from STP
"•• • at-Brighton, Colorado
(RM 295.7)
28 SPR downstream from Great
Western at Brighton-,
Colorado
(RM 294.4)
29 SPR at Fort Lupton, Colorado
(RM 288.2)
b/
59 SPR one mile upstream of~~
mouth of Cache la Poudre
River
(RM 250.6)
76 SPR at Kersey, Colorado
(Colorado 37 bridge)
(•RM 246.5)
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
.RANGE
a/ See Figure 3.
b/ These stations sampled December 6-7 and 13-15, 1971.
200
168-250
322
307-339
670(est)
AVERAGE 842
RANGE . 806-887
FLOW MEASUREMENTS ONLY FROM USGS GAGE
5.2
3.0-9.0 950-1,100 7.3-7.5 5.1-5.4
37 61 227
20-48 20-87 226-229
- 4.8 - 39 66 234 .
2.0-9.0 1,100-1,200 7.3-7.5 4.5-5.0 41-49 14-67 25-94 232-236
4.7 - 37 67 273
2.0-9.0 775-1,300 7.3-7.6 4.5-5.3 41-55 22-56 22-100 222-362
FLOW MEASUREMENTS ONLY FROM USGS GAGE
- 9.4 - 12
0.0-2.0 1,300-1,400 7.4-7.8 -8.9-10.0 83-74 7.5-15
8.3 - 26
0.0-2.5 1.300-K500 7.5-7.8 7.7-9.1 < 61-72 16-36
244
244-244
254
209-300
-------
TABLE D-ll
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND CHEMICAL DATA AT SELECTED STATIONS ON THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER
UPSTREAM OF GREAT WESTERN SUGAR-FORT MORGAN DOWNSTREAM TO 1-80 BRIDGE, NEBRASKA
Map Key-/ Station Description Date of Survey
Flow
CFS
Temp. Cond. pH Dissolved Oxygen BOD TOCAlkalinity
°C ymhos/cm S.U. mg/1 % Sat. mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
88
87
86
84
83
82
South Platte River 11/29-12/3/71 AVERAGE
(SPR) downstream from RANGE
Nebraska-Colorado
state line (1-80
bridge)
(RM 81.1)
11.0 - 3.5 7
.5-2.0 1,500-1,6508.1 10.5-11.6 85-92 3.0-5.4 5-12
SPR at Julesburg
(bridge on US 385)
(RM 86.9)
11/29-12/3/71 AVERAGE 340 - - 10.8 - 3.8 8
RANGE 329-352 .5-2.5 1,500-1,6508.0-8.2 10.4-11.4 82-93 3.0-5.4 5-11
SPR downstream from 11/29-12/3/71 AVERAGE
Ovid, Colorado RANGE
(RM 94.0)
SPR at Ovid,
Colorado (bridge
on Colorado 23)
(RM 95.4)
11/29-12/3/71 AVERAGE
RANGE
SPR downstream from 11/29-12/3/71 AVERAGE
Great Western dis- RANGE
charge at Sterling,
Colorado
(RM 150.0)
SPR upstream of
Sterling, Colorado
(RM 151.6)
11/29-12/3/71 AVERAGE
RANGE
9.9 - 13 10
2.0-4.0 1,550-1,6007.6-8.1 9.5-10.0 82-87 10-23 8-13
11.3 - 2.0 6
0.5-2.5 1,500-1,7008.0-8.2 10.8-11.6 89-95 2.0-2.4 4-9
11.0 -
2.5-6.0 1,600-1,9008.1-8.4 10.2-11.5 82-102
264-271
264
254-271
264
262-275
268
262-273
10.0 - 9 0 9 267
2.5-9.0 1,550-1,8008.2-8.5 9.1-10.5 74-91 7.0-14 4-18 260-275
n 5 267
.0-5.0 4-6 262-271
-------
TABLE D-11 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND CHEMICAL DATA AT SELECTED STATIONS ON THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER
UPSTREAM OF GREAT WESTERN SUGAR-FORT MORGAN DOWNSTREAM TO 1-80 BRIDGE, NEBRASKA
, Flow Temp. Cond. pH Dissolved Oxygen BOD TOCAlkalinity
Map Key^-' Station Description Date of Survey CFS °C pmhos/cm S.U. ~ mg/1 % Sat. mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
81 SPR at Balzac 11/29-12/3/71 AVERAGE 97 (FLOW ONLY - USGS GAGE)
(RM 174.4) RANGE 92-102
80 SPR downstream from 11/29-12/3/71 AVERAGE - -- - 8.8 - 5.0 6 273
Great Western dis- RANGE 3.5-8.0 1,400-1,800 8.1-8.4 8.4-9.4 71-89 3.0-6.0 4-8 264-279
charge at Fort'Morgan,
Colorado
(RM 195.4)
78 SPR upstream of 11/29/12/3/71 AVERAGE - - - 11.0 - 2.0 6 273
Great Western dis- RANGE 1.0-5.0 1,500-1,750 8.1-8.3 9.8-11.5 85-99 2.0-3.0 4-8 264-279
charge at Fort Morgan,
Colorado
(RM 196.6)
288 (FLOW ONLY - USGS.GAGE)
77 -SPR-at Weldona 11/29-12/3/71 AVERAGE
(RM1203.9) RANGE 273-292
a/ See Figure 4.
-------
TABLE D-12
SUMMARY OF HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS AT SELECTED STATIONS - SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
Ma p^/
Key Station Description
Dates of Survey
Mercury Cadmium Chromium Copper Lead Zinc
ug/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
1 South Platte River
at Waterton Bridge
east of water treat-
ment plant
(RM 339.2)
5 South Platte River
at Bowles Avenue
(RM 329.8)
6 Bear Creek near
Mouth (at Federal
Blvd)
(RM 326.4/0.7)
8 Bear Creek upstream
of Morrison along
Colorado 74 (second
suspended walkway
across the creek)
(RM 326.4/13.0)
9 South Platte River
at Florida Avenue
(RM 323.2)
August 30, 1971
September 2, 1971
AVERAGE <.2
RANGE
August 30, 1971
September 2, 1971 AVERAGE <.2
RANGE
August 30, 1971
September 2, 1971 AVERAGE <.2
RANGE
August 30, 1971
September 2, 1971 AVERAGE <.2
RANGE
August 30, 1971
September 2, 1971 AVERAGE <.2
RANGE <.2-.2
<.02
<.02
<.02
<.02
<.02
<.02
<.02
<.02
<.02
<.02
<.02
<.02
<.03 <.02
<.03 <.04
.04 <.02
<.03 <.02
<.02 <.02 <.03 <.02
<.02-.02 <.02-.02 <.03-.03<.02-.03
-------
TABLE U-12 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS AT SELECTED STATIONS - SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
0
I
Mapa/
Key -
11
12
19
22
25
29
Station Description
Cherry Creek at
Mouth
(RM 317.7/0.1)
South Platte River at
19th Street Bridge
(RM 317.3)
Clear Creek at York
Street
(RM 311.1/0.3)
Clear Creek upstream
of Golden
(RM 311.1/18.7)
South Platte River
at Henderson, Colo.
(RM 301.7)
South Platte River
at Fort Lupton, Colo.
(RM 288.2)
Dates of Survey
August 30
September
August 30
September
August 30
September
August 30
September
August 30
September
August 30
September
, 1971 -
2, 1971
, 1971 -
2, 1971
, 1971 -
2, 1971
, 1971 -
2, 1971
, 1971 -
2, 1971
, 1971 -
2, 1971
Mercury
uq/1
AVERAGE <.2
RANGE
AVERAGE <.2
RANGE
AVERAGE <.2
RANGE
AVERAGE <.2
RANGE
AVERAGE 0.3
RANGE
AVERAGE .4
RANGE
Cadmium Chromium
mg/1 mg/1
<.02 <.02
<.02 <.02
-
<.02 <.02
<.02-.02
<.02 <.02
_
b/
<.02-/ .04
.04-. 05
b/ b/
<.02~ .04-
-
Copper
rng/1
<.02
.02
-
.02
.02-. 03
.05
-
.06
.04-. 08
.08
.06-. 09
Lead
mg/1
.03
<.03
-
<.04
<.03-.04
<.03
•
<.10
<.03-.16
.05
.03-. 07
Zinc
mg/1
.04
.09
-
.04
.04-
-
.36
-
.18
.07-
.14
.10-
.05
.29
.17
33 St. Vrain Creek up-
stream of Longmont
(RM 270.0/26.6)
September 7-10,
1971
AVERAGE <.6
RANGE .2-.9
b/ b/
<.02- <.03~ <.
-------
TABLE D-12 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS AT SELECTED STATIONS - SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
Map .
Key *
38
39
40
Station Description
St. Vrain near Mouth
(RM 270.0/1.3)
Boulder Creek up-
stream of Boulder
State Highway 119
(RM 270.0/17.4/27.6)
Boulder Creek down-
stream from Boulder
at 55th Street (1/2
Dates of
September
1971
September
1971
September
1971
Survey
7-10,
7-10,
7-10,
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
Mercury Cadmium Chromium
yg/1 mg/1 mg/1
,02*
<.02
<.02-.02
Lead
mg/1
<.04
<.03-.04
•y
...#
Zinc
mg/1
<.02
<.02-
<.02^
<.03
<.02-
.02
/
.04
43
46
mile north of
Valmont)
(RM 270.0/17.4/21.0)
Coal Creek upstream September 7-10,
of Mouth 1971
(RM 270.0/17.4/7.9/1.0)
South Platte River
downstream from the
Big Thompson River
between Evans and
LaSalle at Hwy US-85
(RM 256.1)
September 7-10,
1971
AVERAGE <.5 <.02
RANGE <.2-.7
AVERAGE <.5
RANGE <.2-.7
b/
~~
<.02
b/
b/ b/
<.02~ <.02-
b/
b/
<.02 <.03 <.02
<.03-.03
<.04 .09 .1.0
<.02-.07 .08-.10 .05-.16
o
-------
TABLE D-12 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS AT SELECTED STATIONS - SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
n
h-1
00
Map
Key -
Station Description Dates of Survey
Mercury
ug/1
Cadmium
mg/1
Chromium
mg/1
Copper
mg/1
Lead
mg/]
Zinc
mg/1
47 Big Thompson River
west of Loveland on
US 34 (third bridge)
Fawn Hollow
(RM 260.4/37.9)
48 Big Thompson River
two miles west of
t-25 on-Colo. 402
T/4 mile north on
Road 9E,
September 7-10,
1971
September 7-10,
1971
AVERAGE <.3
RANGE <.2-.4
AVERAGE <.5
RANGE <.2-.7
b/
<.02~
<.«*
b/
<.03
<.02 <.04 <.02
<.02-,02 <.03-.04 <.02-.02
52
53
57
60
Big Thompson River
at Mouth
(RM 260..4/0.9)
Big Thompson River
south and west of
Berthoud
CRM 260.4/7.0/18.9)
September 7-10,
1971
September 7-10,
T971
Little Thompson River September 7-10,
at Mouth 1971
(RM 260.4/7.0/0.1)
Cache la Poudre River September 13-16,
upstream of Bellevue 1971
off Hwy 285 at Hwy 54E
(RM 249.0/53.6)
AVERAGE T.O
RANGE ..2-1.8
AVERAGE <.3
RANGE <.2-.4
AVERAGE <.5
RANGE <.2-.7
AVERAGE <.2-
RANGE
b/ b/ b/
IT <.02~ <.®r
<.03
<.02-.04
.06
.05-. 07
.06
.03-. 10
.04 .06
.02-.07 .03-.10
- b/ b/
<.02- <.03-
.03
..02-. 04
.03
.02-.04
-------
TABLE D-12 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS AT SELECTED STATIONS - SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
Map .
Key *
62
63
65
69
75
Station Description
Cache la Poudre River
at Prospect Avenue in
Fort Collins
(RM 249.0/41.2)
Cache la Poudre River
at Timnath Road
(RM 249.0/36.3)
Cache la Poudre River
downstream from Windsor
& south of Bracewell
(RM 249.0/17.9)
Eaton Draw at Mouth
(RM 249.0/6.9/0.1)
Cache la Poudre River
near Mouth at Davis
Ranch
Dates of
September
1971
September
1971
September
1971
September
1971
September
1971
Survey
13-16,
13-16,
13-16
13-16,
13-16,
Mercury
AVERAGE <.2^
RANGE
AVERAGE < . 2-
RANGE
AVERAGE <.2~
RANGE
AVERAGE <.2~
RANGE
AVERAGE <.2~
RANGE
Cadmium Chromium Copper
mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
•••* •••* ••«"
b/ b/ b/
<.02^ <.02~~ <.02~~
<•«& ^ <-°^
<.02^ <.0^ <.0^
b/ b/ b/
<.02~ <.02~ <.02~
Lead
mg/1
<.04
<.03-.04
<.04
<.03-.04
<.03
<.03-.03
<.04
<.03-.04
<.04
<.03-.04
Zinc
mg/1
•y
-!"
...»
<.02-
<.o^
(RM 249.0/0.5)
a/ See Figures 2, 3, and 4.
b/ All values the same.
a
-------
APPENDIX E
BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
-------
TABLE E-l
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES FOR STREAM SURVEYS AT SELECTED
STATIONS ON THE MAJOR TRIBUTARIES IN THE DENVER
METROPOLITAN AREA
Station Description
Bear Creek upstream of Morrison,
Colorado (river mile 326.4/13.0)
Bear Creek near mouth at Federal
Blvd (river mile 326.4/0.7)
Clear Creek upstream of Golden
(river mile 311.1/18.7)
Clear Creek at Mclntyre Street
(river mile 311.1/14.1)
Clear Creek at York Street
(river mile 311.1/0.3)
Total Coliform Fecal Coliform
Dates MF Count/100 ml MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean Minimum
8/30, 31 39,000 20,000 10,000 1,400 720 380
9/2/71
8/30, 31 14,000 9,100 4,200 460 330 250
9/2/71
8/30 5,100 2,600 1,300 370 120 39
9/2/71
8/30 240,000 120,000 56,000 13,000 5,800 2,600
9/2/71
8/30, 31 89,000 51,000 30,000 2,000 640 310
9/2/71
Fecal Streptococcus
MF Couut/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
4,000 1,200 580
880 550 390
1,100 610 340
59,000 16,000 4,600
3,800 1,800 680
Cherry Creek at mouth
(river mile 317.7/0.1)
Sand Creek at mouth
(river mile 312.1/0.1)
8/30, 31 (2) 120,000
9/2/71
33,000 7,200 3,000
.780
180
8/31
160,000 >110,000 >80,000 10,000 8,800 7,800
5,400 1,900 650
26,000 11,000 4,500
No. in ( ) indicates number of samples collected that date.
-------
TABLE E-2
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES FOR STREAM SURVEYS AT SELECTED
STATIONS IN THE ST. VRAIN CREEK, BIG THOMPSON RIVER
AND CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER BASIN
Station Description .
Boulder Creek upstream of
Boulder, Colorado
(river mile 270.0/17.4/27.6)
Boulder Creek downstream from
Boulder, Colorado
(river mile 270.0/17.4/19.9)
Boulder Creek downstream from
mouth of Coal Creek
. Dates
9/7, 9, 10/
71
9/7, 9, 10/
71
9/7, 9, 10/
71
Total Coliform
MF Count/ 100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
680 370
5,500 3,100
15,000 2,300
210
1,400
480
Fecal Coliform
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
32
58
820
<19 <10
18 6
150 37
Fecal
MF
Maximum
260
310
6,500
Streptococcus
Count/100 ml
Log Mean Minimum
160
170
4 ,500 3
96
90
,300
(river mile 270.0/17.4/7.3)
Boulder'Creek near mouth
(river.mile 270.0/17.4/1.9)
Coal Creek, inflow to Boulder Creek
(river mile 270.0/17.4/7.9/1.0)
St. Vrain Creek upstream of
Longmbnt, Colorado
(river mile 270.0/26.6)
St. Vrain Creek downstream from
Longmont, Colorado
(river mile 270.0/20.8)
St. Vrain Creek near mouth
(river mile 270.0/1.3)
Little Thompson River south and west
of Berthoud (river mile 260.4/18.9)
Little Thompson River 0.5 miles east
of 1-25 (river mile 260.4/7.0/11.1
Little Thompson River at mouth
(river mile 260.4/7.0/0.10)
9/7, 9, 10/ 2,600
71
2,200 1,800 2,300
790
9/7, 9, 10/ 49,000 16,000 2,400 2,000 1,300
71
9/7, 9, 10/ 14,000
71
9/7, 9, 10/ 37,000
7.1
7,600 3,800
420
290
360
610
240
19,000 5,500 4,400 1,400 510
9/7, 9, 10/
71
9/7, 9, 10/
71
9/7, 9, 10/
71
9/7, 9, 10/
71
38,000
>80,000
48,000
48,000
13,000 3,600 1,600
510
54
>8,900 2,300 10,000 3,500 1,700
38,000 27,000 2,700 1,900 1,400
41,000 35,000 3,500 2,300 1,300
40,000 4,400 810
12,000 72,000 26,000
2,100
780 450
26,000 11,000 6,100
7,400 . 5:,500 . 3,100
6,100 5,200 4,600
80,000 25,000 9,600
22,000 14,000 6,100
-------
TABLE E-2 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES FOR STREAM SURVEYS AT SELECTED
STATIONS IN THE ST. VRAIN CREEK, BIG THOMPSON RIVER
AND CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER BASIN
Station Description
Total Coliform Fecal Coliform
Dates MF Count/100 ml MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Fecal Streptococcus
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Big Thompson River upstream of
Loveland, Colorado
(river mile 260.4/37.9)
Big Thompson River 2 miles west of
1-25 on Colorado Hwy 402, 1/4 mile
north on Hwy 9E (river mile 260.4/23,
Big Thompson River near mouth
(river mile 260.4/0.9)
Cache la Poudre River upstream of
Bellvue, Colorado
(river mile 249.0/53.6)
Cache la Poudre River upstream of
Ft. Collins, Colorado
(river mile 249.0/46.8)
Cache la Poudre River downstream
from Ft. Collins, Colorado
(river mile 249.0/41.2)
Cache la Poudre River at Inter-
state Hwy 25 (river mile 249.0/36.3)
Cache la Poudre River upstream of
Windsor, Colorado (river mile
249.0/26.5)
Cache la Poudre River downstream
from Windsor, Colorado (river
mile 249.0/17.9)
9/7, 9, 10/ 500
71
9/7, 9, 10/ 120,000
71
•5)
9/7, 9, 10/ 41,000
71
9/13, 14, 15/ 6,400
71
450
400
26
62,000 24,000 2,800 1,300 380
18,000 4,900 4,300 2,600 1,400
450 50
10
9/13, 14, 15/ 3,200 1,500 390 310 130 70
71
9/13, 14, 15/ 15,000 14,000 13,000 290
71
9/13, 14, 15/ 80,000 25,000 12..000
71
930
9/13, 14, 15/ 18,000 4,600 1,500 1,200
71
9/13, 14, 15/ 9,000 3,100 1,700 1,600
71
150 60
840 770
470 120
750 410
170
840
100
5,700
4,700
140 100
580 280
7,900 6,900 5,300
65 30
720 190
29,000 5,900 2,200
3,000 1,600 900
5,600 2,400 1,300
3,800 2,900
-------
TABLE E-2 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES FOR STREAM SURVEYS AT SELECTED
STATIONS IN THE ST. VRAIN CREEK, BIG THOMPSON RIVER
AND CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER BASIN
Station Description
Total Coliform Fecal Coliform
Dates MF Count/100 ml MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Fecal Streptococcus
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Cache la Poudre River near Spanish
Colony, Colorado (river mile
249.0/9.4)
Cache la Poudre River, at 6th
Avenue, Greeley, Colorado
(river mile- 249,0/6 ..3)
Cache la Poudre River downstream
from Greeley,. Colorado
(river mile 249..0/5.2)
Cache la Poudre River near mouth
(river mile 249.0/0..50.)
9/13, 14, 15/ 11,000
71
9,600 8,000
890
640
520
9/13, 14, 15/ 37,000 20,000 9,000 7,300 3,200 650
71
9/13, 14, 15/ >80,000 >38,000 9,000 5,400 2,500 780
71
9/13, 14, 15/ 52,000 27,000 12,000 3,300 2,100 1,400
71
3,400 1,100 440
57,000 16,000 1,500
32,000 20,000 12,000
• 7,200 2,600 1,000
-------
TABLE E-3
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES FOR STREAM SURVEYS AT SELECTED
STATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
Station Description
Total Coliform Fecal Coliform
Dates MF Count/100 ml MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Fecal Streptococcus
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
South Platte River at Waterton,
Colorado (river mile 339.2)
South Platte'River at Bowles
Avenue, Littleton, Colorado
(river mile 329.8)
South Platte River at 19th Street
Bridge, Denver, Colorado
(river mile 317.3)
South Platte River at York
Street, Denver, Colorado
(river mile 313.4)
South Platte River at Henderson,
Colorado (river mile 301.7)
8/30, 31, 9/2/ 890 580 460 45 <20 <10
71
8/30, 31, 9/2/ 90,000 12,000 3,100 480 280 140
71
8/30, 9/2 (2) 120,000
71
73,000 52,000 1,900
900
580
8/30, 31, 9/2/ 150,000 >100,000 >80,000 >60,000 >13,000 4,600
71
8/31, 9/2 (2) >800,000 >320,000 140,000 73,000 7,900 1,700
71
360
580
280 210
470 350
1,800 1,300 920
23,000 6,200 1,200
42,000 2,300 400
South Platte River at Fort
Lupton, Colorado (river
mile 288.2)
South Platte River at Platte-
ville, Colorado (river
mile 276.7)
South Platte River upstream of
mouth of St. Vrain Creek
(river mile 270.1)
South Platte River downstream
from mouth of St. Vrain
Creek (river mile 264.7)
8/31, 9/2(2) 1,200,000 >540,000 >160,000 37,000 13,000 7,500
71
8/31. 9/2(2) >800,000 >460,000 300,000 10,000 4,700 1,600
71
9/7,9,10
71
9/7,9,10
71
200,000 >130,000 73,000 32,000 11,000 2,700
>800,000 >100,000 5,000 >6,000 >1,800 230
8,300 5,600 3,700
5,400 3,600 2,700
18,000 14,000 11,000
10,000 4,700 2,400
-------
TABLE E-3 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES FOR STREAM SURVEYS AT SELECTED
STATIONS .IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
Station- Description
Total Coliform Fecal Colifom
Dates MF Count/100 ml MF Count/100 ml
Ma»1min Log Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Fecal Streptococcus
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum . Log Mean Minimum
South Platte.River downstream 9/7,9 (2)
from mouth of Big Thompson 71
River (river mile 256.1) , .
South Platte River upstream of
mouth of Cache la Poudre River
(river mile 252.5)
South Platte River downstream
from mouth of Cache la Poudre
River (river mile 250.6)
South Platte;River at Kersey, 9/13,14,15
Colorado (river mile 246.5) 71
>80,000 >34,000 21,000 20,000
2,400
480
9/13,14,15 25,000 18,000 15,000 900 450 220
71.
9/13,14,15 22,000 18,000 16,000 1,000 . 620 250
71 ., . • " . .
90,000 33,000 13,000 8,200 2,000 840
7,500 2,900 1,200
3,400 2,400 1,300
2,800 1,800 1,500
11,000 2,700 880
No. in ( ) indicates number of samples collected' that date.
-------
TABLE E-1*
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES AT SELECTED STATIONS ON ST. VRAIN CREEK
December &-10, '971
Station Description
Total Coliform Fecal Coliform
Map Key MF Count/100 ml MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Feca! Streptococcus
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
St. Vrain Creek upstream from Great 33 2,100 1,200 570 270 190 8*t
Western at Longmont (river mile 270/22.5).
St. Vrain Creek downstream from Great 35 7*10,000 1)0,000 9^0 96,000 1,300 10
Western at Longmont (river mile 270/20.6).
2,300
930
81,000 12,000
560
810
-------
TABLE E-5
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES AT SELECTED STATIONS ON THE BIG AND LITTLE THOMPSON RIVERS
December 6-10, 1971
Station Description
Total Coliform Fecal Coliform
Map Key MF Count/100 ml MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Fecal Streptococci
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Big Thompson River upstream from '(S
Great Western at Loveland
(river mile 260.it/23:. 5) .
Big Thompson River downstream from ^9
Great Western at Loveland
(ri'ver mile. 260.V21 ..0)'.
Little Thompson' River upstream from 55
Great Western at Johnstown
(river mile 260.4/7.0/it.O) .
Little Thompson River' downstream from 56
Great Western at Johnstown
(river mile 260'.4/7.0/1 .1 5) ..
1,000 290 200 13
39,000 17,000 6,100 88 25
15,000 3,000 700 800 360 160
500,000 210,000 88,000 19,000 6,900 1,500
1*30
180 90
51,000 9,100 3,000
2,200 1,300 660
86,000 60,000 1(2,000
-------
TABLE E-6
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES AT SELECTED STATIONS ON THE CACHE LA POUORE RIVER
December 6-7 and 13-15, 1971
Station Description
Cache la Poudre River upstream
of Eaton Draw (river mile 249/7.0).
Eaton Draw upstream of Sugar
factory (river mile 21*9/6.9/7.2).
Eaton Draw downstream from
Map Key
68
71
70
Total Coliform Fecal Coliform
MF Count/100 ml MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean .Minimum
3,800 1,800 1,100 690
>6,000
8,900
150
>920
1,700
50
180
780
Fecal Streptococci
MF Count/ 100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
2,600
98,000
130,000
1,500 600
16,000 4,200
47,000 16,000
Eaton Waste Water Treatment
Plant (river mile 21(9/6.9/6.5).
Eaton Draw at the Mouth 69
(river mile 21*9/6.9/0.10).
Cache la Poudre River upstream 72
at 6th. Avenue (river mile 21*9/6.3).
Cache la Poudre River just downstream 73
from Greeley Waste Water Treatment
Plant, upstream of Great Western
(river mi le 21(9/2.9).
Cache la Poudre River just upstream
of Mouth (river mile 249/0.5). 75
3,700
1 ,900
660
720
650
500 .360
220
120
1,1(00,000 30,000 4,900 150,000 3,400 200
1,500,000 180,000 50,000 100,000 19,000 4,800
18,000
3,900
6,800 2,900
1,900 1,100
1,500,000 19,000 2,600
1,400,000 420,000 >100,000
-------
TABLE E-7
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES AT SELECTED STATIONS
ON THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER
November 17-21 , 1971
PI
I—1
o
Map
Keyg/
Total Coli form
Count/100 ml
Fecal Coli form
Count/100 ml
Stat ion
Range
Log Mean Range Log Mean
Fecal Streptococci
Count/100 ml
Range
Log Mean
1.2 ..South Platte River
• at -19th St.'bridge. 3,800->90,000 >11,000
13 South Platte River
at Denver Northside
plant. : 3,000-440,000 15,000
1-4 '.South Platte River
at York Streetb/ 5,000-270,000 21,000
170-4,000 490
310-2,600 620
61-10,000 790
15 Burl ington Ditch
..; ,at Ybr.k Street^/ ' 3,200-210,000
16,000 410-6,500 850
17 South Platte River
' at J-270 Bridge: ' 7,000-6,200,000 340,000
2k South Platte River
at Colorado 22k. 7,100-5,400,000200,000
70-70,000 >7,000
160->60,000 >3,300
•1:9 Clear Creek at
York Street.
M-9 Denver Metro
effluent.£/
600-190,000 7,100 <10-5,300 <190
9,200-14,000,000
230-^30,000
f/See Figure 2 for location.
—'Isolated salmonella at this station.
£/Data from in-plant survey August 1-9, 1971.
160-27,000 1,600
330-39,000 2,100
360-87,000 3,800
570-77,000 3,500
150-160,000 14,000
980-98,000 8,200
220-190,000 1,800
-------
TABLE E-8
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES AT SELECTED STATIONS ON THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER FROM BRIGHTON DOWNSTREAM TO KERSEY
December 6-15, 1971
Station Description
Total Coliform Fecal Coliform
Map Key MF Count/100 ml MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Fecal Streptococci
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
South Platte River at Colorado 7
West of Brighton (river mile
296.10).
South Platte River downstream from
Brighton Waste Water Treatment
Plant (river mile 295.7).
South Platte River downstream from
Great Western at Brighton
(river mile 294.4).
South Platte River upstream of the
Mouth of Cache la Poudre River
(river mile 250.6).
South Platte River at Kersey
(river mile 246.5)•
26 2,000,000 >760,000 >80,000 64,000 31,000 15,000
27 2,100,000 >910,000 >80,000 6*1,000 31,000 15,000
28 3,000,000 >1,100,000 >80,000 140,000 77,000 40,000
59
960,000 >140,000 48,000 36,000 4,300 890
76 1,000,000 >160,000 59,000 72,000 15,000 4,400
57,000 22,000 9,300
57,000 22,000 7,500
73,000 51,000 25,000
33,000 11,000 4,800
520,000 95,000 12,000
-------
TABLE E-9
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES AT SELECTED STATIONS ON THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER FROM UPSTREAM OF FT. MORGAN TO I-80 BRIDGE IN NEBRASKA
November 29 - December 3, 1971
Station Description
Total Coliform Fecal Coliform
Map Key MF Count/100 ml MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Fecal Streptococci
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
South Platte River upstream of 78
Great Western Discharge at Fort
Morgan (river mile 197.00).
South Platte River downstream from 80
Great Western Discharge at Fort
Morgan (river mile 195-50).
South Platte River upstream of 82
•Sterling (river mile 151.6).
South Platte River downstream.from 83
Great Western Discharges at
Sterling (river'mile 150.0).
South Platte River upstream of Ovid 81)
at Colorado 23 Bridge (river mile 95-1)).
Liddle Ditch downstream from Lodgepole 85
Creek at Overflow Structure
(river mile 95.1).
South Platte River downstream from 86
Ovid (river mile 9*1.0).
South Platte River at Julesburg 87
(river mile 87.0)
South Platte River at 1-80 88
(river mile 81 . 1) .
1,200
6,900
6*10
500
3'tO
1),800 3,000
150
30
1,500,000 >350,000 92,000
51,000
1,900
190
172
160
1(1)
150
.21)0
53
56
<22
63
11(0
20
20
36
70
39,000 20,000 2,700 MOO
980 760
2,500,000 >1,1)00,000 580,000 910,000 290,000 160,000
1,800,000 790,000 1)00,000 210,000 93,000 1(5,000
1,600,000 610,000 370,000 1,000,000 120,000 1(0,000
1,700
1 ,800
190
950 670
980
670
150 130
360,000 >31,000 780
6,000 2,100 920
5,900 l(,900 3,900
6,1)00,000 >680,000 110,000
>800,000 > 150', 000 15,000
>800,000 >150,000 36,000
-------
APPENDIX F
AQUATIC GROWTHS
-------
TABLE F-l
AQUATIC GROWTHS FROM GLASS-SLIDE SUBSTRATES, CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER
TEN DAYS EXPOSURE, RECOVERED IN SEPTEMBER, 1971
Station
(River Mile)
53.6
41.2
36.3
26.5
17.9
9.4
0.5
Chlorophyll A
(VB/in2)
-0-
39
9
14
27
24
33
Total Algae
(cells/in2)
13,597,040
17,551,908
2,268,760
11,852,040
49,018,213
14,548,183
95,731.918
Pinnate
(Type)
Navicula
Navicula
Navicula
Navicula
Nitzchia
Navicula
Nitzchia
Navicula
Nitzchia
Navicula
•itzchla
Diatoms
(cells/in2)
195,440
2,462,544
889,252
1,591,440
3,638,906
2,635,648
4.414,152
Greet
(Type)
Nannochloris
Nannochloris
Nannochloris
Nannochloris
Crucigenia
Nannochloris
Protococcus
Nannochloris
Scenedeemus
Protococcus
Euglena
Nannochloris
Protococcus
Euglana
Unknown
i Coccoid 7
(cells/in )
13,401,600
15,076,800
1,379,508
10,260,600
45,379.307
11,912,535
91.317,766
Filamentous B
^Tvpe)
-
Oscillatoria
-
-
-
_
-
lue Green
(cells/in2)
-
12,564
-
-
-
_
-
Slimes
(Type) (filaments/in2!
-
Sphaerotilus
' "-
_
Sphaerotilus
_
Sphaerotilus
-
25,128
-
-
171,242
_
775,361
-------
F-2
TABLE F-2
AQUATIC GROWTHS FROM GLASS-SLIDE SUBSTRATES
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
14-Day Exposure Recovered in November, 1971
Station
Location (River Mile)
St. Vrain
Longmont
Longmont
Little Thompson
Johnstown
Johnstown
Big Thompson
Loveland
Loveland
Cache la Poudre River
Greeley
Greeley
Greeley
Platte River
Brighton
Brighton
Brighton
Ft. Morgan
Ft. Morgan
22.5
20.6
4.0
1.15
25.6
21.0
7.0
6.3
2.9
296.1
295.7
294.4
196.6
195.4
Sphaerotilus Algae
(filaments/in2) (cells/in2)
* *
4,048,400 1,256,400
* *
7,147,520 69,800
* *
* 7,398,800
218,125 3,839,000
4,900 977,200
355,040,000 13,960,000
152,560 146,580
678,000 544,440
1,221,500 3,664,500
34,900 104,700
1,647,280 474,640
-------
F-3
TABLE F-2;cont.
AQUATIC GROWTHS FROM GLASS-SLIDE SUBSTRATES
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
14-Day Exposure Recovered in November, 1971
Location
Station
(River Mile)
Sphaerotilus,
Algae
(filaments/in^) (cells/in )
Platte River cont.
Sterling 151.6
Sterling 150.0
Ovid 95.4
Ovid 94.0
Julesburg 87.0
Nebraska 81.1
22,685
2,326,667
9,307
314,100
100,512
41,800
102,112
2,792,000
39,553
889,950
122,848
446,720
-------
APPENDIX
BENTHOS
-------
G-l
TABLE G-l
BENTHOS, BEAR CREEK, COLORADO, AUGUST 30, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
ROUNDWORMS (NEMATA)
AQUATIC EARTHWORMS (OLIGOCHAETA)
LEECHES (HIRUDINEA)
SOWBUGS (ISOPODA)
Asellus
SCUDS (AMPHIPODA)
MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA)
Pseudocloeon
Tricorythodes
Baetis
Stenonema
DRAGONFLIES (GOMPHIDAE)
STONEFLIES (PLECOPTERA)
Isogenus
Isoperk
Acroneuria
Pteronarcella
WATER SCAVENGER BEETLES (HYDROPHILIDAE)
ELMID BEETLES (ELMIDAE)
Stenelmis
CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA)
Hydropsyche
Cheumatopsyche
Station (River Miles)
13.0
5.9
102
338
17
1
2
8
34
4
384
137
0.7
Q
29
Q
Q
12
129
7
Q
558
1
6
12
Q
1
11
38
6
-------
G-2
TABLE G-l cont.
BENTHOS, BEAR CREEK, COLORADO, AUGUST 30, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles
13.0 5.9 0.7
CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA) cont.
Brachycentrus 6 Q
Macronemum Q
Rhyacophila 3
Agraylea Q Q
BLACK FLIES (SIMULIBDAE) 11 41
CRANE FLIES (TIPULIDAE) 1 Q
HORSEFLIES (TABANIDAE) Q 7 1
SNIPE FLIES (RHAGIONIDAE)
Atherix 19 Q 1
MIDGES (ORTHOCLADIINAE) 15 445 446
POUCH SNAILS (PHYSIDAE)
Physa Q Q
ROUNDWORMS (PARASITENGENOA) 1
Number of kinds 19 21 16
Numbers per square foot 670 1,634 557
Q = Organisms collected qualitatively only; arbitrarily assigned
a value of 1 for computing.
-------
G-3
TABLE G-2
BENTHOS, CLEAR CREEK, COLORADO, AUGUST 30, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
18.7 10.4 0.3
ROUNDWORMS (NEMATA) 1
SLUDGEWORMS (TUBIFICIDAE) Q 477 11
LEECHES (HIRUDINEA) Q
WATER FLEAS (CLADOCERA) 1
SOWBUGS (ISOPODA) Q
SCUDS (AMPHIPODA) Q
MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA)
Pseudocloeon Q Q
Tricorythodes Q
Baetis 59 34 21
WATER BOATMEN (CORIXIDAE) 1
BEETLES (COLEOPTERA) 1
CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA)
Hydropsyche 13 1
Cheumatopsyche 21
Ochrotrichia 1
FLIES (DIPTERA) 2
BLACK FLIES (SIMULIIDAE) Q 20
SOLDIER FLIES (STRATIOMYIIDAE) 1
SNIPE FLIES (RHAGIONIDAE)
Atherix 9
-------
G-4
TABLE G-2 cont.
BENTHOS, CLEAR CREEK, COLORADO, AUGUST 30, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
18.7 10.4 0.3
BLOODWORMS (CHIRONOMIDAE) 5 11
MIDGES (ORTHOCLADIINAE) 19 36
POUCH SNAILS (PHYSIDAE)
Physa Q 20
Lymnaea Q
Number of kinds 9 9 14
Numbers per square foot 112 536 127
Q = Organisms collected qualitatively only; arbitrarily assigned
a value of 1 for computing.
-------
G-5
TABLE G-3
BENTHOS, BOULDER CREEK, COLORADO,SEPTEMBER 7, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
FLATWORM (TURBELLARIA)
ROUNDWORMS (NEMATA)
SLUDGEWORMS (TUBIFICIDAE)
LEECHES (HIRUDINEA)
SOWBUGS (ISOPODA)
SCUDS (AMPHIPODA)
MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA)
Ephemerella
Pseudocloeon
Tricorythodes
Baetis
Choroterpes
Heptagenia
Cloeon
DAMSELFLIES (COENAGRIONIDAE)
DRAGONFLIES (GOMPHIDAE)
STONEFLIES (PLECOPTERA)
Isogenus
Acroneuria
Pteronarcella
Neophasganophora capitata
WATER BOATMEN (CORIXIDAE)
BROAD-SHOULDERED WATER STRIDERS
(VELIIDAE)
27.6 20.8 19.9 14.2
2
Q 86 103
4
1
Q Q
22
156
Q 2 7 11
43 25
7
7.3
2
4
11
5
Q
3
55
17
22
1.9
184
2
33
8
167
109
57
3
3
10
Q
-------
G-6
TABLE G-3 cont.
BENTHOS, BOULDER CREEK, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 7, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
27.6 20.8 19.9 14.2 7.3 1.9
WATER STRIDERS (GERRIDAE)
Gerris Q
BEETLES (COLEOPTERA) 1 1
ELMID BEETLES (ELMIDAE)
Stenelmis 15 2
WATER SCAVENGER BEETLES .
(HYDROPHILIDAE) Q 1
CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA)
Hydropsyche 498 29
Cheumatopsyche 14
Brachycentrus 1
Rhyacophila 1
Lepidostoma 3
MICROCADDISFLIES (HYDROPTILIDAE) 10
Agraylea 2 8
BLACK FLIES (SIMULIIDAE) 21 2 145 213 5
BITING MIDGES (CERATOPOGONIDAE) 99
SOLDIER FLIES (STRATIOMYIIDAE) 1
SNIPE FLIES (RHAGIONIDAE)
Atherix 6
MIDGES (ORTHOCLADIINAE) 2 91 181 72 130 1,000
MIDGES (TANYPODINAE) Q Q 14
-------
G-7
TABLE G-3 cont.
BENTHOS, BOULDER CREEK, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 7, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
27.6 20.8 19.9 14.2 7.3 1.9
SNAILS AND LIMPETS (GASTROPODA)
Ferrissia 1
Physa Q Q 89 17
Gyraulus 1 1
CLAMS (PELECYPODA) 2
ROUNDWORMS (PARASITENGONA) 1
Number of kinds IT 5 ~TT T6~ IF I9~
Numbers per square foot 688 194 284 561 563 1,571
Q = Organisms collected qualitatively only; arbitrarily assigned a value
of 1 for computing.
-------
G-8
TABLE G-4
BENTHOS, ST. VRAIN CREEK, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 9/1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
26.6 14.6 1.3
FLATWORM (TURBELLARIA) Q
ROUNDWORMS (NEMATA) Q 2 2
SLUDGEWORMS (TUBIFICIDAE) 16 34 35
MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA)
Tricorythodes 36 6 2
Baetis 436 1 15
Choroterpes Q
Heptagenia 2 2 Q
Cloeon Q
DAMSELFLIES (COENAGRIONIDAE) Q Q
DAMSELFLIES (LESTIDAE)
Lestes 1
DRAGONFLIES (GOMPHIDAE) 1 Q
STONEFLIES (PLECOPTERA)
Isogenus Q
Acroneuria 2
Pteronarcella 2 1
WATER BOATMEN (CORIXIDAE) Q
BROAD-SHOULDERED WATER STRIDERS(VELIIDAE) Q
ELMID BEETLES (ELMIDAE)
Stenelmis 10
WATER SCAVENGER BEETLES (HYDROPHILIDAE) Q Q
-------
G-9
TABLE G-4 cont.
BENTHOS, ST. VRA1N CREEK, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 9, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
26.6 14.6 1.3
CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA)
Hydropsyche 798 1 15
Cheumatopsyche 88 5
Helicopsyche 8
Brachycentrus 2
Macronemum Q
Glossosoma 6 Q
Agraylea Q
AQUATIC CATERPILLARS (LEPIDOPTERA)
Elophlla 2
BLACK FLIES (SIMULIIDAE) 3 9
CRANE FLIES (TIPULIDAE) Q
HORSEFLIES (TABANIDAE) 2 5
SNIPE FLIES (RHAGIONIDAE)
Atherix 2
MIDGES (ORTHOCLADIINAE) 438 339 86
MIDGES (TANYPODINAE) 14 4 2
SNAILS AND LIMPETS (GASTROPODA)
Physa 8 12 Q
Gyraulus 26
-------
G-10
TABLE G-4 Cont.
BENTHOS, ST. VRAIN CREEK, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 9, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
26.6 14.6 1.3
ROUNDWORMS (PARASITENGONA)
Number of kinds 29 15 17
Numbers per square foot 1,909 409 183
Q - Organisms collected qualitatively only; arbitrarily assigned
a value of 1 for computing.
-------
G-ll
TABLE G-5
BENTHOS, ST. VRAIN CREEK, COLORADO, NOVEMBER 29, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
22.5 20.6
AQUATIC EARTHWORMS (OLIGOCHAETA) 3
MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA)
Pseudocloeon 60
Tricorythodes 146 Q
Baetls 1
DAMSELFLIES (COENAGRIONIDAE) 2
BEETLES (COLEOPTERA) 2
WATER SCAVENGER BEETLES (HYDROPHILIDAE) Q 1
CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA)
Cheumatopsyche 4
Agraylea 2
BLACK FLIES (STMULIIDAE)
Simulium 1
BITING MIDGES (CERATOPOGONIDAE) 23
CRANE FLIES (TIPULIDAE) 2
BLOODWORMS (CHIRONOMIDAE) 103 4
SNAILS AND LIMPETS (GASTROPODA)
Physa Q 1
Number of kinds 12 6
Numbers per square foot 325 33
Q = Organisms collected qualitatively only; arbitrarily assigned a
value of 1 for computing.
-------
G-12
TABLE
BENTHOS, LITTLE THOMPSON RIVER, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 8, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
11.1 0.1
SLUDGEWORMS (TUBIFICIDAE) 6 204
SCUDS (AMPHIPODA) Q
MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA)
Baetis 1
Heptagenia 1
DRAGONFLIES (ANISOPTERA)
Ophiogomphus 86
Hetaerina Q
WATER SCAVENGER BEETLES (HYDROPHILIDAE) Q Q
CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA)
Hydropsyche 2
Agraylea 13
BLACK FLIES (SIMULIIDAE) 108 89
BITING MIDGES (CERATOPOGONIDAE) Q
HORSEFLIES (TABANIDAE) Q
MIDGES (ORTHOCLADIINAE) 131
MIDGES (TANYPODINAE) 10 2
SNAILS AND LIMPETS (GASTROPODA)
Physa 2 Q
Lymnaea 1
Number of kinds 11 11
Numbers per square foot 231 433
Q = Organisms collected qualitatively only; arbitrarily assigned
a value of 1 for computing.
-------
G-13
TABLE G-7
BENTHOS, LITTLE THOMPSON RIVER, COLORADO, NOVEMBER 29, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
4.0 1.15
AQUATIC EARTHWORMS (OLIGOCHAETA) Q
SCUDS (AMPHIPODA)
Gammarus . 1
DAMSELFLIES (COENAGRIONIDAE) Q
STONEFLIES (AGRIONIDAE) Q
DAMSELFLIES (NEMOURIDAE)
Perlomyia Q
ELMID BEETLES (ELMIDAE)
Stenelmis 1
BLACK FLIES (SIMULIIDAE)
Simulium 2
BLOODWORMS (CHIRONOMIDAE) 4 2
CRANE FLIES (TIPULIDAE) Q
SNAILS AND LIMPETS (GASTROPODA)
Physa Q 1
CLAMS (PELECYPODA) 1
Number of kinds 8 5
Numbers per square foot 12 6
Q = Organisms collected qualitatively; arbitrarily assigned a value
of 1 for computing.
-------
G-14
TABLE G-8
BENTHOS, BIG THOMPSON RIVER, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 8, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
37.9 23.5 16.5 8.2 0.9
HYDROIDS (COELENTERATA) Q
ROUNDWORMS (NEMATA) 1
SLUDGEWORMS (TUBIFICIDAE) Q 52 50 33 102
LEECHES (HIRUDINEA) 1 Q
SOWBUGS (ISOPODA) Q
SCUDS (AMPHIPODA)
Hyalella azteca 1 Q 4 Q
CRAYFISH (CAMBARINAE) Q Q
MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA)
Ephemerella Q Q
Pseudocloeon 15 139 270 32 4
Tricorythodes Q 8 542 7 Q
Baetis 15 13 18 Q Q
Heptagenia 3 Q Q Q
Paraleptophlebia Q
DAMSELFLIES (COENAGRIONIDAE) Q Q Q
DRAGONFLIES (ANISOPTERA)
Ophiogomphus 1
DRAGONFLIES (AESCHNIDAE) Q
STONEFLIES (PLECOPTERA)
Isoperla 1
Acroneuria 4
Pteronarcella 1
-------
G-15
TABLE G-8 Cont.
BENTHOS, BIG THOMPSON RIVER, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 8, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
37.9 23.5 16.5 8.2 0.9
WATER BOATMEN (CORIXIDAE) Q Q
WATER STRIDERS (GERRIDAE) Q
BEETLES (COLEOPTERA) 2
ELMID BEETLES (ELMIDAE)
Stenelmis 2 Q
PREDACEOUS DIVING BEETLES (DYTISCIDAE)
Hydrocanthus Q
CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA)
Hydropsyche 32 25 2
Cheumatopsyche 1 1 14
Brachycentrus 6
Macronemum Q Q
Glossosoma 1
MICROCADDISFLIES (HYDROPTILIDAE) 18
Agraylea 4
BLACK FLIES (SIMULIIDAE) 35 5 24 203 278
BITING MIDGES (CERATOPOGONIDAE) Q
CRANE FLIES (TIPULIDAE) Q
HORSEFLIES (TABANIDAE) Q
SNIPE FLIES (RHAGIONIDAE)
Atherix Q
-------
G-16
TABLE G-8 cont.
BENTHOS, BIG THOMPSON RIVER, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 7, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
37.9 23.5 16.5 8.2 0.9
MIDGES (ORTHOCLADIINAE) 34 270 462 106 418
MIDGES (TANYPODINAE) Q 41
SNAILS AND LIMPETS (GASTROPODA)
Physa Q Q Q
CLAMS (PELECYPODA) 1
Number of kinds 22 22 18 14 10
Numbers per square foot 160 530 1,412 393 808
Q = Organisms collected qualitatively only; arbitrarily assigned a
value of 1 for computing.
-------
G-17
TABLE G-9
BENTHOS, BIG THOMPSON RIVER, COLORADO, NOVEMBER 29, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
25.6 23.5
AQUATIC EARTHWORMS (OLIGOCHAETA) 5 504
SCUDS (AMPHIPODA)
Gammarus Q 2
MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA)
Pseudocloeon 1
Stenonema Q
STONEFLIES (PLECOPTERA)
Isoperla 2
Perlomyia Q
WATER BOATMEN (CORIXIDAE) Q
AQUATIC CATERPILLARS (LEPIDOPTERA)
Elophila 1
BEETLES (COLEOPTERA) 8
ELMID BEETLES (ELMIDAE)
Stenelmis 7
CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA)
Agraylea 5
Hydropsyche 93 244
Cheumatopsyche 8
Brachycentrus 1 2
Pychopsyche Q
-------
G-18
TABLE G-9 cont.
BENTHOS, BIG THOMPSON RIVER, COLORADO NOVEMBER 29, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
25.6 23.5
BLOODWORMS (CHIRONOMIDAE) 68 36
BLACK FLIES (SIMULIIDAE)
Simulium 1
BITING MIDGES (CERATOPOGONIDAE) 10
HORSEFLIES (TABANIDAE) Q
CRANE FLIES (TIPULIDAE) 7
SNIPE FLIES (RHAGIONIDAE)
Atherix 8
CRANEFLIES (LIMONIINAE)
Antocha 6
SNAILS AND LIMPETS (GASTROPODA)
Physa Q Q
Number of kinds 22 7
Numbers per square foot 228 799
Q = Organisms collected qualitatively; arbitrarily assigned a value
of 1 for computing.
-------
G-19
TABLE G-10
BENTHOS, CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 13, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
53.6 41.2 36.3 26.5 17.9 9.4 0.5
FLATWORM (TURBELLARIA) Q Q Q
ROUNDWORMS (NEMATA) 6 24
SLUDGEWORMS (TUBIFICIDAE) 64 16 24 492 21 22,810
LEECHES (HIRUDINEA) Q 4 2
SOWBUGS (ISOPODA) Q Q Q 4 Q 10
SCUDS (AMPHIPODA) Q Q Q Q
CRAYFISH (DECAPODA)
Orconectes 1
MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA)
Pseudocloeon
Tricorythodes
Baetis
Heptagenia
Rithrogenia
Cloeon
Paraleptophlebia
5
9
25
6
46
132
Q
Q
4 34
118 126
Q 2
Q Q
Q
6
10
2
DAMSELFLIES (COENAGRIONIDAE)
DRAGONFLIES (GOMPHIDAE)
-------
G-20
TABLE G~10 cont.
BENTHOS, CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 13, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
53.6 41.2 36.3 26.5 17.9 9.4 0.5
STONEFLIES (PLECOPTERA)
Isogenus 3
Pteronarcys 5
Alloperla 2
WATER BOATMEN (CORIXIDAE) Q Q Q
BROAD-SHOULDERED WATER
STRIDERS (VELIIDAE) Q
BEETLES (COLEOPTERA) 2
ELMID BEETLES (ELMIDAE)
Stenelmis 8 Q
PREDACEOUS DIVING BEETLES
(DYTISCIDAE) Q
CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA)
Hydropsyche 81 6 116 2
Cheumatopsyche 3 4 224
Brachycentrus 193 10 2
Macronemum 56
Glossosoma 24
Lepidostoma 1
Agraylea 6 6
BLACK FLIES (SIMULIIDAE) 3 108 5,918 112 15
BITING MIDGES (CERATOPOGONIDAE) Q
-------
G-21
TABLE G-10 cont.
BENTHOS, CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 13, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
53.6 41.2 36.3 26.5 17.9 9.4 0.5
SNIPE FLIES (RHAGIONIDAE)
Atherix 2 Q
HORSEFLIES (TABANIDAE) Q
BLOODWORMS (CHIRONOMIDAE) 1,054
MIDGES (ORTHOCLADIINAE) 11 958 228 546 786 460
MIDGES (TANYPODINAE) 12
SNAILS AND LIMPETS (GASTROPODA)
Ferrissia Q 18 14
Physa 2 Q_ 34_ Q Q
Number of kinds 19 15 17 19 16 13 4
Numbers per square foot 394 1,220 1,420 6,7241,232 83323,281
Q = Organisms collected qualitatively only; arbitrarily assigned a
value of 1 for computing.
-------
G-22
TABLE G-ll
BENTHOS, CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER, COLORADO, NOVEMBER 30, 1971
(Numbers per square foot)
Station (River Miles)
7.0 6.3 2.9
AQUATIC EARTHWORMS (OLIGOCHAETA) 318 148 531
WATER FLEAS (CLADOCERA) 2
MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA)
Pseudocloeon 1
WATER BOATMEN (CORIXIDAE) 1
CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA)
Agraylea Q
BLOODWORMS (CHIRONOMIDAE) 182 4 16
BLACK FLIES (SIMULIIDAE)
Simulium 50 5 4
SNAILS AND LIMPETS (GASTROPODA)
Physa 28 2
Number of kinds 55 5
Numbers per square foot 579 160 554
Q = Organisms collected qualitatively; arbitrarily assigned a value
of 1 for computing.
-------
TABLE G-12
BENTHOS, SOUTH PLATTE RIVER ATO SELECTED TRIBUTARIES, COLORADO
(Numbers per square foot)
Collected in August, September and October, 1971
Station (River Miles)
339.2 336.5 334.9 332.3 329.8 323.2 317.8 317.7/0.1 317.3 313.4 312.1/0.1 308.8 301.7 296.1 288.2 276 7
FLATWORM(TURBELLARIA) Q Q Q
ROUNDWORMS (NEMATA) Q 4 1
AQUATIC EARTHWORMS
(OLIGOCHAETA) 6 2 8 8 70 43 151 96 1,060 678 1,316 2,228 3,180 232
LEECHES (HIRUDINEA) Q Q Q Q Q Q
SCUDS (AMPHIPODA) Q q
SPRINGTAILS
(SMINTHURIDAE) Q
MAYFLIES
(EPHEMEROPTERA)
Ephemeral la 0
Pseudocloeon 43 Q Q 1
Tricorythodes 1 3 101 0151 11 q q q i
Cinygmula 3
Baetis 7971112 14 31
Caenis 2
Heptagenia 6101 q q
Rithrogenia Q
Iron 2
Ironodes 1
Stenonema 2 2
Cloeon q
264.7 252.5 246.5
2 10 23
Q
10
Q Q
Q
o
i
ho
u>
-------
TABLE G-12 (Continued)
BENTHOS, SOUTH PLATTE RIVER AND SELECTED TRIBUTARIES, COLORADO
(Numbers per square foot)
Collected in August, September and October, 1971
Station (River Miles)
339.2 336.5 334.9 332.3 329.8 323.2 317.8 317.7/0.1 317.3 313.4 312.1/0.1 308.8 301.7 296.1 288.2 276.7 264.7 252.5 246.5
MAYFLIES (LEPTOPHLEBIIDAE) 16 1
Chnroterpes Q Q Q
DAMSELFLIES (ZYGOPTERA) 1 Q
DAMSELFLIES
(COENAGRIONIDAE) Q Q
DRAGONFLIES
(GOMPHIDAE) QQQ12 1Q 1
STONEFLIES
(PLECOPTERA)
Isogenus Q
Isoperla 1 2 3 Q
Acroneuria 1
Pteronarcys Q Q
BUGS
(HEMIPTERA) 1
WATER BOATMEN (CORIXIDAE) Q
BEETLES (COLEOPTERA) 1 3
WATER SCAVENGER
BEETLES (HYDROPHILIDAE) . Q
CRAWLING WATER BEETLES
(HALIPLIDAE)
Brychius Q Q
-------
TABLE G-12 (Continued)
BENTHOS, SOUTH PLATTE RIVER AND SELECTED TRIBUTARIES, COLORADO
(Numbers per square foot)
Collected in August, September and October, 1971
Station (River Miles)
339.2 336.5 334.9 332.3 329.8 323.2 317.8
CADDISFLIES
(TRICHOPTERA)
Hydropsyche 1 21 7 Q Q 2
Cheumatopsyche 29 5
Glossosoma
Agraylea
Rhyacophila 1
Brachycentrus
BLOODWORMS
(CHIRONOMIDAE) 7 145
MIDGES (ORTHOCLADIINAE) 178 2 8 20 14
MIDGES (TANYPODINAE) 2
BLACK FLIES
(SIMULIIDAE) 5 Q Q
BITING MIDGES
(CERATOPOGONIDAE) 3 2
HORSEFLIES
(TABANIDAE) Q Q Q 1
CRANE FLIES
(TIPULIDAE 1
SOLDIER FLIES
(STRATIOMYIIDAE) 1
317.7/0.1 317.3 313.4 312.1/0.1 308.8 301.7 296.1 288.2 276.7 264.7 252.5 246.5
1 Q 2
1
3 Q
32 6 2
1
125 86 152 384 39 105 54 73 108 23 34 22
3 20
Q 3-17 9
1
en
i
-------
TABLE G-12 (Continued)
BENTHOS, SOUTH PLATTE RIVER AND SELECTED TRIBUTARIES, COLORADO
(Numbers per square fooc)
Collected in August, September and October, 1971
Station (River Miles)
339.2 336.5 334.9 332.3 329.8 323.2 317.8 317.7/0.1 317'.3
ANTHOMYIIDS
(ANTHOMYIIDAE)
Limnophora
SHORE FLIES
(EPHYDRIDAE)
SNIPE FLIES
(RHAGIONIDAE)
Atherix 11 Q
SNAILS AND LIMPETS
(GASTROPODA)
Ferrissia 1
Physa Q 1 Q 2 12
Lymnaea 1
Number of kinds 15 21 14 11 10 15 10 8 13
Numbers per
square foot 37 229 337 13 24 48 96 175 288
313.4 312.1/0.1 308.8 301.7 296.1 288.2 276.7 264.7 252.5 246.5
2
60 30
Q
Q
46 28 2 Q 9 7 Q Q
76 8 6 5 11 10 12 6 7
299 1,494 732 1,424 2,292 3,268 409 69 74 58
Q = Organisms collected qualitatively only; arbitrarily assigned a value of 1 for computing.
-------
TABLE G-13
BENTHOS, SOUTH PIATTE RIVER, COLORADO
(Numbers per square foot)
Collected November 29 and 30, 1971
Station (River Miles)
FLATWORM (TURBELLARIA)
ROUNDWORMS (NEMATA)
SLUDGEWORMS (TUBIFICIDAE)
LEECHES (HIRUDINEA)
WATER FLIES (CLADOCERA)
SCUDS (AMPHIPODA)
Gammarus
MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA)
Pseudocloeon
Tricorythodes
Baetis
DAMSELFLIES (COENAGRIONIDAE)
STONEFLIES (AGRIONIDAE)
DRAGONFLIES (GOMPHIDAE)
WATER SCAVENGER BEETLES (HYDROPHILIDAE)
PREDACEOUS DIVING BEETLES (DYTISCIDAE)
296.1 295.7 294.4 264.7 252.5 250.6 246.5 196.6 195.4 151.6 150.0 95.4 94.0 87.0 81.1
Q
5 51
213 64 128 1,864 566 7,088 8,776 1 213 752 6 67 4,916
Q Q
3
20
Q
Q
Q
Q Q
Q
8
8
4
-------
CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA)
Hydropsyche
Cheumatopsyche
Agraylea
BLACK FLIES (SIMULIIDAE)
Simulium
BITING MIDGES (CERATOPOGONIDAE)
ANTHOMYIID FLIES (ANTHOMYIIDAE)
Llmnophora
CRANE FLIES (TIPULIDAE)
BLOODWORMS (CHIRONOMIDAE)
SNAILS AND LIMPETS
Physa
Number of kinds
Numbers per square foot
TABLE G-13 (Cont)
BENTHOS, SOUTH PLATTE RIVER, COLORADO
(Numbers per square foot)
Collected November 29 and 30, 1971
Station (River Miles)
296.1 295.7 294.4 264.7 252.5 250.6 246.5 196.6 195.4 151.6 150.0 95.4 94.0 87.0 81.1
223
14
12
228
4
20
12
15
556
Q
5
71
3 13 51
Q 1
7 3 10
148 1,881 633
489
4
7
7,845
88
8
5
8,882
3
Q 32 20 11 24 26 5
Q Q
9 5 6 5 8 10 7
9 257 795 31 39 117 13
400
Q
11
5,907
Q = Organisms collected qualitatively; arbitrarily assigned a value of 1 for computing.
-------
APPENDIX H
FISH
-------
H-l
TABLE H-l
FISH CAPTURED PER UNIT OF EFFORT
BEAR CREEK, COLORADO
September, 197L§/
Species Station (River Mile)
13.0 0.7
No. Wt.-' No. Wt.~
GAME FISH
Rainbow trout 7 807
FORAGE FISH
Longnose dace 46 250
Creek chub 64 402
Longnose sucker 37 1,310 24 60
White sucker 6_ 578
TOTAL 50 2,695 134 712
— Unit of effort: electroshocked 200 feet.
b/Weight in grams.
-------
H-2
Species
TABLE H-2
FISH CAPTURED PER UNIT OF EFFORT
CLEAR CREEK, COLORADO
September, 1971-'
Station (River Mile)
GAME FISH
Brown trout
FORAGE FISH
Creek chub
Longnose sucker
White sucker
Green sunfish
TOTAL
0.3
No.
Wt.-'
b/
1
5
14
2
22
23
433
2,166
5
2,627
18.7
No.
b/
399
322
661
-'Unit of effort: electroshocked 200 feet.
k/Weight in grams .
-------
H-3
Species
TABLE H-3
FISH CAPTURED PER UNIT OF EFFORT
BOULDER CREEK, COLORADO
September, 197Li/
Station (River Mile)
1.9
No.
Wt.i'
b/
GAME FISH
Rainbow trout
Smallmouth bass 1 340
FORAGE FISH
Gizzard shad 1 5
River shiner 62 75
Fathead minnow 5 -
Longnose dace 6 11
Creek chub 6 70
Longnose sucker
White sucker 115 4,420
Plains killifish 1
Green sunfish 3 50
ROUGH FISH
Carp 22 12.520
TOTAL 222 17,491
-'Unit of effort: electroshocked 200 feet.
27.6
No.
22
27
b/
Wt.i'
1,323
733
2,064
—'Weight in grams.
-------
H-4
Species
TABLE H-4
FISH CAPTURED PER UNIT OF EFFORT
ST. VRAIN CREEK, COLORADO
September, 1971JL/
Station (River Mile)
GAME FISH
Brown trout
Largemouth bass
FORAGE FISH
Gizzard shad
Brassy minnow
River Shiner
Fathead minnow
Longnose dace
Creek chub
Longnose sucker
White sucker
Plains killifish
Green sunfish
Johnny darter
ROUGH FISH
Carp
TOTAL
1.3
No.
25
93
Wt.-'
b/
26.6
No.
7
4
b/
81
5,415
6,023
Wt.-'
162
20
12
1
49
1
82
-
18
425 120
68
108
10
20 10
1
140
338
248
I
1,178
192
441
2
347
2,722
a/
-'Unit of effort: electroshocked 200 feet.
— Weight in grams.
-------
H-5
TABLE H-5
FISH CAPTURED PER UNIT OF EFFORT
BIG THOMPSON RIVER, COLORADO^/
September, 1971
Species Station (River Mile)
0.9 , 37.9
No. Wt.-7 No. Wt^b-/
GAME FISH
Rainbow trout 1 8
FORAGE FISH
Longnose dace 1 8 15 90
Creek chub 3 10
Longnose sucker 15 1,474
White sucker 137 1,670
TOTAL 141 1,688 31 1,572
a/
-Unit of effort: electroshocked 200 feet.
—'Weight in grams.
-------
c/
Species
GAME FISH
Rainbow trout
Brown trout
Black bullhead
Pumpkinseed
Largemouth bass—'
FORAGE FISH
Brassy minnow
River shiner
Fathead minnow
Longnose dace
Creek chub
Longnose sucker
White sucker
Brook stickleback
Green sunfish
Ye 1 low perch
53.6
TABLE H-6
FISH CAPTURED PER UNIT OF EFFORT, CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER, COLORADO^/
September and October, 1971
(Riwar Milo)
TTT
36.3
2575
17.9
Trap Net-7 Electroshock-7 Trap Net- Trap Net- Trap NetS^ Trap Net
No. Wt.
ITT
No.
Wt. No.
Wt. No.
Wt. No.
Wt. No.
Trap Net^
0.5
Trap Net^"
28 5,7*2
* 1,356
2 375
8 2,136
672
5
1
11
329
2
261
20
30
333
9 226
16 1,479 1 66
123 15,5*7 309 19,525 59 9,333
Wt. No.
Wt. No.
**
11 327 27 5** 1 68 2*8 3 76 3
1 30 1 82 60 12,107
Wt .
1 5
8* 213 *0 112
82 3 63 7
1 11
19 150 13 385 7 552
3 560
1*3 *7,292 11 3,983
3
*0
0.5
Electroshock-7
No.
Wt.
-------
TABLE H-6 (Cont)
FISH CAPTURED PER UNIT OF EFFORT, CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER, COLORADO!'
September and October, 1971
(Rivpr Milpl
53.6 53.6 41.2 36.3 26.5 17.9 9.4 0.5 0.5
Trap Netk/ Electroshockk/ Trap Netk/ Trap Net^./ Trap Net^/ Trap Net^/ Trap Net^/ Trap Net^./ Electrosftock-
No. Wt. No. Wt. No. Wt. No. Wt. No. Wt. No. Wt. No. Wt. No. Wt. No. Wt.
ROUGH FISH
Carp 7 6,647 1 32 1 \J_ 5 1,441 15 15,510
TOTAL 33 7,109 10 2,511 179 24,gl8 355 20,757 116 10,034 173 13,023 201 49,480 17 4,583 15 15,510
2/Unit of effort 4 trap net days or equivalent or electroshocked 200 feet.
i>/Weight in grams.
— Young-of-the-year.
-------
GAME FISH
Rainbow trout
Brown trout
Black bulIhead
Channel catfish
FORAGE FISH
Gizzard shad
River shiner
Red shiner
Mimic shiner
Fathead minnow
Longnose dace
Creek chub
Longnose sucker
White sucker
Brook stickleback
Green sunfish
Yellow perch
TOTAL
yUnjt of effort:
b/Weight Jn grams.
TABLE H-7
FISH CAPTURED PER UNIT OF EFFORT, SOUTH PLATTE RIVER, COLORADO!'
August and September 1971
Station (River hile)
339.2
336.5
33^.9
332.3
301.7
276.7
252.5
158.1
95. 4
Trap Nets^ Trap Nets-7' Trap Nets-'' Trap Nets-'' Electroshock-/ Electroshock-/ Electros hock-7' Electroshock-/ Electros hock^
No.
WtT No.
3
333
WtT NoT
520
WtT NoT
WtT
360
No.
WtT
NoT
WtT
200
7 511
1 1 ,200
Four trap net days or equivalent; or electroshocked 200 feet.
Wo.
Wt.
55
11 32
3 61 19
76 4,907 30
21 1,995 20
13
113 7,331 141
453
804
1,890
2,973
123
6,963
20
59
61
3
25
176
55 183 6 )
11 39 1 } 22
3 )
26 24
12 120 2 6
369 92 1,464
2,207 76 2,748 16 22 19 444
5,965 32 6,139 8 456 6 631 3 904
2 1
132 1 10 6 72.5
645
11,029 216 10,831 37 518 80 .845 38 1,442.5
No.
WtT
NoT
3 )
)
14 } 346 146
4 )
WtT
290
48 1,583
83
-------
APPENDIX I
DATA FOR WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS
-------
TABLE 1-1
SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL DATA FOR INDUSTRIAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
Name of Industry, Address .
and Dates Sampled
Adolph Coors Company
Golden, Colorado
(2/3-5/72) S/
American Smelting & Refinery
Company, 495 E. 51st Avenue
Denver, Colorado
(9/28-29/71)
City of Denver Asphalt
Plant, 3600 Fox Street,
Denver, Colorado
(9/28-29/71)
Continental Oil Company
5801 Brighton Blvd.
Commerce City, Colorado
(9/22-23/71)
Asphalt Plant
Refinery
Gates Rubber Company
Denver, Colorado
(8/17-19/71)
Mississippi Avenue Outfall
Settling Pond Outfall
Loveland Packing Company
1000 South Lincoln Street
Loveland, Colorado
(9/28-30/71 )
Martin Marietta
Littleton, Colorado
(9/29-30/71)
Monfort Packing Company
Greeley, Colorado
fR/?S-77/7l^
Discharge To
Clear Creek
AVERAGE
(RM 311.1/15.3) RANGE
Storm sewer
to South
Platte River
(RM 314.48)
South Platte
River
(RM 316.14)
Sand Creek
(RM 312.1/1.1)
Burlington
Ditch
South Platte
"$Me322.50)
South Platte
River
(RM 322.25)
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
Big Thompson AVERAGE
River RANGE
(RM 260.4/25.5)
Brush Creek
(RM 341.1/2.0)
Greeley waste-
water treat-
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
Flow
(mqd)
4.79
4.13-5.42
0.25 (est)
0.032(est)
0.172
0.576
0.65(est)
1.02
0.05
0.03mg/
release
No. and Type pH5/ Temp.s/
of Sample S.U. °C
3
2
2
8
2
8
2
9
3
9
3
4
2
1.6 12
3
Composite 6.3-7.5 3.0-14.5
Grab 9.0-9.1 15-16
Grab 6.5-6.7 54-60
Grab rf/
Composite5' 7.3-7.8 25.5-28.0
Grabs A/
Composite- 7.1-8.0 20.0r26.0
Grab .
Composite^/ 7.0-8.0 27-30
Grab .,
Composite? 7.0-9.0 22-27
Grab 7.5-7.7 14.5-15.0
Grab
7.2-7.3 23-26
Grab^
Composite
Cond.S' BOD
umhos/cm (mq/1)
190
400-1,950 118-262
N.A.5/
650-700
N.A5/
360-500
,
N-A.5/
950-1 ,400
N.A.5/
1,400-2,100
f/
725-850
U
440-550
105
1,200-1,600 40-240
90
C. 3
1,000-1,700 5.0-40
1,170
810-1,480
COD
(mg/1 )
205
200-213
25
N.A5/
50
110
c/
N.A.
N.A.5/
135
120-145
66
1,800
Total Solids
(mg/1 )
820
800-839
415
400-430
3,850
1,860-5,840
685
660-710
1,300
1 ,220-1 ,390
500
430-550
350
330-370
890
650-1 ,730
1 ,110
1,080-1,140
6,610
2,430-10,100
Susp. Solids
(mq/1 )
17
10-24
45
30-60
2,260
1,400-3,170
20
60
28
18-42
32
20-54
94
22-198
65
50-80
1,040
940-1,150
Oil & Grease Phenol
(mq/1) (mq/1)
N.A. N.A. .
<1 N.A.
5 0.39
4-10 0.18-0.60
4 <0.9
3-9 <0. 01-0. 18
c/
' 19 N.A.
14-23
6 N.A.
4-9
17 N.A.5/
14-22
c/
N.A.
250 N.A.5/
ment plant
-------
TABLE 1-1. (Continued)
SUMMARY Of ANALYTICAL DATA FOR INDUSTRIAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
Name of IndustryjAddress
and Dates Sampled
Public Service Company
Metropolitan Denver Area
(9/22-23/71)
Arapahoe Plant
Littleton, Colorado
Cherokee Plant
Denver, Colorado
Zuni Plant
Denver, Colorado
Pond Discharge
Cooling Tower Blow-
down Discharge
Major Cooling Water
Discharge
Refinery Corporation
5800 Brighton Blvd.
Commerce City, Colorado
(8/17-19/71)
Sigman Meat Company
Discharge To
South Platte
River
South Platte
River
(RM 312.5)
South Platte
River
(RM 319.06)
South Platte
River
(RM 319.08)
South Platte
River
(RM 319.12)
Sand Creek
(RM 312.1/0.9)
Clear Creek
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
Flow
(mqd)
1.2
9.86
0.141
0.150
23.7
Unknown
0.36
No. and Type pH ^
of Sample S.U.
11 Grab „.
2 Composite- 3/7. 4-9. 9
11 Grab ,
2 Composite1 7.5-8.2
10 Grab ,,
2 Composite-' 7.0-7.9
10 Grab .-,
2 Composite- 10.0-10.4
10 Grab .,
2 Composite1' 7.6-7.9
9 Grab
7.6-8.0
72 Grab. .-/
Temp."'
°C
14-18
15-21
15-22
22-28
11-17
29-32
CondA' BOD
umhos/cm (mg/1)
c/
N.A.-
1 ,600-1 ,900
950-1,100
c/
N.A.57
510-750
c/
N.A.-7
1,100-1,290
c/
N.A.
590-725
2,400-2,600
1,200
COD
(mg/1)
187
N.A.17
262
187
„ c/
N.A.
c/
N.A.
N.A.^
Total Solids
(mg/1)
1.400
1,310-1,500
790
760-820
630
510-740
660
580-740
530
480-580
1,580
1,530-1,620
4,130
Susp. Solids
(mg/1)
38
80
69
30
120
41
22-68
585
Oil & Grease
(mq/1)
r /
N.A.-
N.A.£/
r /
N.A.17
c/
N.A.-
c/
N.A.-'
14
7-21
N.A.-7
Phenol
(mg/1 )
r /
N.A.£/
N.A.^
r I
N.A.-7
c/
N.A.57
c/
N.A.^7
, ,
N.A.
N.A.57"
6000 West 54th Avenue
Arvada, Colorado
(8/11-14/71)
Weld Co. By-Products Co.
1012 North llth Avenue
Greeley, Colorado
(9/26-29/71)
Valley Sani- RANGE 3 Composite^ 7.1-10.3 24-29
tation waste
water treat-
ment plant
2,400- 8,000 1,000-1,400
Drain to Cache AVERAGE Unknown
laPoudre River RANGE
(RM 249.0/7.4)
2 Grab
7.3
12
4,000
105
90-120
3,900-4,300 390-780
N.A.^ 15,300 3 120
12,700-17,900
N.A.-
a/ Measurements made from grab samples.
b/ Data from February 3, 1972, not used.
c/ Not analyzed.
3/ Four grab samples collected each day to make daily composite.
e/ Three grab samples collected each day to make daily composite.
f/ Samples were toxic to BOD seed; therefore, no dissolved oxygen depletion observed.
£/ Four grab samples on September 22, and seven on September 23, to make up daily composite.
h/ Five grab samples on September 22, and six on September 23, to make up daily composite.
T/ Four grab samples on September 22, and six on September 23, to make up daily composite.
j/ Twenty-four grab samples each day to make up daily composite.
N.A.^
-------
TABLE 1-2
a/
SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE SOURCES IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN-
Name of Industry
Discharge To
Treatment Facilities
Remarks
Adolph Coors Company
Golden
Burlington Northern
Railroad, Inc.
Denver
Continental Oil Company
Refinery and Asphalt
Plant, Denver
Clear Creek
South Platte
River
Burlington
Ditch
Activated sludge with
chlorination
None
(See Remarks)
Oil separators and
aeration units
Floyd Haag Sand and Gravel
Company
Loveland
Big Thompson
River
None
Plant is organically overloaded.
All wastes except those from the
brewery are to be diverted to
Metro facility on or about
Oct, 1, 1972
Spillage of oil in the refinery
area is allowed to seep into
the ground; these spilled oils
enter the South Platte River.
As a result of the Project studies
in 1965,— it was recommended that
phenol concentrations be reduced
to less than 25 ppb in the dis-
charge to Sand Creek. In Dec. 1971
asphalt wastes were diverted to
refinery treatment plant which
now discharges all wastes to
Burlington Ditch.
Previous studies by the South
Platte River Basin Project indi-
cated this condition existed and
recommended adequate treatment
facilities be constructed.
-------
TABLE 1-2 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE SOURCES IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN—
a/
Name of Industry
Discharge To
Treatment Facilities
Remarks
Gates Rubber Company
Denver
Loveland Packing Company
Loveland
Monfort Packing Company
Greeley
sanitary sewer
and South
Platte River
Big Thompson
River
Greeley
municipal
wastewater
treatment plant
Part to oil separators,
part to sanitary sewers, and
remainder to South Platte
River
Aeration basin, secondary
clarifier, and final
polishing basin
Grease skimming and primary
clarification
Refinery Corporation
Denver
Sand Creek
Oil separators, aerated
lagoon, settling pond
As a result of the Project
studies—' it was recommended that
all wastewater be diverted to
sanitarey sewers. Wastes from
5 to 6 collection sumps are still
discharged to the South Platte
River without treatment.
Even though BOD and suspended
solids removal efficiencies were
90 and 81 %, respectively, exist-
ing facilities did not provide
treatment in accord with "best
treatment" practices.
These wastes are causing gross
organic overloading of the Greeley
municipal waste treatment plant.
The City and Company with an EPA
grant, are constructing new faci-
lities for treatment of Company
wastes and the activated sludge
from the present municipal plant.
During the 1971 survey it was ob-
served that the discharge of oil
and grease caused discoloration
of Sand Creek.
-------
TABLE 1-2 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE SOURCES IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN2-'
a/
Name of Industry
Discharge To
Treatment Facilities
Remarks
Sigman Meat Packing Company
Arvada
Weld County By-Products
Company, Greeley
Process wastes go
to Clear Creek
Wastewater Treat-
ment Plant
Natural drain to
Cache la Poudre
River
Primary treatment of process
wastes
Septic tank and then evapor-
ation lagoon -
During the 1971 survey the .ef-
fluent contained 1200 mg/1 of
BOD and 587 mg/1 suspended solids,
A survey, conducted Sept. 28-29,
1971, indicated that the lagoon
seepage was reaching the Cache la
Poudre River.
aj This group does not include Great Western mill [Table 1-3],
-------
TABLE 1-3
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGE FROM THE GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY PLANTS
Map Key Station Description Date of Survey
1-2^ Great Western Sugar 12/6-10/71
Brighton, Colorado
Treatment System Effluent
(RM 295.7)
a/
1-3 Great Western Sugar 12/6-10/71
Longmont, Colorado
Condenser Water Effluent
(RM 270.0/22.0)
a/
I-3~ Great Western Sugar 12/6-10/71
Longmont, Colorado
Seepage From Lime Ponds
(RM 270.0/20.8)
a/
1-4 Great Western Sugar 12/6-11/71
Johnstown, Colorado
Water Treatment System
Effluent
(RM 260.4/7.0/2.8)
I-5~ Great Western Sugar 12/6-11/71
Loveland, Colorado
Waste Treatment Pond
Effluent
(RM 260.4/22.0)
1-^ Great Western Sugar 12/6-11/71
Loveland, Colorado
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
Fl ow Temp .
CFS °C
3.6
3.3-4.3 7.0-15.0
c/
11.3
30.0-46.0
1.0 (est)
0.0-6.5
4.4
4.20-4.75 5.0-11.0
11.7
10.4-14.5 0.0-5.0
.2 (est)
3.5-10.0
Cond. pH BOD
umhos/cm S.U. mg/1
12
850-1,400 7.2-8.4 6.0-20
46
950-1,300 8.1-9.2 30-54
6.7
1,400-2,200 7.5-8.4 5.0-8.0
297
1,050-2,550 7.3-8.5 267-320
13
520-650 7.9-8.25 6.0-18
51
1,350-1,650 7.2-7.8 14-100
TOC
mg/1
84
84-85
61
25-84
217
210-220
205
88-430
56
38-75
220
Alkalinity
mg/1
273
253-288
213
205-225
498
197-661
-
140
_
130
658
Seepage from Lime Pond
(RM 260.4/22.22/0.1)
-------
TABLE I ,-3 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGE FROM THE GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY PLANTS
Map Key
I.6a/
1-6^
1-7^
1-f
l-7~
I-S*
Station Description Date of Survey
Great Western Sugar 12/13-15/71
Greeley, Colorado
Effluent From Serpentine
Ditch
(RM 249.0/4.5)
Great Western Sugar 12/13-15/71
Greeley, Colorado
Ash Disposal and
Boiler Slowdown Effluent
(RM 249.0/5.2)
Great Western Sugar 11/29-12/3/71
Eaton, Colorado
Condenser Water Effluent
(RM 249.9/6.9/7.0)
Great Western Sugar 11/29-12/3/71
Eaton, Colorado
Lime Kiln Effluent
(RM 249.9/6.9/6.9)
Great Western Sugar 11/29/12/3/71
Eaton, Colorado
Boiler Slowdown
(RM 249.9/6.9/6.85)
Great Western Sugar 11/29-12/3/71
Ft. Morgan, Colorado
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
Flow Temp.
CFS °C
7.6
7.1-7.8 20.0-24.0
0.9
0.5-1.5 5.0-46.0
4.28
4.23-4.34 24.0-25.0
0.026
0.024-0.034 13.0-23.0
_
48.0-55.0
18.4
17.0-22.3 28.0-32.0
Cond. pH BOD
umhos/ciii S.U. rng/1
615
1,500-1,800 6.7-7 A 480-765
1,230
1,650-2,150 8.1-10.2 1,650-2,150
21
1,400-1,500 7.7-8.1 13-25
15
1,350-2,000 7.5-10.5 10-24
-
400-570 8.2-9.2
23
1,250-2,150 8.2-8.6 12-34
TOC
nig/1
580
400-890
1,190
1,160-1,210
10
6-15
54
10-140
-
-
11
8-16
Alkalinity
mg/1
.
-
_
-
398
390-410
1,260
480-2,050.
-
-
275
270-280
Condenser Water Discharge
(RM 196.2)
-------
TABLE I-3(Continued)
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGE FROM THE GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY PLANTS
Map Key
j.gb/
1-10*
Station Description
Great Western Sugar
Sterling, Colorado
Main Discharge Canal
(RM 150.4/0.4)
Great Western Sugar
Ovid, Colorado
Date of Survey
11/29-12/3/71
11/29-12/3/71
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
17
16
7
7
Flow
CFS
.9
.93-18.86
.47
.33-7.69
Temp.
°C
11.0-15.0
27.0-30.0
Cond.
iiinhos/cm
1,400-1,900
1,500-1,750
pH
S.U.
8.4-8.6
6.3-7.1
BOD
mg/1
24
19-26
250
180-290
TOC
mq/1
17
11-25
130
81-170
Alkalinity
mg/1
283
279-288
260
233-304
Lagoon Effluent
(RM 94.8)
a/ See Figure 3 for location.
b/ See Figure 4 for location.
c/ All values approximately the same during the survey.
-------
TABLE 1-4
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES ON SUGAR BEET MILL DISCHARGES IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
November-December, 197'
Station Description Map
Waste Drain for Lime and Surge
Pond Seepage from Great Western
at Longmont (river mile 270. 0/20. 90/. 01 ) .
Condenser Water Discharge from Great
Western at Longmont (river
mile 270. 0/22. 15/. 01).
Effluent from Treatment System,
Great Western at Johnstown
(river mile 260.4/7.0/2.8).
Waste Drain for Lime and Mud Pond
Seepage, Great Western at
Loveland (river mile 260.4/22.5/0.10).
Waste Treatment Pond Discharge for
Key No.£/
1-3
1-3
1-4
1-5
1-5
Fecal Coliform
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
440
250
150,000
20
32
<33 <10
38 10
38,000 9,000
<9 <4
<8 <4
% of Samples
>2,000
-0-
-0-
100
-0-
-0-
Fecal
MF
• Maximum
53,000
39,000
350,000
4,700
1 10,000
Streptococci
Count/100 ml
Log Mean Minimum
7,500 2
9,700 1
290,000 270
1,400
2,200
,300
,200
,000
550
310
Great Western at Loveland
(river mile 260.4/22.25/0.10).
Condenser Water Discharge from
Great Western, Eaton, Colorado
(river mile 249/6.9/7.0).
Lime Kiln Scrubber Discharge from
Great Western, Eaton (river
mile 249/6.9/6.9).
Effluent from Great Western
Serpintine Ditch (river mile
249/5.4-249/4.5).
Effluent from Ash Disposal and
Boiler Slowdown System (river
mile 249/5.4-249/5.2).
1-7
1-7
1-6
1-6
120
900
21
<47
780,000 210,000 130,000
710,000 >60,000 >310,000
-0- 19,000 7,900 5,200
-0- 58,000 4,100 220
100 8,300,000 >2,400,000>1,000,000
100 12,000,000 >3,100,000 >100,000
-------
TABLE 1-4 continued
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES ON SUGAR BEET MILL DISCHARGES IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
November-December, 1971
Station Description
Map Key No.!/
Fecal Coliform
MF Count/100 ml % of Samples
Maximum Log Mean Minimum > 2,OOP
Fecal Streptococci
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Water Supply Intake at Diversion 1-2
Point - Great Western Brighton
(river mile 295.70).
Condenser Water Discharge from Great 1-2
Western at Brighton (river mile
295.70).
Condenser Water only for Great Western 1-8
at Fort Morgan (river mile 196.20).
Main Discharge Canal from the Sterling 1-9
Great Western Plant (river mile
150.20/. 4).
Effluent from Transport Water Treat- l~9
ment System at Sterling (river
mile 150.20/.40/.30).
Condenser Water Discharge from l~9
Great Western Mill at Sterling
(river mile 150.20/.70).
Lagoon Effluent from Great l~10
Western Mill at Ovid, Colorado
(river mi le 94.94/.20).
>6,000 >330 140
>6,000 >110 20
48
810
110
370 150
6,300 3,700 900
<42
28
4,300,000 >1,900,000 >600,000
20
20
-0-
-0-
5,400
810
100
8,700 1,700 500
13,000 1,900 180
-0- 3,600,000 >860,000 >100,000
80 7,900,000 >1,000,000 >100,000
60,000 5,500 490
100 >10,000,000 >5,000,000>1,000,000
— Map Key No. 1-2 to 1-7 shown on Figure 3; 1-8 to 1-10 shown on Figure 4.
-------
TABLE 1-5
a/
SUMMARY OF WASTE TREATMENT FOR THE GREAT WESTERN SUGAR PLANTS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN—
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1971
Plant Location
Receiving Water
Present Treatment
Remarks
Brighton
(RM 295.7)
South Platte
River
Johnstown
(RM 260.4/7.0/2.8)
Little Thompson
River
The mill recycles all flume water.
Treatment of flume water consists
of screening, primary sedimentation,
two secondary settling basins in
series. The water is then reused.
Muds are removed from the settling
ponds periodically and placed on
periphery for drying. Lime mud
wastes are discharged into a 6-8
acre pond adjacent to South Platte
River. A surge pond (20 acres)
receives excess flume water from
recycle pond.
General plant wastes flow to an
aeration basin. A third aerator
was being installed at the time
of the evaluation. Sludge from
the aeration basin flox?s to a
settling chamber from which
settled sludge will be returned
to the aeration basin. The aer-
ation pond effluent flows to the
stabilization ponds.
1. Adequate BOD and suspended solids
removals were accomplished during
the 1971-72 campaign.
2. A three-fold rise in water tem-
perature existed between McCann
Ditch water source and treated mill
effluent. However, no significant
temperature change occurred in the
South Platte River.
3. According to company data^
nutrients in the effluent were high.
Total phosphates and inorganic
nitrogen ranged from 0.05-0.25 mg/1
and 15.7-17.7 mg/1, respectively.
The water supply contributes the
major portion of these nutrients.
4. The lime mud pond is located
close to the South Platte River and
represents a potential pollution
problem in case of dike failure.
5. The Company should be commended
for water conservation and the sig-
nificant improvements in waste
treatment attained since the 1966
conference.
1. At time of visit, construction
on aeration basin caused wastes to
be bypassed to the stabilization
ponds. Company officials anticipate
80 percent removal when the facili-
ties are completed.
2. The Johnstown factory discharge
caused violation of the Colorado
water quality standards.
-------
TABLE 1-5 (Continued)
a/
SUMMARY OF WASTE TREATMENT FOR THE GREAT WESTERN SUGAR PLANTS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN-
NOVEMBER- DECEMBER 1971
Plant Location
Receiving Water
Present Treatment
Remarks
Johnstown (Continued)
Longmont
(RM 270.0/22.0)
St. Vrain Creek
Condenser waters are conveyed
directly to the stabilization ponds.
Acid boilouts, chemical spill, and
kiln scrubber overflow are conveyed
to a nonoverflow chemical pond.
Recirculation of flume waters with
33 percent diverted into primary
and secondary lime settling basins.
Overflow from the settling basin
mixes with recycled flume water.
Excess overflow is discharged to
the anaerobic surge basin. Settled
lime muds are sluiced to a nonover-
flowing lime basin. Condenser
water receives no treatment.
1. The mill discharged 2,520 Ib /day
of BOD (0.80 Ib /ton of sugar beets
sliced) to St. Vrain Creek. This
contributed in depressing the dis-
solved oxygen levels to below the
standard of 3.0 mg/1.
2. The condenser water discharge
raised the temperature of St. Vrain
Creek as much as 13°C.
3. Waste loads from a) Longmont
Great Western Mill and b) Longmont
treatment plant caused violation in
St. Vrain Creek of basic standards
applicable to all waters of the
State.
Loveland
(RM 260.4/22.0)
Big Thompson
River
Mechanical clarification of flume
waters with the effluent recycled.
Clarifier muds are discharged to a
non-overflow 40-acre pond. Con-
denser waters are treated by two
cooling ponds in series and are the
only discharges to the Big Thompson
River. Lime wastes are discharged to
a non-overflowing. 20-acre pond.
1. The effluent quality achieved
during the 1971-72 campaign was
0.22 Ib. BOD/ton of beets sliced.
Treatment of surface.discharges was
adequate.
2. Excessive seepage (0.13 mgd)
from wastewater ponds was noted
during the inplant evaluation in
December.
3. Lime mud BOD levels from the
lime mud ponds were higher (100
mg/1) than from main discharge
(65 mg/1).
-------
TABLE 1-5 (Continued)
a/
SUMMARY OF WASTE TREATMENT FOR THE GREAT WESTERN SUGAR PLANTS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN2-'
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1971
Plant Location
Receiving Water
Present Treatment
Remarks
Eaton
(RM 249.0/6.9/7.0)
Eaton Draw
Greeley
(RM 5.25)
Cache la Poudre
River
Fort Morgan
(RM 196.2)
South Platte
River
Flume water has closed recirculation-
screened to primary settlers to
secondary settlers back to plant.
Surge ponds provided for overflow.
Lime mud goes to a separate pond
with no overflow. Condenser water
goes to a spray pond with constant
overflow. Lime kiln scrubber and
boiler blowdown go to Eaton Draw.
Separate waste ponds for lime muds.
Boiler blowdown and the ashes and
unburned coal and coke residues from
the boilers and lime kiln are dis-
charged to the river (RM 5.25). Some
condenser water is returned to water
supply pond. Waste flume waters,
excess condensates, leaks, spills,
boilouts and miscellaneous wastes go
to a serpentine shaped ditch which
discharges to the river at RM 4.3.
Mechanical clarification of flume
waters with the effluent recycled.
Clarifier muds are discharged to
mud ponds. The mud pond overflow
mixes with recycled flume water.
Lime wastes are discharged to the
non-overflowing lime pond, and acid
wastes are discharged to the non-
overflowing acid waste pond. Con-
denser water receives no treatment.
1. Adequate treatment of surface
discharges is being provided at
this plant. A plant evaluation
showed that about 500 Ib BOD/day
(0.2 Ib/ton) were discharged.
2. Suspended solids discharged
during the 1971-72 campaign exceeded
the limits set by Refuse Act Permit
Program for this plant.
1. The discharges from the mill in
combination with those from the
Greeley treatment plant cause gross
pollution in the lower reach of the
Cache la Poudre River. The company
has publicly stated that adequate
treatment will be provided by the
start of the 1972-73 campaign if the
plant stays in operation.
2. The December 13-15, 1971, survey
findings indicate that Great Western
Mill is discharging about 25,000
Ib BOD/day to the Cache la Poudre
River (10.7 Ib of.BOD/ton of sliced
beets).
3. Fecal coliform density (log mean)
was 210,000/100 ml during the survey.
1. Effluent sampling data indicate a
substantial reduction in the waste
loads discharged by the plant since
1963.
2. However, company data showed dis-
charges during 1971-72 campaign to
exceed 26,000 Ib BOD/day (7.4 Ib /
ton of beets sliced). The possible
cause of high BOD levels of the con-
denser water were being investigated
by company officials.
-------
TABLE 1-5 (Continued)
a/
SUMMARY OF WASTE TREATMENT FOR THE GREAT WESTERN SUGAR PLANTS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN-
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1971
Plant Location
Receiving Water
Present Treatment
Remarks
Sterling
(RM 150.A)
South Platte
River
Ovid
(RM 94.8)
South Platte
River
A "partial" recycle flume water
system is used. About 25 percent
of the flume water, after settle-
ment in the mud ponds, is treated
by aerated lagoons and settling
basins. The settled muds are
hauled away. Lime wastes are dis-
charged to the non-overflowing
lime pond; acids and caustic boil-
outs are discharged to a non-
overflowing pit. Condenser water
receives no treatment.
Separate ponds for lime muds. Flume
waters, condenser waters and other
plant wastes, after screening, are
passed through two settling ponds
(approximately 750 feet by 75) and
then discharged to the South Platte
River.
The EPA data indicated 0.9 Ibs
BOD/ton of beets was discharged
during the survey. Company data
show that during the 1971-72 cam-
paign the BOD ranged from 0.23-4.7
Ibs/ton.
Company has publicly stated they
plan to install necessary treatment
by the start of the 1973-74 campaign.
a/ Individual reports on each Great Western Company Mill are contained in the report entitled "Technical Appendix on
Industrial Waste Source Evaluations", except for the Greeley and Ovid Mills which are discussed in the reports
entitled "Effects of Waste Discharges on Water Quality of the Cache la Poudre and South Platte Rivers - Greeley
Area" and "Investigation of the Effects of the Waste Discharges from the Great Western Sugar Mill at Ovid, Colorado
on Water Quality Conditions in the South Platte River," respectively.
b_/ The Region VIII, Permits Program, has set special permit conditions for each Great Western plant in the basin.
£/ An effluent containing 0.5 Ibs each of BOD and suspended solids or less is achievable by the installation of the
best practicable control technology currently available for the sugar beet industry.
-------
TABLE 1-6
SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL DATA FOR MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS - SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
BOD
Map Key— Facility and Dates Sampled
M-l
M-2
M-3
M-4
M-5
M-6
South Platte River Main Stem
Littleton, City of
(September 20-24)
(RM 327.6)
Englewood, City of
(September 20-24)
(RM 325.1)
South Lakewood Sanitation
District
(August 17-20)
(RM 318.9)
Clear Creek Drainage
Wheatridge Sanitation District
(February 3-5)
(RM 311.1/7.7)
Clear Creek Valley
Sanitation District
(August 11-14)
(RM 311.1/7.0)
Arvada, City of
(August 11-14)
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
Flow
MGD
5.2
4.8-5.6
8.6
8.2-8.8
1.8
1.7-1.8
2.1
2.1-2.2
2.5
2.4-2.6
.
1.09
1.06-1.10
Influent
(mg/1)
158
150-170
115
70-160
103
100-110
328
213-532
285
220-350
190
150-230
Effluent
(mg/1 )
33
30-40
87
80-90
33
13-60
135
118-162
17
15-19
29
15-44
Suspended Solids
Influent
(mq/1)
353
140-710
113
90-150
171
126-227
143
100-170
147
90-190
Effluent
(mq/1)
40^
135
120-150
60
40-90
87
54-116
<40
<20-70
50
40-60
Total Solids
Influent Effluent
(mq/1) (mq/1)
885
830-1,000
895
880-910
717
640-820
872
630-1,165
973
960-990
693
670-720
650
590-690
877
870-900
600
540-660
611
601-622
860
840-870
600
590-620
Chlorine
Residual
(mg/1)
0.9
0.4
0.8
<0.1
0.8
1.4
(RM 311.1/6.7/0.2)
-------
TABLE 1-6 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL DATA FOR MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS - SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
BOD
a/
Map Key
M-7
M-8
M-10
M-ll
M-12
M-13
Facility and Dates Sampled
Clear Creek Drainage
Baker Water and Sanitation
District (August 11-14)
(RM 311.1/3.4)
South Platte River Main Stem
Metropolitan Denver Sanitation
District (August 1-9)
(RM 312.2)
South Adams Sanitation
District
(January 31 -February 2)
(RM 306.7)
Brighton, City of
(August 31 -September 2)
(RM 295.8)
Fort Lupton, City of
(August 31-September 2)
(RM 287.6)
St. Vrain River Drainage
Boulder - Pearl Street
(August 17-20)
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
Flow
MGD
1.00
0.97-1.03
116
104-124
1.8
1.8-1.9
1.3
1.2-1.4
0.032
4.0
3.6-4.3
Influent
(mq/1)
330^
187
160-210
223
200-241
156
100-230
140
130-170
Effluent
ftnq/1 )
^
31
10-100
62
50-70
53
50-60
30
20-40
48
30-75
Suspended Solids
Influent
(mq/1)
287
140-540
95
50-140
236
89-400
175
160-200
130
120-150
Effluent
(mg/1)
40
30-50
122
30-240
145
48-298
80
60-100
116
80-140
36
18-50
Total Solids
Influent
(mq/1)
1,800
1,300-2,700
828
780-890
1,380
1,190-1,620
1,880
1,810-1,960
925
750-1,060
Effluent
(mq/1 )
1,170
1,100-1,200
745
660-830
1,160
1,110-1,190
1,550
1,500-1,590
1,660
1,640-1,670
355
220-370
Chlorine
Residual
(mq/1 )
2.1
<0.2
2.3
0
No Facility
1.3
(RM 270.0/17.4/21.3)
-------
TABLE 1-6 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL DATA FOR MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS - SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
Map Key-^
M-14
M-15
M-16
M-17
M-18
M-19
i
Facility and Dates Sampled
St. Vrain River Drainage
Boulder - 75th Street
(August 17-20)
(RM 270.0/17.4/17.8)
Lyons, City of
(August 31 -September 2)
(RM 270.0/34.3)
Longmont, City of
(January 31 -February 3)
(RM 270.0/22.3)
Big Thompson River Drainage
Loveland, City of
(January 31 -February 2)
(RM 260.4/24.5)
Cache la Poudre River Drainage
Fort Collins, City of
(Plant #1)
(January 31 -February 2)
(RM 249.0/44.1)
Fort Collins, City of
(Plant #2)(RM 249.0/40.2)
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
Flow
MGD
7.8
7.7-8.0
0.05
-
3.7
3.4-4.1
2.7
2.6-2.8
3.9
3.6-4.
3.9
3.4-4.1
BOD
Influent
(mg/1)
173
160-190
188
172-218
174
148-210
193
185-200
218
200-230
Effluent
(mg/1 )
41
16-75
20^
57
20-78
62
60-66
59
52-66
39
35-42
Suspended Solids
Influent
(mq/1 )
120
110-130
229
154-372
260
232-318
454
202-940
346
324-376
Effluent
(mg/1)
<30
<20-40
65
50-80
65
36-104
53
46-64
110
41-240
30
21-42
Total Solids
Influent
(mq/1 )
497
400-560
925
811-1,080
933
839-1 ,050
1,164
872-1 ,440
717
609-793
Effluent
(mq/1)
433
370-490
1,030
200-1 ,850
1,047
781-1,540
679
671-692
495
378-586
339
315-353
Chlorine
Residual
(mg/1)
2.8
1.S*
.
-
.7
-
.4
-
.9
-
(January 31-February 2)
-------
TABLE 1-6 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL DATA FOR MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS - SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
a/
Map Key"
M-20
M-21
M-22
M-23
Facility and Dates Sampled
Eaton, Colorado
(November 30-December 2)
(RM 249.0/6.9/6.6)
Greeley, City of
(January 26-28)
(RM 249.0/5.3)
Monfort Meat Packing Company
discharges to City of
Greeley plant
(January 26-28)
South Platte River Main Stem
Fort Morgan, City of
(January 26-29)
(RM 195.2)
American Beef Packers Co.,
discharges to City of Fort
Morgan plant
(January 26-28) .
Brush, City of
(January 26-29)
(RM 185.6)
Sigman Meat Packing Co.,
discharges to City of Brush
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
Flow
MGD
0.16
0.15-0.17
7.0
6.9-7.1
1.7
1.7-1.8
2.6
2.3-2.8
l.O(est)
1.11
1.07-1.21
0.6
0.5-0.7
BOD
Influent Effluent
(mq/1) (mq/1)
72
46-100
493 282
480-510 200-355
1 ,290
1,160-1,400
697 190
600-790 160-220
1 ,640
1,100-2,700
860 140
610-1,320 100-220
1,140
1,030-1,200
Suspended Solids Total Solids
Influent Effluent Influent
(mq/1) (mq/1) (mq/1)
-
450 356 1,180
376-514 168-506 1,050-1,270
1,210
616-1,560
834 94 3,820
304-1,570 66-129 3,380-4,070
12,600
3,140-29,840
1,118 45 2,256
535-1,580 29-74 1,200-3,320
1 ,080
664-1 ,780
Effluent
(mq/1)
-
894
811-957
3,570
2,840-3,980
2,900
2,860-2,950
31 ,400
7,630-53,740
773
698-920
2,280
1,720-3,220
Chlorine
Residual
(mg/1 )
-
Trace
-
No Facility
-
No Facility
-
plant (January 26-28)
-------
TABLE !-6 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL DATA FOR MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS - SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
BOD
Map KeiT
M-24
M-25
i
Facility and Dates Sampled
Sterling, City of
(January 26-29)
(RM 148.6)
Sterling Packing Co., dis-
charges to City of Sterling
plant (January 26-28)
Julesburg, City of
(September 28-October 1)
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
AVERAGE
RANGE
Flow
MGD
2.53
2.29-2.74
0.5
0.3-0.8
0.20
0.19-.21
Influent
(mg/1 )
903
800-970
_
-
155
140-180
Effluent
(mg/1)
288
175-480
1,270
910-1,800
45
30-80
Suspended
Influent
(mq/1 )
2,230
1,200-3,400
_
'
690^
-
Solids
Effluent
(mq/1 )
269
112-512
870
250-1,610
60^
-
Total Solids
Influent
(mg/1)
5,650
4,110-6,460
-
-
1,410^
-
Effluent
(mq/1)
2,830
2,520-3,270
3,550
2,840-4,040
b/
1.47CT
-
Chlorine
Residual
(mg/1 )
<0.1.
-
-
-
No Facilit:
-
(RM 86.9)
a/ M-l through M-10 see Figure 2.
M-ll through M-21 see Figure 3.
M-22 through M-25 see Figure 4.
b/ Based on one days data.
£/ All values the same.
-------
TABLE I~7
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES ON MUNICIPAL WASTE
TREATMENT PLANT DISCHARGES
IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
August and September, 1971
Station Description
Baker Waste Water
Treatment Plant
Brighton Waste Water
Treatment Plant
Boulder-East Pearl Waste
Water Treatment Plant
Boulder-75th Street Waste
Water Treatment Plant
Fort Lupton - North Waste
Water Treatment Plant
Fort Lupton - South Waste
Water Treatment Plant
Longmont Waste Water
Treatment Plant
Lyons Waste Water
Treatment Plant
Loveland Waste Water
Dates
8/11 (3), 12 (3),
13(2)
9/27(1), 28(2),
29(1)
8/17(3), 18(3),
19(2)
8/17(3), 18(3),
19(2)
9/27(1), 28(2),
29(1)
9/27(1), 28(2),
29(1)
9/27(1), 28(2),
29(1)
9/27(1), 28(2),
29(2)
8/23(2), 24(3),
Total Coliform
MF Count /100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
830
8,900,000 >2
1,300
>80,000
190,000
77,000
550,000
500,000
180,000
<66
,700,000
290
>1,600
43,000
40,000
800
>66,000
17,000
8
>800,000
120
170
2,700
23,000
9
>8,000
1,800
Maximum
<20
1,900,000
62
>6,000
18,000
33,000
8,400
55,000
1,000
Fecal Coliform
MF Count /100 ml
Log Mean
<7
860,000
16
>40
8,200
8,900
34
6,100
210
Minimum
<2
340,000
2
<2
1,900
3,100
<4
730
32
Treatment Plant
25(2)
-------
TABLE 1-7 continued
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES ON MUNICIPAL WASTE
TREATMENT PLANT DISCHARGES
IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
August and September, 1971
Station Description
Littleton Waste Water
Treatment Plant
Englewood Waste Water
Treatment Plant
Denver Metro Waste Water
Treatment Plant
Coors Waste Water
Treatment Plant
Clear Creek Valley Waste
Water Treatment Plant
Arvada Waste Water
Treatment Plant
Wheat Ridge Waste
Water Treatment Plant
Lakewood Waste Water
Treatment Plant
South Adams Waste Water
Treatment Plant
Dates
1971
9/21(3),22(3),
23(2)
9/21(3), 22(3),
23(2)
8/2(5), 3(6), 4(7)
5(3), 6(7), 31(1),
9/2(1)
9/21(3), 22(3),
23(2)
8/11(3), 12(3),
13(2)
8/11(3), 12(3),
13(2)
8/11(3), 12(3),
13(2)
8/17(3), 18(2),
19(3)
8/17(3), 18(2),
15(3)
Total Coliform
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
100,000 9,800 170
>800,000 > 15, 000 <10
14,000,000 130,000 6,600
>800,000 >330,000 73,000
6,600,000 87,000 1,100
53,000 <1,600 <100
220,000 54,000 7,600
340,000 >1,800 30
52,000 650 19
Fecal Coliform
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
2,600 <96 <10
6,000 <240 <10
430,000 <4,700 230
330,000 >19,000 1,200
57,000 380 6
400 <39 16
160,000 700 82
48,000 <140 <4
3,900 <48 <4
H
1
ho
-------
TABLE 1-7 continued
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES ON MUNICIPAL WASTE
TREATMENT PLANT DISCHARGES
IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
August and September, 1971
Station Description
Dates
1971
Total Coliform
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Fecal Coliform
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Ft. Collins Waste Water
Treatment Plant No. 1
Ft. Collins Waste Water
Treatment Plant No. 2
-Greeley Waste Water
Treatment Plant
8/23(2),24(3),
25(3)
8/23(3),24(3),
25(1)
8/23(3),24(3),
25(2)
71,000 20,000 1,600
1,900,000 >10,000
3,200
>800,000 >32,000 2,700 550,000
<240
9 670,000 >1,200
4,200
18
81
No. in ( ) indicates number of samples collected that date.
-------
TABLE 1-8
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES OF SELECTED MUNICIPAL
WASTE TREATMENT PLANT DISCHARGES
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN SURVEY
November-December, 1971
Station Description
Fecal Coliform
MF Count/100 ml % of Samples
Maximum Log Mean Minimum > 2,000
Fecal Streptococci
MF Count/100 ml
Maximum Log Mean Minimum
Outfall from Longmont Waste Water Treatment
Plant to St. Vrain Creek (river mile
270.0/22.5).
Eaton Waste Water Treatment Plant
Effluent (river mile 249/6.9/6.6).
Effluent from Greeley Waste Water
Treatment Plant (river mile 249/5.3).
Julesburg, Colorado Waste Water
Treatment Plant Effluent (river
mile 86.9).
1,100,000
14,000
20
>60,000 > 12,000 5,900
770,000 1*6,000 < 1,000
310,000 160,000 53,000
80
100
60
100
ONE VALUE- 4,600
930,000 < 100,000 < 1,000
-------
TABLE 1-9
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES ON MUNICIPAL WASTE TREATMENT PLANT DISCHARGES IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1972
Total Coliform MF Count/100 ml
Station Description
Coors Effluent
Wheatridge STP Effluent
South Adams
Longmont STP
Love! and STP
Fort Collins
Plant No.
Fort Collins
Plant No.
Greeley STP
Fort Morgan
STP Effluent
Effluent
Effluent
STP Effluent -
1
STP Effluent -
2
Effluent
STP Effluent
Brush STP Effluent
Sterling STP
Effluent
Dates of
Samples
2/2(1), 3(3), 4(2)
2/2(1), 3(3), 4(2)
1/31(3),
1/31(2),
1/31(2),
1/31(2),
1/31(2),
1/26(2),
1/26(2),
1/26(2),
1/26(2),
2/1(2)
2/1(2)
2/1(2)
2/H2)
2/1(2)
27(2),
27(2),
27(2),
27(2),
, 2(2)
. 2(2)
, 2(2)
, 2(2)
, 2(2)
28(2)
28(2)
28(2)
28(2)
Maximum
no
2,700
4
11,000
2,300
430
5
25,000
9,000
28,000
2,700
,000
,000
,000
,000
,000
,000
,000
,000
,000
,000
,000
Log Mean
5,400
>46,000
32
8,500,000
110,000
140,000
<630
12,000,000
3,600,000
7,800,000
1,200,000
Minimum
300
60
<4
6,600,000
<100
59,000
70
6,000,000
1 ,700,000
960,000
710,000
Fecal Coliforms MF Count/100 ml
Maximum
2,600
88,000
30
1 ,200,000
22,000
2,400
<1 ,000
2,500,000
720,000
11,000,000
3,000,000
Log Mean
120
>910
<9
840,000
<3,700
860
<34
1,300,000
510,000
3,800,000
170,000
Minimum
4
4
<4
470,000
<100
300
<4
940,000
310,000
140,000
63,000
Number in parentheses indicates the number of samples collected that date.
-------
TABLE 1-10
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
Map
Name of Facility^'
Discharge To
BOD Removal
Efficiency
(Percent)
Disinfection
Findings
M-l
M-2
M-3
M-4
Littleton
(RM 327.6)
Englewood
(RM 325.1)
South Lakewood Sanitation
District
(RM 318.9)
South Platte
River
South Platte
River
South Platte
River
76
See
Findings
69
Wheatridge Sanitation
District
(RM 311.1/7.70)
Clear Creek
54
Adequate The average BOD removal effi-
ciency was below the minimum
established by the State of
Colorado. Disinfection was
adequate except on one occasion.
Inadequate This plant was under expansion
during the survey. Expanded
capacity of the plant will be
12 mgd.
Adequate ' 1. The average BOD removal ef-
ficiency was below the minimum
established by the State of
Colorado because of hydraulic
overloading.
2. The plant is presently under
expansion to a design capacity
of 1.8 mgd (the flow observed
at the time of the survey).
Inadequate 1. The average BOD removal ef-
ficiency was below the minimum
established by the State of
Colorado.
2. Plant operation is poor and
additional operator training
is required.
3. The entire flow of this
plant could be diverted into
the Metro system.
rv>
cn
-------
TABLE 1-10 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Map
Key- Name of Facility^'
M-5 Clear Creek Valley
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
BOD Removal
Efficiency
Discharge To (Percent) Disinfection Findings
Clear Creek 94 Inadequate This plant treats only 2.5 mgd
i
ro
en
M-6
Sanitation District
(RM 311.1/7.0)
Arvada
(RM 3.11.1/6.7/0.2)
Ralston Creek
86
M-7
B'aker Water and
District
(RM 311.1/3.40)
Sanitation
Clear Creek
79
and the feasibility of con-
tinued operation is question-
able. • - -.
Adequate 1. Operation and maintenance ••
has improved since the studies
of the South Platte River Basin
Project.
2. Treatment is adequate; how-
ever, only 25 .percent of wastes
from Arvada are treated by the
plant (2.5 mgd are diverted to
Metro). The feasibility of
continued operation is question-
able. .
Adequate 1. Operation and maintenance
has improved since the studies
by the South Platte River
Basin Project.
2. Continued operation is
questionable. Approximately
half of the flows received are
treated (0.8 mgd are diverted
to Metro).
3. During the survey, an ex-
cessive amount of chlorine was
being added to the effluent to
reduce the number of coliform
bacteria. This practice is
considered wasteful and could
have possible detrimental
effects on the receiving waters.
-------
TABLE 1-10 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
Map
Name of
W
Discharge To
BOD Removal
Efficiency
(Percent)
Disinfection
Findings
M-8 North Denver Wastewater Metro 29
Treatment Plant
M-9 Metropolitan Denver Sewage South Platte 75
Disposal District River
(RM 312.3)
Primary wastewater treatment
facility with total effluent
flow pumped to the Metro plant.
Inadequate 1. Adequate treatment was not
being provided by the Metro
plant for BOD and suspended
solids removal. Including
removals at the Northside
plant, BOD removals for Denver
Metro ranged from 63 percent
to 96 percent on a daily
average and were below the
State requirement of 80 per-
cent removal 20 percent of the
time. Suspended solids re-
moval ranged between 39 per-
cent and 95 percent. Removals
were highest during the week-
end when the overloading con-
ditions were minimal.
2. The Denver Metro plant is
overloaded hydraulically and
organically. The plant is
designed for 117 mgd. Peak
flows of 180 mgd were recorded
during the survey. The average
BOD loading observed (182,000
Ib/day) was 110 percent of the
design loading. Four of the
twelve aeration basins are
being used for sludge diges-
tion instead of wastewater
treatment.
-------
TABLE 1-10 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
i
r\i
CO
Map Key-
b/
Name of. Facility—'
Discharge To
BOD Removal
Efficiency
(Percent)
Disinfection
Findings
K-9-
Metropolitan Denver (Continued)
M-10
South Adams Water and
Sanitation District.
(RM. 306.7)
South Platte
River
73
Adequate
3. Sludge handling capacity at
Metro is a problem; this in-
inadequacy affects plant per-
formance in producing a satis-
factory effluent.
4. Adequate disinfection was
not provided, as fecal coliform
bacteria in the effluent
ranged from 230-430,000 organ-
isms/100 ml.
5. The Metro, and Northside plants
are under, different management,
making effective operation dif-
ficult. The Northside plant
effluent constitutes the major
input to Metro and operational
difficulties at Northside af-
fect Metro significantly.
1. The plant did not provide
adequate BOD and suspended
solids removal. The low re-
moval efficiencies were due
to a high carry-over of sus-
pended solids in the effluent.
2. During the survey, an ex-
cessive amount of chlorine
was being added to the effluent
to reduce the number of coli-
form bacteria. This practice is
considered wasteful and could
have possible detrimental ef-
fects on the receiving water.
-------
TABLE I- 10 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
BOD Removal
. ,, Efficiency
Map Key^ Name of Facility— Discharge To (Percent)
M-ll Brighton South Platte 68
(RM 295\8) River (see
findings)
Disinfection Findings
Inadequate The Plant did not conform to
criteria for BOD removal. It
was under expansion at the
time of the survey.
2. Laboratory facilities have
been provided but are not used
to provide the most efficient
operation of the plant.
M-12
M-13
Fort Lupton
(RM 287.6)
Boulder - East Pearl
Street Plant
(RM 270.0/17.4/21.3)
South Platte
River
Boulder Creek
65
M-14
Boulder - 75th
Street Plant
(RM 270.0/17.4/17.8)
Boulder Creek
77
Adequate Treatment is adequate
Adequate 1. The plant did not conform
to criteria for BOD removal.
Digesters were out of oper-
and sludge was being stored
in the primary clarifier.
2. Operational changes were
planned to improve BOD and
suspended solids removals.
Adequate 1. The plant did not conform
to criteria for BOD removal.
2. Expansion should correct
problems observed during the
survey. Plant will be expanded
to 15.6 mgd.
3. Infiltration in the older
portion of the collection
system contributes to hydraulic
overloading.
-------
TABLE 1-10 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
CO
~o
Map Key-
b/
Name of Facility-'
Discharge To
BOD Removal
Efficiency
(Percent)
Disinfection
Findings
M-15
Lyons
(RH 270.0/34.3)
St. Vrain
Creek
M-16
Longmont
(R.M 270.0/22.3)
St. Vrain
Creek
63
M-17
Loveland
(RH 260.A/24.5)
Big Thompson
River
63
Adequate 1. The BOD and suspended solids
loadings cause no adverse ef-
fect on St. Vrain Creek.
2. Disinfection procedures are
adequate when equipment is
operating.
None 1. The plant did not conform to
criteria for BOD removal.
2. Chlorinatipn facilities were
not in operation during the
survey.
3. The ABF plant was opeating
as a high-rate trickling filter
because of operational problems
with the filter.
4. The effluent from the
facility was essentially the
entire flow of St. Vrain Creek
because of an upstream diver-
sion.
5. The design capacity is
limited by pumping capability.
At peak flows, primary clari-
fier effluent overflows into
the outfall line.
Inadequate 1. Plant did not conform to
- criteria for BOD removal.
2. The discharge from the plant
results in water quality de-
gradation of the Big Thompson
River.
-------
TABLE 1-10 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
Map
b/
Name of Facility11'
Discharge To
BOD Removal
Efficiency
(Percent)
Disinfection
Findings
M-18
M-19
M-21
Fort Collins
Plant No. 1
(RM 249.0/44.1)
Fort Collins
Plant No. 2
(RM 249.0/40.2)
Greeley
(RM 249.0/5.3)
M-22
Fort Morgan
(RM 195.2)
Cache la
Poudre River
Cache la
Poudre River
Cache la
Poudre River
70
Inadequate
82
Adequate
43
Inadequate
South Platte
River
72
None
1. Plant did not conform to
criteria for BOD removal.
2. Water quality degradation
occurred downstream from the
effluent discharge.
1. Plant met or exceeded all
State requirements.
2. Water quality degradation
occurred downstream from the
effluent discharge.
Average BOD removal efficiency
was below the minimum estab-
lished by the State of Colorado
due to gross organic over-
loading of the plant. The major
portion of the organic load is
received from the Monfort of
Colorado packing plant.
1. Plant did not conform to
criteria for BOD removal
because of high organic waste
loads from American Beef
Packers, Inc.
2. Plant is under expansion.
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TABLE 1-10 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
i
oo
ro
Map
b/
Name of Facility^
Discharge To
BOD Removal
Efficiency
(Percent)
Disinfection
Findings
M-23
Brush
(RM 185.6)
South Platte
River
84
None
M-24
Sterling
(RM 148.6)
South Platte
River
67
Inadequate
1. Plant meets minimum re-
quirements of State for BOD
removal, but the effluent load_
to the stream is high.
2. Plant is not providing ef-
fluent chlorination.
3. The Sigman Meat Company
contributes more than 70 per-
cent of the BOD load and more
than 50 percent of the sus-
pended solids load received
by the Brush plant. Grease
from the meat company also
causes mechanical difficulties
at the plant.
1. Average BOD removal ef-
ficiency was below the minimum
established by the State of
Colorado, due to organic over-
loading.
2. The Sterling Beef Packing
Company contributes the major
portion of -the waste load to •
the Sterling plant and over-
loads it organically.
3. Laboratory analyses pre-
formed at the Sterling plant
are not adequate.
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TABLE 1-10 (Continued)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
AUGUST 1971-FEBRUARY 1972
Map
b/
Name of Facility-'
Discharge To
BOD Removal
Efficiency
(Percent)
Disinfection
Findings
M-25
Julesburg
(RM 86.9)
South Platte
River
69
Inadequate 1. The plant did not conform
to criteria for BOD removal.
2. The plant receives very
little operation and main-
tenance.
a_l Unless noted as sanitation districts, facilities are municipally operated.
b_/ Individual reports are contained in "Technical Appendix on Municipal Waste-Source Evaluation, Water Quality Investigations
in the South Platte River Basin, Colorado, 1971-72" with the exception of Metropolitan Denver Sewer Disposal District No. 1
and Greeley Wastewater Treatment Plant which are discussed in reports entitled "Effects of Waste Discharges on Water Quality
of the South Platte River-Denver Metropolitan Area, June 1972" and "Effects of Waste Discharges on Water Quality of the
Cache la Poudre and South Platte Rivers-Greeley Area, February 1972."
i
CO
CO
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