Wasatch Plateau-Book Cliffs
Coal-Fields Area, Utah
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 2068
Prepared in cooperation with the >£C3n>?>v
U. S. Bureau of Land Management /
and the U.S. Environmental (
Protection Agency \
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Hydrologic Reconnaissance of the
Wasatch Plateau-Book Cliffs
Coal-Fields Area, Utah
By K. M. WADDELL, P. KAY CONTRATTO, C. T. SUMSION, and
J. R. BUTLER
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER SUPPLY PAPER 2068
Prepared in cooperation with the
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON: 1981
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
JAMES G. WATT, Secretary
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Doyle G. Frederick, Acting Director
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Main entry under title:
Hydrologic reconnaissance of the Wasatch Plateau-Book Cliffs coal-fields area, Utah.
(Geological Survey water-supply paper ; 2068)
Bibliography: p.
Supt. of Docs. no. : I 19.13:2068
1. Hydrology-Utah-Wasatch Plateau. 2. Water-supply-Utah-Wasatch Plateau. I.
Waddell, Kidd M., 1937- II. United States. Bureau of Land Management.
III. United States. Environmental Protection Agency. IV. Series: United States. Geo-
logical Survey. Water-supply paper ; 2068.
GB705.U8H93 551.48'09792 80-607044
For sale by Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402
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CONTENTS
Page
Metric conversion factors V
Abstract 1
Introduction 1
Physiography 2
Geology 2
Climate '_ 5
Precipitation 5
Evaporation 6
Air temperature 6
Surface water 7
Stream-data numbering systems 8
Streamflow 8
Average discharge 8
Diversions 9
Effects of mining 9
Reservoirs and lakes 13
Quality of surface water 14
Temperature 14
Selected chemical and biological parameters 15
Price River 19
Huntington, Cottonwood, Ferron, and Muddy Creeks 25
Grassy Trail Creek 26
Benthic invertebrates 27
Trace elements 28
Sediment 28
Mine effluent 32
Ground water 34
Numbering system used for wells, springs, and mines 34
Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs 35
Lowland area 41
Summary and recommendations 43
References cited 45
ILLUSTRATIONS
[Plates are in pocket)
PLATES 1-7. Maps showing:
1. The general geology of the study area.
2. Average annual precipitation, 1931-75.
3. Average discharges of streams.
4. Estimated range of stream temperature.
5. Concentrations of dissolved solids in surface water.
6. Estimated sediment yields.
7. Concentrations of dissolved solids in ground water.
8. Fence diagram showing stratigraphic units and concentrations of
dissolved solids.
9. Hydrographs for selected wells.
ill
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IV CONTENTS
Page
FIGURE 1. Map showing coal fields of Utah 3
2-9. Graphs showing:
2. Annual precipitation and lake evaporation at Scofield Dam,
1931-75 6
3. Monthly distribution of precipitation and evaporation at Sco-
field Dam, 1931-75 7
4. Discharge of Price River and Cottonwood, Perron, and Mud-
dy Creeks above and below diversions at selected gaging
stations for selected water years 10
5. Annual discharge of Huntington Creek (gaging station
09318000), 1931-73 water years 11
6. The relationship of September flows at Huntington Creek to
sites on Cottonwood, Ferron, and Muddy Creeks 16
7. The relationship of the standard error of estimate of low-flow
correlations to varying years of record 17
8. Daily air temperature at Price and observed and estimated
water temperatures at two sites on Huntington Creek 18
9. Mineralogic composition of bed material at sites on selected
streams 29
10. Well-and spring-numbering system used in Utah 40
TABLES
Page
TABLE 1. Comparison of average annual precipitation for 1931-60 and
1931-75 for selected sites in Utah in and near the study area 5
2. Published stream-gaging records and ranges of annual discharge,
1931-75 water years In pocket
3. Estimated average annual discharge and drainage area at mis-
cellaneous sites on ephemeral and perennial streams 12
4. Statistical summary of low-flow correlations for selected sites in the
Wasatch Plateau 14
5. Summary of selected chemical and biological water-quality
parameters for selected stream sites 20
6. Trace-element analyses of water from selected stream sites 30
7. Summary of ground-water discharges, dissolved-solids concentra-
tions, and related geologic sources 35
8. Selected water-quality data for wells, springs, and mines 36
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CONTENTS v
METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS
Most measurements in this report are given in the inch-pound system of units. The con-
version factors for computing metric equivalents are shown below.
Inch-pound system
Unit
(Multiply)
Acre
Acre-foot
Cubic foot
per second
Foot
Gallon per
minute
Inch
Mile
Square mile
Metric system
Abbreviation
(by)
'Unit
(to obtain)
acre-ft
ft3/s
ft
gal/min
mi
0.4047 Square hectometer
.004047 Square kilometer
.001233 Cubic hectometer
1233 Cubic meter
.02832 Cubic meter per
second
.3048 Meter
.06309 Liter per second
Abbreviation
hm2
km2
hm3
m3
m3/s
m
L/s
25.40
2.540
1.609
2.590
Millimeter
Centimeter
Kilometer
Square kilometer
mm
cm
km
km2
Chemical concentration and water temperature are given only in metric units.
Chemical concentration is given in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or micrograms per liter
(/ig/L). Milligrams per liter is a unit expressing the concentration of chemical constituents
in solution as weight (milligrams) of solute per unit volume (liter) of water. One thousand
micrograms per liter is equivalent to one milligram per liter. For concentrations less than
7,000 mg/L, the numerical value is about the same as for concentrations in parts per mil-
lion.
Chemical concentrations in terms of ionic interacting values is given in milliequivalents
per liter (meq/L). Meq/L is numerically equal to the equivalents per million.
Water temperature is given in degrees Celsius (°C), which can be converted to degrees
Fahrenheit (°F) by the following equation: °F = 1.8(°C)+32.
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HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE
WASATCH PLATEAU-BOOK CLIFFS
COAL-FIELDS AREA, UTAH
By K. M. WADDELL, P. KAYCONTRATTO, C. T. SUMSION,
and J- R- BUTLER
ABSTRACT
Data obtained during a hydrologic reconnaissance in 1975-77 in the Wasatch Plateau-
Book Cliffs coal-fields area of Utah were correlated with existing long-term data. Maps
were prepared showing average precipitation, average streamflow, stream temperature,
ground- and surface-water quality, sediment yield, and geology. Recommendations were
made for additional study and suggested approaches for continued monitoring in the coal-
fields areas.
During the 1931-75 water years, the minimum discharges for the five major streams
that head in the area ranged from about 12,000 to 26,000 acre-feet per year, and the max-
imum discharges ranged from about 59,000 to 315,000 acre-feet per year. Correlations in-
dicate that 3 years of low-flow records at stream sites in the Wasatch Plateau would allow
the development of relationships with long-term sites that can be used to estimate future
low-flow records within a standard error of about 20 percent.
Most water-quality degradation in streams occurs along the flanks of the Wasatch
Plateau and Book Cliffs. In the uplands, dissolved-solids concentrations generally ranged
from less than 100 to about 250 milligrams per liter, and in the lowlands, the concentra-
tions ranged from about 250 to more than 6,000 milligrams per liter.
Most springs in the Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs discharge from the Star Point
Sandstone or younger formations, and the water generally contains less than about 1,000
milligrams per liter of dissolved solids. The discharges of 65 springs ranged from about
0.2 to 200 gallons per minute. The Blackhawk Formation, which is the principal coal-
bearing formation, produces water in many of the mines. The dissolved-solids concentra-
tion in water discharging from springs and mines in the Blackhawk ranged from about 60
to 800 milligrams per liter.
In the lowland areas, the Ferron Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale appears to
have the most potential for subsurface development of water of suitable chemical quality
for human consumption. Three wells in the Ferron yielded water with dissolved-solids
concentrations ranging from about 650 to 1,230 milligrams per liter.
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of
Land Management, conducted a reconnaissance from July 1975 to
September 1977 which was designed to provide an assessment of the
hydrology of the Wasatch Plateau-Book Cliffs coal-fields area in Utah.
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2 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also supported the study
by providing additional funds for enhancement of the water-quality ef-
fort. The coal lands in Utah are largely in the Upper Colorado River
Basin (fig. 1). The most active coal-mining areas in 1977 were in the
Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs area.
The objectives of the study were to (1) establish data bases for
hydrologic parameters from existing data supplemented with informa-
tion gathered as part of this study-, (2) describe the water resources,
based on the data available; and (3) recommend monitoring programs
and additional detailed studies.
Historical data, pertinent to the hydrology of the study area, cover
variable periods. A common-base period of the 1931-75 water years1
was selected for historical records. Data collection during 1975-77 was
designed to fill voids where the historical data were not adequate to
satisfy the objectives. Temporary data sites were established for direct
or indirect measurement of streamflow and measurement of selected
water-quality parameters for ground water, streams, and mine
discharge. A well inventory was made, and selected wells were
monitored for water-level changes. The data collected during 1975-77
and selected data from the 1931-75 water years are given in a report
by Waddell and others (1978).
PHYSIOGRAPHY
The Wasatch Plateau ranges from about 9,000 to 12,000 feet above
sea level and is approximately 4,000 to 7,000 feet above the lowlands to
the east and west. The Book Cliffs range from about 7,000 to 10,000
feet above sea level and are about 2,000 to 5,000 feet above the
lowlands to the south and west. The canyon of the Price River forms a
physiographic break between the Wasatch Plateau and the Book Cliffs.
Another physiographic feature within the study area, the San Rafael
Swell, is of lesser importance to coal development. The San Rafael
Swell is an elliptical, asymetrical structural dome (anticline) with a
northeast-southwest trend that begins southeast of Price and extends
southwest through the study area (fig. 1).
GEOLOGY
The consolidated-rock formations that crop out in the study area are
of Pennsylvanian to Tertiary age (pi. 1). The exposed formations in-
clude limestone, sandstone, siltstone, shale, conglomerate, and coal.
The principal coal-producing formations are of Cretaceous age. The
Dakota Sandstone is the oldest formation that contains coal, but it is
1 A water year designates the calendar year of the period that ended on September 30 and began October 1 of the
previous calendar year.
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INTRODUCTION
41H
Bituminous coal
Subbituminous coal
Anthracite
60 80 MILES
20 40 60 80 -100 KILOMETER
Dark ruling—Known accessible coal in named coal fields
Light ruling—Thin and discontinuous coal or meager information about the coal
Stippling—Coal-bearing rocks concealed by younger rocks
Boundary of study area for this report
FIGURE 1.—Coal fields of Utah (modified from Averitt, 1964, fig. n).
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4 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
not an important coal-producing zone in the study area. The Dakota
crops out around the northern part of the study area.
The Mancos Shale overlies the Dakota Sandstone. The most note-
worthy member of the Mancos, in terms of coal production and water
resources, is the Ferron Sandstone Member. The Ferron crops out in
the lowlands several miles from the Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs.
The Ferron outcrop generally parallels the uplands but is farther
removed from the front of the Book Cliffs than from the edge of
Wasatch Plateau. In the vicinity of Emery, coal is being mined
(underground) in the Ferron, but coal production from the Ferron is
small in relation to that from the Blackhawk Formation (Mesaverde
Group) in the Wasatch Plateau and the Book Cliffs. Strip mining of coal
in the Ferron has been proposed for the area south and southeast of
Emery.
The outcrop of the Blue Gate Member of the Mancos Shale generally
marks the beginning of the lowlands, and it crops out along streams
several miles upstream from the mouths of most canyons. Shales in the
Mancos typically have low permeability, are easily erodible, and con-
tain large quantities of soluble salts, including gypsum (CaS042H20),
mirabilite (Na2S0410H20), and thenardite (NaS04). Ground-water
seepage contributes large quantities of dissolved salts to all the
streams in the study area where they cross the outcrops of the shales.
Most dissolved constituents are contributed to streams where the Blue
Gate is widely exposed along the eastern base of the Wasatch Plateau.
The shales also have a profound influence on topography and land-
scape because of their ease of erodibility; their salts, which limit plant
growth; and their low permeability, which causes most of the precipita-
tion to run off directly into streams. The high percentage of runoff, the
rapid weathering due to expansion and contraction resulting from
seasonal hydration and dehydration of salts, and the softness of the
shales stimulates erosion and development of badlands.
The Mesaverde Group overlies the Mancos Shale in the Wasatch
Plateau and the western Book Cliffs. The Blackhawk Formation of the
Mesaverde is the most important coal-producing formation in Utah.
The Blackhawk is composed of sandstone, shale, and coal, and coal
beds as thick as 20 feet are found locally in the lower part of the forma-
tion (U.S. Geological Survey, 1964, p. 45).
The North Horn Formation of Tertiary and Cretaceous ages and
younger formations that overlie the Mesaverde Group are not impor-
tant coal producers. However, they yield large quantities of freshwater
to numerous springs and seeps that flow into streams at the higher
altitudes of the Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs.
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INTRODUCTION 5
CLIMATE
PRECIPITATION
The average annual precipitation exceeds 40 inches at the higher
altitudes of the Wasatch Plateau, as compared to a maximum of about
20 inches in the Book Cliffs (pi. 2). The precipitation varies widely
across the study area, generally reflecting variations in altitude. South
of the town of Green River, where the low point of the study area is
about 4,100 feet above sea level, the average annual precipitation is
less than 6 inches.
The average annual precipitation in the study area was shown by
isohyetal lines by the U.S. Weather Bureau (no date) for 1931-60. The
average annual precipitation for 1931-60 and 1931-75 was compared
for 10 stations in and near the study area to determine if adjustments
to the Weather Bureau isohyetals would be necessary in order to be
representative of 1931-75 averages (table 1). The comparison indicated
that precipitation at the 10 stations was, on the average, about 3 per-
cent greater during 1931-75 than during 1931-60. The small increase
showed no pattern of consistency; therefore, the 1931-60 isohyetals
were accepted as representative of 1931-75 and are shown on plate 2.
The annual distribution of precipitation in the study area during
1931-75 is shown in figure 2 for a representative site—Scofield Dam.
The U.S. Weather Bureau precipitation record for Scofield Dam begins
in 1951, but the record was extended back to 1931 by correlation with
the records at three other sites in and near the study area.
According to figure 2, the annual precipitation at Scofield Dam dur-
ing 1931-75 ranged from 6.77 to 32.03 inches and averaged 16.0 inch-
es. Plate 2, however, indicates that the average annual precipitation at
Scofield Dam is about 23 inches. The difference may be due to a com-
bination of several factors—difference in base periods, errors of
TABLE 1.— Comparison of average annual precipitation for 1931-60 and 1981-75 for
selected sites in Utah in and near the study area
[Sites are shown on pl.l]
Site
1931-60 1931-75 Ratio
(A) (B) (B/A)
Emery
Hanksville1
Hiawatha
Manti1
Moab 4NW J
Moroni1
Mvton1
Salina1
Spanish Fork Power House1
Thompson
7.23
5.07
12.89
11.94
8.19
9.46
6.39
9.39
16.75
8.56
7.14
5.25
12.94
12.29
8.21
9.44
7.10
9.73
17.75
8.46
099
1.04
1.00
1 03
1 00
1.00
1.11
1.04
1.06
.99
1 Outside of study area.
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6 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
100
§1
z '
Evaporation: Estimated, 1931-47; observed, 194&-75
Precipitation: Estimated, 1931-50; observed, 1951-75
zffi
Q X 60
^ z [_ _, Evaporatibn
|? «,-;.,- L__.n_r,_.,_, ,
20
--x
^•Precipitation
i I i I i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i I i i i i i i I i I i i
< 3 5 § 8 S g £
O) O) O) OT Oi O)
YEAR
FIGURE 2.—Annual precipitation and lake evaporation at Scofield Dam, 1931-75.
estimates by correlation, location of gage relative to mountain ranges,
and local interference.
The seasonal distribution of precipitation at Scofield Dam ior
1931-75 is shown in figure 3. The monthly precipitation ranged from 6
percent of the annual average in May, June, and November to 12 per-
cent in January.
EVAPORATION
The evaporation at Scofield Dam for 1931-75 is shown in figure 2.
The U.S. Weather Bureau evaporation record for Scofield Dam, which
is at an altitude of 7,630 feet, begins in 1947; but the record was ex-
tended back to 1931 by correlation with the record of Utah Lake at
Lehi. The evaporation at Scofield Dam ranged from 27 to 44 inches per
year and averaged about 35 inches during the 1931-75 water years.
The average annual evaporation at lower altitudes in the study area,
where temperatures are higher, would be greater. For example, at
Green River, Utah, which is at an altitude of 4,120 feet, the average an-
nual evaporation was about 42 inches for the 1931-75 water years.
The seasonal distribution of evaporation at Scofield Dam for 1931-75
is shown in figure 3. The monthly evaporation ranged from 1 percent of
the average annual in December, January, and February to 17 percent
in July.
AIR TEMPERATURE
The average air temperature in the study area ranges from about
35° F at Soldier Summit, which is representative of the higher
altitudes of the Wasatch Plateau, to more than 50°F at Thompson in
the lowlands to the east. Daily temperatures at Price are shown in
figure 8. Although the extremes of daily temperature vary throughout
the basin, the thermograph recording for Price is typical of seasonal
fluctuations.
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SURFACE WATER
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
FIGURE 3.—Monthly distribution of precipitation and evaporation at Scofield Dam,
1931-75.
SURFACE WATER
The five major streams whose headwaters originate in the Wasatch
Plateau are the Price River and Cottonwood, Ferron, Huntington, and
Muddy Creeks. These streams form the headwaters of three drainage
basins-the Price River basin (Price River), the San Rafael River basin
(Cottonwood, Ferron, and Huntington Creeks), and the Dirty Devil
River basin (Muddy Creek). The Price and San Rafael Rivers drain in-
to the Green River, whereas the Dirty Devil River drains into the Col-
orado River below the mouth of the Green River. (See fig. 1.) The main
stem of the Green River cuts through the Book Cliffs in the south-
central part of the study area.
The flow in streams that head in the Book Cliffs is extremely small in
comparison to the flow of the major streams in the Wasatch Plateau.
Most of the streams that drain the Book Cliffs east of the Green River
flow into the Colorado River. Many of the streams that head in the
Book Cliffs are perennial at higher altitudes, but they become
ephemeral as they emerge from the mountains and flow onto the
lowlands.
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8 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
STREAM-DATA NUMBERING SYSTEMS
The U.S. Geological Survey uses a nationwide system of numbering
sites on streams,by referring to the position of the site or station in a
downstream order in a given major-river basin. The study area is in
Part 9, the Colorado River Basin.
Gaging-station numbers are assigned in a downstream direction
along the main stems of the major streams, and all stations on a
tributary stream that enters above a main-stem station are numbered
before that station. A similar order is followed in listing stations on
first rank, second rank, and other ranks of tributaries. The numbering
system consists of an 8-digit number for each station, for example
09327450. The first two digits (09) represent the "part" number identi-
fying the hydrologic region used by the U.S. Geological Survey for
reporting surface hydrologic data. The next six digits represent the
position of the location in a downstream order.
For sites on streams where miscellaneous measurements of
discharge or chemical quality or other measurements or samples are
taken, the station is numbered by using simple reference numbers. The
reference numbers are shown on the maps by the appropriate site-
location symbol.
STREAMFLOW
AVERAGE DISCHARGE
Average discharges were computed from gaging station records,
estimated from channel-geometry measurements, or estimated from
discharge-drainage area relationships. Records of streamflow at 49 sta-
tions in the study area are available for the 1931-75 water years
(table 2). A few pre-1931 records are available, but most of the
streamflow data has been gathered since 1931. Although the gaged
sites in the Wasatch Plateau have variable lengths of record, the
average annual flows of the major streams were adjusted to the com-
mon base period of 1931-75 water years through correlation with sta-
tions having records for the missing periods.
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SURFACE WATER 9
Approximately 50-70 percent of the streamflow occurs during May-
July (fig. 4). This results from the melting of snow that fell during Oc-
tober-April, particularly above altitudes of 6,000 feet.
The annual variability of flow in Huntington Creek for the 1931-73
water years is shown in figure 5. The annual flow ranged from 25,000
to 150,000 acre-feet and averaged 65,000 acre-feet per year. The an-
nual flows of Huntington Creek correlated with flows of other major
streams in the Wasatch Plateau; the Huntington Creek record,
therefore, was used to-extend the average annual flows of streams hav-
ing shorter periods of record.
The average annual discharges of ephemeral streams (primarily in
the Book Cliffs)were estimated from channel-geometry measurements
using a technique described by Fields (1975). These discharges were
then correlated with drainage areas, and other estimates of discharge
were made at additional sites on the basis of comparison of drainage
areas. Table 3 is a summary of estimated discharges and drainage
areas of miscellaneous sites on perennial and ephemeral streams. The
average discharges for only the larger streams are depicted in plate 3.
DIVERSIONS
Most of the water from the major streams is diverted for irrigation.
Figure 4 shows the net change of flow during selected water years
resulting primarily from diversions from the Price River and Cotton-
wood, Ferron, and Muddy Creeks.
EFFECTS OF MINING
Mining may change the distribution of water along a stream. The
flow of streams along a particular reach may change, depending upon
the relationship of tunneling and the resulting subsidence to aquifers
that are hydraulically connected to the stream. In order to determine
whether mining is affecting streamflow, measurements are required to
define the seasonal and annual variability of the streamflow above and
below mining areas.
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10 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
12
10
5-
I I I I
Price River
0931
(above d
09313000
(below diversions)
; — ; \=\-
700
versic
i
ns)^
^
i 1 1
i 1 —
1
1
1
1
1 —
1 I
1
! -
i i
fc
LU
1963
LU .j-
cc 15
O
LL
O
co
Q 10
co
O
X
1-
LU
O
o:
% n
_
-
~
-
-
-
_
1 1 I i
Price River
I— l_J ' -
T — '
i
09313000
(above diversions) —
1
-
— {_ _T
i i i i
—
' T :
_
-
_
— .
^\ 09314000 ' =
(below diversions)
i
1953
14
10
I ' ' '
Cottonwood Creek
09324500
(above diversions)—|
09325000
(below diversions
I
L -
Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Auq Sept.
1955
FIGURE 4.-Discharge of Price River and Cottonwood, Ferron, and Muddy Creeks above
and below diversions at selected gaging stations for selected water years. (See table 2
for names of gaging stations.)
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SURFACE WATERS
11
fc
% 5
111
DC
O
UJ
C3
CC
O
en
Q
1
1 1 T 1 1 1 1
r 1
Perron Creek |
-
_
_
===l
! 1
1 I
09326500 1 1
(above diversions) 1 |
1
1 i
|
09327550 1
(below diversions).
r "p— - — - -L. -
~1 T- 1 1 1 1
1976
T 1 1 1 i
T=
i
Muddy Creek
09330500
(above diversions)
09332100
(below diversions)*
T 1 i= 1
-n
160
Oct Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept.
1975
FIGURE 4.—Continued.
l l l l l l l i l l l I I l l l l l l l I l l I l l I I I l l l l l l I l l l l l
1931-73 average
annual discharge
YEAR
FIGURE 5.—Annual discharge of Huntington Creek (gaging station 09318000),
1931-73, water years.
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12 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
TAHLE 3. -Estimated average annual discharge and drainage area at miscellaneous sites
on ephemeral and perennial streams
Site No.: See explanation of numbering system in text and plate .'I for location of ilata sites.
Estimated average annual discharge: Frnm channel-geometry measurements.
Site No.
09163510
09163527
09163560
09163570
09163610
09163715
09163717
09163719
09312800
09312901
09313021
09313025
09313027
09313041
09313301
09313303
09313306
09313307
09313308
09313565
09313813
09313815
09313817
09313851
09313853
09313855
09313964
09313965
09313966
09313972
09313973
09313976
09314320
09314362
09314367
09314368
09314369
09314374
09314701
09315005
09328850
09328900
09331827
Ephemeral (E) or
perennial (P)
K
j>
K
E
I1
E
E
1'
r
E
E
P
E
E
P
P
E
E
E
E
P
P
E
P
I1
P
P
E
P
E
E
P
E
E
E
E
P
Estimated average
annual discharge
(acre-feet per year)
700
900
5.900
2,200
1.000
1,70(1
1,70(1
800
6.700
7.100
100
150
180
1 ,600
70
90
90
400
100
14,000
70
70
230
9(1
80
140
7,200
9,300
90
5,900
940
5,600
2,500
390
1,100
460
560
3,600
2,900
940
1,200
940
3,800
Drainage area
(square miles)
18.2(1
18.10
158.00
26.110
89.60
48.20
25.50
26.30
62.00
80.60
4.50
3.90
8.40
23.10
1.40
1.20
.62
.98
,2B
90.1(1
2.60
1.60
4.80
3.60
.63
4.20
22.40
27.90
1.30
11.30
3.60
23.40
39.90
69.30
5.60
43.9(1
113.00
13.30
83.30
76.50
30.10
23.00
85.40
-------
SURFACE WATER 13
Sufficient current (1977) data are not available for direct definition of
seasonal and annual variabilites of streamflow in all areas that may be
affected by mining. Many years of streamflow records would be re-
quired at a site in order to provide an adequate definition of the varia-
tion of flow. However, correlation of existing long-term streamflow
records with short-term records can aid in obtaining a more accurate
estimate of streamflow for a given site.
An example of a correlation follows. Gaging stations on Huntington
(site 09318000), Ferron (site 09316500), Cottonwood (site 09324500),
and Muddy (site 09330500) Creeks, have been operated for a number of
years above diversions near the canyon mouths. Low flows during
August-November at the station on Huntington Creek correlate well
with streamflow at the other three sites. The best correlation exists for
September flows, the standard error of estimate ranging from about
15 to 25 percent of the mean (table 4 and fig. 6).
Correlation between the Huntington and Ferron Creek stations, based
on varying lengths of record (fig. 7), also indicate that low-flow records
fora 3-year period would allow estimates within about 20 percent of the
mean for September flows. These estimates were made using a 15-year
sample of observed flows for Huntington and Ferron Creeks and
testing all combinations of possible September flows. Thus, if a
tributary that might be affected by mining in the Wasatch Plateau were
gaged during September for 3 years, while the main-stem stream was
also being gaged, the future record of the tributary could be estimated
within about 20 percent of the mean of the main-stem record. Ten
years of record would reduce the standard error to only about 16-17
percent, and 15 years to about 15 percent. Incorporation of other
streamflow characteristics and climatic parameters, such as the
distribution of precipitation, might improve the low-flow relationship,
especially for smaller drainage basins.
RESERVOIRS AND LAKES
The study area contains 53 reservoirs and lakes with a capacity ex-
ceeding 100 acre-feet, all except one being in the Wasatch Plateau. In
addition, numerous smaller stock ponds are scattered throughout the
area. The locations of the 53 reservoirs and lakes are shown on plate 1,
-------
14 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
TABLK 4. -Statistical summary of low-flow correlations
August
Standard error
Site being
estimated
(dependent
variable)
09324600
09326500
09330500 —
Site used for
correlation
(independent
variable)
09318000
09318000
09318000
Corre-
lation
.coeffi-
cient
0.66
.78
.79
of estirm
expressed
Acre-ft
742
624
58B
ate
as:
Percent
of the
mean of
the de-
pendent
variable
25
24
24
and the capacities for the four largest are listed below. The storage
capacities of even .the largest reservoirs are small in relation to the
average annual flow of the streams concerned.
Total opacity Utable storage
Name Drainage (aere-ft) (acre-ft)
Scofield Reservoir Price River 73,780 65,780
Joes Valley Reservoir — Cottonwood Creek 62,460 54,670
Electric Lake Huntington Creek 31,272 30,528
Mill Site Ferron Creek 19,200 16,700
QUALITY OF SURFACE WATER
TEMPERATURE
Water temperature has a direct influence on the use of water for
domestic supply, fish and wildlife, assimilation of wastes, industry, and
agriculture. Temperature influences almost every process that takes
place in water, including most chemical reactions and all biological
organisms in the aquatic community (Stevens and others, 1975).
The primary controlling factor that influences stream temperature in
most areas is generally the climate, particularly the air temperature.
Other influencing factors are shading, ground-water inflow, reservoir
storage and release, stream orientation, diversions, and effluents from
industrial and other uses.
Plate 4 shows the estimated ranges of stream temperature in the
study area. The temperature ranges were compiled from data collected
primarily at water-quality sampling sites and gaging sites.
Temperature data collected during 1944-70 were reported by
Whitaker (1970, 1971).
The minimum temperature of all stream water in the study area is
the freezing point of freshwater -0°C. The maximum temperature
ranges from about 18°C at the higher altitudes of the Wasatch Plateau
to 30°C in the lowlands. Water in most of the streams within the moun-
tainous areas drops to 0°C during October and November, whereas in
the lowlands it may be December or January before 0°C is reached.
-------
SURFACE WATER
15
for selected sites in the Wasatch Plateau
September
Corre-
lation
coeffi-
cient
0.82
.81
.82
Standard error
of estimate
expressed as:
Acre-ft
294
343
249
Percent
of the
mean of
the de-
pendent
variable
16
25
19
Corre-
lation
coeffi-
cient
0.76
.80
.78
October
Standard error
of estimate
expressed as:
Acre-ft
280
236
231
Percent
of the
mean of
the de-
pendent
variable
17
24
24
Corre-
lation
coeffi-
cient
0.65
.62
.81
November
Standard error
of estimate
expressed as :
Acre-ft
259
165
128
Percent
of the
mean of
the de-
pendent
variable
18
25
20
Most of the changes in stream temperature shown on plate 4 are
related to the climatic transgression that typically affects streams as
they emerge from the Wasatch Plateau and enter the lowland areas.
By relating miscellaneous water-temperature measurements to
mean air temperature, thermographs were generated for sites
09318000 and 09318450 on Huntington Creek (fig. 8). This method can
be used to generate seasonal water thermographs for any stream site
where miscellaneous water temperatures and concurrent air
temperatures have been collected. Site 09318000 is downstream from a
coal-fired powerplant and 3 miles upstream from the mouth of Hunting-
ton Canyon. Site 09318450 is about 20 miles downstream from the can-
yon mouth and below all major diversions. The estimated ther-
mographs are similar, but the temperatures at the downstream site are
about 5° to 10°C higher during the spring and summer.
SELECTED CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS
Samples for chemical and biological analyses were collected at 16
stream sites at approximately bimonthly intervals during 1975-76.
(See table 5.) Data were collected at many other sites during the study.
A comprehensive tabulation of water-quality data collected during and
prior to 1975-77 is given in Waddell and others (1978). Most of the
pre-1975 data include only inorganic chemical parameters.
During 1975-76, emphasis was concentrated on the major streams
where the greatest water-quality degradation was suspected. Sites
were selected to bracket reaches where water-quality change was most
likely to occur. Samples were collected during 1- or 2-day periods on
each stream to define changes that occurred.
Most water-quality degradation occurred along the mountain fronts
where water diversion, waste disposal, consumptive use, and geologic
environment all had a pronounced effect. This is demonstrated in
plate 5, using dissolved-solids concentration as an index of water quali-
ty from the standpoint of dissolved inorganic constituents.
-------
16 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
u
TJ
gs
S
(C.
LLJ
O_
UJ
ffi
UJ
EC
8 2
z "
— 1
z
IU
|
O
i r
Correlation coefficient: 0.82
Standard error: 16 percent
Correlation coefficient: 0.81
Standard error: 25 percent
II
Con-elation coefficient: 0.82
Standard error: 19 percent
_L
_L
_L
01 2345678
DISCHARGE OF HUNTINGTON CREEK (09318000) IN
THOUSANDS OF ACRE-FEET PER MONTH
FIGURE 6.-Relationship of September flows at Huntington Creek to sites on Cotton-
wood, Perron, andMuddy Creeks. Numbers in parentheses are gaging-station locations.
-------
SURFACE WATER 17
60
!| 50
u_
O
ui
|40
8
1C
°- 30
z
of
O
or
E 20
Q
I I I I
0 1 234 56 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
TIME, IN YEARS OF RECORD
FIGURE 7.-Relationship of the standard error of estimate of low-flow correlations to
varying years of record. Correlations are between September flows on Huntington
Creek (09318000) and Ferron Creek (09316500).
Plate 5 is based on data in Waddell and others (1978), Mundorff
(1972), and unpublished data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Reclama-
tion. About 4,000 chemical analyses from 170 sites and over 25 years of
daily water-quality records for site 09314500 on the Price River were
used in the preparation of plate 5.
The lowest dissolved-solids concentrations are at the higher
altitudes; the concentrations increase markedly as the streams emerge
from the mountains. The lowest concentrations generally occur during
high flows resulting from snowmelt; whereas, the highest concentra-
tions generally occur during the late summer, fall, and winter months
when the streamflow is maintained primarily by ground-water seepage.
The smallest seasonal changes occur at higher altitudes, and the
largest changes occur in the lowlands.
In most streams, at the higher altitudes in the Wasatch Plateau, the
minimum concentration of dissolved solids is less than 100 mg/L, and
the maximum concentration is less than 250 mg/L. At the higher
altitudes, the rocks consist primarily of limestone or other rocks that
contain only small amounts of readily soluble materials. The ratio of
-------
18 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
+ 40
+30
+20
+ 10
?. 0
3
£-10
UJ
UJ
DC +30
C3
LU
Q+20
uj+10
QC
H 0
Air temperature at Price Warehouses at Price, Utah
(From records of U.S. National Weather Service)
Water temperature of Huntington Creek near Huntington (0938000)
® Observed
Estimated
<
cc
UJ
Q.
UJ
Water temperature of Huntington Creek near Castle Dale (09318450)
® Observed
— Estimated
+40
+30
+20
+ 10
Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept.
1975 WATER YEAR
FIGURE 8.—Daily air temperature at Price and observed and estimated water tempera-
tures at two sites on Huntington Creek.
-------
SURFACE WATER, 19
dissolved calcium to dissolved magnesium (both in milliequivalents per
liter) in water draining those rocks generally ranges from 1:1 to 3:1,
and the combined concentration of calcium and magnesium approx-
imates that of bicarbonate.
At lower altitudes below diversions, the water changes to a sodium-
sulfate type and the dissolved-solids concentrations increase, ranging
from about 250 to more than 6,000 mg/L. These changes are caused
mainly by drainage from areas underlain by the Mancos Shale, which
contains large amounts of soluble materials. The marked increase of
dissolved-solids concentrations below diversions is accentuated by ir-
rigation of relatively impermeable, moderately to highly saline, soils
developed on the Mancos. (See pi. 1.) Evapotranspiration concen-
trates salts in the soils or as efflorescences on the soil surface. These
salts are dissolved by water seeping through the soils or by surface
runoff. Some of this water eventually seeps or flows back into the
streams or into ditches that empty into the streams, resulting in
increased concentrations of dissolved solids.
PRICE RIVER
The most upstream site on the Price River that was sampled in
1975-76 was site 09312780 which is above most diversions and
populated areas (pi. 3). The most downstream site was 09314250, which
is below most diversions and populated areas that have potential to pro-
vide pollutant inflows. During each sampling run the concentrations of
dissolved-solids increased downstream; the overall increase ranged
from 700 to almost 1,200 percent (table 5).
Organic nitrogen, which includes all dissolved nitrogenous organic
compounds, is sometimes a good indicator of pollutant inflows such as
fertilizer, sewage, barnyard seepage, and effluent from some industrial
processes. The concentrations of organic nitrogen generally increased
downstream; the largest increase usually occurred between site
09313950 at Wellington and site 09314250 below Miller Creek. The
maximum-observed concentration, however, was only 1.90 mg/L,
which is below the recommended maximum limits of the U.S. En-
vironmental Protection Agency (1976, p. 5). Total Kjeldahl nitrogen
which represents the total nitrogenous content of dissolved and
suspended material in the water also showed a general increase
downstream, and a marked change was observed between the two
lowest sites.
Phosphorus, which has its source in rocks, soils, fertilizers, sewage,
and industrial effluent, is sometimes an indication of pollution; it is a
nutrient that promotes algal growth. Orthophosphate (dissolved
phosphorus) increased significantly between the two lowest sites in the
-------
TAHLK 5. -Summary of selected chemical and biological water-quality parameters for selected stream ttites
[Gaging-station number: See explanation of numbering system in text. Date: Samples are grouped together by date in downstream order to show progres-
sive changes in discharge and water quality. Dissolved solids: e, estimated]
Milligrams per liter
Gaging-
station
No.
Date
CO
cd
j:
u
5
p
a;
1
a
CU
EH
w
D.
c conductance
>mhos per centimeter at 25°C)
tc ;
'5 .
CU r.
a E
'ed solids
of determined constituents)
8E
M 3
ed oxygen
Dissolv
3
a)
'c
eft
"a
to
'£
"%
0
5
ed organic nitrogen (N)
"o
m
5
ed Kjeldahl nitrogen (N)
VI
in
5
§
c
bo
g
'5
2
"a!
3
o
H
U
C
o
* * 1
0) £ '5
"*•" "S cd
-------
093139BO __
09314250 ._
09312780 „
09313550 —
09313750 _.
09313950 „
09314250 —
09312780 __
09313550 —
09313750 ._
09313950 —
09314250 —
09314320 —
09314320
09314340
09314320 „
09314340 —
09314340 —
09314320 __
09314340 —
09314320 —
09314340 „
09314320 ..
09314340 ..
09317950
09318450 —
09317950 „
09318450 __
09317950 —
09318450 —
09317950 ._
09318450 __
09317950 —
09318450 —
4-21-76 17 15.0
4-22-76 35. 9.5
6-29-76 .. 19.5
6-30-76 267 15.0
6-30-76 24 19.5
6-30-76 61 22.0
6-30-76 35 22.5
9- 2-76 122 12.0
9- 2-76 63 14.0
9- 2-76 6.8 13.0
9- 2-76 17 19.0
9-10-76 28 18.0
9-12-75 0.50 14.5
10-24-75 .13 0.0
10-24-75 .78 0.0
1-13-76 .04 0.5
1-13-76 .66 6.0
2-25-76 .77 9.9
4-22-76 .12 7.0
4-22-76 1.40 9.5
7- 1-76 1.00 12.5
7- 1-76 6.00 20.0
9-10-76 .15 13.5
9-10-76 1.50 16.5
11- 4-75 46.00 4.5
11- 4-75 25.00 4.5
1-15-76 29.00 0.5
1-15-76 9.30 0.5
3-16-76 62.00 1.5
3-16-76 14.00 7.0
7- 7-76 250.00 11.5
7- 7-76 25.00 24.5
8-31-76 90.00 14.5
g-31-76 10.00 24.0
8.1
8.2
8.2
8.3
8.3
8.2
8.6
8.4
8.3
8.1
8.3
8.3
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.0
8.5
8.6
8.2
8.6
8.6
8.6
8.7
8.9
8.4
8.4
8.7
7.9
8.4
8.3
8.5
8.3
8.7
8.3
2,600
2,700
850
420
1,420
2,100
2,600
360
460
1,650
2,700
2,600
608
700
1,700
690
2,400
2,300
650
2,200
431
—
580
1,650
350
3,600
470
5,000
420
4,500
280
3,000
230
4,350
2,310
2,240
200e
250e
95 Oe
l,700e
2,250e
194
261
l,250e
2,360
2,250e
366
451
1,280
425e
2,000e
l,925e
380
1,450
250e
--
350e
l,250e
184
3,440
275e
3,050e
250e
3,950e
150e
2,650e
125e
3,540
8".2
7.1
8.2
8.9
10.3
9.9
8.4
8.4
8.7
13.8
6.9
10.5
11.2
10.6
11.3
10.0
9.2
8.6
7.5
7.0
7.8
8.1
9.8
9.8
11.2
10.6
10.4
11.0
8.5
7.5
7.9
8.2
.16 .20
.81 .67
.02 .69
.06
.17
.21
.04
.09 .35
.18 .50
.47 .93
.14 .68
1.4 .82
Grassy Trail
0.00
.09
.07 0.19
.38 .69
.37 .28
.01 .IS
.34 .11
.02 .52
.08 .09
.06 .02
.10 .10
Huntington
0.02 0.12
.09 .44
.26 .36
.85 .87
.16 1.70
.62 .59
.13 .10
.14 .67
.10 1.20
.21 1.20
.22
.97
.72
.50
.28
.56
.69
.35
.50
1.00
.70
1.00
Creek
0.32
—
.30
.16
.15
.63
.10
.03
.11
Creek
0.12
.46
.40
1.10
1.70
.67
.11
.70
1.30
1.20
.38
1.20
.63
.72
.57
2.66
1.20
0.02
.30
1.30
.69
.22
1.20
.37
.15
.32
0.60
--
1.70
1.30
--
--
.00
.23
.00
.00
.00
.100
.16
.00
.00
.03
.28
0.00
.00
.00
.01
.01
.02
.01
.01
.01
.00
.01
.01
0.00
.00
.00
.00
.00
.00
.00
.00
.01
.01
5.4
2.5
3.1
„
4.0
8.9
3.6
9.8
.69 7.6
0.00
.00
--
6.4
1.4
6.0
3.9
3.0
.00 12.0
.01 15.0
_-
--
1.9
6.2
3.2
7.6
„
..
--
"6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
--
--
"6
—
0
0
—
--
--
—
1
0
1
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
2
2
2
2
0
4
4
0
2
1
0
1
0
—
3
10
0
0
0
0
2
3
44
—
9
180
300
97
4
18
50
620
68
--
1
0
12
0
0
40
16
—
40
8
36
2
0
19
280
2
200
920
340
40
260
1,448
300
24
132
216
840
228
—
4
12
80
65
124
196
536
160
500
436
2
184
25
28
32
220
4,
330
--
--
1.59
.98
1.00
.75
—
—
--
—
—
1.76
.59
—
—
--
--
1.99
1.23
ra
d
to
-------
TAULK 5.— Summary of selected chemical
Gaging-
station
N,,.
O
ff
Discharge (ftVs)
Temperature (°C)
S
p.
Specific conductance
(micromhoa per centimeter at 25°C)
Dissolved solids
(sum of determined constituents)
and bi
Dissolved oxygen
ologica
Z
V
I
'3
j
"£.
.-§
"E
'5
1
"o
.9
Q
water
M
Dissolved organic nitrogen (N)
Cottonwood
09324600 ..
09326000 ..
09324600 „
09326000 ._
09324500 ._
09325000 ._
09324600 ..
09325000 ..
09324500 ._
09325000 ..
11- 4-75 15.0 8.5
11- 4-76 11.0 9.5
1-15-76 6.6 0.6
1-16-76 7.4 0.5
3-17-76 9.5 3.5
3-17-76 5.8 8.5
7- 7-76 200.0 12.0
7- 8-76 21.0 20.0
9- 1-76 164.0 14.5
9- 1-76 6.9 14.5
8.5
8.3
8.4
7.9
8.4
8.2
8.5
8.2
8.7
8.1
460
2,500
630
2,400
510
3,200
380
2,000
390
2,200
249
2,150
300e
2,025e
300e
2,850e
225e
1.600e
210
2,160
9.2
9.6
11.6
9.2
10.6
11.6
8.4
8.2
8.5
7.6
0.05
.00
.18
.62
.12
.18
.14
.03
.20
.07
0.05
.27
.40
1.10
.28
1.90
.14
.50
.61
.61
quality parameters for selected stream sites- Continued
illigrams per liter
z
B
OJ
60
|
"5
3
rt
•o
"QJ
3
1
"o
5
Creek
0.07
.30
.44
1.70
.30
2.00
.17
.50
.63
.61
Z
I
o
'3
3
«
-a
rv
•i-»
X
o
0.12
.48
--
.30
.51
--
Orthophosphate as P
Total phosphate as P
Dissolved organic carbon (C)
Oil and grease
0.00
.00
.00
.06
.00 „ 1.6
.00 „ 21.0
.00 _. 2.3
.00 __ 14.0 6
.01 ., .. 1
0
Phenols (#g/L)
--
0
10
0
1
1
2
1
2
Fecal coliform (col/100 mL)
0
260
0
1,960
2
80
2
80
7
44
Fecal streptococci (col/100 mL)
Benthic-invertebrates
(diversity index)
60
264
2
3,000
7
0
38
110
61 1.29
96 1.53
Ferron Creek
09326500 ..
09327550
09326500 .-
09327550 ..
9-10-75 30.0 8.0
9-10-75 -- 22.0
11- 5-75 13.0 6.5
11- 5-75 18.0 9.0
8.9
8.3
8.2
8.3
570
2,300
540
3,080
350e
1,980
331
2,450
9.7
9.4
0.10
.70
.11
.35
.24
.47
0.25
.49
0.67
0.00
.00
.00
.00
__
--
0
__
4
66
to
to
HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANi
o
M
0
**3
tc
W
^
>
CO
>
H
O
as
"0
f
>
H
M
f>
-------
09326500
09327550
09326500
09327560
09326500
09327550
09326500
09327550
09330500
09332100
09330500
09332000
09332100
09330500
09332000
09332100
09330500
09332000
09332100
09330500
09332000
09332100
09330500
09332100
— 1-14-76
.. 1-14-76
„ 3-17-76
.. 3-17-76
- 7- 8-76
— 7- 8-76
— 9- 1-76
„ 9- 1-76
.. 9-10-75
„ 9-10-75
.. 11- 6-76
— 11- 5-75
_. 11- 6-75
._ 1-14-76
_. 1-14-76
_. 1-14-76
.. 3-18-76
— 3-18-76
„ 3-18-76
„ 7- 8-76
„ 7- 9-76
„ 7- 9-76
„ 9- 9-76
„ 9- 9-76
10.0 0.5
8.7 0.5
9.0 10.0
11.0 12.0
34.0 20.0
16.0 21.5
8.0 19.5
7.1 26.0
39.0 19.0
4.0 ..
18.0 7.5
6.6 7.0
10.0 3.6
8.6 0.0
8.0 0.5
13.0 0.5
6.0 4.0
14.0 11.5
14.0 13.0
37.0 20.5
.34 23.0
29.0
13.0 11.6
.43 21.5
8.3
8.2
8.3
8.3
8.6
8.3
8.7
8.2
8.7
8.9
8.9
9.1
8.5
8.2
8.2
8.4
8.4
8.4
8.6
8.5
8.5
8.6
8.3
600
2,700
600
3,500
460
2,400
500
2,700
390
4,000
420
3,700
3,600
440
2,950
2,400
420
1,900
2,100
360
4,500
4.600
380
3,500
376e
2,210
376e
3,100e
275e
2,025e
300
2,380
211
3,450
240
3,270
3,140
250e
2,600e
2,025e
250e
l.SOOe
l,700e
200e
3,950e
4,025e
225e
3,175e
11.4
10.8
9.0
9.5
7.0
7.2
7.3
7.1
9.8
9.7
10.6
11.4
10.8
11.2
10.2
8.3
7.9
7.1
6.6
6.1
7~.6
.44
1.20
.26
1.10
.10
.14
.06
.04
Muddy
0.35
3.50
.27
2.90
3.50
.61
2.80
1.90
.47
2.30
2.30
.44
4.80
4.30
.37
6.50
.10
.70
.95
l.SO
.08
1.30
.67
.56
.14 .27
.78
.96 1.00
1.30 1.40
.11
1.30
.68
.57
.16
__
.00
.00
.00
.01
.01
.01
.00
6.1
6.6
14.0 4
13.0 6
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
6
10
0
0
6
192
4
28
1
72
1
24
10
760
48
300
--
--
1.55
.84
and Ivie Greeks
-
0.00.
.29
.08
.12
.74
.69
.91
1.70
.76
.29
.63
.75
.19
.62
--
—
0.00 0.12
.30 1.10
.08 1.40
.16
.82 1
.73
.96 1
1.80 1
.78
.29
.69
.75
.20
.63
.10
.60
.80
.88
--
--
0.00
.00
.00
.00
.00
.01
.01
.00
.00
.00
.00
.00
.00
.01
.01
.00
--
2.1
3.7
4.3
2.3
7.3 34
15.0 3
.00 1.5 0
.00 7.6 0
--
2
2
4
0
6
1
0
4
0
1
1
0
32
60
0
10
2
4
860
960
5
16
62
-_
6
650
850
8
250
180
84
940
448
41
28
308
38
283
--
--
--
--
1.34
.06
CQ
n
si
to
to
-------
24 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
Price River. Dissolved phosphorus was less than 0.02 mg/L at the up-
per three sites, but it increased to as much as 0.28 mg/L at the lower
site. Total phosphorus (suspended plus dissolved) showed a maximum
of 0.69 mg/L at the lower site. Phosphorus is not toxic at these concen-
trations.
Phenols, which may be indicative of pollutive effluents from in-
dustrial processes, impart undesirable taste and odor to water supplies;
the threshold level is in the range of 0.01-0.1 /tg/L. A concentration of
5.0 /tg/L is considered harmful to many species of fish (U.S Federal
Water Pollution Control Administration, 1968). Phenol concentrations
ranged from 0 to 5 /tg/L, with the maximum of 5 /tg/L occurring at site
09313550 near Spring Glen. Water discharging at a rate of approximate-
ly 10-20 gal/min was observed flowing into the Price River from Hard-
scrabble Canyon, just north of Spring Glen. About 15-20 percent (by
weight) of the total water discharge was finely ground coal. It is not
known if phenolic wastes were associated with this effluent, but it was
the only visible source of surface inflow immediately upstream from
site 09313550.
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) may be indicative of waste effluent
from industrial and agricultural processes. DOC is not specific for any
organic compound, but when found in concentrations exceeding about
4 /tg/L, more exhaustive tests to pinpoint a specific organic pollutant
may be warranted. The maximum concentration of DOC observed was
14.0 /tg/L at site 09314250. The maximum concentration occurred at
this site during all but one of the sampling runs.
Bacteriological analyses were made for fecal coliform and fecal strep-
tococci bacteria, both of which are indications of water contamination.
Fecal coliform bacteria may indicate recent and possibly dangerous
contamination as they are found in the gut or feces of warm-blooded
animals. The normal habitat of fecal streptococci bacteria is in the in-
testine of man (Slack and others, 1973, p. 59).
The ratio of fecal coliform to fecal streptococci bacteria (Fc/Fs) can
be used as an indication of the origin of bacterial wastes (Millipore
Corp., 1973, p. 38-39). If Fc/Fs is greater than or equal to 4, it is strong
evidence that the pollution is derived from human wastes. If Fc/Fs is
less than or equal to about 0.7, the pollution probably is derived
predominantly from the wastes of warm-blooded animals (including
livestock) other than humans. If Fc/Fs is between about 0.7 and 4, it is
less definitive of the pollutant origin and may be from mixed sources.
The bacterial counts at the uppermost site (09312780) were generally
low. The maximum count was 132 colonies of fecal streptococci
bacteria per 100 mL, but counts were 40 colonies per 100 mL or less
during the other observations. At the other four sites no downstream
consistency was observed, but high counts were observed at the lower
three sites where the maximum fecal streptococci bacteria count was
-------
SURFACE WATER 25
1,640 colonies per 100 mL, and the maximum fecal coliform bacteria
count was 620 colonies per 100 mL. Fc/Fs was generally less than 0.7
at all sites, suggesting that most of the bacterial pollution is from
nonhuman wastes.
HUNTINGTON, COTTONWOOD, PERRON, AND MUDDY CREEKS
Huntington, Cottonwood, Ferron, and Muddy Creeks were each sam-
pled at an upper site above major diversions and a lower site below ma-
jor diversions and most populated areas. The upper sites are near the
canyon mouths, upstream from where the streams emerge from the
Wasatch Plateau. Irrigated lands, which are developed primarily on
the Mancos Shale, lie between the upper and lower sites.
The dissolved-solids concentrations during 1975-76 in the four
streams at the upper sites ranged from 125 to 375 mg/L and at the
lower sites from 1,600 to 4,025 mg/L (table 6). Thus, the overall in-
crease ranged from 500 to 1,000 percent. The dominant ions in the
water at the upper sites were generally calcium, magnesium, and bicar-
bonate, whereas sodium and sulfate become more predominant at the
lower sites. The downstream changes were primarily due to the com-
bined effects of (1) diversion of water containing "low dissolved-solids
concentrations, (2) subsequent irrigation and return drainage from
moderate to highly saline soils, (3) ground-water seepage, and (4) inflow
of sewage and pollutants from the communities between the upper and
lower sites.
In the reaches between the upper and lower sampling sites on the
four streams, there was also a pronounced increase in the concentra-
tion of most of the organic and biological water-quality parameters that
are indicative of pollutants.
Organic forms of nitrogen generally increased from the upper to
lower sites on the four streams. The maximum observed concentration,
however, was only 2.0 mg/L of dissolved Kjeldahl nitrogen, and it oc-
curred at the lower site on Cottonwood Creek (09325000).
Dissolved phosphorus was almost nonexistent, as all except one sam-
ple had less than 0.02 mg/L at all sampling sites on the four streams.
Concentrations of DOC and phenols and bacteria counts indicated
significant sources of pollutants at the lower sampling sites, especially
on Huntington and Cottonwood Creeks. On Huntington Creek, for ex-
ample, DOC increased from 1.9 to 6.2 mg/L between sites 09317950
and 09318450 during March 1976 and from 3.2 to 7.6 mg/L during July
1976. During January 1976, phenols increased from 3 to 10 ^g/L be-
tween the two sites. Fecal streptococci bacteria counts at the upper site
were less than 40 colonies per 100 mL, but at the lower site counts were
as high as 436 colonies per 100 mL. The sources of the pollutants are
-------
26 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
probably irrigation return flows and stock that graze within the
affected reach—Fc/Fs was generally less than about 0.7.
On Cottonwood Creek, DOC increased from 1.6 to 21 mg/L between
sites 09324500 and 09325000 during March 1976 and increased from
2.3 to 14 mg/L between the sites during July 1976. The concentration
of phenols increased from 0 to 10 /^g/L between the sites during
January 1976. Fecal streptococci bacteria counts increased from 2 to
3,000 colonies per 100 mL between the sites during January 1976.
Several small inflows were observed discharging into Cottonwood
Creek at the community of Castle Dale. Here inflows may contain
pollutants that contribute to the water-quality deterioration between
the sampling sites. Also, another possible source of pollutant inflow is
mine discharge into Grimes Wash, which joins Cottonwood Creek be-
tween the two sampling sites.
Biological determinations are not available for the discharge from
Grimes Wash, however, and it is not known if the high concentrations
of DOC and phenols and the high fecal streptococci bacteria counts at
the lower site on Cottonwood Creek are from this source.
On Ferron and Muddy Creeks, bacteria counts at the upper sites
(09326500 and 09330500) were generally less than about 50 colonies
per 100 mL. However, the counts increased markedly to 760 colonies
per 100 mL of fecal streptococci bacteria at the lower site (09327550)
on Ferron Creek and to 960 colonies per 100 mL of fecal coliform
bacteria at the lower site (09332100) on Muddy Creek. Fc/Fs was
generally less than 0.7 at both sites, suggesting that most of the
bacterial pollution is originating from nonhuman wastes. Most of the
increase of bacteria in Muddy Creek is attributed to inflow from Ivie
Creek, which was sampled at site 09332000 near its confluence with
Muddy Creek. Ivie Creek had bacteria counts close to or exceeding
those of Muddy Creek at site 09332100 below the confluence, at times
when the flow of Ivie Creek represented either all or a large percentage
of the flow at the lower sampling site on Muddy Creek.
GRASSY TRAIL CREEK
Grassy Trail Creek was sampled at sites 09314320 and 09314340 in
Whitmore Canyon, above and below the Sunnyside Mine. The mine,
which obtains coal from the Blackhawk Formation, intermittently
discharges water into Grassy Trail Creek between the two sites, and
mine discharge is often a significant part of the streamflow at the lower
site. The dissolved-solids concentration of a mine-discharge sample on
July 1, 1976, was about 1,600 mg/L. Such a high dissolved-solids con-
centration suggests that some of the water may be derived from the
Mancos Shale, which intertongues with the Blackhawk in the area.
-------
SURFACE WATER 27
The discharge from the mine affects the water quality at the lower
site on Grassy Trail Creek and probably indirectly affects the ground-
water system below the canyon mouth because of stream seepage into
alluvium. The dissolved-solids concentration ranged from 250 to 451
mg/L at the upper site and from 1,250 to 2,000 mg/L at the lower site
(table 5). Part of the increase in dissolved solids is due to intermittent
discharge from the mine. The predominant ions in the water at the up-
per site in Whitmore Canyon are calcium, magnesium, and bicar-
bonate, whereas at the lower site sodium, bicarbonate, and sulfate are
the predominant ions—typical of Mancos Shale influence.
Dissolved nitrite plus nitrate and the total Kjeldahl nitrogen in-
creased from the upper to lower site, but the maximum total nitrogen
was only 1.3 mg/L. Concentrations of phosphorus were small at both
sites, with a maximum recorded concentration of orthophosphate of
only 0.02 mg/L.
Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon were generally higher at
the lower site than at the upper; the concentration ranged from 1.4 to
12 mg/L at the upper site and from 3.0 to 15 mg/L at the lower site. No
oil and grease were detected in two samples at the lower site, and the
maximum phenol concentration was 4 /tg/L at the lower site.
Fecal coliform bacteria counts at both sites were 40 colonies per
100 mL or less, but fecal streptococci bacteria ranged from 4 to 196 col-
onies per 100 mL at the upper site as compared to a range of 12 to 536
colonies per 100 mL at the lower site. For all concurrent samples at the
two sites, an appreciable increase in fecal streptococci bacteria oc-
curred from the upper to the lower sampling site.
Water samples from Whitmore Spring, (D-15-13)lddc-Sl, and from
well (D-15-13)2dad-l, both of which discharge from alluvium near
the mouth of Whitmore Canyon, had dissolved-solids concentrations
and chemical compositions similar to samples obtained from Grassy
Trail Creek at the lower site. This probably reflects the influence of
seepage from Grassy Trail Creek into the alluvium near the canyon
mouth.
BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES
Benthic invertebrates are used as an indication of prior water-quality
conditions in a stream, whereas most chemical parameters are in-
dicative of water-quality conditions only at the time of sampling. The
invertebrates are bottom dwellers; they have a lifespan of months or
years; and, in some cases they have only slight mobility, which restricts
them to a particular environment. A diversity index is often used as an
indication of the variety of taxa and the number of individuals per tax-
on at a sampling site (Slack and others, 1973, p. 24). The higher the in-
dex number, the more diverse the groups of taxa, and the more likely
that the water quality has been good for a significant period of time.
-------
28 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
A benthic-invertebrate survey was made during the fall of 1976.
Although one survey cannot describe seasonal variations, the results
showed significant decreases in the diversity of the fauna from upper to
lower sites on the Price River and Huntington, Ferron, Muddy, and
Grassy Trail Creeks (table 5). These decreases in the diversity indexes
are related to increases in temperature, dissolved-solids concentration,
and concentration of other water-quality parameters between the up-
per and lower sites. Cottonwood Creek was an exception, and it is not
known why the diversity index did not decrease between the upper and
lower site on that Creek. An unusually low diversity index of 0.06 oc-
curred at the lower site on Muddy Creek (09332100). This was probably
due to poor water-quality conditions but, in particular, to the presence
of very fine sediment that covers the streambed. An abundance of very
fine sediment has been observed in the bed material of Ivie Creek,
which discharges into Muddy Creek immediately upstream from the
sampling site.
TRACE ELEMENTS
Trace-element analyses were made of samples collected at the 16
stream sites (table 6). Many of the elements shown in table 6 can be in
coal wastes; therefore, the analyses were made to provide background
information on trace elements in the study area for the level of coal
mining existent in 1975-76.
The concentrations of boron, lithium, and strontium generally in-
crease downstream in amounts proportional to the increase of dis-
solved solids in the streams. The greatest increases occur after most of
the water draining from the mountain block is diverted. This is to be ex-
pected, however, because irrigation-return flows, seepage from the
Mancos Shale, and local inflow of sewage and other pollutants sustain
the base flow of the streams in the lower reaches.
SEDIMENT
Estimated sediment yields for the study area are shown in plate 6,
which was adapted from a map prepared by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (1973).
The estimated sediment yields are based largely on the geology of the
study area. The yields range from 0.1 to 3 acre-feet per square mile per
year. The lower yields generally are from the higher parts of the
Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs, where the exposed rock types are
predominantly limestone and dolomite; the higher yields generally are
from the lowlands, where rock types are predominantly shale and sand-
stone.
-------
SURFACE WATER
29
Soldier and Pine Canyon
Creeks
70
60
50
ui
O
u5
s
40
30
20
10
Grassy Trail
Creek
Dugout
Creek
Percent
calcite
£
o
£
to
FIGURE ft— Mineralogic composition of bed material at sites on selected streams.
A large percentage of the total sediment yield occurs during infre-
quent storms; therefore, no attempt was made during the 1975-77
reconnaissance to determine suspended-sediment yields. Bed-material
samples, however, were obtained at many stream sites to provide
background information about the size and mineralogic character of ex-
isting bed material. The sampling sites are shown in plate 6 and the
laboratory analyses are given by Waddell and others (1978, table 13).
Similar data were collected from representative rock outcrops in the
Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs (pi. 6) to provide background informa-
tion that might aid in future studies. (See Waddell and others, 1978,
table 14.)
On most of the major streams, clay minerals constitute less than
about 20 percent (by weight) of the bed material. On ephemeral
streams, particularly at lowland sites several miles from the moun-
tains, clay minerals often constitute more than 20 percent of the bed
material.
-------
TAIII.K 6. - Trare-f Irment analyses of water from selected stream sites
[Gaging-station number: See explanation of numbering system in text]
Micrograms per liter
Gazing- £ —
fitntion Date ° -^
No. ~ &
S
« s
S i
1 •§
oj 42
E-i O
Maximum limits 1-3
09312780
09313550
09313750
09313950
09314250
. 10-23-75 1.6 32.0
4-21-76 6.6 51.0
9- 2-76 12.0 122.0
. 10-23-75 4.0 33.0
4-21-76 10.5 23.0
9- 2-76 14.0 63.0
. 10-23-76 7.0 8.2
4-21-76 17.5 8.8
9- 2-76 13.0 6.8
. 10-23-75 7.0 18.0
4-21-76 15.0 17.0
9- 2-76 19.0 17.0
. 10-23-75 6.0 35.0
4-22-76 9.5 35.0
ved arsenic (As)
"a
tn
P
50' 1
1
2
0
1
3
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
'cs
n
E
"C
(4
JO
T3
V
yt
a
,000 '
80
100
80
90
100
100
40
50
40
40
40
40
50
60
/ed beryllium (Be)
S
-« J!
•S -8
0 0
0 P
£
"S
o
P
ed manganese (Mn)
ro
tn
P
0
E
c
TJ
^
•s
O
s
p
.. 1,000= 300 60'
<-7
<25
<45
<40
<40
<50
<40
<-2
2
3
4
3
3
<-7
<-R
<6
<10
<8
<10
<10
Price River
0 <7
<8
1
50 <10
<~10
6
10 <30
4
2
0 <45
.- <40
9
20 <50
— <40
10
20
10
20
30
10
110
90
110
240
200
210
240
190
10
10
10
20
10
0
190
160
100
260
190
40
180
80
4
4
6
<5
<7
20
<10
30
<20
<40
30
<20
- K
Z ^
U 0)
B E
0 0
P 0
21
<7
<8
<5
<10
M
G
-------
09314340 . 4-22-76
9-10-76
9.5
16.5
1.4
1.5
1 30
<7
250
0
<30
<7 ._ 4 50
-------
32 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
Soldier, Grassy Trail, and Dugout Creeks all head in the Book Cliffs
and have similar geologic and physiographic settings. Selected reaches
of these streams were chosen for more detailed study in order to deter-
mine trends of bed-material characteristics. Bed material in the three
creeks generally increased in clay-mineral content and decreased in
calcite content between upper and lower sampling sites (fig. 9).
Soldier Creek was sampled at four sites, and a major tributary, Pine
Canyon Creek, was sampled near its confluence with Soldier Creek.
The clay-mineral content of bed material in Soldier Creek above Pine
Canyon Creek (site 09313972) was 17 percent, in Pine Canyon Creek at
the mouth (site 09313973) it was 8 percent, and below the confluence of
the two streams (site 09313974) it was 12 percent. At successive sites
downstream from the confluence (09313975 and 09313976), the clay-
mineral content increased to 17 and 25 percent.
At the upper site on Soldier Creek (09313972), calcite was 25 percent
of the bed material, at the mouth of Pine Canyon (site 09313973) calcite
was 51 percent, and below the confluence (site 09313974) calcite was 39
percent. At successive sites downstream (09313975 and 09313976), the
calcite dropped to 11 and 13 percent (pi. 6). The general trend of
decreasing calcite content and increasing clay-mineral content reflects
the geologic transition along the reach where the rock types change
from predominantly limestone and dolomite to shale and sandstone.
A similar change in the mineralogic character of the bed material
occurred on Grassy Trail Creek and a tributary, Dugout Creek. The
clay minerals increased from 17 percent at the upper site on Grassy
Trail Creek (09314320), to 25 percent near the canyon mouth (site
09314340), to 46 percent about 15 miles from the canyon mouth in the
lowlands (site 09314362). Dugout Creek was sampled at the canyon
mouth in the Book Cliffs (site 09314367) and just above its confluence
with Grassy Trail Creek (site 09314368). The clay-mineral content in-
creased from 17 percent at the upper site to 67 percent at the lower
site. The calcite content showed an overall decrease downstream at
Grassy Trail and Dugout Creeks, but the trend was not as pronounced
as at Soldier Creek. The latter drains a larger area underlain by
limestone and dolomite above the upper sampling site than Grassy
Trail and Dugout Creeks do above their upper sampling sites. Changes
along stream reaches affected by future mining activities could be
monitored relatively inexpensively by means of particle-size analyses
and determinations of bed-material mineralogy.
MINE EFFLUENT
Effluents from several mines in the study area directly or indirectly
affect the quality of water in the streams. Listed below are selected
mines and a comparison of the dissolved-solids concentrations of the
-------
SURFACE WATER
33
mine effluent and of the stream water into which the mines discharge.
The average discharges of the mines is not known, but all have been
observed discharging more than 100 gal/min. Some discharge contin-
uously and others intermittently.
Analyses were made on several of the mine effluents for selected
dissolved metals (table 8). The concentrations of arsenic, chromium,
lead, mercury, and selenium did not exceed the recommended maxi-
mum contaminant levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (1976, p. 5). Analyses also made for total metals (dissolved plus
undissolved) in the outflow from the Utah No. 2 Mine indicated that the
concentrations of some of the undissolved (suspended) metals were
several times greater than those of the dissolved metals. Dissolved
arsenic was 0 /*g/L as compared to 11 jtg/L total; dissolved iron, 20 jtg/L
as compared to 2,600 /*g/L total; and dissolved lead, 0 /ig/L as compared
to 100 jtg/L total. The dissolved and undissolved concentrations of
lithium, zinc, and selenium were about the same. The undissolved
metals are relatively harmless as long as physical parameters such as
pH and redox potential of the water do not allow the toxic metals, such
as arsenic and lead, to dissolve. If the undissolved material eventually
Location
(D-13-7)8dac ...
(D-14-14)20dcc _
(D-16-8)8dda ...
(D-17-7)27abb ___
(D-22-4)12bda ...
(D-22-6)29ddd __
Mine
Utah No. 2.
Sunnyside _
King No. 2 _
Wilberg
Convulsion _
Canyon
Emery
(Browning)
Dissolved-
solids
concen-
tration
in mine
effluent
(mg/L)
482
1,600
671
551
276
5,100
Stream and
sampling
site
Pleasant Valley Creek
(Price River tribu-
tary), site 09310691.
Grassy Trail Creek
(Price River tribu-
tary) , site 09314320.
Cedar Creek
(Huntington Creek
tributary) .
Grimes Wash (Cotton-
wood Creek tributary),
site 09324500.
Quitchupah Creek
(Muddy Creek tribu-
tary) ; site 09331805.
Christiansen Wash
(Muddy Creek tribu-
tary).
Dissolved-
solids
concen-
tration
in stream
above mine T
(mg/L)
230
255-820
671 2
141-666
421
0
1 Ranges are for samples collected during 1975-77; single entries are for samples collected
concurrently with samples of mine effluent.
a All flow from mine.
3 No sample collected.
-------
34 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
migrates into an anaerobic zone, as may exist in the bottom of reser-
voirs or lakes, the metals may dissolve. The undissolved material,
although relatively harmless in that state, may pose a future threat if
the proper solubility criteria are induced into the water.
GROUND WATER
Ground-water data in the Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs consists
largely of discharge measurements and water-quality analyses for
spring flow and mine effluents. In the lowland areas, however, water
wells were the source of most subsurface information, including well
yields, well logs, water-level measurements, and chemical analyses. In
addition, well logs and water-quality information from petroleum tests
were used to construct stratigraphic sections of the lowland areas.
Mining and resulting subsidence may cause changes in the flow of
springs. In extreme cases, springs may disappear or new ones may
appear. Discharge and water-quality measurements were made at 65
selected springs in order to initiate a monitoring record that could be
used to determine seasonal and long-term variability of flows and quali-
ty. The variability of these factors that are due to climatic changes
must be established in order to distinguish changes that might occur
because of mining. A summary of the discharge measurements and
dissolved-solids concentrations as related to a geologic source is includ-
ed in table 7, and selected water-quality parameters, including trace
metals, are included in table 8. Tables 7 and 8 also include data for
selected wells and mines in the study area.
NUMBERING SYSTEM USED FOR WELLS, SPRINGS, AND MINES
The system of numbering wells and springs in Utah is based on the
cadastral land-survey system of the U.S. Government. The number, in
addition to designating the well or spring, describes its position in the
land net. By the land-survey system, the State is divided into four
quadrants by the Salt Lake base line and meridian, and these quadrants
are designated by the uppercase letters A, B, C, and D, indicating the
northeast, northwest, southwest, and southeast quadrants, respective-
ly. Numbers designating the township and range (in that order) follow
the quadrant letter, and all three are enclosed in parentheses. The
number after the parentheses indicates the section, and is followed by
three letters indicating the quarter section, the quarter-quarter sec-
tion, and the quarter-quarter-quarter section—generally 10 acres;2 the
letters a, b, c, and d indicate, respectively, the northeast, northwest,
2 Although the basic land unit, the section, is theoretically 1 mi2, many sections are irregular. Such sections are sub-
divided into 10-acre tracts, generally beginning at the southeast corner, and the surplus or shortage is taken up in the
tracts along the north and west sides of the section.
-------
GROUND WATER
35
TAHLK 7. -Summary of ground-water discharge, dissolved-solids
concentrations, and related geologic sources
Range of discharge: Springs only.
Predominant in organic chemical constituents: Ca, calcium; Cl, chloride; HCOa, bicarbonate;
Mg, magnesium; Na, sodium; SOi, sulf&te.
Range of discharge: Measurements made in 1975-76.
Quaternary alluvium
Green River Formation
Flagstaff Limestone
Colton Formation
North Horn Formation
Price River Formation
Castlegate Sandstone
Blackhawk Formation
Star Point Sandstone
Mancos Shale
Ferron Sandstone
Summerville Formation
Entrada Sandstone
Carmel Formation
Number
of wells
and
mines
sampled
2
2
9
1
3
1
1
Number
of
springs
sampled
2
20
2
1
18
11
1
6
2
1
1
—
Range
of dis-
charge
(gal/min)
168-206
.19-30
.66-2.7
11
.20-121
.22-120
.25
.30-18
1.3-50
28
.5
—
Range of
dissolved-
solids
concen-
tration
(mg/L)
778-1,790
142-662
325-745
148-469
122-792
315-806
63-796 i
335-391
304
4,040
652-1,230 3
3,280
6,810
3,550
Predominant
inorganic
chemical
constituents
MgCaSOiHCO,
CaMgHCOs
CaNaHCO.i
MgCaHCO.1
CaMgHCOa
CaMgNaHCOn
CaHCOa
CaMgHCO.iSOi
CaMgHCOsSOi
CaMgHCO.i
CaMgHCO.iSO4
NaSChHCOs
MKCaSO4
CaNaSOiCI
CaMgSO.
1 One other sample from the Blackhawk Formation contained 1,600 mg/L, but some of the
water may be derived from the Mancos Shale.
3 Two other samples from the Ferron Sandstone Member contained 5,100 and 3,450 mg/L
respectively, but the samples are probably a mixture of water from the Blue Gate and
Ferron Sandstone Members.
southeast quarters of each subdivision. The number after the letters is
the serial number of the well or spring within the 10-acre tracts; the let-
ter "S" preceding the serial number denotes a spring. If a well or spring
cannot be located within a 10-acre tract, one or two location letters are
used and the serial number is omitted. Thus (D-12-7)3bcc-l designates
the first well constructed or visited in the SW1/4SW1/4NW1/4 sec. 3,
T. 12 S., R. 7 E. Mine sites where hydrologic data were collected are
numbered in the same manner, but three letters are used after the sec-
tion number and no serial number is used. The numbering system is il-
lustrated in figure 10.
WASATCH PLATEAU AND BOOK CLIFFS
Most springs in the Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs issue from the
Star Point Sandstone or younger formations. The yields of the springs
measured during 1975-76 ranged from about 0.2 to 200 gal/min. The
dissolved-solids concentration of the spring water was generally less
than 1,000 mg/L; thus, the water is suitable for most uses. Plate 7
shows the approximate ranges of dissolved-solids concentration for
ground water in the Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs. The figure is
based primarily upon water-quality data collected from springs during
1975-76 and may not be representative of water in aquifers at various
depths within a designated area.
-------
TABLE 8. -Selected water-quality data for wells, springs, and mines
Location: See explanation of numbering system in text.
Water type: Ca, calcium; HCO.i, bicarbonate; Mg, magnesium; Na, sodium; SOi, sulfate.
Micrograms per liter
Location
( D-12-7 ) 3bcc-l
10bcd-l
10dcb-l
(D-13-7)6cab-l
8dac i
(D-13-8)4bbb-l
12aba
(D-13-9)26add-l
25dcc-l
(D-13-14)24dba-l ...
(D-15-13)2dad-l
(D-16-8)8dda
(D-17-7)llbcd
27abb
(D-19-10)15bac-l
(D-19-21)29dbc-l
(D-22-4)12bda
(D-22-6)4cab-l
Date
9—19-75
9-19-75
9 19 75
9-19-75
9 19 75
D 17 76
10-19-76
9 24 75
9-18 75
... 7-15-66
9 17 75
9 18 75
-.. 4-20-76
9-29 76
10-21-76
3-14-72
9-27 76
3-13-66
4-12-66
4- 4-67
6- 1-67
3-24-71
"c
1
*3
u
1
.S
P
50
5
300
20
224
S
s
!
V
p,
£
9~5
s~o
6.0
6.0
12.6
17.5
14.0
12.5
29.0
14.0
io".6
Dissolved solids (sum of
determined constituents)
(mg/L)
PH
362 ..
246 ..
280 7.1
482 7.6
315 7.1
796 7.5
4,040 7.6
778 ..
327 8.2
1,790 7.4
671 7.3
561 7.8
3,550 7.1
6,810 7.1
276 8.3
766 7.8
.- 7.8
798 7.8
808 7.8
800 7.7
m
<
U
'3
CD
a
1
"o
.1
Q
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
S
a
o
IH
2
IS
1
1
S
Wells
20
30
80
30
70
30
120
610
210
210
100
70
1,000
4,100
130
80
330
220
290
LH
O
_3
S
ja
o
*
'o
s
p
f>
(n
G
B
•8
*0
S
p
.£>
A<
"S
H
•8
1
TO
5
3
E
1
•3
1
p
S "»
M ra
1 §
a 1
s -S
C (D
t) 13
£ >
0 S
.3 .2
P P
I
S
•B
CO
-d
>
"o
P
a
N
u
•5
1
1
S
Water type
Cations
Anions
and mines
0
0
--
0
0
"6
320
20
1,300
620
20
10
30
9,000
80
100
20
10
60
1,600
10
6
2
4
7
4
0
0
2
2
7
5
20
2
0
10
20
10
10
20
30
350
30
10
20
20
70
0
0
2
0
0
0
0.0 0
.0 0
0
5
9
0
.0 1
.0 0
.0 1
340
680
--
450
1,000
430
210
110
30
40
40
0
10
40
90
690
40
240
10
Ca
Ca
Mg Ca
Ca Mg
Ca Mg
Ca
Ca Mg
Mg Ca
Mg Ca
Ca Mg
Mg Ca
Ca Mg
Ca Mg
Mg Ca
Ca Mg
Ca Na
Mg Ca
Ca
Mg Ca
Mg Ca
Mg Ca
HCO.i
HCOa
HCO.i
HCOa
HCO.i
HCOa
HCO:i SOi
SO*
SOi HCO.i
HCOa
SO*
HCOa SO.
HCOa
HCOl S0:i
SOi
S0< Cl
HCOa
SOi HCO:l
SO* HCOa
SOi HCO.i
SOt
SOi HCOa
GO
O>
W
Ki
O
»
o
I
o
o
o
c«
M
1
O
-------
I7abe-l
29ddd - --
31dab-l
33bdc
9-10-75
9-10-76
9-16-76
10- 7-76
1-23-53
75
200,
12
26.5
12".0
18.0
769 7.6
652 8.7
5,100 „
1,230 7.9
3,454 ..
0
1
1
0
200
190
770
280
"b
10
To
120
6
4
0
0
80
40
260
50
~i
.0
0
0
0
0
9,300
2,300
30
20
20
10
Ca Mg
Me
Mg
Ca Na
Me Ca
HCOn SO,
HCOs SOt
SOt
SOt
SOt
Springs
(D-ll-7)29aaa-Sl
36bdb-Sl
(D-12 7)lbcb-Sl
(D 12 9)lccc-Sl
(D-12-10) 34aad-Sl
35dbc-Sl
(D-12-ll)20aaa-Sl
20aaa— S2
21aca— SI
21bab-Sl ...
36aad-Sl
(D-12-12)30dcc-Sl
(D 13-7)17edd-Sl
(D 13 12)9ddc-Sl
lOabb-Sl
lOadb-Sl —
llacd-Sl —
12adb-Sl .
12cbb-Sl ...
13aaa-Sl ...
(D-13%-12)4bdc-Sl
5cbe-Sl
(D-13-13)18bac-Sl
( D-14-6 ) 26caa-Sl
(D-14-7 ) 7dbc-Sl
16bca-Sl
30bac-Sl ...
(D-15-7)12dba-Sl
15abd-Sl ...
34bab-Sl
(D-15-13)lddc-Sl
18eaa-Sl
(D-16-6)13aab-Sl
(D-16-7) lacb-Sl
9cbd-Sl —
10-21-76
10-21-76
10-21-76
8- 6-76
8- 4-76
8- 4-76
8- 4-76
8- 4-76
8- 6-76
8- 6-76
„ - 7-28-76
7-28-76
10_ i_76
7-15-76
7-14-76
7-14-76
7-15-76
7-14-76
7-14-76
7-20-76
7-14-76
7-14-76
7-20-76
8-20-76
8-27-76
8-25-76
8-20-76
8-26-76
8-26-76
8-19-76
9-12-75
9-17-75
8_lg_76
8-26-76
8-18-76
0.82
121.00
5.00
2.30
4.50
4.50
2.30
3.00
3.00
.79
.33
5.40
50.00
4.30
11.00
3.00
12.00
11.00
2.00
3.50
2.40
2.10
38.00
2.60
5.00
1.00
28.00
.38
5.00
.66
206.00
168.00
15.00
11.00
120.00
8.0
6.0
5.0
12.0
13.6
12.0
10.5
210.0
10.0
22.0
17.0
12.0
9.0
7.5
16.5.
6.5
7.6
9.0
9.0
10.0
14.0
11.5
16.0
4.0
5.5
4.5
12.0
10.5
13.0
8.0
16.0
13.0
4.0
5.5
8.5
.. 7.2
.. 8.1
338 7.7
311 8.3
326 7.9
420 7.2
.. 7.6
386 7.1
374 8.2
325 7.9
323 7.6
335 7.4
.. 7.4
„ 8.4
371 7.1
„ 7.8
.. 7.8
.. 7.8
282 7.4
.. 8.6
.. 7.8
350 8.3
230 8.2
206 7.0
63 7.1
304 7.4
148 7.9
210 7.4
325 7.7
1,380 8.3
1,080 7.6
323 7.6
248 7.5
332 7.6
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
40
40
30
60
40
70
40
40
30
20
10
40
40
10.
10
30
190
120
30
10
30
10
10
10
M
0
10
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
10
10
10
0
10
10
10
0
"o
10
0
10
20
10
10
0
20
40
0
780
30
20
30
30
30
30
20
0
40
10
20
10
20
40
40
0
30
30
20
10
40
4
9
4
4
12
2
1
1
0
2
6
4
4
5
9
4
6
2
2
10
6
4
9
7
6
6
3
3
8
3
12
10
10
10
10
10
10
20
20
10
10
10
0
10
0
10
0
10
20
10
0
0
0
10
0
0
10
10
10
10'
10
10
7.2
.0
.1
.1
.1
.1
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
"b
.0
.0
2
3
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
3
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
13
0
0
0
770
360
230
340
310
320
360
390
170
280
310
330
370
220
340
260
380
540
410
110
120
60
270
110
180
250
260
200
260
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
10
10
20
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
0
10
30
10
0
0
Ca Mg
Ca Me
Ca. Me
Ca
Ca Mg
Ca Mg
Ca Me
Ca Mg
Ca Mg
Ca Mg
Ca Mg
Ca
Ca Mg
Mg Ca
Ca Mg
Ca Mg
Mg Ca
Mg Ca
Ca Mg
Ca
Ca
Ca Mg
Ca Me
Ca
Ca Me
Ca
Mg Ca
Mg
Ca Mg
Ca Mg
Ca Me
HCOn
HCOn
HCOn
HCOn
HCO.i
HCOn
HCOn
HCOn
HCOn
HCOn
HCOn
HCO.1
HCOn
HCO.i
HCOn
HCO.i
HCO.i
HCO.1
HCOn
HCO.i
HCOn
HCOn
HCOn
HCOn
HCO.i
HCOn
SO4 HCOn
SO4 HCOn
HCOn
HCOa
HCO.i
O
M
to
CO
-q
-------
TAHLK 8.-Se!erted water-quality data for wells, springs, and mines-Continued
Microgramg per
Location
Date
"o
1
I
&
1
.S
p
p
£
I
J
o C *•-.
aStt
5 -s e a
Q-S— o.
§
.«
0)
I
O
.2
o
£
g
•8
5
M
u
E
1
•8
•8
1
5
~S a
fe fr,
C 13
.§ JS
T2 "8
1 1
p 3
3
a
3
|
•8
5
liter
£ I
& I
o
-------
0 130 0 Ca Mg HCOa
32dbb-Sl
(D-28-4) 16bab-Sl
21add-Sl
S6bad-Sl
... 9-16-76
9-16-76
... 9-16-76
... 9-16-76
.23 20.0
.30 16.6
.32 12.6
1.30 8.0
489 7.6
230 6.8
192 6.7
891 7.4
1
0
1
1
70
40
40
70
0
0
0
0
10
10
10
80
7
10
11
7
80
10
0
310
1.8
1.2
1.2
1.4
2
0
2
0
870
290
220
640
30
10
0
0
Ca Me
Ca Mg
Ca
Ca Me
HCO)
HCO.i SOj
HCO.T
HCO.i SOi
1 Total dissolved plus suspended constituents, in micrograms per liter, arsenic, 12; iron, 2,600; lead, <100; lithium, 10; selenium, 0; zinc, 40.
§
M
CO
to
-------
40 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
R. 7 E.
Sec. 3
(D-12-7)3bcc-1
FIGURE 10—Well- and spring-numbering system used in Utah.
Samples of water were obtained from two springs discharging from
the Star Point Sandstone. The dissolved-solids concentrations were
335 and 391 mg/L, and the principal chemical constituents in both
samples were calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and sulfate.
The floor of the Wilberg Mine, which is at the base of the Blackhawk
Formation, rests on the Star Point Sandstone. Seeps from the floor and
the roof of the mine were sampled, and the chemical composition of
water from both sources was similar. The concentration of dissolved
solids from the floor seepage was 572 mg/L as compared to 551 mg/L
from the ceiling seepage, and the principal dissolved-chemical consti-
tuents were calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and sulfate in both
samples.
The Blackhawk Formation produces water in many of the mines, in-
cluding the Convulsion Canyon, King No. 2, Utah No. 2, and Sunnyside
Mines. The mining companies have not kept records of total annual
-------
GROUND WATER 41
discharge. Discharges of several of the mines were measured during
1975-77; but most of the mines are pumped intermittently, and the
measurements are not representative of average annual discharge.
With the exception of the Sunnyside Mine, the water from 12 mines
and springs discharging from the Blackhawk Formation had dissolved-
solids concentrations ranging from about 60 to 800 mg/L; the principal
dissolved constituents were calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and
sulfate. The water from the Sunnyside Mine had a dissolved-solids con-
centration of about 1,600 mg/L. It is not known why water from the
Sunnyside Mine is so highly mineralized, but some of the mine water
may be derived from Mancos Shale. In this area of the.Book Cliffs, the
Mancos commonly intertongues with the Blackhawk, and water in the
Mancos is usually highly mineralized.
Samples of water were obtained from three points of discharge from
the Castlegate Sandstone. The dissolved-solids concentration ranged
from 313 to 806 mg/L, and the principal constituents were calcium and
bicarbonate.
In 11 samples of spring water obtained from the Price River Forma-
tion, the dissolved-solids concentration ranged from 122 to 792 mg/L.
Samples with the lower dissolved-solids concentrations contained pre-
dominantly calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate, but the waters con-
taining the higher dissolved-solids concentrations were predominantly
sodium and bicarbonate types.
Thirty-eight samples were obtained from springs issuing from the
Flagstaff Limestone Member of the Green River Formation of Tertiary
age and the underlying North Horn Formation. The dissolved-solids
concentrations ranged from 142 to 662 mg/L. The springs issue mainly
from limestone, and thus the principal dissolved constituents were
calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate.
LOWLAND AREA
Little is known about the amount of water that can be obtained from
wells in most of the formations that underlie the lowland area. The ap-
proximate range of dissolved-solids concentrations in ground water in
the lowlands, however, is indicated in the stratigraphic fence diagram
(pi. 8).
The ranges of dissolved-solids concentrations are based largely on
the dominant lithology of the various formations and, where available,
on chemical analyses of water obtained from water wells and
petroleum tests. All formations are not water bearing in all areas, and
the actual quality of water in any given formation at any given location
can be determined only by drilling.
Most of the subsurface water in the lowlands contains more than
2,000 mg/L of dissolved solids, and the water is not suitable for public
use. Much of the water contains less than 35,000 mg/L of dissolved
solids, however, and it could be used for selected industrial purposes.
-------
42 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
The Ferron Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale is the shallowest
aquifier in the area with water of suitable chemical quality for human
consumption and for future development for public use. The public sup-
ply for the city of Emery is obtained from well (D-22-6)4cab-l,
developed in the lower part of the Ferron.This well is pumped at rates
of 150 to 250 gal/min; the water contains about 790 mg/L of dissolved
solids. The Kemmerer Coal Co. drilled well (D-22-6)17abc-l to the
lower part of the Ferron about 1.5 miles south of Emery. The water
from this well is similar in chemical quality to the water from the
Emery well.
Several test holes were drilled into the upper part of the Ferron
Sandstone Member a few miles southeast of Emery by Consolidation
Coal Co. These test holes were not constructed to hydraulically
separate the upper part of the Ferron from other possible overlying
water-bearing zones. Water levels in the test holes are typically above
the top of the Ferron and within a few feet of the land surface. It is not
known whether the water levels in these test holes are representative
of the potentiometric surface in the upper part of the Ferron or the
water table in the overlying Blue Gate Member of the Mancos Shale.
The Ferron Sandstone Member may lose water by seepage to
streams and mines, but the quantities involved are unknown. Approx-
imately 200 to 300 gal/min is discharged from the Emery (Browning)
Mine, (D-22-6)29ddd, which is about 4 miles south of Emery. Coal is
mined from the upper part of the Ferron, but some of the mine water is
believed to be coming from the Blue Gate which overlies the Ferron.
The concentration of dissolved solids in water from the Browning Mine
was 5,100 mg/L on September 16, 1976.
Three samples from wells (D-22-6)cab-l, (D-22-6)17abc-l, and
(D-22-6)31dab-l, believed to be representative of water in the Ferron
Sandstone Member, had dissolved-solids concentrations ranging from
652 to 1,230 mg/L; the principal constituents were sodium, sulfate, and
bicarbonate. The water in the Ferron, although of marginal chemical
quality for public consumption, is probably the best obtainable from
aquifers within depths of 2,000 feet along margins of the uplands.
Water levels were monitored in 19 wells in the study area during
1975-77. Hydrographs for six wells in the Ferron Sandstone Member
near Emery are shown in plate 9. Water levels in most of these wells
declined, probably reflecting below-normal precipitation during
1976-77. Although the length of record available is not adequate to at-
tribute the declines solely to climatic variations, this is suggested by
the general decline of water levels observed in many of the eight other
observation wells that tap different aquifers in other parts of the study
area (pi. 9).
Water levels are an aid in interpreting ground-water conditions in an
area, in constructing potentiometric-surface maps, and in determining
-------
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS 43
changes in aquifer storage in response to climatic variations and man-
made withdrawals. Any stress imposed on a ground-water system
usually is reflected in ground-water levels. Thus, through monitoring of
water levels, one may detect future changes in either recharge or
discharge to aquifers. Unfortunately, most of the wells available for
monitoring in the study area are completed in only a few aquifers and
are concentrated in small areas.
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This study was designed to provide an assessment of the hydrology of
the Wasatch Plateau-Book Cliffs coal-fields area in Utah. The objec-
tives of the study were to establish data bases for hydrologic
parameters, to describe the water resources based on available data,
and to recommend monitoring programs and additional detailed
studies that might be needed.
The principal coal-producing formations are of Cretaceous age. Coal
production is from the Ferron Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale
and the Blackhawk Formation of the Mesaverde Group, which is the
most important coal-producing formation in Utah.
Five major streams have headwaters that originate in the Wasatch
Plateau. They are the Price River and Cottonwood, Ferron, Hunt-
ington, and Muddy Creeks. No major streams originate in the Book
Cliffs. During the 1931-75 water years, the minimum discharge for the
five major streams ranged from about 12,000 to 26,000 acre-feet per
year, and the maximum discharge ranged from 59,000 to 315,000 acre-
feet per year. Approximately 50-70 percent of the streamflow occurs
during May-July, resulting from melting of snow that fell during Oc-
tober-April. Most of the water from the major streams is diverted for
irrigation.
Most water-quality degradation in streams occurred along the flanks
of the Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs where water diversion, waste
disposal, consumptive use, and geologic environment all had a pro-
nounced effect. In most streams at higher altitudes in the Wasatch
Plateau, the minimum concentration of dissolved solids is less than 100
mg/L, and the maximum concentration is less than 250 mg/L. At lower
altitudes, below diversions, the concentration ranged from about 250
mg/L to more than 6,000 mg/L.
Mining may change the distribution of water along a stream. The
flow of streams along a reach may change, depending upon the rela-
tionship of tunneling and the resulting subsidence to aquifers that are
hydraulically connected to the stream. In order to determine whether
mining is affecting streamflow, measurements are required to deter-
mine the seasonal and annual variability of the streamflow above and
below mining areas. Correlations indicate that 3 years of low-flow
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44 HYDROLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE WASATCH PLATEAU
records at stream sites in the Wasatch Plateau would allow the
development of relationships with long-term sites that can be used to
estimate future low-flow records within a standard error of about 20
percent.
1. The low flow of streams below areas that are being mined or are
proposed for mining should be continuously monitored. The best
period for monitoring low flows is during August-November.
2. Low-flow monitoring sites should be supplemented with seepage
studies which extend from below to above the coal-development
areas.
3. The flow of selected springs in areas with no mining activity should
be monitored in order to determine seasonal and long-term natural
variability of flow.
4. Water quality at stream sites below coal-development areas should
be monitored for inorganic, organic, and biologic parameters
which will aid in the detection of possible water-quality degrada-
tion.
5. Bed-material characteristics of stream channels should be
monitored above, through, and below potential mining areas.
Sampling should extend from the Castlegate Sandstone down-
stream through the Blackhawk Formation and into the upper
members of the Mancos Shale. The frequency of sampling should
be keyed to periods of significant runoff. Bed-material analyses
should include mineralogic and size analyses.
6. Subsurface information that will aid the interpretation of ground-
water hydrology should be collected from on-going drilling opera-
tions of private companies and other Federal agencies.
7. Comprehensive basin studies should be initiated to enable the con-
struction of accurate water budgets and to develop the capability
to accurately predict the effects of coal mining on the various com-
ponents of the hydrologic system.
8. Initiate a study to determine the areal extent of the aquifer in the
Ferron Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale; the potential of
the Ferron as a source of water supply; and the effect that pro-
posed strip mining might have on flows of affected streams, the
potentiometric surface of the aquifer, and the production of ex-
isting wells.
9. Monitoring of water levels in wells should be continued, and
selected wells should be added to the network, as they become
available, to improve the areal distribution of monitoring sites.
10. A subsidence-monitoring program should be initiated under the
guidance of State and Federal agencies charged with this respon-
sibility.
-------
REFERENCES CITED 45
REFERENCES CITED
Averitt, Paul, 1964, Coal, in Mineral and water resources of Utah: Utah Geological and
Mineralogical Survey Bulletin 7$, p. 39-51.
Fields, F. K., 1975, Estimating streamflow characteristics for streams in Utah using
selected channel-geometry parameters: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources In-
vestigations 34-74, 19 p.
Millipore Corp., 1973, Biological analysis of water and waste water: Application Manual
Am 302, Millipore Corp., Bedford, Mass., 84 p.
Mundorff, J. C., 1972, Reconnaissance of chemical quality of surface water and fluvial
sediment in the Price River basin, Utah: Utah Department Natural Resources Tech.
Pub. 39.
National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering, 1974, Water-
quality criteria, 1972: Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office, 594 p.
Slack, K. V., Averett, R. C., Greeson, P. E., and Lipscomb, R. G., 1973, Methods for
collection and analysis of aquatic biological and microbiological samples: U.S.
Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, Book 5, Chapter
4A, 165 p.
Stevens, H. H., Jr., Ficke, J. F., and Smoot, G. F., 1975,Water temperature-Influential
factors, field measurements, and data presentation: U.S. Geological Survey Tech-
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Stiff, H. A., Jr., 1951, The interpretation of chemical water analysis by means of
patterns: Journal of Petroleum Techniques, Technical Note 84, p. 15-17.
Stokes, W. L., ed., 1964, Geologic map of Utah, scale 1:250,000: Univ. of Utah.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1973, Estimating sediment yield rates for the State of
Utah: Western United States Water-Plan Map, scale 1:500,000.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Studies Board, 1976, National
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(1931-60) for the State of Utah: Map of Utah, scale 1:500,000.
Waddell, K. M., and Fields, F. K., 1977, Model for evaluating the effects of dikes on the
water and salt balance of Great Salt Lake, Utah: Utah Geological and Mineral Survey
Water-Resources Bulletin 21, 54 p.
Waddell, K. M., Vickers, H. L., Upton, R. T., and Contratto, P. K., 1978, Selected
hydrologic data, Wasatch Plateau-Book Cliffs coal-fields area, Utah: U.S. Geological
Survey Open-File Report 78-121 (also duplicated as Utah Basic-Data Release 31),
33 p.
Whitaker, G. L., 1970, Daily water-temperature records for Utah streams, 1944-68:
U.S. Geological Survey open-file release (duplicated at Utah Basic-Data Release 19),
119 p.
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423 p.
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