ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
      OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT
      Water Quality Factors
       North Platte River
       Wyoming - Nebraska
           Prepared by
  Review and Evaluation Branch
Denver Field Investigation Center
        Denver, Colorado
          October 1971

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INTRODUCT ION
The North Platte River is an interstate stream, flowing from Wyoming
into Nebraska. As the river flows through the North Platte Valley, water
quality is degraded by municipal and industrial waste discharges and by
agricultural pollution including irrigation return flows. Water quality
degradation was most severe prior to 1961. In 1961, a Federal—State Enforce-
ment Conference was held to consider the interstate pollution of the North
Platte River by Wyoming waste sources. Water quality studies subsequently
undertaken as recommended by the Conference also examined Nebraska pollu-
tion sources. Improved treatment practices were effected at a number of
waste sources and substantial enhancement of water quality was achieved.
Water quality standards were established for the river in 1967 by
Wyoming and Nebraska in accordance with the Water.Quality Act of 19 i5.
These standards specified water quality criteria which the existing waste
treatment facilities could not meet in all cases. A December, 1970, stream
survey confirmed that waste discharges from the Holly Sugar Corporation
sugar beet refinery at Torrington, Wyoming, were causing violations of the
Nebraska water quality standards. A 180—day notice was issued to Holly
Sugar Corporation on June 15, 1971. A hearing was held on July 21, 1971,
and stringent waste treatment requirements were established for the Holly
Sugar Corporation discharge.
It is believed that sources of pollution in Nebraska are also causing
significant water auality degradation in the North Platte River and may be
causing violations of standards. The Region VII office of EPA in Kansas
City, Missouri, has requested DFI—DC to conduct an investigation of waste

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2
sources and water quality conditions in the North Platte Valley during the
1911—72 sugar beet processing season.
This paper summarizes applicable water quality regulations, the history
of enforcement actions, existing sources of pollution and water quality
conditions for the reach of North Platte River extending from Fort Laramie,
Wyoming to l3roadwater, Nebraska.
SUMMARY AND CONCU rS IONS
1. The North Platte River is an interstate and navigable water subject
to the provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended
and the Refuse Act of 1899.
2. Water quality standards have been established for the river by Wyoming
nd.Nebraska q4.ful).y ?pprov d.as.Fec]eral standards..
3. A December, 1970, water quality survey determined that violations of
the Nebraska bacteriological criterion were occurring as the result
of waste discharges from the Holly Sugar Corporation sugar beet re—
• 1 - . .% . . - . a .. ip.. ,... -.
finery at Torrington, Wyórniti .
4. 180—day notice was’ issued to Holly gCorporti Jsn ii, f i.
A hearing was held on July 21, 1971, and an implementation schedule
established for pollution abatement activities. Complete abatement
of pollution will be. achieved prior to the start of the 1972—73 sugar
beet processing season with substantial upgrading of waste controle
to be implemented during the current season.
5. Four Great Western Sugar Company sugar beet refineries are located in
Nebraska downstream from the Holly Sugar Corporation discharge. Waste
treatment facilities in operation at the four plants will not meet

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1 8 - VII )5 ‘‘
E,.nsvih - . BatssIaI%d .
Casper Glenreck )H.t Cisek - Ardcnoie 385 — . .._ — _•_ _____
Douglas 30 Manvits Ch d 27 15 1
11 21 20 t .ost 18 W mn GN fl Msrnman 1 Valentine
cove 46 Orn SPIIA9S 1 arns 27 Crawford 23 20 . / -
81 23 $1 TatsIt . 36 HIY Sprs
401: -. .26 -
4 7 u flU0 0
35 ‘ JyEnr ,, . 2 I .
27 Sunrns Agate . y
26 16 , Foil 24 Fossil r *3 5 87 27
I4 GU6rOS8Y\ Irn$I .Hem gfovd U
‘ Fr. laram.’- ¶0 ; 71 2 .1
111861 287 Medlcins Whnai and Nstl ‘-Tor o ‘ 44 P1&?te IS Alliance
Veteran - MomS h I .
18 22 I 385 31 EUs h Bingh.m Astaby Mullen ‘
Rock River 18 Yoder 21 jMrtchet 10 Scottsh luff 26 Hyannis • 2 • 21
MM cottsbkifl , M naiare 30 A O . Thsdfcrd 2 25
McFadden Dwgwater : Mon. - Mel- 26 • 11 Halsey
91 SOarer - . : beta liayaid Nothpoii : 36
287 - 65 Lagrange Brsdge orla * ‘Broadwater 61 40
Centennial 20 . 87 - 18 . . . . Aahur Tryon
Laramie 30 Albin 40i 3° Stapleton
K Kimball L eten 92 92 Alnuld
virgm - 1L Sidney 29 ‘ Ogallala ‘ ‘ 3° N orthPlatte
lalden • 6 n eY j j ockporl cOi .o. p _ 4’ 43 Sedg. 4’ < — 20 .‘ .., . 35
35 Weflrng- ( ) 42’ Q Crook I 61 30 1 s, I . , Gel
d/®— ———— Nunn Proctor 16 ‘ I ‘ Grant 62
8r gsda!e \kIOts 138 28 32 23 l
27 t ( ) I •
Slyer Purne - 3 -•-—------ . — . X W k 71 . 3* 385 IT 2
_ Lmdon
, \a I -‘ -
Figure 1. Location Map

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4
the requirements imposed on the Holly Sugar Corporation plant.
6. A waste source and water quality survey of the North Platte River
between Torrington, Wyoming and Broadwater, Nebraska, is needed during
the sugar beet processing season to define the impacts of waste sources
on water quality, to evaluate present waste disposal practices, and
to define waste treatment needs.
DESCRIPTION OF AREA
The North Platte River originates in Colorado, flows through Wyoming,
and joins the South Platte River at North Platte, Nebraska, to form the
Platte River. The reach of the river of interest in this paper is located
in the North Platte Valley which extends from Fort Laramie, Wyom Ing to
Btoadw ter, Nebraska, ‘a distance. of about 100•miles. (Sçe Figure 1) -
A large area of irrigated farmland is the predominant characteristic
of the North Platte Valley. The valley extends for about 100 miles in
length with widths up to 20 miles. Much of the area is irrigated by the
Bureau of Reclamations North Platte Project. Substan•tial areas are also
served by private irrigation systems. About one-fourth of the irrigated
area is in. Wyoming with the remainder in Nebraska. Three large interstate
canals, the Port Laramie, Mitchell—Ocring and Interstate Canals, serve the
Valley.
The North Platte River upstream from the valley is highly regulated
by a number of large reservoirs. Stream flows are regulated to meet irriga-
tion demands and water rights. Stream flows are maintained at relatively
high levels at the upper end of the valley during the irrigation season.

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5
Over half of the river flow is diverted into the canal system before it
crosses the Nebraska state line. The river flow thus decreases as it moves
downstream due to the irrigation diversions. Return flows increase the
stream flow again toward the lower end of the valley. The annual mean
flow in the North Platte River at the Nebraska state line is about 350,000
acre feet. An additional 500,000 acre feet of water flow into Nebraska
from Wyoming by way of the three interstate canals and Horse Creek.
Scottsbluff, Nebraska, with a population of about 15,000, is the
largest community in the valley. Cering, Nebraska, and Torrington, Wyoming,
with populations of about 5,000 each are the only other communities with
more than 2,000 population. Most of the population centers are located
near the river. -
Agriculture is the predominant industry in the valley. Irrigation
‘ •---.•- ... •--: -.-.. -_.- - .-“ - -
crops of importance are sugar beets, alfalfa, corn and other feed crops.
•Livestock feeding, sugar beet processing and meat packing are inportant
agriculture related activities.
APPLICABLE WATER QUALITY- REGULATIONS
th 4ifl
Water quality standards applicable to the North Platte River, Horse
Creek and three interstate canals in Wyoming tiere established by the
Wyoming Department of Public Health in June, 1967, in accordance with pro-
visions of the Water Quality Act of 1965. The standards were revised in
October, 1968, and on November 27, 1968, were fully approved as Federal
standards.

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6
Wyoming designated the following water uses for stream reaches in the
study area:
1. North Platte River — Fish and wildlife propagation, agricultural,
industrial, limited body contact recreation, aesthetics and waste
asimilation.
2. Horse Creek — Fish and wildlife propagation, agricultural, limited
body contact recreation and aesthetics.
3. Interstate canals — Agricultural.
Specific water quality criteria applicable to the above waters were
also established. These criteria are summarized in Appendix A. Criteria
of special interest include the minimum dissolved oxygen limit of 6.0 parts
per million, the p 1 1 range of 7.5 to 8.5 and the fecal coliforni limit of
:.2,000.per .100 injililiters (geometric mean of the’ last five consecutive.
samples). The last criterion is applicable only during the recreation
season (May 1 through September 30).
In May, 1967, Wyoming indicated the interstate waters in the study
area were in compliance with the standards subsequently adopted as Federal
standards. All waste sources, including Hoiiy Sugar Company ai Torrington,
were considered to be providing adequate treatment. Disagreement with the
Nebraska coliform limit for the North Platte River immediately dounstream
from Nebraska was also indicated.
Water quality standards applicable to the North Platte River and Horse
•Creek in Nebraska were adopted by the Water Pollution Control Council in -
June, 1967 and subsequently approved as Federal standards on December 19,
1968. The initial standards were revised by the State on October 9, 1970.

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.7
These revisions received full Federal approval on June 28, 1971.
The North Platte River and Horse Creek were designated in water use
classification “C”. Waters in this classification are to be protected for
partial body contact sports, growth and propagation of fish, waterfowl,
furbearers, wildlife and other aquatic and semiaquatic life, agricultural
uses including irrigation and livestock watering, industrial uses and
aesthetics.
Water quality criteria applicable to these waters are summarized in
Appendix B. Specific criteria of interest include the minir um dissolved
oxygen limit of 5 mg/l in warm waters and 6 mg/i in trout waters, a pH
range of 6.5 to 9.0 with maximum total change of 1.0 pH unit from the value
in the receiving stream, and a colif arm group limit of 10,000 total coliform
•or 2,000 fpca. col fo ,organisms p 100 milliliters (ge etri c mean).
Nebraska also adopted the following treatment requirements:
“to protect and enhance the quality of productivity of the waters,
all municipal wastes shall receive at least secondary treatment
plussuch additional treatment as is required to ñnii itain Water
Quali y Cr 1tèria. All ‘indu tria1 ias ’tes shall reccfv ‘an equi-
valent degree of treatment or control consistent with waste charac-
teristics, uses and quality of receiving watcr .”
“The objective of treatment or control will be to reduce the organic
level, oil, grease, solids, alkali, acids, toxic materials, color
and turbidity, taste and odor products and other deleterious materials
to such a level as to meet the Water Quality Criteria contained in
these Standards .“

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‘ 1 The date for compliance with the requirements of these Standards
I or all municipal, industrial, and other waste which discharge into
intrastate and interstate waters of the State, except for those
waste sources discharging directly to the Missouri River, shall be
January 1, 1972, with earlier compliance where necessary.”
“Feedlot wastes shall be effectively controlled by no later than
December 31, 1972, with earlier compliance where necessary.”
The implementation plan submitted with the 1967 initial standards
indicated improved treatment facilities were needed at three municipal and
five industrial sources. The four Creat Western Sugar Company sugar beet
refineries were not listed in the plan. Current waste treatment needs are
discussed in a later section on pollution sources.
V16±atIori ‘of qdtet 4t dl’iEy ‘it r{ .’ haira &2thiir ’e t as aiI&t sse t i1V
and other violations may be occurring.
. Ref use Act Permit Program
- Under provisions of the Refuse Act of 1899, recently given new status
Sy the issuing of Executive Order No. 11574 by E’r c sident Nixon onDecember 23,
1970, a major program has been undertaken cooperatively by the Corps of
Engineers and EPA to issue permits for all discharges of industrial tzastes
to navigable waters. All industries discharging to navigable waters were
required to apply for such a permit by July 1, 1971. The application sub-
mission included data on industrial processes, ra z materials, products,
— - — . .— , — V . . — — . . V. • . - . —
waste flows and general information on waste characteristics. For certain
critical types of industry, a second submission containing specific informa-
tion on waste constituents was required by October 1, 1971. A lengthy

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9
review process will proceed the issuance of permits which will specify
conditions under which the discharge of industrial wastes may be allowed.
Effluent criteria may be specified. The present status of permit applica-
tions from industries in the North Platte Valley is unknown at this time.
Enforcement Conference Requirements
Based on the results of water quality surveys of the North Platte
River between Torrington, Wyoming, and Morrill, Nebraska, In November, 1960,
which showed substantial interstate pollution of the river was occurring,
the Conference on Pollution of the Interstate Waters of the North Platte
River, Wyoming — Nebraska, was convened on September 12, 1961 in Scottsbluff,
Nebraska. The Conference was initially called to consider the pollution
resulting from the waste discharge from the holly Sugar Corporation sugar
.b.eet refinery. at .Torringtot ,.Wyorflng. The-seopeeof the. Cqnference was,
expanded to include Nebraska sources of pollution of which the four Great
Western Sugar Company sugar beet refineries were the most important.
As recommended by the Conference, various water quality and waste
‘source surveys were ónducted ’durii g the 1961—62 and l962-63 sugar beet
define water quality conditions and deterMine waste
treatment needs. The Conference was reconvened on March 21, 1962, and
November 20, 1963, to evaluate the results of the surveys, to determine
the results that had been achieved in reducing water pollution, and to
make further reconnendations for pollution abatement.
,Duripg,the period between the.first and third sessions of the Conference,
various waste treatment and control improvements were placed in operation
by municipal and industrial waste sources and substantial enhancement of

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water quality was achieved. In particular, Molly Sugar Corporation elimi-
nated all waste discharges but flume water and provided fine screening f or
the flume water discharge in compliance with Conference recommendations.
Great Western Sugar Company at Scottsb luff, the largest waste source in
the Uebraska portion of the Conference area, ponded its entire waste dis-
charge during the 1962—63 season. Waste treatment and control facilities
were installed at other sugar beet refineries in compliance with conference
recommendations by 1965. All municipal sources were in compliance with
conference requirements by the end of 1968 with the exception of Bayard.
The recommendations of the three conference sessions have essentially
been carried out. The establishment of water quality standards wit h more
stringent limits on water quality than considered by the Conference thus
become the controlling water quality require nonts for the conference area.
Other Enforcement Actions
A water quality and waste source survey of the 10 nile reach of the
orth Platte River between Totrittgton, Wyoming, and Henry, Nebraska, in
DedSber, 1970, produbed vidence that inadequately tr aEed wasted from
th holly Sugar Company are still creating interstate polluticrf of the
river and that violations of the } ebraska coliforn criterion are occurring.
Based on the results of this survey, a 180—day notice was issued to Holly
Sugar Corporation on June 15, 1971. Thc Corporation was thus given until
December 23, 1971, to take positive action to secure abatement of pollution
or faqe court ction.
A hearing was held in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on July 21, 1971, to con-
sider the standards violations and means of achieving pollution abatement.

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‘I
At the hearing, it was pointed out that Holly Sugar Corporation was also
in violation of the Refuse Act of 1899.
The Region VII office in Kansas City, which conducted the 1970 survey
and the hearing, recommended the following pollution abatement steps be
taken by Holly Sugar Corporation
1. Interim system prior to startup of the 1971—72 Sugar Beet
Campaign. -
A. Separate condenser and transport systems.
B. Install a closed loop system for recycle of transport
waters. Any waters discharged from this system to the
North Platte River should not exceed daily average
effluent concentrations of 30 mg/l BOlD 5 and suspended
solids with no grab sample to exceed 50 mg/l.
r•.’ - ;- • .; ‘.. \J t - . , ! - -‘ ‘ “-
C. Interim provisions will allow separated condenser waters
to 6 e discharged directly to the I orth Platte River.
2:. Complete system by tart of 1972—73 Sugar Beet Campaign.
A Trarisport zaters- ±ecyc 7 led vIa clatifier systent. Solids
recovered from clarifier should be dewatered and disposed
of in a manner which will not create odor problems. Any
supernatant from sludge dewatering should be returned to
recycle system or treated to effluent concentrations not
to exceed a daily average of 30 mg/i BO l D 5 and suspended
solids with no grab sample to exceed 50 mg I]. if discharsed.
Any buildup (i.e. excees water) water generated in the
transport water recycle systen, as well as contents of the
system at the end of the campaign, should receive whatever

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treatment is necessary to produce an effluent concentration
not to exceed a daily average of 30 mg/i BOD 5 and suspended
solids with no grab sample to exceed 50 mg/i prior to dis-
charge to the North Platte River.
B. Condenser water recycle via cooling device. Any discharge
from this system to the North Platte should not exceed a
daily average effluent concentration of 10 nigh BOD 5 and
suspended solids with no grab sample to exceed 20 mg/i.
C. Any wastewater discharge from the system, with the exception
of uncontaminated cooling waters, should be effectively
disinfected to assure compliance with applicable water
quality standards.
-Holly Sugar ‘-Corporation-had. qaste treatment and control improvements
underway with a scheduled completion date of January 1, 1972. An acceler-
ation of this schedule will be made to comply with the recommended require-
ments.
-. .Region VII also expects to require similar treatment to be provided
by the four Great Western Sugar Company refineries in Nebraska. The
Nebraska Jatar Pollution Control Council has indicated that EPA will have
to prove that discharges of condenser water result in detrimental effects
on the North Platte River before they will require the abatement of such
discharges. This is in line with their requirement that industrial waste
.discharges-receive the degree. of treatment necessary to meet water quality
criteria.

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SOURCES OF POLLUTION
Within the area of interest, the North Platte River receives discharges
of municipal and industrial wastes, irrigation return flows, feedlot drain-
age and rural runoff. All of these factors contribute pollution which de-
grades water quality in the North Platte River. The magnitude of municipal
and industrial pollution is known. The magnitude and effects of the other
types of pollution are not defined.
Municipal Waste Sources
There are a total of 17 municipal waste sources located in the three
county study area as shown in Table 1. Only three sources —— Scottsbluff
and Gering, Nebraska, and Torrington, Wyoming —— are of significant size.
Scottsbluff, with an average discharge of 3.5 mgd, is by far the largest
äi char é.’Theáctü 1 discl iarge atE cd iiig ai d o ri t tr üni no bi
should be in the range of 1.0 mgd. All other sources probably discharge
less than 0.2 mgd.
The three minor sources on Horse Creek should produce a negligible
effect on the North Platte River due to their small size and distance from
the river.
With the exception of Bayard, Melbeta and Terrytown, all municipalities
discharging to the North Platte River treat their wastes in oxidation
lagoons. Bayard provides no treatment while Melbeta wastes are treated in
a clarifier followed by a sand filter and Terrytown operates an extended
‘aeràtiou treatment fa ility. ’ T STORET inve ntory indicated’tbatonly
Terrytown chlorinates its effluent.
All but four of the present waste treatment facilities were constructed

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TABLE 1
MUNICIPAL WASTE SOURCES
4. Gering
5. Henry
6. Lyman
7. Ie1beta
2000
160
5000
80
3 O
80
r.
: Lagoon
Lagoon
.r.
COUNTY , NEBRASKA
• - Lagoon
•:‘ Lagoon
: Lagoon
Primary and
Sand Filter
- Lagoon
Lagoon
; Lagoon
Bayard Canal to
N. Platte River
N. Platte River
Sump to
N. Platte River
N. Platte River
N. Plitte River
Horse Creek
N. Platte River
N. Platte River
N. Platte River
N. Platte River
155
142
127
173
199
• 194/3.5
166
166
184
191
• Population.
No. Municipality Serv ed
•Design
Flow
( MCD ) ‘ Treatment
MORRILL .COUNTY, NEBRASKA
1500 • — None
1. Bayard
2. Bridgeport
3. Broadwater
Receiving River
Stream Mill
0.19
SC OTTSBLUPF
• 1.79
(
•0.0i
• 0.09
0.01
8.
!‘!inatare
800
0.08
9.
Mitchell
1800
•
.
0.16
10.
Morrill
950
‘
0.15

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TABLE 1. (cont’d)
MIJNICIPAL WASTE SOURCES
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Fort Laramie
Hawk Springs
La Grange
Lingle
Torrington
Design
Popu lation. Flow
Served (MGD) Treatment
SCOTTSBLUFF COt NTY, $EBRASKA (cont;d)
Lagoon
0.22 Extended
Aeration
350
125
175
500
5000
N. Platte River
Horse Creek
Horse Creek
N. Platte River
N. Platte River
219
209
* Average, daily flow — design flow unknown.
I
No. Municipality
11.
12.
Scottsbluff
Terry town
Receiving
River
Stream
Mill
15000
750
N. Platte River
N. Platte River
173
174
230
GOSREN C0UNT , WYOMING
— ‘ Lagoon
— . None
- Under
Construction
— Lagoon
S.
— S.Lagoon
V I

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16
since the first session of the enforcement conference in 1961. Helbeta,
Fort Laramie, Lingle and Torrington had previously completed waste treat-
ment facilities.
The Nebraska implementation plan calls for Bayard to complete a
secondary treatme9t facility and f or Nelbeta to upgrade their existing
facility to secondary treatment by January 1, 1972. Terrytown was also
included in the impleiientation plan and has completed a new facility as
discussed above.
Industrial Waste Sources
In 1961, there were 14 known sources of industrial wastes discharging
to the North Platte River between Torrington and Broadwater 6 . Only one
source, the Holly Sugar Corporation, was located in Wyoming. Five of the
- ‘ ‘ .‘ ‘‘‘‘“‘‘ .... • ¼
&durêes idét 2 e su ar beet ketindries wiich discharged dtotal waste load with
a BOB population equivalent of about 1.5 million. In contrast, the nine
other industries discharged a total w?ste load with a BOD population equi-
valent of only 43,000. Improved treatment and control measures have sub—•
stantially reduced the 130]) load from both the sugar beet refineries and
other industries. Present waste treatment and disposal practises at the
sugar beet refineries are not considered adequate. The adequacy of treat-
ment at other sources is not defined.
Existing industrial waste discharges listed in the STORET inventory
are summarized in Table 2. These sources include the five sugar beet re—
findtie ‘aria tto me at packLng plaitts inSkcotisblufft hat ‘ai e’hdt? connecfted -
to the municipal treatment system. The locations of the sugar beet refiner-
ies are shown in Figure 2.

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TABLE 2
• INDUSTRIAL WASTE SOURCES
- Type
____ Indus try
Meat
Packer
Sugar Beet
:1 efinery
Sugar Beet
•Refinery
Sugar Beet
Refinery
‘Sugar Beet
Refinery
Ieat
Packer
Sugar Beet
Refinery
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Industry
Flicker Packing Co.
Great Western Sugar Co.
Great Western Sugar Co.
Great Western Sugar Co.
Great Western Sugar Co.
H and B Packing Co.
Hc 1ly Sugar Corporation -
Location
Scottsbluff
Bayard
Gering
Mitchell
$cottsbluff
Scottsbluff
Torrington
Flow
(MCD)
Receiving
Stream
River
Mill
—
Scottsbluff
Sewer System
173
2.95
Ditch to
N. Platte River
150/2.0
6.00
Ditch to
N. Platte River
173/1.5
1.05
Ditch to
N. Platte River
184/1.5
4.45
Ditch to
N. Platte River
173.8/3.0
—
Scottsbluff
Sever System
173
5.90
N. Platte River
208.8

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WYOMING
TOtRINGTC
.4
_ G.W.
HOLLY SUGAR CO!tP.
. 5-.
S
I
__ MUNICIP th
cf INDUSTRY
2
____ SUGAR CO. -
r -‘
I-
I !r !G.W.SUGARCO.
‘LUFF yinij C.W. SUGAR CO.
XA2D
McCREW
U.# RIDGEPORT
GETtING
Gi4. SUGAR CO.
Figure 2. Location Sketch for Sugar Beet Refineries
NEBRASKAI
00

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19
The 1967 Nebraska implementation plan did not list the sugar beet
refineries as requiring treatment improvements but did list five industries
which were required to provide a private treatment facility or connect to
a municipal treatment system by January 1, 1972. Two of these sources
were the meat packing plants listed in the STORET inventory. These sources
have complied with the implementation plan requirements. The three other
sources listed in the implementation plan but not in the STORET inventory
were the Platte Valley Poultry Marketing Company at Henry and the Hersch
Packing Company and Swift and Company, both at Scottsb luff. The status of
these waste sources is unknown.
Four industrial waste sources existing in 1961 were not list in the
Nebraska implementation plan or the STORET inventory. These were the Co—op.
Oil Refinery, Idlewild Dairy and Scottsbluff Rendering, all at Scottsbluff,
,‘‘.‘‘• ,..t
and the Miller Packing Company at Cering. The present status of these
wiste’sourte Is unknown.
A number of changes h ive been made inwa&te disposal practices at the
variou& sugar beet refineries snce the 1961 conference. Some of these
resulted it’ reductions in waste loads discharged while others resulted in -
increases. An example of the latter case is the Holly Sugar Corporation
plant which had eliminated its discharge of condenser water by 1963 but is
again discharging condenser water. A detailed source survey is needed at
each refinery to fully define waste disposal practices and to assess the
adequacy of treatment provided.

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Agricultural Pollution
The North Platte Valley supports an important agricultural economy.
Much of the valley is irrigated. Return flows from the irrigated areas
can contain substantial loads of silt, fertilizers, pesticides and oxygen
demanding materials. The effects of irrigation return flows on water
quality conditions in the North Platte River are unknown.
A number of animal feedlots containing significant populations of
cattle and other meat animals are scattered throughout the valley. Surface
runoff and drainage from feedlots can carry substantial loads of nutrients,
oxygen demanding materials and bacterial pollution. The significance of
feedlots as a pollution source in the valley is not defined.
WATER QU4L LTX. PR0 LEMS
A number of water quality surveys were undertaken on the North Platte
River during the 1960—63 period surrounding the enforcenent conference.
These surveys revealed that water quality in the river was degraded from
Torrington, Wyoming, downstream to Broadwater, Nebraska. In 1960 and 1961,
prior to substantial reductions in waste loads from the sugar beet mills,
severe degradation occurred during the sugar beet processing season through-
out the reach. Water quality conditions were characterized by high BOD
levels (a maximum of 61 mg/l below the Holly Sugar Corporation), depressed
dissolved oxygen levels (minimum levels of 4.3 mg/i or about 40 per cent
“of saturation occurred downstream from Scottsbluff), high suspended solids’
and turbidity, and high bacterial counts (over 1 million total coliforms/
100 ml below Scottsb luff). Water quality observed during the rest of the
year was relatively good.

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The high waste loads being carried by the river had an adverse impact
on aquatic life. Silt and organic sediments settled out on the river
bottom sriothering benthic organisms. Heavy growths of phaeratilus occur-
red. Some of these growths were attached to aquatic organisms which caused
further reductions in aquatic organisms. In some areas, very few fish food
organisms were present. In the stream reaches carrying the heaviest loads
of sugar beet wastes, fish could survive only b taking refuge in clear
water areas where drains or tributaries entered the river.
During the 1962 sugar beet processing season, a waste load reduction -
of about 80 percent was achieved by the refineries. The effects on water
quality were marked. BOD and suspended solids levels were substantially
reduced. Dissolved oxygen depressions were very minor. However, bacterial
counts reinainedhigh,. Daiuage;to aquatic 1ife.w as s ibstantiai. although uot
as severe as in the past.
• Water quality data submitted by Nebraska with their water quality
(10
standards indicated that high bacterial counts were still present in 1965
A survey of the river betucen Torringt n and Henry in late 1970 indicated
that bacterial counts were still high and in violation of Nebraska standards.
It is probable that some dariage to aquatic life is also occurring at present.

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REFERENCE S
1. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator’s 180-Day Notice
of Water Quality Standards Violations by Holly Sugar Corporation
of Torrington, Wyoming; June 15, 1971.
2. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Quality, Kansas City,
Missouri; “Water Quality Investigation North Platte River,
Torrington, Wyoming - Scottsbluff, Nebraska, December 4-9,
1970”; January 13, 1971.
3. Nebraska Water Quality Standards, amended October 9, 1970,
Nebraska Water Pollution Control Council, State Department
of Health, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509.
4. Neel, Joe K., Regional Biologist, Water Supply and Pollution
Control Program, U. S. Public Health Service, Region VI;
“Biological Effects of Wastes Discharged to the North Platte
River in the Torrington, Wyoming to Bridgeport, Nebraska
Reach, November 1960 - November 1961”; Kansas City, Missouri.
5. Public Health Service Regions VI and VIII, Wyoming Department
of Public Health, Nebraska Department of Health; “Report of
Stfti#ey, ‘North Piati Ri4 e “Torringtorf, ‘iJyoming Bridgeport,
Nebraska, November 30 - December 6, 1962.
6. Sidio, A. D., and F. W. Kittrell; “Report on North Platte River’
Survey, Wyoming-Nebraska, September and Nove nber 1961”; U. S.
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health
Service, Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center, Cincinnati,
Ohio, February 1962.
7. STORET Municipal Waste Source Inventory, Environmental Protec-
tion Agency, September 1971.
8. STORET Industrial Waste Treatment Needs Inventory, Environmental
Protection Agency, September 1971.
9. Transcript of Proceedings, Public Hearing regarding 180-day
notice to the Holly Sugar Company of violation of State and
Federal Water Quality Standards for the Interstate Waters of
the North Platte River, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, July 21, 1971.
10. ‘ Water Quality Standard ’ for Interstate ‘Wathrs 1n ’ Wyoming,
amended October 31, 1968, Wyoming Department of Public Health,
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001.

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APPENDIX A
WYOMING WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
Applicable to the
North Platte River

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A-i
WYOMING WATER QUALITY CRITERIA APPLICABLE TO THE NORTh PLATTE RIVER
1. Settleable Solids . Essentially free from substances of other
than natural origin that will settle to form sludge, bank or
bottom deposits.
2. Floating Solids . Essentially free from floating debris, oil,
grease, scum, and other floating materials of other than
natural origin in amounts sufficient to be unsightly.
3. Taste, Odor, Color . Essentially free from substances of other
than natural origin which produce taste, odor, or color that
would:
a. of themselves or in combination, impart an unpalatable
or off-flavor in fish flesh
b. visibly alter the natural color of the water, or
impart color to skin, clothing, vessels or structures
c. produce detectable odor at the site of use
. directly or through interactiop among themselves,
or iith dh ’rhièaii üséd’iri the’ éxiitint s ater treat- 2
ment process, result in concentrations that will
impart undesirable taste or odor to the finished
water.
4. Toxic . Free from toxic, corrosive, or other deleterious s ub-
stances of other than natural origin in concentrations or com-
•binations’ which are toxic to human, animal, plant’ or aquatic
life. This dtandard is not intended to .interfere with the use
of approved fish toxicants under the supervision of the Wyoming
Came and Fish Commission for fish management purposes.
5. Radioactive . Radioactive materials of other than natural origin
shall not be present in any amount which reflects failure in
any case to apply all controls which are physically and economic-
ally feasible. In no case shall such materials exceed the limits
established in the 1962 Public Health Service Drinking Water
Standards or 1130 (168 hour value) of the values for radioactive
substances specified in the National Bureau of Standards Hand-
book 69. , ,. .... . . ..
6. Turbidity . Turbidity of other than natural origin shall not
impart more than a 15 turbidity unit increase to the water
when the turbidity of the receiving water is 150 units or less,
or more than a 10% increase when the water turbidity is over
150 turbidity units.

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A-2
7. Dissolved Oxygen . Wastes of other than natural origin’shall
not be discharged in amounts which will result in dissolved
oxygen content of less than 6 ppm at any time.
8. Temperature . For streams where natural temperatures do not
exceed 700 F, wastes of other than natural origin shall not
be discharged in amounts which will result in an increase of
more than 20 F over existing temperatures.
For streams where natural temperatures exceed 700 F, wastes
of other than natural origin shall not be discharged in amounts
which will result in an increase of more than 40 F over exist-
ing temperatures.
Maximum allowable temperatures will be established for indi-
vidual streams as data becomes available. As an interim
policy, the maximum allowable stream temperatures will be the
maximum daily stream temperatures plus the allowable rise;
provided that this temperature is not lethal to existing fish
life, which is considered to be 780 F in the case of cold water
fish.
9. . Wastes of other than natural origin shall not affect the
pH of the receiving water beyond the following limits:
.. _J• •. - .., .
a.” North Platte River& ‘Intè stàte CanaW:’ ‘Ra nge be-
tween 7.5 and 8.5.
b. Horse Creek: B inge for pH shatf be 6.5 to 8.5.
10. Coliform Bacteria . DurIng the recreation season (May 1 through
September 30), wastes or substances of other than natural
origin shall not be discharged into waters designated as having
limited body contact use which will caus& organisms of the fecal
coliform group to exceed the following limits. .
While sample data is accumulated no individusl samples shall
exceed the 95% confidence limit of the historical average; pro-
vided that in no case will the geometric mean of the last five
consecutive samples exceed 2000 per 100 ml. (Most Probable
Number), which ever is the least.

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APPENDIX B
NEBRASKA WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
Applicable to the
North Platte River

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B-i
NEBRASKA WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
APPLICABLE TO THE NORTH PLATTE RIVER
General Criteria
All surface waters shall meet general aesthetic standards and
shall be capable of supporting desirable diversified aquatic life.
These waters shall be free of substances attributable to discharges
or wastes having materials that will form objectionable deposits,
floating debris, oil scum and other matter prducing objectionable
color, odor, taste or turbidity - materials including radionuclides,
in concentration or combinations which are toxic or which produce
undesirable physiological responses in human, fish or other animal
life or plants and substances and conditions or combinations there-
of in concentrations which produce undesirable aquatic life.
Specific Criteria
I Coliform Group Organisms . Coliform group and feca ]. coliform
organisms shall not exceed a geometric mean of 10,000 total
coliform organisms or 2,000 fecal coliform organisms per 100
milliliters. No more than 20 percent .of samples shall exceed
20,000 total or 4,000 fecal coliform bacteria.
2. Dissolved Oxygen . Shall not be lower than 5 mg/i in warm
waters and 6 mg/i in trout waters.
3. ydrogen Ion.. Hydrogen ion .concent]Zations as expressed as pH
shall be maintained between 6.5 and 9.0 with a maximum total
change of 1.0 pH unit from the value in the receiving stream.
4. Temperature .
Trout Waters - allowable change 50
- maximum limit 65° F.
Warm Water Waters - allowable change 50 F May thru October
- allowable change 100 F November thru April
- maximum limit 900 F .. .. . .. --
- maximum rate of change limited to 20 per hr.
5. total Dissolved Solids . A point source discharge shall not in-
crease the total. dissolved solids concentration of a receiving
water by more than 2O7 , this value shall not exceed 100 mg/i,
and in no case shall the total dissolved solids of a stream
exceed 1500 mg/i

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B-2
Data regarding specific conductivity will be considered in lieu
of TDS data. A point source discharge shall not increase the
conductivity of the recovery water by more than 2Od/ , this value
shall not exceed 150 micromhos/centimeter, and in no case shall
the conductivity of the receiving waters exceed 2250 micromhos/
centimeter at 25° C.
For irrigation use the SAR value and conductivity shall not be
greater than a C3-S2 class irrigation water as shown in Figure 25
of Agricultural Handbook 60.
6. Residue , Oil and Float g Substances . No residue attributable
to waste water or visible film of oil or globules of grease shall
be present.
Emulsified oil and grease shall be less than 15 mg/i.
7. Aesthetic Considerations . No evidence of matter that creates
nuisance conditions or is offensive to the senses of sight,
touch, smell, or taste, including color.
8. Taste and Odor Producing Substances . Concentration of sub-
stances shall be less than that amount which would degrade the
water quality for the designated use. Phenols concentration
.;Sttall.npt exceed ,0 001 mg/i. Shall 19t contair .concent ations
of substances which wI ll render any undesirable taste to fi h,
flesh, or in any other way make such fish flesh inedible.
9. Suspended, Colloidal , or Settleabie Solias . None from waste
water sources which will permit objectionable depositioii or
be deleterious for the designated uses. In no case shail
turbidiLy caused by waste water impart more than a l0°L increase
inturbidity to the receivingwater.
10. Toxic and DeleteriOus Substances . None alone or in combina-
tion with other substances or wastes in concentration of such
nature so as to render the receiving water unsafe or unsuit-
able for the designated use. Raw water shall be of such
quality that after treatment by coagulation, filtration, sedi-
mentation, the water will meet Public Health Drinking Water
Standards. Radiological limits shall be in accordance with
the Radiological Health Regulations, State of Nebraska, 1st
edition 1966, and as amended in its latest edition.
Plus ammonia nitrogen concentra ions shall not exceed 1.4 mg/I
in trout streams nor exceed 3.5 rng/l in warm water s’tre ams -
where the pH in these streams does not exceed a pH value of
8.3. If the pH of a stream exceeds 8.3, the undissociated am-
monium hydroxide as nitrogen shall not exceed one-tenth mg/i
in trout streams not exceed 0.25 mg/i in warm water streams.

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B -3
For irrigation use, the boron concentration shall not exceed
0.75 mg/i.
For toxic materials not specified bioassay methods acceptable
to Nebraska Water Pollution Control Council.

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