THIRD SEMIANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
JUNE 1977
DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS
FOR
WATER IMPOUNDMENTS
IN
NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS
STRIP MINED AREAS
PART I
Water Quality
Invertebrate Species, Abundance and Standing
Crop Biomass
Basin Morphometry
Waterfowl Use
by
Ardell J. Bjugstad, Project Leader
Clifford L. Hawkes, Aquatic Biologist
Ernest C. Frank, Hydrologist
Kieth E. Severson, Range Scientist
Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station
South Dakota School of Mines Campus
Rapid City, SD 57701
EPA-IAG-D5-E764 Subagreement 77BED
-------
INTRODUCTION
The main objectives for work since January 1977 when the Second
Semiannual Progress Report was submitted were: 1) to negotiate Coop-
erative Agreements with the landowners of the study ponds, 2) to analyze
the backlog of water quality samples generated during the 1976 summer
sampling season, 3) to analyze the within pond variability of water quality
variables of the 1976 summer season samples obtained, and from this
determine the sampling intensity required, 4) to complete laboratory
setups, methods testing, and personnel training for all the selected
water quality analyses, 5) to refine techniques of processing the
benthic and planktonic invertebrate samples and hire people to under-
take this processing work prior to the 1977 summer sampling season,
6) to put together either an in-house crew to do the pond basin
morphometry work or negotiate a contract to have the wo~rk done, and
7) to begin early spring waterfowl migration counts.
Negotiation of Cooperative Agreements with landowners is in pro-
gress and is going quite well. All Cooperative Agreements should be
finalized by the end of June 1977. Accomplishments toward other past
objectives listed above and current objectives for the next six months
are discussed below.
WATER QUALITY
All water samples collected during the 1976 sampling season have
been analyzed for the cations and anions listed in the Second Semiannual
Progress Report. This data is presented in Tables 1-3. All samples from
Firesteel and Colony ponds have been analyzed for total phosphorus,
1
-------
orthophosphate, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen. Ponds from the other areas
were sampled before the sampling procedure for phosphorus and nitrogen
were finalized and therefore, were not included in the 1976 season.
Analysis of samples for total dissolved solids, total residue, and total
particulate material are near completion. Calculations for alkalinity,
bicarbonate, and free CO^ are in progress. All analyses of 1976 samples
will be completed prior to the 1977 sampling season.
Tests were conducted to determine the best way to handle samples
destined for nitrogen and phosphorus analyses to avoid changes in these
very labile compounds, given the time lag between sampling and analysis
caused by large distances from the laboratory to the various field
locations. It was found that ice chilled samples analyzed within four
days of the sampling time provide the required accuracy.
Analysis of variance of Firesteel pond water quality data (Second
Semiannual Progress Report, Part I, Table 2) shows highly significant
(probability of a greater F value is < 1%) differences between ponds
for temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, secchi disk reading,
and ion concentration of calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, and
sulfate. Differences in orthophosphate concentrations between ponds
were significant at the 5% level. Thus, we are dealing with a pond
population which is non-homogenous in terms of chemical parameters.
This suggests that highly mobile animals such _as waterfowl have some
choices. However, less mobile animals such as livestock and wild
antelope and muskrat are more or less restricted to one or a few ponds
and the water quality found there. Further analysis of the sub-sampling
structure within ponds shows no significant difference between depths
2
-------
within locations for each pond. Thus, we may shift our sampling technique
from the time consuming sampling at depth to the rapid technique of taking
surface samples. The test of the hypothesis that there were no differ-
ences between locations within ponds was rejected. The two-way analysis*
of variance indicated a significant interaction between pond and position
for temperature, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen and calcium
ion-concentration. A test of differences between positions at zero
sampling depth does not show any significant interaction. Apparently
the interaction has to do with deeper samples and could be the result
of inclusion of bottom sediments caused by the action of the water
sampling bottle. This would probably occur more frequently with deeper
ponds where it is more difficult to "feel the bottom" so as to exclude
the suspended muck. Unfortunately, our statistician informs us, "While
it is possible to make unbiased tests in the presence of significant
interaction it is not possible to make unbiased multiple comparisons."
This precludes identifying which individual ponds contribute to the
significance of the interaction.
Computations to estimate the size of sample (per pond) necessary
to detect differences about a pond mean of - 20% range from one sample
per pond for calcium and potassium to greater than fifty samples for
orthophosphate. As the latter is out of the question, in terms of time
and money, we will sample six locations per pond. This will allow
for at least - 20% confidence intervals for calcium, magnesium, sodium,
potassium, and sulfate. Orthophosphate confidence intervals will be
larger.
3
-------
Multiple regression analysis of relationships between independent
variables shows many of them to be not independent as is to be expected
among a correlation matrix involving cations, anions, conductivity and
pH. Further reduction in sampling and laboratory time may be possible,
after statistical analysis of all the pond data, if the dependence
between variables shown for the Firesteel data holds for all the other
ponds. Principal component analysis lends support to this possibility
in that six components can account for 99.8% of the variation. However,
it should be emphasized that this is only a preliminary analysis due
to the small data base. Data from all 45 ponds should be sufficient for
a meaningful principal component analysis.
AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES
Aquatic invertebrate benthic and planktonic sample processing
technique refinement is nearly complete. All invertebrate samples that
had not been processed at the time of the last progress report (Second
Semiannual Progress Report, January 1977) were held unprocessed until
near the beginning of the summer 1977 sampling season to consolidate
the work effort and to make the most efficient use of people hired for
this job. People to carry out the processing have been hired, trained,
and work has begun. Summer season 1977 invertebrate sampling has also
begun. The sampling scheme established during the 1976 sampling
season, and outlined in the Second Semiannual Progress Report, will
be used in the invertebrate sampling during the 1977 sampling season.
BASIN MORPHOMETRY
Aerial photographs of the study ponds are being completed and
part of the order has been delivered. A contract to conduct the
4
-------
remaining pond morphometry field survey, data reduction and final
presentation work is 'presently being negotiated. The pond morphometry
work should be completed by January 1978.
WATERFOWL USE
The objectives of the waterfowl phase of these studies are
1) to determine relative use of selected strip mine and stock ponds
by migrating waterfowl in spring and fall; 2) to determine waterfowl
production on selected strip mine and stock ponds; and 3) to relate
waterfowl use of these ponds to selected physical, chemical and
biological attributes of these ponds and surrounding areas.
Three waterfowl counts were made on the study ponds in April
and May 1977. Total waterfowl observed was 2009 (1299 on the nine
stock ponds and 710 on the 37 strip mine ponds). These counts are
summarized on Table 4.
Counts of number of broods and number of young per brood will
be made on the study ponds in late June-early July 1977.
5
-------
TABLE 1 BEULAH PONDS: HYSICAL 5 CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND
SAMPLE
BOTTOM
DISS.
SECCHI
ID
DATE
POSITION
DEPTH
DEPTH
TEMP.
COND.
pH
°2
DISC
Ca
Na
Mg
K
S04
P04
CI
meters
meters
°C
umhos
mg/1
meters
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
BC-1
7-28-76
S-l
0.0
0.4
22.0
1.80E4
7.73
8.40
0.4
45.7
303.2
58.76
18.30
557.0
6.3
BC-1
7-28-76
D-l
0.0
1.3
22.0
1.70E4
7.70
4.30
46.5
298.6
59.44
18.20
618.0
5.7
BC-1
7-28-76
D-l
1.0
1.3
22.0
1.80E4
7.70
8.50
45.6
297.8
57.51
18.20
567.0
5.9
BC-1
7-28-76
D-l
1.3
1.3
21.8
1.80E4
7.70
7.80
45.2
296.8
58.36
18.20
588.0
5.1
BC-1
7-28-76
D-2
0.0
1.7
21.5
1.80E4
9.01
6.98
0.3
44.8
293.4
57.36
18.10
660.0
5.1
BC-1
7-28-76
D-2
1.0
1.7
21.4
1.80E4
9.01
6.60
0.3
45.1
294.2
57.21
18.50
608.0
5.9
BC-1
7-28-76
D-2
1.7
1.7
20.5
1.80E4
9.00
4.55
0.3
44.8
292.4
57.59
18.10
629.0
5.9
BS-1
7-20-76
D-l
0.0
BS-1
7-20-76
D-l
1.0
BS-1
7-20-76
D-l
2.2
BS-1
7-20-76
D-2
0.0
BS-1
7-20-76
D-2
1.0
BS-1
7-20-76
D-2
2.5
BS-1
7-20-76
D-3
0.0
BS-1
7-20-76
D-3
1.0
BS-1
7-20-76
D-3
5.0
2.2
2.5
3.5
22.5
2.82E3
7.63
6.90
2.5
226.0
230.0
208.20
16.10
1514.0
22.0
2.83E3
7.67
7.00
2.5
187.9
228.0
208.20
15.50
1395.0
21.3
2.90E3
7.65
2.10
2.5
229.3
228.7
207.90
15.50
1206.0
23.3
2.87E3
7.70
5.00
3.0
226.0
230.0
211.40
15.50
1241.0
22.0
2.84E3
7.68
4^48
3.0
249.5
229.3
208.20
15.50
1412.0
20.5
3.03E3
7.68
1.50
3.0
221.0
228.7
210.40
15.50
1309.0
23.0
2.83E3
7.69
7.10
2.6
236.0
228.0
212.90
16.10
1617.0
22.4
2.83E3
7.70
6.69
2.6
226.0
229.3
213.60
15.50
1309.0
7.0
5.56E3
7.63
0.83
2.6
499.6
483.3
341.40
25.50
2687.0
BC = Beulah Stock Pond
BS = Beulah Coal Strip Mine Pond
-------
TABLE 1 BEULAH PONDS: PHYSICAL § CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND
SAMPLE
BOTTOM
DISS.
SECCHI
ID
DATE
POSITION
DEPTH
DEPTH
TEMP.
COND.
PH
°2
DISC
Ca
Na
Mg
K
so4
CI
meters
meters
°C
Vi mhos
mg/1
meters
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
BS-2
7-21-76
S-l
0.0
0.9
20.9
2.61E3
8.95
7.59
0.6
31.0
564.9
26.50
19.00
933.0
9. E
BS-2
7-21-76
S-l
0.9
0.9
21.9
2.62E3
8.95
7.62
0.6
31.1
563.2
26.40
19.00
746.0
9.1
BS-2
7-21-76
D-l
0.0
1.6
21.1
2.63E3
8.98
7.38
0.6
31.1
568.4
22.80
19.00
865.0
9.E
BS-2
7-21-76
D-l
1.0
1.6
21.0
2.60E3
8.91
7.30
0.6
30.9
564.9
25.80
19.00
831.0
8.S
BS-2
7-21-76
D-l
1.5
1.6
21.0
2.60E3
8.91
7.30
0.6
30.6
564.9
26.60
18.90
831.0
9.S
BS-2
7-21-76
D-l
1.5
1.6
21.9
2.60E3
8.92
7.35
0.6
30.8
563.2
26.70
19.00
899.0
9.2
BS-2
7-21-76
D-2
0.0
2.2
21.2
2.62E3
8.90
7.65
0.6
30,8
552.6
26.80
18.90
865.0
9.S
BS-2
7-21-76
D-2
1.0
2.2
21.0
2.65E3
8.91
7.55
0.6
30.6
550.9
26.60
19.00
857.0
10.2
BS-2
7-21-76
D-2
1.5
2.2
20.9
2.65E3
8.92
7.50
0.6
30.5
550.9
26.60
19.00
823.0
9.5
BS-3
7-21-76
S-l
0.0
0.9
21.1
1.42E3
8.58
7.48
0.4
43.9
268.4
15.50
15.40
427.0
3.!
BS-3
7-21-76
S-l
0.5
0.9
0.4
44.4
266.7
15.40
15.40
417.0
3.:
BS-3
7-21-76
D-l
0.0
1.5
20.9
1.40E3
8.58
7.54
0.4
44.2
264.9
15.40
15.20
392.0
3.;
BS-3
7-21-76
D-l
1.0
1.5
20.7
1.42E3
8.54
7.48
0.4
44.3
268.4
15.40
15.20
494.0
2.1
BS-3
7-21-76
D-l
2.1
1.5
20.8
1.45E3
8.55
7.50
0.4
44.6
270.2
15.50
15.30
448.0
3.'
BS-3
7-21-76
D-2
0.0
2.5
21.2
1.42E3
8.63
7.70
0.4
44.7
270.2
15.40
15.30
443.0
3.(
BS-3
7-21-76
D-2
1.0
2.5
21.2
1.48E3
8.63
7.62
0.4
43.9
268.4
15.50
15.20
488.0
3.'
BS-3
7-21-76
D-2
2.5
2.5
19.7
1.70E3
7.12
1.33
0.4
43.7
266.7
15.50
15.10
397.0
3.:
-------
TABLE 1
BEULAH PONDS: PHYSICAL 5 CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND
SAMPLE
BOTTOM
DISS.
SECCHI
ID
DATE
POSITION
DEPTH
DEPTH
TEMP.
COND.
PH
°2
DISC
Ca
Na
Mg
K
SO.
4
PO
4
CI
meters
meters
°C
ymhos
mg/1
meters
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
BS-4
7-22-76
D-l
0.0,
1.5
22.5
8.95E3
8.25
8.20
0.6
20.6
161.1
9.30
12.30
224.0
1.9
BS-4
7-22-76
D-l
l'.O,
1.5
22.7
9.03E3
8.82
8.20
0.6
20.8
161.1
9.30
12.20
201.0
2.6
BS-4
7-22-76
D-l
1.5
1.5
22.0
9.03E3
8.80
7.80
0.6
20.9
161.1
9.30
12.30
224.0
2.2
BS-4
7-22-76
D-2
0.0,
2.5
23.0
9.03E3
8.78
8;. 21
0.6
20.7
159.6
9.30
12.90
198.0
2.3
BS-4
7-22-76
D-2
1.0
2.5
22.1
9.10E3
8.79
8.20
0.6
20.7
158.7
9.30
12.10
201.0
2.5
BS-4
7-22-76
D-2
2.5
2.5
19.0
8.92E3
7.95
2.12
0.6
20.9
156.2
9.10
11.80
196.0
2.5
BS-4
7-22-76
D-3
0.0
3.5
23.5
9.11E3
8.71
8.20
0.7
20.6
162.0
9.20
12.10
204.0
2.6
BS-4
7-22-76
D-3
1.0
3.5
22.0
9.10E3
8.72
8.30
0.7
20.7
161.5
9.20
12.10
209.0
2.3
BS-4
7-22-76
D-3
2.0
3.5
20.2
8.95E3
8.30
3.30
0.7
21.3
157.2
9.30
11.90
204.0
2.1
BS-5
7-22-76
D-l
0.0
5.4
22.7
1.32E3
8.63
8.50
0.8
20.2
282.5
12.40
13.60
331.0
BS-5
7-22-76
D-l
1.0
5.4
20.9
1.38E3
8.52
8.53
0.8
20.5
285.1
12.50
13.40
315.0
BS-5
7-22-76
D-l
5.0
5.4
16.3
1.32E3
8.50
3.52
0.8
21.1
277.2
12.40
13.10
382.0
BS-5
7-22-76
D-2
0.0
3.7
21.8
1.00E3
9.22
7.85
0.9
20.5
282.5
12.40
13.50
366.0
BS-5
7-22-76
D-2
1.0
3.7
21 .9
1.05E3
9. 30
7.80
0.9
20.4
283.3
12.30
13.40
336.0
BS-5
7-22-76
D-2
3.5
3.7
20.4
1.08E3
9.22
6.00
0.9
20.6
279.8
12.40
13.30
346.0
BS-5
7-22-76
S-l
0.0
1.0
22.9
1.32E3
9.18
7.95
0.9
20.5
282.5
12.30
13.50
346.0
BS-5
7-22-76
S-l
0.7
1.0
22.0
1.32E3
9.25
8.02
0.9
20.5
278.9
12.30
13.40
326.0
-------
TABLE 1
BEULAH PONDS: PHYSICAL § CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND
SAMPLE
BOTTOM
DISS.
SECCHI
ID
DATE
POSITION DEPTH
DEPTH TEMP.
COND.
PH 02
DISC
Ca
Na
Mg
K
o
CO
P04
CI
meters
meters °C
umhos
mg/1
meters
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
BS-6 7-27-76 D-l 0.0 1.3 22.5 3.39E3 8.24 8.85 1.3 208.0 457.6 149.70 26.20 1730.0 7.4
BS-6 7-27-76 D-l 1.3 1.3 22.5 3.40E3 8.22 8.78 1.3 205.5 453.5 150.60 26.10 1832.0 6.5
BS-6 7-27-76 D-2 0.0 3.0 22.5 3.39E3 8.19 8.58 4.2 33.5 552.1 0.30 19.30 916.0 7.6
BS-6 7-27-76 D-2 1.0 3.0 22.3 3.39E3 8.18 8.60 4.2 193.7 457.6 148.20 26.20 1798.0 7.3
BS-6 7-27-76 D-2 3.0 3.0 22.1 3.46E3 8.18 8.52 4.2 201.1 461.7 152.10 26.00 1832.0 6.9
BS-6 7-27-76 D-3 0.0 5.0 22.4 3.42E3 8.20 8.50 4.5 195.5 456.2 149.40 26.30 1764.0 7.4
BS-6 7-27-76 D-3 1.0 5.0 22.3 3.42E3 8.19 8.52 4.5 179.8 457.6 148.50 26.20 2035.0 7.2
BS-6 7-27-76 D-3 4.8 5.0 21.8 3.45E3 8.08 7.20 4.5 216.4 457.6 155.40 26.30 1967.0 6.8
BS-6 7-27-76 D-3 5.0 5.0 21.8 3.45E3 8.08 7.20 4.5 196.8 454.8 150.90 26.10 2001.0 7.0
-------
TABLE 2
COLONY PONDS: PHYSICAL $ CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND
SAMPLE
BOTTOM
DISS.
SECCHI
ID
DATE
POSITION
DEPTH
DEPTH
TEMP.
COND.
PH
°2
DISC
Ca
Na
Mg
K
504
P04
CI
meters
meters
°C
Vimhos
mg/1
meters
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
CC-1
9-22-76
S-l
0.0
0.9
17.0
1.20E3
7.92
11.00
142.5
116.9
23.89
652.0
.011
14.8
CC-1
9-22-76
S-2
.0.0
17.0
1.10E3
7.90
9.65
141.4
118.5
24.04
14.60
604.0
.006
17.1
CC-1
9-22-76
S-3
Q.O
18.0
1.10E3
7.90
10.40
145.6
115.0
23.66
14.70
642.0
.006
17.3
CC-1
9-22-76
D-l
0.0
3.2
16.5
1.20E3
7.99
9.30
137.3
115.8
23.39
14.60
585.0
.015
18.1
CC-1
9-22-76
D-l
1.0
3.2
16.4
1.15E3
7.90
9.30
142.5
114.6
23.97
14.50
642.0
.000
17.4
CC-1
9-22-76
D-l
I
3.0
3.2
15.7
1.10E3
7.90
9.22
146.6
115.4
23.69
14.60
566.0
.021
17.1
CC-1
9-22-76
D-2
0.0
3.7
16.0
1.10E3
7.92
9.19
144.0
115.8
23.77
14.60
642.0
.011
" 17.4
CC-1
9-22-76
D-2
1.0
3.7
16.0
1.10E3
7.90
9.15
152.5
115.4
23.62
14.60
433.0
.008
17.0
CC-1
9-22-76
D-2
3.5
3.7
15.5
1.10E3
7.90
9.60
144.0
115.8
23.39
14.60
575.0
.006
17.9
CC-1
9-22-76
D-3
0.0
4.6
16.0
1.09E3
7.90
9; 38
151.4
112.7
22.61
14.80
.011
18.5
CC-1
9-22-76
D-3
1.0
4.6
16.5
1.08E3
7.90
9.40
140.9
113.9
23.89
14.60
613.0
.007
16.7
CC-1
9-22-76
D-3
4.4
4.6
16.0
1.10E3
7.90
8.80
147.2
111.2
23.54
14.40
851.0
.010
17.S
CC-2
9-30-76
S-l
0.0
0.8
14.2
2.10E3
7.78
8.50
0.8
30.6
464.8
12.83
13.20
775.0
.035
9.S
CC-2
9-30-76
S-2
0.0
1.0
14.0
2.20E3
7.75
8.50
0.8
30.4
461.6
14.45
13.80
879.0
.033
9.f
CC-2
9-30-76
S-3
0.0
0.5
14.0
2.20E3
7.80
8.50
0.8
30.1
460.4
14.22
13.50
965.0
.009
9.:
CC-2
9-30-76
S-4
0.0
0.7
14.2
2.17E3
7.74
8.60
0.8
30.7
461.6
14.30
12.90
775.0
.033
9.5
CC-2
9-30-76
S-5
0.0
1.0
14.6
2.20E3
7.78
8.60
0.8
31.1
454.0
14.15
12.80
756.0
.133
9.:
CC-2
9-30-76
D-l
0.0
1.2
13.7
2.10E3
7.75
8.50
0.8
30.8
454.1
14.30
12.80
746.0
.019
8.'
CC = Colony Stock Ponds
-------
TABLE 2 COLONY PONDS: 1YSICAL 5 CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND
ID
DATE
SAMPLE BOTTOM
POSITION DEPTH DEPTH TEMP.
DISS. SECCHI
COND.
PH
0.
DISC
Ca
Na
Mg
SO,
PO,
meters meters
ymhos
mg/1 meters mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
CS-1
CS-1
CS-1
CS-1
CS-1
CS-1
CS-1
CS-1
CS-1
CS-1
CS-1
CS-1
9-01-76
9-01-76
9-01-76
9-01-76
9-01-76
9-01-76
9-01-76
9-01-76
9-01-76
9-01-76
9-01-76
9-01-76
S-l
S-2
S-3
D-l
D-l
D-l
D-2
D-2
D-2
D-3
D-3
D-3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
4.5
0.0
1.0
4.0
0.0
1.0
2.5
1.1
0.7
4.8
4.8
4.8
4.4
4.4
4.4
2.9
2.9
2.9
20.0
21.0
21.0
20.2
20.0
19.0
21.9
20.4
19.5
21.0
20.5
20.0
4.90E3
5.00E3
5.00E3
6.95E3
5.00E3
5.00E3
5.00E3
5.00E3
4.95E3
4.90E3
4.98E3
5.00^3
8.60
8.70
8.70
8.65
8.65
8.68
8.65
8.62
8.50
8.62
8.60
8.60
8.30
8.70
9.25
8.30
7.43
7.55
8.70
8.30
7.48
9.05
8.69
8.60
1.1
1.0
0.9
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.0
1.0
1.0
0.9
0.9
0.9
124.3
123.4
122.5
123.0
123.0
123.9
123.9
123.4
123.9
123.4
126.6
125.7
1075.0
1086.2
1075.0
1064.0
1078.7
1071.3
1082.5
1056.6
1052.9
1056.6
1049.3
1052.9
45.27
44.41
44.98
44.13
44.98
44.13
45.83
45.83
44.13
45.55
45.83
45.55
18.40
18.50
18.40
18.40
18.30
20.40
18.30
18.20
18.30
18.20
18.20
18.10
.009
.006
.009
.008
.007
.004
.002
.001
.000
.000
.005
.000
CS-2
9-02-76
S-l
0.0
1.2
19.0
1.20E3
6.99
7.80
0.1
25.1
201.6
8.50
13.70
490.0 .002
CS-2
9-02-76
S-2
0.0
19.0
1.23E3
7. 10
8.10
0.1
24.9
202.1
8.48
11.60
547.0 .004
CS-2
9-02-76
S-3
0.0
20.0
1.31E3
7.20
8.20
0.1
25.8
202.1
8.62
12.70
509.0 .000
CS-2
9-02-76
D-l
0.0
9.5
19.0
1.99E3
7.02
8.05
0.1
24.4
200.5
8.42
13.60
528.0 .001
CS-2
9-02-76
D-l
1.0
9.5
18.7
1.10E3
7.00
8.00
0.1
25.0
201.6
8.56
13.50
547.0 .000
CS-2
9-02-76
D-l
8.0
9.5
16.0
1.40E3
5.55
0.68
0.1
24.1
203.2
8.50
13.60
613.0 .005
CS-2
9-02-76
D-2
0.0
3.5
19.5
1.32E3
7. 10
8.10
0.1
23.9
200.5
8.45
12.20
509.0 .003
CS-2
9-02-76
D-2
1.0,
3.5
19.5
1.35E3
7. 15
8.20
0.1
24.0
202.1
8.56
13.40
566.0 .000
CS-2
9-02-76
D-2
3.Q
3.5
19.5
1.35E3
7.10
8.10
0.1
23.8
202.1
8.56
15.30
566.0 .001
CS-2
9-02-76
D-3
0.0
3.0
19.0
1.30E3
7.28
8.30
0.1
24.3
204.3
8.45
14.50
566.0 .006
CS-2
9-02-76
D-3
1.0
3.0
19.0
1.30E3
7.25
8.40
0.1
23.8
205.4
8.45
13.90
566.0 .003
CS-2
9-02-76
D-3
2.5
3.0
18.9
1.30E3
7.01
8.21
0.1
23.7
201.6
8.59
18.90
547.0 .052
CS = Colony Bentonite Clay Strip Mine Ponds
-------
TABLE 2
COLONY PONDS: iYSICAL S CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND SAMPLE BOTTOM DISS. SECCHI
ID DATE POSITION DEPTH DEPTH TEMP. COND. pH 02 DISC Ca Na Mg K S04 P04 CI
meters meters °C ymhos mg/1 meters mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
CS-3
9-14-76
S-l
0.0,
1.0
14.6
1.00^3
7.88
CS-3
9-16-76
S-2
0.0,
1.4
17.4
9.2052
8.21
CS-3
9-16-76
S-3
0.0,
21.5
9.68E2
8.39
CS-3
9-14-76
D-l
0.0,
17.5
1.00E3
7.60
CS-3
9-14-76
D-l
1.0,
17.5
9.50E2
7.80
CS-3
9-14-76
D-l
4.2!
17.0
1.14E3
9.20
CS-3
9-14-76
D-2
0.0
7.7
15.7
9.90E2
7.68
CS-3
9-14-76
D-2
1.0.
7.7
16.4
9.70E2
7.95
CS-3
9-14-76
D-2
7.0'
7.7
15.9
1.00E3
8.50
CS-3
9-16-76
D- 3
o.q'
3.8
19.0
1.00E3
8.20
CS-3
9-16-76
D-3
1.0
3.8
18.0
1 .oop
8.12
CS-3
9-16-76
D-3
3.2
3.8
15.8
9.90E2
8.10
8,30
8,. 50
8|. 95
8,-50
8*. 50
8'j. 00
8;. 25
8'. 30
8)'. 16
8.69
8.49
8.40
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
18.9
18.8
17.5
18.3
18.6
19.1
18.4
18.4
18.7
18.4
19.3
19.3
164.3
165.2
165.7
161.9
163.4
164.3
164.3
163.8
161.9
164.8
163.4
163.8
5.86
5.92
5.35
5.58
5.72
5.98
5.83
5.98
5.78
5 .78
6.00
6.03
11.20
12.00
14.40
12.80
12.80
14.10
15.10
14.40
13.30
13.50
12.30
11.00
509.0
490.0
443.0
424.0
386.0
452.0
376.0
357.0
433.0
395.0
509.0
376.0
.015
.013
.009
.015
.012
.010
.021
.021
.013
.014
.012
.037
CS-4
9-21-76
S-l
0.0
15.0
4.50E3
9.50
8.89
CS-4
9-21-76
S-2
0.0
1.5
15.5
4.70E3
7.90
9.42
CS-4
9-21-76
S-3
0.0
1.2
16.0
4.70E3
7.90
9.55
CS-4
9-21-76
D-l
0.0
15.0
4.55E3
9.45
8.90
CS-4
9-21-76
D-l
1.0
15.0
4.55E3
9.45
8.95
CS-4
9-21-76
D-l
2.0
15.0
4.55E3
9.41
9.00
CS-4
9-21-76
D-2
0.0
15.5
4.70E3
7.90
9. 30
CS-4
9-21-76
D-2
1.0
15.5
4.68E3
7.90
9.30
CS-4
9-21-76
D-3
0.0
16.0
4.70E3
7.91
9.30
CS-4
9-21-76
D-3
1.0
16.0
4.71E3
7.91
9.32
CS-4
9-21-76
D-3
2.5
15.5
4.70E3
7.91
9.41
136.4
137.3
137.3
137.7
137.3
137.3
.137.7
138.2
138.6
138.2
138.6
1011.3
1025.7
1029.4
1011.3
1022.1
1011.3
1022.1
1011.3
1004.1
1007.7
1011.3
22.77
23.33
23.11
23.67
23.45
23.33
23.79
23.56
23.45
23.67
23.79
21.00
21.00
20.80
20.90
21.00
20.90
21.00
20.90
20.80
20.80
20.80
2652.0
2690.0
2671.0
2766.0
2538.0
3013.0
2994.0
2614.0
2766.0
2823.0
3184.0
.009
.012
.009
.013
.014
.014
.010
.020
.010
.009
.009
-------
TABLE 2
COLONY PONDS: IYSICAL § CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND
SAMPLE
BOTTOM
DISS.
SECCHI
ID
DATE
POSITION
DEPTH
DEPTH
TEMP.
COND.
PH
°2
DISC
Ca
Na
Mg
K
so4
P°4
CI
meters
i
meters
°C
ymhos
mg>l
meters
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
CS-5
10-13-76
S-l
0.0,
0.6
11.5
3.60E3
8.60
8.99
0.6
45.9
813.1
21.10
15.40
1935.0
.014
21.2
CS-5
10-13-76
S-2
0.0
0.2
11.7
3.62E3
8.55
9r.40
0.2
53.6
797.6
20.88
15.40
1640.0
.010
22.2
CS-5
10-13-76
S-3
0.0
0.2
11.5
3.60E3
7.40
9.60
45.6
816.2
21.45
15.40
1657.0
.008
22.2
CS-5
10-13-76
D-l
0.0
1.2
11.5
3.61E3
8.55
9.15
0.7
45.3
794.6
20.82
15.20
1831.0
.009
22.2
CS-5
10-13-76
D-l
1.0
1.2
11.6
3.60p3
8.40
8.90
0.7
45.2
797.6
20.57
15.20
1605.0
.013
22.0
CS-5
10-13-76
D-2
0.0
1.0
11.5
3.65E3
8.60
9.05
0.5
45.3
788.5
20.63
15.20
1761.0
.012
20.2
CS-5
10-13-76
D-3
0.0
1.0
11.0
3.60E3
8.50
9.55
0.5
45.6
791.5
21.04
15.20
1779.0
.005
20.2
CS-6
10-13-76
S-l
0.0
1.2
12.2
1.39E4
10.20
11.80
149.9
3679.8
178.74
32.50
9320.0
.006
152.9
CS-6
10-13-76
S-2
0.0
0.8
14.0
7.00E3
10.30
14.60
151.5
3623.8
183.51
32.70
9216.0
.000
160.3
CS-6
10-13-76
S-3
0.0
0.7
13.8
1.50E4
10.25
12.80
151.5
3633.1
181.29
32.30
9999.9
.008
154.2
CS-6
10-13-76
D-l
0.0
1.6
12.3
1.40E4
10.25
12.00
1.3
151.0
3717.3
182.24
32.10
8904.0
.016
154.2
CS-6
10-13-76
D-l
1.0
1.6
12.5
1.45E4
10.29
10.18
1.3
150.4
3726.8
182.56
32.00
9999.9
.013
148.1
CS-6
10-13-76
D-l
1.4
1.6
12.0
1.45E4
10.25
12.00
1.3
150.4
3698.5
181.92
32.00
8696.0
.017
157.5
CS-6
10-13-76
D-2
0.0
1.5
12.5
1.48E4
10.20
12.00
1.5
150.4
3670.4
178.11
31.90
9112.0
.005
148.0
CS-6
10-13-76
D-2
1.0
1.5
12.5
1.46E4
10.20
11.80
1.5
149.9
3707.9
178.74
32.10
8592.0
.010
148.0
CS-6
10-13-76
D-3
0.0
1.6
12.7
1.50E4
10.20
11.60
149.9
3651.7
179.70
31.70
9736.0
.008
148.0
CS-6
10-13-76
D-3
1.0
1.6
12.6
1.50E4
10.25
11.90
0.2
149.9
3717.3
179.06
31.90
9528.0
.008
155.4
-------
TABLE 2 COLONY PONDS: -'*YSICAL 5 CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND
SAMPLE
BOTTOM
DISS.
SECCHI
ID
DATE
POSITION
DEPTH
DEPTH
TEMP.
COND.
PH
0
2
DISC
Ca
Na
Mg
K
so4
P04
CI
meters
meters
°C
ymhos
mg/1
meters
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
CS-7
10-14-76
S-3
0.0
0.6
11.9
1.20E3
6.90
9.70
0.20
27.2
173.5
15.04
13.60
525.0
-.005
5.1
CS-7
10-14-76
D-l
0.0
2.1
11.5
7.35E2
6.97
9.61
0.20
27.2
176.5
15.24
13.50
517.0
.008
4.9
CS-7
10-14-76
D-l
1.0
2.1
11.8
7.33E2
6.99
9.55
0.20
28.8
178.5
15.08
13.30
499.0
.020
4.8
CS-7
10-14-76
D-l
1.8
2.1
11.9
7.30E2
6.90
9.52
0.20
28.8
178.0
15.04
13.50
482.0
.007
4.6
CS-7
10-14-76
D-2
0.0
2.6
11.8
7.30E2
6.92
9.60
0.20
28.4
174.5
15.24
13.10
577.0
.021
4.9
CS-7
10-14-76
D-2
1.0
2.6
11.8
7.31E2
6.90
9.'60
0.20
28.4
177.5
15.33
13.40
655.0
.019
4.7
CS-7
10-14-76
D-2
2.3
2.6
11.8
7.30E2
6.90
9.55
0.20
27.7
181.6
15.20
13.20
551.0
.005
4.9
CS-7
10-14-76
D-3
0.0
8.5
11.7
1.20E3
6.95
9.63
0.20
28.4
180.0
15.14
13.00
638.0
.010
4.6
CS-7
10-14-76
D-3
1.0
8.5
11.2
1.20E3
6.92
9.62
0.20
28.9
186.2
15.04
13.40
577.0
.008
4.7
CS-7
10-14-76
D-3
8.0
8.5
11.6
1.10E3
6.50
9.50
0.20
29.0
181.0
15.24
13.40
517.0
.010
4.9
CS-8
10-14-76
S-l
0.0
1.2
10.5
7.10E2
7.50
10.00
0.01
3.2
123.0
0.58
21.00
290.0
.119
3.1
CS-8
10-14-76
D-l
0.0
1.5
10.6
7.10E2
7.50
10.00
0.01
4.6
122.2
1.12
13.40
290.0
.062
2.5
CS-8
10-15-76
D-l
1.0
1.5
7.5
7.10E2
7.70
10.40
0.01
3.6
121.8
0.71
10.10
329.0
.062
1.9
CS-8
10-15-76
S-2
0.0
0.8
8.0
7.00E2
7.55
10.40
0.01
3.2
121.4
0.55
9.20
316.0
.026
3.5
CS-8
10-15-76
S-3
0.0
8.1
6.90E2
7.55
10.40
0.01
3.4
121.0
0.67
10.50
319.0
.025
2.7
CS-8
'10-15-76
D-2
0.0
1.5
7.5
7.20E2
7.55
10.40
0.01
3.7
118.6
0.71
10.80
337.0
.030
3.2
CS-8
10-15-76
D-2
1.0
1.5
7.5
7.00E2
7.60
10.40
0.01
3.5
118.6
3.34
9.60
308.0
.085
3.2
CS-8
10-15-76
D-3
0.0
1.6
7.5
7.00E2
7.55
11.50
0.01
2.9
118.6
0.83
58.00
399.0
.046
2.8
CS-8
10-15-76
D-3
1.0
1.6
7.5
7.00E2
7.60
11.50
0.01
3.1
118.2
0.36
79.00
306.0
.103
2.6
-------
TABLE 2
COLONY PONDS:
'SICAL & CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND
SAMPLE
BOTTOM
DISS.
SECCHI
ID
DATE
POSITION
DEPTH
DEPTH
Temp.
'!
COND.
PH
°2
DISC
Ca
Na
Mg
K
so4
P04
CI
meters
meters
I°c
1
ymhos
mg/1
meters
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
CS-9
10-01-76
Sr2
0.0
0.6
1
15.0
1.72E3
7.79
9.89
0.0
17.1
339.7
8.20
10.90
775.0
.010
13.6
CS-9
10-01-76
Sr3
0.0
0.7
15.0
1.75E3
7.80
9.81
0.0
16.6
358.6
8.10
10.90
756.0
.013
15.9
CS-9
10-01-76
Sr4
0.0
0.5
15.5
1.79E3
7.80
10.20
0.5
16.4
337.7
8.20
10.70
832.0
.014
14.8
CS-9
10-01-76
Sr5
0.0
0.6
15.4
1.55E3
7.80
9.89
0.6
16.4
346.6
8.01
10.60
690.0
.010
14.8
CS-9
10-01-76
Dpi
0.0
1.3
14.7
1.71E3
7.79
9.45
0.7
16.8
346.6
8.14
10.60
728.0
.008
12.2
CS-9
10-01-76
D-l
J
1.0
1.3
15.4
1.32E3
7.80
3.30
0.7
16.7
336.7
8.10
10.80
832.0
.007
13.7
CS-10
9-23-76
S-l
0.0
0.4
16.4
1.85E3
7.90
8.50
31.4
397.0
17.48
13.80
832.0
.008
11.5
CS-10
9-23-76
S-2
0.0
16.0
1.83E3
7.97
8.70
31.3
393.9
17.57
13.80
946.0
.008
10.9
CS-10
9-23-76
S-3
0.0
16.0
1.81E3
7.90
8.90
31.3
402.3
17.54
13.70
823.0
.000
11.1
CS-10
9-23-76
D-l
0.0
2.5
16.3
1.82E3
7.92
8.60
31.1
388.8
17.42
13.80
870.0
.016
11.2
CS-10
9-23-76
D-l
1.0
2.5
16.5
1.80E3
7.91
8.51
31.1
391.0
17.32
13.70
851.0
.015
11.3
CS-10
9-23-76
D-l
2.0
2.5
15.8
1.80E3
7.92
8.61
31.1
395.2
17.35
13.60
937.0
.014
11.2
CS-10
9-23-76
D-2
0.0
3.6
16.0
1.84E3
7.98
8.49
31.0
391.0
17.20
13.80
851.0
.014
10.9
CS-10
9-23-76
D-2
1.0
3.6
16.0
1.82E3
7.99
8.60
31.1
392.0
17.26
13.70
908.0
.014
12.0
CS-10
9-23-76
D-2
3.3
3.6
16.0
1.82E3
7.95
8.60
30.9
387.8
17.45
13.70
908.0
.008
11.1
CS-10
9-23-76
D-3
0.0
4.2
15.9
1.80E3
7.90
8.60
31.0
387.8
17.32
13.60
842.0
.000
11.1
CS-10
9-23-76
D-3
1.0
4.2
16.0
1.82E3
8.00
8.61
31.1
393.1
17.57
13.70
804.0
.010
11.1
CS-10
9-23-76
D-3
4.0
4.2
16.0
1.78E3
8.00
8.61
31.2
393.1
17.32
13.70
870.0
.012
11.1
-------
TABLE 2 COLONY PONDS: MYSICAL 5 CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND SAMPLE BOTTOM DISS. SECCHI
ID DATE POSITION DEPTH DEPTH TEMP. COND. pH 02 DISC Ca Na Mg K S04 P04 CI
meters meters °C ymhos mg/1 meters mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
CS-11
CS-11
CS-11
CS-11
CS-11
CS-11
CS-11
CS-11
CS-11
CS-11
CS-11
CS-11
9-23-76
9-23-76
9-23-76
9-23-76
9-23-76
9-23-76
9-23-76
9-23-76
9-23-76
9-23-76
9-23-76
9-23-76
S-l
S-2
S-3
p-1
P_1
D-l
D-2
D-2
,P"2
D-3
p-3
P-3
O.Q
o.q
o.q
o.q
1.0
2.q
0.0
1.q
2.5
0.q
1.q
2.5
0.7
0.5
0.4
2.5
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
14.8
14.9
15.0
14.7
14.7
14.5
14.9
14.9
14.1
15.5
14.5
14.5
1.21E3
1. lfj$E3
1.19E3
1.27E3
1.20E3
1.20E3
1.29E3
1.19E3
1.20E3
1.1$E3
1.20E3
1.20E3
7.90
7.90
7.90
7.90
7.92
7.90
7.92
7.90
7.90
7.91
7.90
7.90
8.61
8.69
8.65
8.70
8.65
8.64
8.85
8.70
8.55
9.00
8.73
8.50
19.2
258.8
5.61
11.90
319.0
.014
3.1
18.6
262.9
5.42
11.20
509.0
.025
3.6
19.0
264.6
5.67
11.20
462.0
.032
3.7
19.1
257.2
5.54
11.10
500.0
.021
4.1
18.7
262.9
5.54
12.00
509.0
.016
3.7
18.8
261.3
5.64
11.20
443.0
.016
3.8
19.3
262.1
5.45
11.20
452.0
.009
4.7
18.6
261.3
5.61
11.40
481.0
.012
3.7
19.3
263.7
5.57
11.10
319.0
.012
3.9
18.1
260.4
5.67
11.00
490.0
.009
3.7
18.2
262.1
5.64
11.10
538.0
.013-'
3.7
18.8
262.9
5.61
11.00
395.0
.015
3.8
CS-12
10-12-76
S-l
0.0
1.2
12.3
2.55E3
9 .00
9.70
CS-12
10-12-76
S-2
0.0
0.4
12.5
2.51E3
8.99
9.81
CS-12
10-12-76
S-3
0.0
0.6
12.5
2.55E3
8.95
9.81
CS-12
10-12-76
D-l
0.0
3.4
12.2
2.50E3
9.10
9.50
CS-12
10-12-76
D-l
1.0
3.4
11.8
2.55E3
9 .05
9.51
CS-12
10-12-76
D-l
3.0
3.4
11.9
2.55E3
9 .05
9.51
CS-12
10-12-76
D-2
0.0
4.0
11.5
2.51E3
9.00
9.51
CS-12
10-12-76
D-2
1.0
4.0
11.5
2.50E3
9 .00
9,51
CS-12
10-12-76
,D-2
3.5
4.0
11.0
2,5jlE3
9 .00
9.45
CS-12
10-12-76
D-3
0.0
1.7
12.2
2.55E3
9 .00
9.70
CS-12
10-12-76
D-3
1.0"
1.7
11.9
2.55E3
9.00
9.70
CS-12
10-12-76
D-3
1.5
1.7
11.5
2.55E3
9.00
9.70
33.2
32.9
32.7
33.0
33.0
33.2
33.0
33.0
32.8
32.7
33.2
32.9
506.2
509.5
507.8
504.6
504.6
498.2
503.0
495.0
506.3
507.8
514.3
498.2
20.29
20.57
20.32
20.48
20.42
20.63
20.76
20.38
20.60
20.23
20.42
20.10
15.40
15.50
15.20
15.30
15.20
15.30
15.30
15.40
15.30
15.20
15.70
15.30
1141.0
1089.0
1054.0
1063.0
1002.0
1123.0
1054.0
1089.0
1071.0
1071.0
1097.0
1089.0
.009 12.3
.012 12.6
.009 13.6
.006 13.6
.012 13.6
.010 13.6
.009 13.6
.012 13.2
.015 12.7
.010 12.7
.010 13.4
.015 12.3
-------
TABLE 2
COLONY PONDS: HYSICAL 5 CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND
ID
DATE
SAMPLE
POSITION DEPTH
BOTTOM
DEPTH
TEMP.
COND.
DISS.
pH 02
SECCHI
DISC
Ca
Na
Mg
K
so4
P04
CI
meters
meters
°C
ymhos
mg/1
meters
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
CS-13
10-05-76
S-l
0.0
0.6
11.0
3.40E2
8.10
9.20
20.2
30.6
6.82
9.60
82:7
009
2.5
CS-13
10-05-76
S-2
0.0
0.6
12.2
3.40E2
8.19
9.65
20.1
30.8
6.98
9.60
85.0
015
1.6
CS-13
10-05-76
S-3
0.0
0.6
11.0
3.38E2
8.10
9.44
18.7
30.2
7.01
9.60
88.4
.009
1.9
CS-13
10-05-76
D-l
0.0
1.8
11.0
3.39E2
8.15
9.15
19.9
30.1
6.89
9.60
67.9
.007
2.1
CS-13
10-05-76
D-l
1.0
1.8
11.0
3.39E2
8.10
9.12
19.8
30.1
6.98
9.70
66.8
.011
2.0
CS-13
10-05-76
D-2
0.0
2.7
11.5
3.40E2
8.16
9.40
20.1
29.6
6.79
9.70
63.4
.013
2.2
CS-13
10-05-76
D-2
1.0
2.7
11.5
3.37E2
8.12
9.31
19.8
30.4
6.70
9.90
59.9
.007
2.3
CS-13
10-05-76
D-2
2.0
2.7
10.5
3.39E2
8.03
8.90
19.8
29.9
6.76
10.20
86.2
.006
2.5
CS-13
10-05-76
D-3
0.0
2.5
11.7
3.40E2
8.17
9.50
20.8
30.2
6.61
10.20
57.7
.008
2.5
CS-13
10-05-76
D-3
1.0
2.5
11.5
3.35E2
8.15
9.31
20.6
29.9
6.73
10.10
77.0
.007
2.1
CS-13
10-05-76
D-3
2.0
2.5
10.7
3.39E2
8.10
9.10
19.9
30.1
6.86
9.80
77.0
.011-
2.2
-------
TABLE 3 SHERIDAN PONDS PHYSICAL 5 CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND
SAMPLE
BOTTOM
1
DISS.
SECCHI
ID
DATE
POSITION DEPTH
DEPTH TEMP.
COND
pH 02
DISC
Ca
Na
Mg
K
so4
P04
CI
meters
meters °C
ymho^
. , . l,
mg/1
meters
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
SC-1
SC-1
SC-1
SC-1
SC-1
SC-1
8-10-76
8-10-76
8-10-76
8-10-76
8-10-76
8-10-76
S-l
D-l
D-l
D-2
-2
-3
0.0
0.0
1.0
0.0
1.0
1.0
7
3
3
,1
,1
,1
20.5
19.8
19.3
19.5
19.0
19.5
5.60p
5. 73p3
5.80E3
5.75^3
5.80E3
5.00E3
9. 81
9.48
9.22
9.53
9.18
9.50
12.50
9.08
5.32
7.10
5.28
6.80
0.7
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.7
39.7 30.2 42.00 13.80 168.0
39.6 30.6 41.18 13.70 178.0
39.0 30.7 41.11 13.60 174.0
38.8 29.9 41.56 13.70 200.0
SS-1
8-16-76
S-l
0.0
0.4
21.8
2.50E4
8.80
10.16
SS-1
8-16-76
S-2
0.0
0.7
21.8
2.49E4
8.85
8.40
SS-1
8-16-76
S-3
0.0
22.5
2.50E4
8.71
8.90
SS-1
8-16-76
D-l
0.0
1.6
22.6
2.51E4
8.88
10.96
SS-1
8-16-76
D-l
1.0
1.6
21.4
2.43E4
8.80
10.16
SS-1
8-16-76
D-2
0.0
3.7
21.8
2.47E4
8.80
8.30
SS-1
8-16-76
D-2
1.0
3.7
21.0
2.49E4
8.79
7.49
SS-1
8-16-76
D-2
3.5
3.7
20.5
2.49E4
8.60
7.30
SS-1
8-16-76
D-3
0.0
5.3
22.5
2.48E4
8.70
8.86
SS-1
8-16-76
D-3
1.0
5.3
20.4
2.50E4
8.75
8.00
SS-1
8-16-76
D-3
5.0
5.3
16.6
2.45E4
7.54
0.30
SC = Sheridan Stock Pond
SS = Sheridan Coal Strip Mine Ponds
0.4 125.3 198.8 221.80 31.20 1335.0
125.8 199.4 225.40 30.70 1335.0
127.2 201.8 225.00 30.80 1539.0
0.8 123.3 203.6 227.90 31.20 1165.0
0.8 123.3 203.6 226.10 30.70 1505.0
1.0 126.2 201.8 226.10 30.50 1505.0
1.0 122.9 200.0 223.60 30.70 1454.0
1.0 123.8 199.4 222.50 30.40 1199.0
1.1 126.2 197.6 226.10 30.90 1267.0
1.1 126.2 197.6 223.90 30.90 1454.0
1.1 139.2 190.4 219.60 29.90 1369.0
-------
TABLE 3
SHERIDAN PONDS PHYSICAL $ CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND ' SAMPLE BOTTOM ' DISS. SECCHI
ID DATE POSITION DEPTH DEPTH TEMP. COND. pH 02 DISC Ca Na Mg K S04 P04 CI
meters meters °C ymhos mg/1 meters mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
SS-2
8-10-76
S-l
o.q
0.8
22.7
1.20E4
SS-2
8-10-76
S-2
O.Q
1.1
22.8
1.22^4
SS-2
8-10-76
S-3
O.Q
1.1
22.5
1.30p4
SS-2
8-11-76
P-1
o.q
4.4
22.5
1.32p4
SS-2
8-11-76
D-l
l.q
4.4
21.7
1.31f4
SS-2
8-11-76
D-l
4.q
4.4
21.2
1.35E4
SS-2
8-10-76
P-2
o.q
2.7
22.8
1.30p4
SS-2
8-10-76
D-2
i.q
2.7
22.0
1.28^4
SS-2
8-10-76
D-2
2.5
2.7
22.5
1.28E4
SS-2
8-11-76
{>" 3
o.q
4.3
22.0
1.30E4
SS-2
8-11-76
p-3
1.0
4.3
21.7
1.30p4
SS-2
8-11-76
P-3
4-Cj
4.3
21.2
1.31p4
9.08
8.88
8.98
8.90
8.90
8.71
8.85
9.00
8.59
8.90
8.90
8.73
10.60
10.46
9.15
8.80
8.90
9.92
9.69
13.10
10.30
8.80
8.90
8.15
0.8
1.1
1.1
4.4
4.4
4.4
2.3
2.3
2.3
76.4
76.4
76.1
75.9
76.6
77.1
75.7
94.4
94.1
75.9
76.1
75.1
87.1
86.3
86.7
85.6
86.3
86.3
84.6
100.7
88.8
90.9
91.7
92.1
113.10
113.40
113.30
112.90
113.90
111.60
112.80
124.70
133.30
120.00
119.50
119.50
19.90
19.50
19.50
19.40
19.40
19.80
19.60
22.40
19.50
19.50
19.30
19.30
498.0
702.0
583.0
617.0
727.0
523.0
676.0
719.0
574.0
532.0
557.0
651.0
SS-3
SS-3
SS-3
SS-3
SS-3
SS-3
SS-3
SS-3
SS-3
SS-3
SS-3
SS-3
8-12-76
8-12-76
8-12-76
8-12-76
8-12-76
8-12-76
8-12-76
8-12-76
8-12-76
8-12-76
8-12-76
8-12-76
S-l
S-2
S-3
D-l
D-l
D-l
D-2
D-2
D-2
D-3
L>-3
D-3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
0.0
1.0
3.5
0.0
1.0
2.0
0.6
0.8
0.5
2.2
2.2
2.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
2.1
2.1
2.1
22.1
22.7
22.1
22.1
21.5
20.8
22.7
21.9
20.6
22.2
22.0
21.4
1.52E4
1.59E4
1.55E4
1.55E4
1.60E4
1.59E4
1.58E4
1.60E4
1.59E4
1.53E4
1.57E4
1.57E4
8.41
8.50
8.39
8.42
8.39
8.48
8.48
8.43
8.05
8.39
8.40
8.39
9.61
9.89
9.02
9.51
8.71
8.15
9.60
8,82
5.78
9.10
9.09
9.57
0.6 93.3 101.1 142.20 22.70 668.0
0.8 93.8 102.3 142.40 22.60 702.0
77.1 86.0 128.50 19.50 600.0
2.0 93.6 100.0 143.40 22.40 719.0
2.0 93.8 99.8 145.10 22.30 676.0
2.0 97.8 100.0 140.40 22.40 651.0
3.2 95.2 100.0 145.50 22.40 617.0
3.2 95.7 96.2 144.40 22.20 753.0
3.2 97.3 99.2 141.20 22.20 685.0
2.1 95.2 99.2 143.00 22.20 753.0
2.1 ' 94.9 100.0 144.20 22.20 617.0
2.1 - 93.8 99.2 143.20 22.10 617.0
-------
TABLE 3
SHERIDAN PpNDF PHYSICAL § CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND SAMPLE BOTTOM DISS. SECCHI -
ID DATE POSITION DEPTH DEPTH TEMP. COND. pH p2 DISC Ca Na Mg K S04 P04 CI
meters meters °C ymhos mg/1 meters mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
SS-4
8-12-76
S-l
0.Q
0.5
22.5
1.50E4
8.91
9>. 90
SS-4
8-12-76
S-2
o.p
0.7
22.3
1.51,E4
8.99
1(}.44
SS-4
8-12-76
S-3
o 9
1.2
21.7
1.50E4
8.91
9.70
SS-4
8-12-76
D-l
o.p
1.9
22.5
1.51,E4
8.90
9|.56
SS-4
8-12-76
D-l
1.0
1.9
21.7
1.50E4
8.95
9.85
SS-4
8-12-76
D-2
0.0
2.3
22.0
1.50E4
8.90
9.70
SS-4
8-12-76
D-2
1.0
2.3
21.5
1.50.E4
9.00
10.20
SS-4
8-12-76
D-2
2.0
2.3
20.8
1.52iE4
8.40
4.25
SS-4
8-12-76
D-3
0.0
1.5
21.5
1.5QE4
8.89
?.31
SS-4
8-12-76
D-3
1.0
1.5
21.3
1.50E4
8.90
9.69
0,
0
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.5
1.5
143.8
143.8
143.8
143.8
144.3
145.3
143.8
144.8
143.3
143.8
44.4
44.0
44.2
44.2
44.1
44.2
44.0
44.0
44.1
44.0
113.30
111.90
111.60
111.30
112.20
111.00
109.80
111.30
108.00
108.00
18.80
18.60
18.50
18.40
18.40
18.40
18.50
18.40
18.40
18.40
719.0
651.0
668.0
787.0
736.0
668.0
736.0
778.0
897.0
736.0
N)
O
SS-6
8-16-76
S-l
0.0
0.6
20.5
1.00E4
8.60
7.93
1.3
72.6
32.5
77.90
17.00
379.0
SS-6
8-16-76
S-2
0.0
0.8
20.5
9.70E3
8.60
7.90
1.3
72.4
32.6
78.10
17.40
379.0
SS-6
8-16-76
S-3
0.0
1.0
21.0
9.63E3
8.60
7.90
1.3
72.9
32.7
79.20
17.50
362.0
SS-6
8-16-76
D-l
0.0
5.4
19.5
9.70E3
8.55
7.75
1.3
72.6
32.5
77.60
17.50
404.0
SS-6
8-16-76
D-l
1.0
5.4
20.0
9.85E3
8.60
7.60
1.3
73.6
32.7
79.30
17.40
430.0
SS-6
8-16-76
D-l
5.0
5.4
18.6
1.00E4
7.50
4.10
1.3
72.6
31.7
78.80
17.30
379.0
SS-6
8-16-76
D-2
0.0
4.0
19.5
9.80E3
8.60 .
7.78
1.3
73.3
32.5
80.00
17.40
387.0
SS-6
8-16-76
D-2
1.0
4.0
20.5
9.80E3
8.58
7.63
1.3
72.4
32.2
79.50
17.20
413.0
SS-6
8-16-76
D-2
3.6
4.0
20.5
9.80E3
8.40
7.10
1.3
72.6
32.5
78.40
17.20
489.0
SS-6
8-16-76
D-3
0.0
2.1
20.5
9.70E3
8.60
8.10
1.3
72.6
32.2
78.10
17.40
447.0
SS-6
8-16-76
D-3
1.9
2.1
20.5
9.71E3
8.60
8.15
1.3
72.2
32.5
77.60
17.50
473.0
-------
rABLE 3 SHERIDAN PONDS' PHYSICAL 5 CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
POND
SAMPLE
BOTTOM
DISS.
SECCHI
ID
DATE
POSITION
DEPTH
DEPTH
TEMP.
COND.
PH
°2
DISC
Ca
Na
Mg
K
SO. PO.
4 4
CI
meters
meters
°C
pmhos
mg/1
meters
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1 mg/1
mg/1
SS-7
8-11-76
S-l
0.0
1.0
23.5
2.70E4
9.95
11.90
1.0
28.6
338.0
210.00
30.80
1573.0
30.9
SS-7
8-11-76
S-2
0.0
0.6
23.5
2.68E4
9.91
12.18
0.6
28.6
335.9
210:00
30.90
1539.0
31.9
SS-7
8-11-76
S-3
0.0
0.4
23.5
2.70E4
9.90
12.04
0.4
28.9
335.9
209.40
30.90
1250.0
31.9
SS-7
8-11-76
D-l
0.0
1.8
23.0
2.60E4
9.91
11.00
1.8
28.7
335.9
213.30
30.80
1505.0
33.0
SS-7
8-11-76
D-l
1.0
1.8
22.1
2.60E4
10.00
12.40
1.8
28.7
332.6
216.70
30.70
1573.0
34.3
SS-7
8-11-76
D-2
0.0
2.6
23.1
2.65E4
9.91
11.00
2.6
28.5
337.0
213.30
30.70
1369.0
34.3
SS-7
8-11-76
D-2
1.0
2.6
22.5
2.65E4
9.95
12.20
2.6
28.4
332.6
212.20
30.40
1471.0
31.6
SS-7
8-11-76
D-2
2.3
2.6
21.3
2.63E4
9.60
7.70
2.6
28.5
335.9
211.10
30.70
1199.0
33.8
SS-7
8-11-76
D-3
0.0
2.6
23.0
2.68E4
9.90
11.54
2.6
28.7
333.7
212.80
30.80
1216.0
32.4
SS-7
8-11-76
D-3
1.0
2.6
22.0
2.69E4
9.95
10.18
2.6
28.5
332.6
212.20
30.60
1539.0
34.5
SS-7
8-11-76
D-3
2.3
2.6
21.0
2.68E4
9.93
11.40
2.6
28.9
330.4
212.80
30.40
1267.0
33.3
-------
TABLE SPRING WATERFOWL COUNTS ON STUDY PONDS
AREA
PONDS
NO.
PONDS
AVE. NO. DUCKS/
VISIT/POND
PRINCIPLE SPECIES
Colony
Strip
13
4.2
Am. widgeon, Mallard
Stock
3
22.3
Mallard, Canvasback
Sheridan
Strip
7
1.0
Mallard
Stock
2
2.3
Mallard
Beulah
Strip
6
2.8
Mallard
Stock
1
30.3
Ring-neck, Mallard
Gascoyne
Strip
1
113.0
Redhead, Mallard
Stock
1
327.0
Mai., Can., Am. Wid.
Firesteel
Strip
10
4.5
Ringneck, Mallard
Stock
2
2.0
Mallard
22
-------
THIRD SEMIANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
JUNE 1977
DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS
FOR
WATER IMPOUNDMENTS
IN
NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS
STRIP MINED AREAS
PART II
Ecological Analysis of Aquatic and Terrestrial
Plant Communities Associated With Selected
Strip Mines and Stock Ponds in the
Northern Great Plains
by
William T. Barker, Principal Investigator
Richard A. Olson, Research Assistant
Department of Natural Resources
North Dakota State University
Fargo, North Dakota
EPA-IAG-D5-E764 Subagreement 77BED
and
Cooperative Agreement 16-606-CA
-------
Kay 10, 1977
Research Progress Report on l6-6Co CA
Title: Ecological Analysis of Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant
Communities Associated With Selected Strip 1-iines and Stock
Ponds In the Northern Great Plains
Submitted 3y: Dr. William T. Barker and Richard Olson, Botany
Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North
Dakota,- 58102.
Progress: Aouatic "and semi-acuatic plant communities were sampled
from early July to late August, 1976, on one mine spoil pond and
one stockdam from each of five geographical study areas in north-
eastern Wyoming, southwestern North Dakota, and northwestern South
Dakota. Cosl strip mines were sampled at Sheridan, Wyoming;
Gascoyne, North Dakota; Beulah, North Dakota; and Firesteel, South
Dakota. One bentonite strip mine was sampled at Colony, Wyoming.
A description of each plant community sampled was reported in a
previous progress report dated November 10, 1976. That report is
included in Appendix A as a supplement to this report.
Color aerial photographs were taken in the summer, 1976, of
each stockdam and mine pond. Major aquatic and semi-aquatic plant
communities were outlined on enlarged color aerial photos. Ground
observation maps, constructed during the 1976 summer sampling
period, provided guidelines in locating plant communities on the
aerial photos. Other factors on aerial photos such as color
variation, textural differences, and distinct plant community
boundaries, characteristic of monospecific wetland communities,
were utilized in segregating aquatic communities.
Plainimetric methods were used to determine surface water
area, basin area, and plant community extent from color aerial
photos of each study pond. Fond outlines and plant community
distribution were traced from the color aerial photos. A summary
of this data follows in Tables 1-10 and Figures 1-9. Data for
Colony mine pond is not included due to a technical delay in the
enlarging procedure.
Plainimetric techniques indicate that stockdams, generally,
encompass more area than mine ponds, as reflected in both larger
basin and open water area (Table 1). An interesting pattern of
TDlant community distribution occurs when comparing maps of stock-
dams to mine ponds. Aquatic and semi-aquatic communities appear
in a mosaic pattern on stockdams and a somewhat more concentric
pattern~on mine ponds, probably due to differences in basin slope.
As reported earlier, average pond standing crop per hectare
(averaging all communities together) is greater on mine ponds,
however, the diversity of major aquatic communities is greater
-------
2.
on stockdams (Table 11). Differences in basin slope probably account
for this phenomenon. Concentrically located community bands are
considerably narrower and denser on mine ponds while the more
gradual slope of stockdam basins favor wider community bands,
reduced density, and a greater number of established communities.
Similar trends exist at the community level when comparing
standing crop yields (kg/ha) of wet meadow, emergent, and submergent
communities of stockdams and mine ponds of the same geographical
area. Standing crop yields (kg/ha) of wet meadow, emergent, and
submergent communities are greater on mine Donds than stockdams
(Tables 2-10).
Data on annual water level fluctuations has been compiled
since spring, 1976. Graduated centimeter scales were placed in
each study pond during spring, 1976, to measure natural drawdown.
Upon removal in fall, 1976, steel stakes were placed on shore at
each pond to monitor water level changes over winter. A builder's
level was placed on each stake, leveled, sighted to a centimeter
scale held at the water surface, and the reading recorded. In spring,
1977, a graduated centimeter scale was reinstalled at each pond to
reasure summer drawdown and the water level recorded from each
permanent steel stake. Data obtained from this procedure will
provide a continuous graphical account of seasonal water level
fluctuation due to natural summer drawdown and spring recharge.
Future Plans: Preparations are underway for the 1977 summer field
season. Aquatic and semi-aquatic plant communities will again be
sarpled from permanently marked major transects located at each
study pond. Density, frequency, estimated percent of canopy cover,
relative density, relative frequency, relative canopy coverage,
and importance values will be calculated from 0.25m2 quadrats
placed randomly along minor transects passing through the core of
each community.
Soil samples will be collected at each study pond and analyzed
for major macronutrient concentrations (Ca, K, Mg, Na, N, and P).
l.'ater chemistry analyses are planned for such parameters as
dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, pH, and alkalinity.
Bathymetric maps will be constructed using a standard-plane table
technique to provide data on mean basin slope, lake volume,
maximum water depth, and mean water depth. Viater temperature data
obtained from thermographs placed in each study pond last summer
will be analyzed and summarized. A method to correlate these
factors with the extent, standing crop, and presence of specific
plant communities on each pond will be determined.
Water level fluctuation data from graduated centimeter scales
and permanent steel stakes will be summarized. Summer drawdown
data and pond standing crop will be compared as an indication of
water lost through evapotranspiration.
-------
Aquatic and semi-acuatic plant collections are planned for
each study pond. A complete list of plant species, arranged by
family, will be compiled for each pond based on collections and
sampling data. The review of literature will be continued.
-------
List of Tables
Page
Table 1. Basin and open water area for each study
pond sampled during summer, 1976 6
Table 2. Plant communities, their extent, and standing
crop yields of Beulah mine Dond, Tllf5N, R86VJ,
Sec. 21 1 8
Table 3. Plant communities,, their extent, and standing
crop yields of Beulah stockdam, TlM+N, R85W,
Sec. 32. . . .10
Table *f. Plant communities, their extent, and standing
crop yields of Bowman mine pond, T131N, R100W,
Sec. 25 12
Table 5. Plant communities, their extent, and standing
crop yields of Bowman stockdam, T130N, R101W,
Sec. 3 lk
Table 6. Plant communities, their extent, and standing
crop yields of Firesteel mine pond, T17N, R23E,
Sec. 18. 16
Table 7. Plant communities, their extent, and standing
crop yields of Firesteel stockdam, T17N, R23E,
Sec. 8 ; . ..... 18
Table 8. Plant communities, their extent, and standing
crop yields of Sheridan mine nond, T57N, R38E,
Sec. 1 ". 20
Table 9. Plant communities, their extent, and standing
crop yields of Sheridan stockdam, T58IT, R85i',
Sec. 35. 22
Table 10.Plant communities, their extent, and standing
crop yields of Colony stockdam, T56N, R6CU,
Sec. 17 2k
Table 11.Average standing crop (kg/ha) for all
communities at each study oond ... 25
-------
5
List of Figures
Page
Figure 1. Plant communities of Beulah mine pond,
TlM-^N, R86VJ, Sec. 21 7
Figure 2. Plant communities of Beulah stockdam,
TlM+N, R85U, Sec. 32 9
Figure 3. Plant communities of Bowman mine pond,
T131N, R10CW, Sec. 2 5 11
Figure *+. Plant communities of Bovman stockdam,
T130N, R1C1VJ, Sec. 3 13
Figure 5. Plant communities of Firesteel mine pond,
T17N, R23E, Sec. 18 15
Figure 6. Plant communities of Firesteel stockdam,
T17N, R23E, Sec. 8 17
Figure 7. -Plant communities of Sheridan mine pond,
T57N, E38E, Sec. 1 " 19
Figure 8. Plant communities of Sheridan stockdam,
T58N, R85W, Sec. 35 21
Figure 9. Plant communities of Colony stockdam,
T56N, R6CW, Sec. 17 23
-------
Table 1.
Easin and open
during summer,
water area
1976.
for each.study
pond sampled
Kine
Ponds
Stockdams
Basin
Area (ha)
Open VJater
Area (ha)
Basin
Area (ha)
Open VJater
Area (ha)
Beulah
2.97
1.36
l8.2Lf
10.35
Bovrnan
1.7^
1.56
8.36
5.58
Firesteel
2.91
1.9b-
^.02
2.08
Sheridan
1.03
0.76
1.02
O.b-8
*
Colony
--
25.36
17.3^
*
Enlarged color aerial photo of Colony mine pond unavailable
for this report.
-------
Figure 1. Plant communities of Beulah nine oond, Tl'+^N,
R86W, Sec. 21.
-------
8.
Table 2. Plant communities, their extent, and standing crop yields
of Beulah mine pond, T11+5N, R86Vi, Sec. 21.
Standing Crop Estimated Wetland
Community Extent (ha) Yield (kg/ha) Standing Crop (kg)
Tyt>ha glauca 1.51 1^960.80 22590.81
Kyriophyllum exalbescens 0.58 1+25l+.l+0 2^-67.55
Phragmites australis 0.07 ^729.20 331.0*+
-------
9.
.r:
Plant Communities
1. Typha glauca
2. Potamogeton pectinatus
3. Snartina pectinata
Typha latifolia
5. Spareanium eurycarpum
6. Scirpus acutus
7. Hordeura jubatum
8. Scirpus validus
9. Eleocharis palustris
Figure 2. Plant communities of Beulah stockdam, TlM+N,
R85W, Sec. 32.
-------
10.
Table 3. Plant communities, their extent, and standing crop yields-
of Beulah stockdam, TlVVl'J, R85"', Sec. 32.
Standing Crop Estimated Wetland
ComiTiunity Extent (ha) Yield (kg/ha) Standing Crop (kg)
Tvr»ha slauca
1.01
15526.80
15682.07
Potamopeton oectinatus
2.8V
3999.60
11358.86
Soartina D6ctinata
2.5V
39V6.00
10022 . 8V
Tyoha Tatifolia
0.76
11870.00
9021.20
Snareanium eurvcarnum
1.V3
5230.80
7V80.0V
ScirDus acutus
0.6V
62 58.80
V005.63
Hordeum .iubatum
1.08
1866.00
2015.28
Scirous validus
0.26
5908.00
1536.08
Eleocharis ualustris
0.28
2721.60
762.05
-------
Plant Communities
].. I-'y'riopbyllum exalbescens
2. Fotarnogeton nectlnatus
3. Eleocharis palustris- Typha latifolia
k. Scirpus acutus
5. Scirpus americanus- Eleocharis palustris
Plant communities of Bov;man mine pond, T131N,
RlOa', Sec. 2 5.
-------
12.
Table b. Plant communities, their extent, and standing crop yields
of Bowman mine pond, T131N, R10CW, £ec. 2^.
Standing Crop Estimated Wetland
Community Extent (ha) Yield (kg/ha) Standing Crop (kg)
Ilvriophvllum exalbescens 0.^4+ I7878.OO 7866.32
Potamogeton pectinatus 0.38 8379.60 3l8^f.25
Eleocharis palustris-
Typha latifolia 0.1*f 7277.60 1018.86
Scirpus acutus 0.09 7^+5^.*+ 0 670.90
Scirpus americanus-
Eleocharis palustris 0.11 *+170.00 *+58.70
-------
Plant Communities
1. Pota^ogeton -oectinatus
Potamogeton nusillus
2. Scirous acutus
3 ?cj tdus americanus
l+. Tynha latifolia 5,
5. Eleocharis nalustris
6. Hordeum .iubatum
6
5
-k
2.
>1+
M
-5
Figure If. Plant communities of Bov/man stockdam, T130N.
R101VJ, Gee. 3.
-------
Table 5. Plant communities,, .their extent, and standing crop yields
of Bovjman stockdam, T130IJ, R101W, Sec. 3.
Standing Crop Estimated Wetland
Copmunity Extent (ha) Yield (kg/ha; Standing Crop (kg)
PotanoReton uectinatus-
Potamcseton ousillus
2.59
^968.^+0
12868.16
Scirous acutus
0.66
7801.20
51^8.79
Scirnus americanus
0.58
6993.60
^056.29
Tyr>ha latifolia
0.18
12 830.^-0
2309.^7
Eleocharis palustris
0.52
3833.60
1993. *+7
Horceum .iubatum
0.^6
lM+2.1+0
663.50
-------
YJ
S
15.
N
Plant Communities
1. Typha glauca
2. Tvoha latifolia
3. Scirous acutus
U-. I'vrioohvllun exslbescens
5. Smarting pectinata
Figure 5. Plant conrunities of Firesteel mine pond, T17N,
R23E, Tec. 18.
-------
16.
Table 6. Plant communities, their extent, and standing crop yields
of Firesteel mine pond, T17N, R23E, Sec. 18.
Standing Crop Estimated Wetland
Community Extent (ha) Yield (kg/ha; Standing Crop (kg)
Tyoha glauca O.^fl 30*+l8.80 12*+71«71
Tyaha latifolia 0.19 1676^.^0 3l85#2*+
Scirpus acutus 0.01 15681.20 156.81
I-iyriophyllum exalbescens 0.80 3556.00 28M+.80
Spartina, pectinata 0.08 3708.00 296.6*f
-------
17.
*2\
-------
IS.
Table 7. Plant conDunities, their extent, and standing crop..yields
of Firesteel stockdam, T17N, R2jE, Sec. 8.
Standing Crop Estimated Vietland
Community Extent (ha) Yield (kg/ha) Standing Crop (kg)
Eleocharis ralustris-
C-lvceria grand is
Carex lanuginosa
C.80
2311+.00
1851.20
Glyceria borealis
0.6k
2*4-87.20
1591.81
Potaposeton richardsonii
oo
ON
o
1368.^0
13^1.03
SDareanium eurycarouro
0.33
3881+.1+0
1281.85
Scirrms heterochaetus
0.08
6603.60
528.29
-------
19.
Figure 7. Plant communities of Sheridan mine pond, T57N,
R38E, Sec. 1.
-------
20.
Table 8. Plant communities, their extent, and standing crop yields
of Sheridan mine pond, T57N, R3&E, Sec. 1.
Standing Crop Estimated Wetland
Comrrunity Extent (ha) Yield (kg/ha) Standing Crop (kg)
Tvrha glauca 0.27 6199.20 1673.78
Hyriophyllum exalbescens 0.38 2610.80 992.10
-------
21,
Plant Communities
1. Potarnopeton oectinatus
2. Typha glauca
3. Sagittaria cuneata
N
VJ
»E
Figure 8. Plant communities of Sheridan stockdam, T58N,
R85W, Sec. 35.
-------
22.
Table 9. Plant corrinunities, their extent, and standing crop yields
of Sheridan stockaam, T58R, R85*W, Sec.35.
Standing Crop Estimated V/etland
Coranunity Extent (ha) Yield (kg/ha) Standing Crop (kg)
Potamofreton nectinatus 0.^8 2 028.80 973.82
Tvoha Rlauca 0.15 *+071.20 610.68
Sagittaria cuneata 0.13 979.20 127.30
-------
Figure 9. Plant corr:r.unities of
Colony stockdam, T5"6ri
?\60.:, Sec. 17.
2
Plant Comnunities
1. Potamogeton vaeinatus-
Mvriophvllum exalbescens-
*¦Potamogeton oectinatus
2. Hordeum .iubatum
3. Eleocharis nalustris-
Juncus torreyi
-------
24-.
Table 1C. Plant communities, their extent, and standing crop yields
of Colony stockdam, T56N, R6Q.'.:, Sec. 17.
Standing Crop Estimated Wetland
Community Extent (ha) Yield (kg/ha) Standing Crop (kg)
Potamoeeton vaginatus-
livriophvllum exalbescens-
Potamogeton pectinatus 7.79 4-262.00 33200.98
Hordeun iubaturn 6.32 2980.00 18833.60
Eleocharis palustris-
Juncus torreyi l.*+3 3656.00 5228.08
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Table 11. Average standing crop (Ixg/ha) for all communities at
each study pond.
Mine Ponds Stockdams
Number of Standing Number of Standing
Communities Crop Communities Crop
Beulah k 877*+.90 9 6369.70
Firesteel 5 1^025.70 5 3331.52
Colony if >+323.70 3 3632.67
Sheridan 2 ^05.00 3 2359.73
Eov/man 5 9031.92 6 6311.58
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THIRD SEMIANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
JUNE 1977
DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS
FOR
WATER IMPOUNDMENTS
IN
NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS
STRIP MINED AREAS
PART III
Premining Conditions of the Aquatic Biota
and Abiota of Selected Streams on
Thunder Basin National Grassland, Wyoming
by
Thomas A. Wesche
William F. McTernan
Water Resources Research Institute
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming
EPA-IAG-D5-E764 Subagreement 77BED
and
SEAM 9820 Cooperative Agreement 16-602-CA
-------
ABSTRACT
In light of coal development activities and as little such study
has been undertaken in past years, the objective of this investigation
has been to continue developing baseline data on the aquatic biota and
abiota of streams on the Thunder Basin National Grassland of Wyoming.
This report presents the results of the third year of study on the
Little Powder River, the second on Antelope Creek (the headwater of the
Cheyenne River) and the first such effort on School and Little Thunder
Creeks (located in the Cheyenne River drainage).
The study streams are low-gradient, shallow, sluggish habitats
characterized by vast fluctuations in flow, temperature, turbidity and
dissolved oxygen content. These waters are quite saline and were
periodically found to exceed the "threshold concentration" of 0.1 mg/1
for zinc.
None of these streams can be considered a viable sport fishery at
present, the predominant game species being black bullhead and green
sunfish. Non-game species consist primarily of an assemblage of minnow
species. Also collected in low numbers were stonecat, largemouth bass
and bluegill.
The benthic invertebrate communities are characterized by low to
moderate diversity and generally large seasonal variations in,abundance.
Predominant forms include Chironomid larvae, freshwater snails, shrimp
and clams, beetle larvae, oligocheates and, mayfly and damselfly nymphs.
Based upon the habitat types sampled and the diversity values found, a
tentative classification system is offered for the streams of Thunder
Basin.
Water quality data generally corroborated data collected for other
ongoing Eastern Powder River Basin studies. These waters can be charac-
terized as moderately mineralized, well-buffered and hard.
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER Page
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. METHODS AND MATERIALS 2
Physical 2
Biological 3
Fisheries 3
Benthic Invertebrates 5
Water Quality 7
III. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREAS 10
Little Powder River 10
Site No. 1 13
Site No. 2 16
Antelope Creek , 17
Site No. 1 20
Site No. 2 22
Little Thunder Creek 23
Study Site (Figure 6) 24
School Creek 1U
Study Site (Figure 6) 26
IV. RESULTS
Biological 27
Fisheries 27
Little Powder River 29
Antelope Creek 33
iv
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CHAPTER Page
School-Little Thunder Creek 35
Biology of Species Collected 37
Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) 37
Black Bullhead (Ictalurus melas) 38
Sand Shiner (Motropis stramineus missuriensis)... 39
Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) 40
Carp (Cyprinus carpio) 41
Flathead Chub (Hybopsis gracilis) 42
Longnose Dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) 43
White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni) 44
Northern Rednose (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) .... 45
River Carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio) 45
Plains Killifish (Fundulus kansae)
Plains Minnow (Ilybognathus placitus) 47
Stonecat (Noturus flavus) 48
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) 49
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus macrochirus) 50
Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) 50
Benthic -Invertebrates 52
Little Powder River 52
Site No. 1 52
Site No. 2 52
Overall Trends and Community Structure 62
Antelope Creek 70
Site No. 1 70
Site No. 2 70
v
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CHAPTER Page
Overall Trends and Community Structures 70
School Creek-Little Thunder Creek 87
School Creek 87
Little Thunder Creek 98
Overall Trends and Community Structure 98
Water Quality 105
Little Powder River 106
Antelope: Creek 123
Little Thunder Creek 123
School Creek 124
V. DISCUSSION 125
VI. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 131
Fisheries 131
Benthic Invertebrate Fauna 131
Water Quality 132
LITERATURE CITED 134
vi
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LIST 01- TABLES
TABLE Page
1. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS 8
2. TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES COLLECTED FROM THE
STUDY STREAMS (1974-1976) 28
3. FISH LENGTH, WEIGHT AND SPECIES COMPOSITION DATA 30
4. STANDING CROP ESTIMATES FOR FISH SPECIES COLLECTED AT
LITTLE POWDER RIVER SITE //I 31
5. FISH LENGTH, WEIGHT AND SPECIES COMPOSITION DATA ANTELOPE
CREEK, JUNE 1976 34
6. FISH LENGTH, WEIGHT AND SPECIES COMPOSITION DATA JUNE, 1976. . 36
7. TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF BENTHIC FAUNA FROM THE LITTLE
POWDER RIVER 53
8. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM FAUNA COLLECTED AT LITTLE POWDER RIVER
SITE NO. 1 55
9. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM FAUNA COLLECTED AT LITTLE POWDER RIVER
SITE NO. 2 58
10. RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF BOTTOM FAUNA ON A NUMBERS BASIS AT THE
TWO LITTLE POWDER RIVER STUDY SITES 63
11. RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF BOTTOM FAUNA ON A BIOMASS BASIS AT THE
TWO LITTLE POWDER RIVER STUDY SITES 64
12. SUMMARY OF RELATIVE ABUNDANCE DATA FOR BOTTOM FAUNA OF THE
LITTLE POWDER RIVER 66
13. RESULTS OF KRUSKAL-WALLIS RANK-SUM AND MANN-WHITNEY U TESTS
FOR SHANNON SPECIES DIVERSITY INDEX VALUES AT LITTLE POWDER
RIVER (1976) SITES 68
vii
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TABLE Page
14. RESULTS OF MANN-WHITNEY TESTS FOR SHANNON SPECIES DIVERSITY
INDEX VALUES AT LITTLE POWDER RIVER SITES, 1975-1976. ... 69
15. TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF BENTHIC FAUNA FROM ANTELOPE
CREEK 71
16. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM FAUNA COLLECTED AT ANTELOPE CREEK SITE NO. 1 73
17. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM FAUNA COLLECTED AT ANTELOPE CREEK SITE NO. 2 77
18. RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF BOTTOM FAUNA ON A NUMBERS BASIS
AT THE TWO ANTELOPE CREEK STUDY SITES 79
19. RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF BOTTOM FAUNA ON A BIOMASS BASIS
AT THE TWO ANTELOPE CREEK STUDY SITES 80
20. SUMMARY OF RELATIVE ABUNDANCE DATA FOR THE BOTTOM FAUNA
OF ANTELOPE CREEK 82
21. RESULTS OF KRUSKAL-WALLIS RANK-SUM AND MANN-WHITNEY U TESTS
FOR SHANNON SPECIES DIVERSITY INDEX VALUES AT ANTELOPE
CREEK SITES (1976) 85
22. RESULTS OF MANN-WHITNEY TESTS FOR SHANNON SPECIES DIVERSITY
INDEX VALUES AT ANTELOPE CREEK SITES, 1975-1976 86
23. TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF THE BENTHIC FAUNA OF SCHOOL
CREEK 88
24. TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF BENTHIC FAUNA FROM LITTLE
THUNDER CREEK 90
25. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM FAUNA COLLECTED AT SCHOOL CREEK 92
26. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM FAUNA COLLECTED AT LITTLE THUNDER CREEK. . . 95
27. SUMMARY OF RELATIVE ABUNDANCE DATA FOR THE BOTTOM FAUNA
OF SCHOOL CREEK 99
viii
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TABLE Page
28. SUMMARY OF RELATIVE ABUNDANCE DATA FOR THE BOTTOM FAUNA
OF LITTLE THUNDER CREEK 100
29. RESULTS OF KRUSKAL-WALLIS RANK-SUM AND MANN-WHITNEY U TESTS
FOR SHANNON SPECIES DIVERSITY INDEX VALUES AT SCHOOL
CREEK AND LITTLE THUNDER CREEK (1976) 103
30. LITTLE POWDER RIVER WATER QUALITY DATA 107'
31. ANTELOPE CREEK WATER QUALITY DATA 109
32. SCHOOL CREEK WATER QUALITY DATA Ill
33. LITTLE THUNDER CREEK WATER QUALITY DATA 113
34. MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, AND EXPECTED AVERAGE WATER QUALITY VALUES
FOR THE LITTLE POWDER RIVER 115
35. MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, AND EXPECTED AVERAGE WATER QUALITY VALUES
FOR ANTELOPE CREEK 117
36. MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, AND EXPECTED AVERAGE WATER QUALITY VALUES
FOR SCHOOL CREEK 119
37. MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, AND EXPECTED AVERAGE WATER QUALITY VALUES
FOR LITTLE THUNDER CREEK 121
ix
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1. LITTLE POWDER RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN 11
2. SEASONAL AND ANNUAL FLOW DURATION CURVES FOR THE LITTLE
POWDER RIVER, 1973 TO 1975 14
3. LITTLE POWDER RIVER (top) SITE NO. 1, JUNE, 1976 (bottom)
SITE NO. 2, JUNE, 1976 15
4. LOCATION MAP SHOWING ANTELOPE CREEK, SCHOOL CREEK, AND
LITTLE THUNDER CREEK 18
5. ANTELOPE CREEK (top) SITE NO. 1, JUNE, 1976 (bottom) SITE
NO. 2, SEPTEMBER, 1976 21
6. (top) SCHOOL CREEK, SEPTEMBER, 1976 (bottom) LITTLE THUNDER
CREEK, JUNE, 1976 25
7. MEAN SHANNON DIVERSITY INDEX VALUES FOR THE FISH POPULATIONS
SAMPLED FROM THE FOUR STUDY STREAMS, 1974-1976 32
8. SEASONAL TRENDS IN RELATIVE ABUNDANCE FOR ALL INVERTEBRATES
VERSUS THE CLASS INSECTA FOR THE LITTLE POWDER RIVER
STUDY SITES, 1974-1976 61
9. SEASONAL TRENDS OF BOTTOM FAUNA REPRESENTED BY MEAN
SHANNON DIVERSITY INDEX VALUES AT THE LITTLE POWDER
RIVER STUDY SITES IN 1974-1977 67
10. SEASONAL TRENDS IN RELATIVE ABUNDANCE FOR ALL INVERTEBRATES
VERSUS THE CLASS INSECTA FOR THE ANTELOPE CREEK STUDY
SITES, 1975 AND 1976 83
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FIGURE Page
11. SEASONAL TRENDS OF BOTTOM FAUNA REPRESENTED BY MEAN
SHANNON DIVERSITY INDEX VALUES AT THE ANTELOPE CREEK
STUDY SITES IN 1975 AND 1976 84
12. SEASONAL TRENDS IN RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF ALL INVERTEBRATES
VERSUS THE CLASS INSECTA'FOR THE SCHOOL CREEK AND
LITTLE THUNDER CREEK STUDY STIES IN 1976-1977 101
13. SEASONAL TRENDS OF BOTTOM FAUNA REPRESENTED BY MEAN SHANNON
DIVERSITY INDEX VALUES AT THE SCHOOL CREEK AND LITTLE
THUNDER CREEK SITES IN 1976-1977 102
xi
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Increasing state, regional, and national interest is presently
being shown in the development of the sub-bituminous coal deposits under-
lying northeastern Wyoming. A portion of these deposits lie on or in
the near vicinity of Thunder Basin National Grassland, administered
by the U.S. Forest Service. At present, land use in this area is based
primarily upon agriculture. However, it is anticipated that such use
will probably be changing in the future as development of mineral
resources proceeds. As this occurs, both the terrestrial and aquatic
environments of the area will be affected, either directly or indirectly.
In past years, little definitive study has been directed toward
the aquatic communities existing in the ephemeral, intermittent and
perennial stream channels which drain Thunder Basin lands. Without
such data, the ability of Forest Service personnel to determine and
implement suitable management policies for these lands is reduced.
Thus, the objective of this study has been to continue to develop such
necessary baseline information by inventorying and evaluating the native
benthic invertebrate fauna, fish populations and water quality of the
Little Powder River, Antelope Creek, School Creek and Little Thunder
Creek, as they flow through Thunder Basin National Grassland.
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CHAPTER II
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Physical
The four streams investigated during this study were selected by
personnel of the U.S. Forest Service and the principal investigators.
Criteria applied for study site selection (total of 6 sites) were:
1) location within the boundaries of Thunder Basin National
Grassland;
2) representation of typical habitat for the study stream;
3) proximity to coal development activity, either current or
planned;
4) accessability.
Baselines were surveyed along one streambank of each study site,
with marker stakes being placed at five-foot intervals. These baselines
were then used to map the surface area of the stream and also for
sample location purposes. Mapping was conducted by measuring the
distance from each stake, perpendicular to the baseline, to the stream
edge. Survey techniques were also employed to determine the channel
slope.
At each sampling time at each site (except during periods of ice-
cover) , a discharge measurement was made following standard U.S.G.S.
procedure, as described by Corbett, 1962. Velocity measurements were
taken at one-foot intervals across the channel at the 0.6 depth using
a Price current meter.
Drainage basin characteristics of the study streams were measured
-------
from 1:250,000 U.S. Army Map Service topography maps. The drainage
area in square miles was determined by planimetric techniques using a
Keuffel and Esser Compensating Polar Planimeter, while total stream
length, including all perennial, intermittent and ephemeral channels,
was measured with a Keuffel and Esser Map Measurer. Drainage density
for the basin was then computed by dividing the total stream length
(kilometers) by the drainage area (in'.square km). Ttie Strahler method
was used to determine stream order (Chorley, 1969). In this method,
unbranched streams are numbered 1, streams with two or more tributaries
rated as 1 are numbered 2, streams with two or more tributaries rated
as 2 are numbered 3 and so on.
U.S.G.S. streamflow records for the Little Powder River and
Antelope Creek (Cheyenne River) were obtained from USGS Water Resources
Data for Wyoming: Part 1. Surface Water Records and WRDS, Water
Resources Data System, (Smith, Pelton, and Bender, 1976).
Biological
Fisheries
Fish population sampling was conducted at the six study sites
on June 23 and 24, 1976. All collections were made using 7.62 m and
15.24 m foot nylon seines having a depth of 1.22 m and 4.8 mm mesh
size. Electrofishing techniques could not be employed as the turbid
water conditions often encountered would have hampered the recovery
of'stunned fish due to poor visibility. For each fish collected,
total length was measured to the nearest 1.0 millimeter and weight was
recorded to the nearest 1.0 gram. To avoid misidentification of
juvenile forms, primarily of minnow species (Family Cyprinidae),
3
-------
representative individuals were preserved in 95 percent alcohol and
transported to Laramie for verification using the keys developed by
Baxter and Simon, 1970.
Fish population estimates were attempted at each site using the
DeLury Removal Method (DeLury, 1947 and 1951). This procedure involved
the following steps:
1. The study area was blocked off using natural barriers and
seines to prevent escapement from or recruitment to the
population.
2. Three seine hauls, each covering the entire enclosed area,
were made, with the fish from each haul being placed in a
separate "live car" (holding pen).
3. Treating each haul separately, all fish were identified,
enumerated, measured and weighed.
4. A graph was then constructed using the Y-axis as the catch
for each seine haul and the X-axis as the cumulative catch
previous to a given seine haul. This is based on the assump-
tion that as the number of seine hauls increases and the
cumulative catch increases, the number of fish per haul will
decrease.
5. Following this procedure, the data from the three seine hauls
at a particular site were plotted and a line was fitted to
these points using linear regression. The estimated number
of fish at the site was then the point on the X-axis where
this line intercepts it.
6. As the surface area and length of each sample site were
measured, estimates were then placed on a numbers per hectare
-------
and per stream kilometer basis for sake of comparison. With
the weight data collected, standing crop estimates were also
placed on a kilogram per hectare and per kilometer basis.
Fish sampling activities during 1976 were severely hampered due
to high water levels and heavy growths of aquatic vegetation. For these
reasons, standing crop estimates could be made only at Little Powder
River Site it 1.
To allow additional comparisons to be made of the community struc-
ture of the fish populations present, the Shannon Index of Diversity,
as described by Odum (1971), Wilhm (1967) and Wilhm and Dorris (1968),
was applied to the data from each site. Inis index, based upon the
formula
H = [-L [(^) log1() (^)] 3.321928
where H = Shannon index of general diversity
ni = importance value for each species
N = total of importance values
and, 3.321928 is a conversion factor for base 10 log to base 2;
represents the wealth of individual types of organisms present (i.e.,
the number of different types and the number of each type present). The
conversion factor to base 2 log was incorporated to conform with the
index equation presented by the Environmental Protection Agency (1973).
Benthic Invertebrates
Bottom fauna samples were collected at the Little Powder River
and Antelope Creek study sites on April 28, 1976, June 23-24, 1976,
September 21-23, 1976, and January 19-20, 1977. Little Thunder and
School Creek collections were made on the same dates, with the exception
of the Spring samples taken on May 13. On each date, six samples were
5
-------
taken from each site. Random number tables were employed to select
sampling locations with one number being selected to determine the
baseline marker stake at which the sample would be taken while a
second number determined the sampling distance from the stream bank.
Due to the nature of the substrates present, all bottom samples
were taken with an Eckman dredge, a spring-operated, jaw type sampler
especially designed for use in soft mud, muck and ooze substrates.
2
Each sample encompassed an area of 0.25 square feet (0.023 m ). Welch,
1948, discusses the use and operation of this sampler in greater
detail.
All bottom fauna samples were preserved immediately in 95% alcohol
and transported to Laramie. Here, the samples were washed and screened.
The detritus remaining in the screen was placed in white enamel pans
and, using a 2X magnifying lamp, the invertebrates present were removed
("picked") and preserved in labelled vials.
The benthic invertebrates were identified to the lowest taxonomic
level possible using available keys (Pennak, 1953; Walker, 1953; Ward
and Whipple, 1959; Usinger, 1973). The number of each taxonomic type
present in each sample was then enumerated and the biomass measured
to the nearest milligram (mg) using a Mettler analytical balance. Imme-
diately prior to weighing, all organisms were placed on filter paper and
dried at room temperature for 24 hours. Thus, all weights were recorded
as "air-dried" weights.
To allow comparisons of relative abundance to be made between both
study sites and sampling times, bottom fauna data were placed on a
numbers per 0.1 square meter and milligrams per 0.1 square meter basis.
Also, Shannon Species Diversity Index values (H) were calculated for
6
-------
each site at each time using the formula previously listed in this
Chapter. This was to facilitate comparisons of benthic community
2
structure on both a numbers and biomass per 0.1 m basis. To do this,
H values were computed for each individual sample and these were then
averaged to obtain the index number for a given study site at a given
sampling time. Kruskal-Wallis Rank-Sum test and Mann-Whitney U-Tests,
as described by Dixon and Massey, 1969 and Sokal and Rohlf, 1969, were
then used to determine if statistically significant differences existed
between H values for the study sites and sampling times.
Mater Quality
Water quality samples were collected during biological testing at
each study site, chemically stabilized (where necessary) and trans-
ported to Laramie for processing at the Wyoming Department of Agricul-
ture Chemical and Bacteriological Laboratory. All field and laboratory
methods for sample handling, preparation and analysis were in compliance
with currently recommended methods (APHA, 1975 and EPA, 1974).
Table i presents the chemical constituents monitored during the
continuing program at the Little Powder River and Antelope Creek sites
as well as for this initial effort on Little Thunder and School Creeks.
Three general categories of chemical constituents were monitored at
each of the stations sampled. These were:
1) commonly occurring cations and anions;
2) nutrients and organic indicators;
3) trace metals and elements.
Chemical balances between cations and anions were determined fol-
lowing analysis. These determinations "typed" each collected sample
7
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TAiii.ii': l
Chemical Constituents
Calc ium
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Carbonate
Bicarbonate
Sulfate
Chloride
Nitrate
Fluoride
Conductance
COD
PH
Turbidity
Hardness
Alkalinity
Ammonia
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
Nitrite
Phosphate (PO.)
4
Suspended Solids
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Total Solids
Arsenic
Barium
Boron
Cadmium
Copper
Chromium (hex)
Fluoride
Iron (total
Lead
Manganese
Mercury
Nickel
Selenium
Silver
Zinc
Cyanide
MBAS
Phenol
Oil and Grease
Sulfides
8
-------
as to the total amount of dissolved material, the individual ions
present and the relative importance of each ion in the solution at the
time of collection.
Nutrient and organic concentrations are generally indicative of
recently received waste loads. The wastes can reach the stream either
from point discharges or from non-point runoff. Other sources for some
of these compounds include natural drainage and certain of the blasting
preparations used in mining. This current effort was designed to
collect background data for conditions assumed to be natural to the
drainages.
Trace metals and elements, as the name implies, are generally
found in waters in minute concentrations. The ability of a ground water
source contributory to a stream to solubilize and transport these
materials is related to pH, contact time, valency, the presence of
various optimum strata and other currently unquantified complexities.
Mining or similar activity in an area can theoretically create more
conditions for these processes to occur as more surface area is exposed
to chemical and physical reactions. This investigation sought to
establish baselines against which the effects of future development in
the are could be gauged.
9
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CHAPTER III
DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREAS
Little Powder River
The Little Powder River is one of only several perennial streams
occurring in Campbell County of northeastern Wyoming (Figure 1). The
topography is dominated by plains, low lying hills and table lands to
the east with rough hills and gentle mountain ridges forming the west
boundary of the basin. The Little Powder River is a major tributary of
the Powder River within the Yellowstone River Basin of Wyoming. The
headwaters rise in the Rawhide drainage (elevation 1463 meters MSL)
immediately north of Gillette, Wyoming, and flow 142 kilometers to its
confluence with the Powder River (elevation 1100 meters MSL) in south-
east Montana. The total drainage area of the basin is 4,545 square
kilome ters.
The Little Powder River basin can be characterized primarily as
a semiarid natural short grass plains area (average annual precipita-
tion approximately 36 centimeters). Major vegetation types within the
basin include: big sage brush (Artemisia tridentata), silver sage brush
(Artemisia cana), black greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus), ponderosa
pine (Pinus ponderosa), plains cottonwood (Populus sargentii), and
prairie grasses (Spartina pectinate, Deschampsia caespatesis, Elymus
sp., and Agropyron sp.). (Final Environmental Impact Statement,
Eastern Powder River Coal Basin of Wyoming, 1974).
Coincident with this natural setting, major land uses in the past
have included: 1) grazing lands for livestock; 2) production of native
-------
Figure 1. Little Powder River
Drainage Basin.
11
-------
h.iy; and, 3) wildlife habitat for dner, pronghorn antelope and upland
game birds. At present, coal development is being initiated in the upper
basin by the AMAX Coal Company, the Peabody Coal Company and the Carter
Oil Company. The Carter mine (Rawhide mine) is expected to produce 12
million tons per year and begin production in July, 1977. In 1976 the
Rawhide mine discharged a small amount of good quality ground water into
the Little Powder River drainage, augmenting its natural flow. Communi-
cation with Carter indicates this discharge has been discontinued and
will remain so. The AMAX North mine is expected to go into production
within a year and by 1984 will produce 20 million tons of coal per year.
Peabody has not yet started mining operations on its holding. Also being
discussed are projects for water storage development.
The Little Powder River lies in the Fort Union Formation, tertiary
rock, of the Paleocene era. The formation is composed of three members:
1) The Tullock Member (lowermost)290 to 396 meters thicklight
gray to tan, even bedded sandstone (massive to thin); dark gray and
brown siltstone; shale and carbonaceous shale; thin coal beds.
2) The Lebo Shale Member (middle)518 to 853 meters thick where
undifferentiated from the Tongue River Membermostly medium and dark
gray, fine-grained to conglomeratic sandstone: brownish carbonaceous
shale; thin to thick coalbeds.
3) The Tongue River Member (uppermost)meters thickinter-
bedded Jight gray, fine-grained sandstone; siltstone; sand; shale;
coal beds.
The coalbeds in the Tullock Member are thin and parted. However,
the thick, persistent coalbeds located near the top of the formation in
the eastern part of the basin are suitable for strip mining. (Final
-------
Environmental Impact Statement, Eastern Powder River Coal Basin of
Wyoming, 1974). Oil and gas are other mineral resources found in the
vicinity of the Little Powder River.
Streamflow records for the Little Powder River basin, as measured
at U.S.G.S. Gage Station No. 06324970 located 32 kilometers north of
Weston, Wyoming and 8 kilometers south of the Wyoming-Montana border,
indicate that spring runoff normally occurs during late April, May and
3
early June. A maximum discharge of 23.3 m /sec (1000 cfs) (cubic meters
per second) was measured on January 17, 1974 while periods of no flow
were recorded during July and August of 1973. During the remainder of
3
the year, discharges normally remain below 0.28 m /sec (10 cfs)
(Figure 2).
The study area was limited to the 8 kilometer section of the stream
running across the southwest corner of the Thunder Basin National Grass-
land in Campbell County, Wyoming. During the 1974 field studies three
sites were sampled (See, Wesche, Kerr and Baldridge, 1975). However,
in 1975 the middle site at Soda Well was deleted, leaving the following
two stations:
No. 1) T 54 N, R 70 W, S 32on the Loral Leaf Ranch owned by
Mr. Frank Ray, 0.4 kilometers below the confluence of Cottonwood
Creek near the south boundary of Thunder Basin at an elevation of 1,137
meters above msl. (See Figures 1 and 3.)
No. 2) T 54 N, R 70 W, S 7 and T 54 N, R 71 W, S 12on the Norfolk
Ranch at the west boundary of Thunder Basin at an elevation of 1,119
meters above msl. (See Figures 1 and 3.)
Site No. 1
Above this site, the Little Powder River basin encompasses 1,222
13
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% TIME FLOW > INDICATED % TIME FLOW > INDICATED
% TIME FLOW > INDICATED % TIME FLOW > INDICATED
% TIME FLOW > INDICATED
Figure 2 . Seasonal and Annual Flow Duration Curves for the
Little Powder River, 1973 to 1975.
14
-------
Figure 3. Little Powder River.
Top: Site No. 1, June 1976.
Bottom: Site No. 2, June 1976.
15
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square kilometers ,-irul Is d r.i 1 ued 1 > y ()'3'J k 11 nine te rs of perennial unci
intermittent stream channels. Drainage density is 0.86. In this area,
as well as at Site No. 2, the Little Powder is a fifth order stream.
Site No. 1 was a 104-meter long straight reach covering 421
square meters. Hydraulically, this stream section was quite homogenous,
with stream widths varying only from 3.7 to 4.0 meters, while over 85
percent of the surface area was at least 0.3 meter in depth. Streamflow
3
at the sampling times ranged from .26 m /sec (8.9 cfs) in June down to
zero flow in January. Due to the flat gradient of the section (0.67
meter per kilometer), the substrate was composed of inorganic muck and
fine sand, sediments which had settled out of the water. This, in
conjunction with the steep streambanks which were present (range, 0.2:1
to 2.6:1), made access to and movement in the channel quite difficult
during sample collection.
Small amounts of filamentous green algae were in evidence at Site
No. 1, while along the streambanks and on the floodplain adjacent to
the channel, grasses, sedges, sage brush, greasewood and cottonwood
trees were observed. While sampling here, mule deer, antelope,
sandhill cranes, cottontail rabbits, and ring-necked pheasants were
seen by the investigators.
Site No. 2
Above Site No. 2, the Little Powder drains an area of 1,427
square kilometers which contains a total of 755 kilometers of perennial
and intermittent channels. Drainage density of the basin is 0.85.
Site No. 2 was a relatively straight stream reach 82 meters long
having a surface area of 503.5 square meters. Due to its steeper stream
gradient (1.80 meters per kilometer) and greater channel widths (up to
16
-------
7 meters) , water depths at Site No. 2 were somewhat shallower than those
at Site 1, while mean velocities ranged higher. Approximately 60
percent of the surface area had water depths of less than 0.3 meter.
The substrate composition at Site 2 was found to be more diverse than
that at Site 1. Along the thalweg in the upstream half of the study
section, areas of fine gravel were present. The remainder of the
substrate was of inorganic muck and sand. Bank slopes varied substan-
tially at this site, ranging from 0.5:1 to 7.5:1. Streamflow at the
3
sampling times ranged from .50 m /sec (16.2 cfs) in June down to zero
flow in January.
As at Site No. 1, small amounts of filamentous green algae were
observed. Grasses and sedges, interspersed with wild rose, grew along
the streambanks, while the adjacent floodplain was primarily covered
with grasses and scattered cottonwood trees. Deer, pheasants and racoon
tracks were abundant in the area while evidence of beaver activity was
found at the upper end of the section.
Antelope Creek
The headwaters of Antelope Creek rise on the east side of Pine
Ridge near the Converse County-Natrona County boundary line in east-
central Wyoming and flow intermittently 90 kilometers to the east before
confluencing with the Dry Fork of the Cheyenne River to form the
Cheyenne River near Dull Center (Figure A). From this point, the
Cheyenne flows easterly out of Wyoming to central South Dakota, where
it joins the Missouri River. In Wyoming, the Cheyenne drains a total
of 17,888 square kilometers of land (Person, 1939) whose elevation
ranges from approximately 1,100 meters above msl at the state line to
over 1,830 meters above msl at the headwaters.
17
-------
V\
-V'
«*
y
Figure 4. Location Map Showing
Antelope Creek, School
Creek, and Little
Thunder Creek.
-------
The Antelope Creek basin can be characterized as semiarid range-
land dominated by big sage brush/shortgrass plains, and low-lying hills
and tablelands, dotted with occasional isolated uplands, breaks, knobs
and ridges. The stream has a wide, flat, floor and a broad floodplain
covered in many areas with stands of plains cottonwood (Populus
sargentii) and willow (Salix sp). Average annual precipitation is
approximately 30-36 centimeters per year. (Final Environmental Impact
Statement, Eastern Powder River Coal Basin of Wyoming, 1974.) Figure
5 provides general views of the basin.
Historic land uses in the Antelope Creek drainage are similar to
those described for the Little Powder basin, namely, livestock grazing,
hay production and wildlife habitat. In recent years oil production
has been on the increase as evidenced by the many new roads and oper-
ating wells which dot the landscape. The basin is also underlain by
rich deposits of sub-bituminous coal and, while full-scale development
of the resource has not yet begun, it can be foreseen in the near
future. In the past, limited amounts of coal have been produced at the
Antelope mine, while at present, the Peabody Coal Company and Pacific
Power and Light hold federal leases in the basin and have proposed
opening mines sometime in the future.
Streamflow records for Antelope Creek are non-existent. The
nearest U.S.G.S. gage station (No. 06386500) with records is located
approximately 105 kilometers downstream from the lowest study site on
the Cheyenne River proper near Spencer, 8 kilometers west of the South
Dakota border. These records indicate that spring runoff normally
occurs in April and May, with the maximum discharge of record being
3
453 m /sec (16,000 cfs) on May 27, 1.962. During the Into summer and
19
-------
early fall, periods of zero flow are quite common. From 1948 Co 1974,
3
the average discharge was 1.65 m /sec (1.65 cfs) (U.S. Department of
the Interior, 1974). A new gage has been installed by the U.S.G.S. at
the same location on Antelope Creek as study Site No. 2. No records
are currently available for this gage. Presumably some information
will be accessible for use this coming year.
Two study sites were investigated on Antelope Creek, all within
the boundaries of the Grassland and accessible by vehicle. In 1975
three sites were examined, but in 1976 the middle site (below the mouth
of Porcupine Creek) was eliminated. The sites investigated in 1976 were:
No. 1) T 41 N, R 71 W, Section 36below the Antelope mine at
the junction of the Irwin Road and Hilight Road.
No. 2) T 40 N, R 68 W, Section 20near the Fiddleback Ranch just
above the river crossing on the Rochelle Hills Road and immediately
below the confluence of Antelope Creek and the Dry Fork of the Cheyenne
River.
Figure 4 shows the location of these sites while Figure 5 depicts the
habitat present at each.
Site No. 1
Above this site, the Antelope Creek basin encompasses 2,092 square
kilometers and is drained by 1,362 kilometers of intermittent stream
channels. Drainage density is 1.05. At this location, as well as at
Site 2, Antelope Creek is a 5th order stream.
Site No. 1 was a 91-meter-long straight reach varying in width
from 8 to 16 meters and covering approximately 1,133 square meters.
Water depths ranged up to 0.6 meter in the upper 46 meters of the
20
-------
Figure 5. Antelope Creek.
Top: Site No. 1, June 1976.
Bottom: Site No. 2, September 1976.
21
-------
section, while in the lower haLf, no depths exceeded 0.3 meter. Stream-
3
flow at the sampling times ranged from 0.19 m /sec (14.1 cfs) in April
down to zero in both September and January. Due in part to the excep-
tionally flat gradient of the section (0.07 meter per kilometer) the
substrate was composed primarily of silt and fine sand.
Aquatic vegetation was quite dense at Site No. 1, being composed
primarily of filamentous green algae and Chara sp. In fact, during
the June fish sampling operation, these heavy growths hampered seining
to such a degree that accurate population estimates could not be made.
Waterfowl and toads were observed at this site during our sampling
visits.
Site No. 2
Above Site No. 2, Antelope Creek drains an area of 3,874 square
kilometers containing 2,391 kilometers of intermittent and perennial
channels. As at Site 1, drainage density is low, 0.99.
Of the two sites, No. 2 (91 meters long) had the greater wetted
width (range 15-17 meters) and surface area (1,895 square meters) and
had the shallower depths (less than 0.3 meter throughout the area).
While the gradient was steeper here than at Site No. 1, it was still
exceptionally flat at 0.13 meter per kilometer. The substrate was
primarily soft mud, with scattered areas of fine sand. Flow on the
3
sampling dates ranged from 0.68 m /sec (9.9 cfs) in June down to zero
in January.
Aquatic vegetation was sparse throughout the year. Riparian
vegetation, consisting primarily of various grasses, sedges and cotton-
wood trees, was very lush in June. Racoon tracks, deer tracks and
toads were abundant at this location.
22
-------
Little Thunder Creek
Little Thunder Creek headwaters just south of Renb Junction and
flows for 32 kilometers intermittently in an easterly direction into
Black Thunder Creek, a major tributary of the upper Cheyenne River.
Elevation of the Little Thunder Creek drainage basin ranges from 1,550
meters to 1,310 meters above msl'(see Figure 4).
The Little Thunder Creek basin is predominantly semiarid rangeland
(big sage brush/shortgrass plains) with low-lying hills, tablelands,
breaks and ridges. Part of the drainage headwaters in the Rochelle
Hills which are characterized by hills and ridges with ponderosa pines
and meadows. Plains cottonwood inhabit the wide, flat floodplain.
Average annual precipitation is the same as for the Antelope Creek
basin (30-36 centimeters per year).
Figure 6 presents a general view of Little Thunder Creek, while
Figure 4 shows the location of the stream and the sampling site.
Historic land uses in the Little Thunder Creek basin are the same
as for the Antelope Creek watershed (see description of Antelope
Creek basin). Atlantic Richfield Company's Black Thunder coal mine,
scheduled to begin production in early 1978 and reach the 10 million ton
production level within 5 years, is located in the Little Thunder Creek
drainage. The lifespan of this mine is projected to be at least 40
years, with an estimated peak production capability of 20 million tons
per year. No streamflow records exist for Little Thunder Creek, the
nearest U.S.G.S. gage stations beging located on the Cheyenne River
(see description of Antelope Creek).
One study site was investigated on Little Thunder Creek, location
T 43 N, R 69 W, Section 29just below the mouth of School Creek. This
23
-------
site is located on Thunder Basin National Grassland and is accessible
by vehicle.
Study Site (Figure 6)
Above this site, the Little Thunder Creek basin encompasses 396
square kilometers with 158 kilometers of intermittent stream channels
and a drainage density of 0.64. Little Thunder Creek is a fifth order
stream at the study site.
The study site was 79 meters long, between 2.6 and 4.3 meters in
width and covered approximately 288 square meters. Maximum water
depths at the sampling times ranged between 1.2 and 0.1 m. Stream-
3
flow varied from 0.04 m /sec (1.4 cfs) (June) down to zero (September
and January). The gradient was approximately .95 meter per kilometer
and the substrate was composed primarily of mud and debris.
Dense aquatic vegetation (including pond reeds, filamentous algae
and Chara sp.) was present in June and September. Frogs, deer, antelope
and cottontail rabbits were observed during sampling visits. The
Rochelle Hills extend to within 0.8 kilometer of this sampling site.
School Creek
School Creek headwaters in the northwest Rochelle Hills and
flows intermittently 13 kilometers in a northerly direction into Little
Thunder Creek. The School Creek drainage area varies between 1,550
meters and 1,400 meters above msl (see Figure 4).
Much of the upper School Creek watershed lies within the Rochelle
Hills and is characterized by ponderosa pine-meadow hills and ridges.
The remainder of the School Creek basin is typically big sage brush/
shortgrass semiarid rangeland. The floodplain contains scattered
24
-------
Figure 6. Top: School Creek, September 1976.
Bottom: Little Thunder Creek, June 1976.
25
-------
plains cottonwood. Average annual precipitation is similar to that
of the Little Thunder Creek and the Antelope Creek watersheds (30-36
centimeters per year).
Historic land uses for the School Creek basin are the same as for
the Little Thunder Creek and Antelope Creek basins (see description of
Antelope Creek basin). No major mining developments are planned for
the School Creek drainage in the near future. A general view of School
Creek is shown in Figure 6. No streamflow records exist for School
Creek (see descriptions of Little Thunder Creek and Antelope Creek).
One study site in Thunder Basin National Grassland on School Creek
was investigated. This site is located in T 43 N, R 69 W, Section 32
just above the confluence with Little Thunder Creek (Figure 4).
Study Site (Figure 6)
Above this site, the School Creek basin encompasses 67 square
kilometers with 37 kilometers of intermittent stream channels and a
drainage density of 0.91. School Creek is a 4th order stream.
The study site was 79 meters long, 0.9 to 2.9 meters in width and
covered approximately 144 square meters. Maximum water depths ranged
between 0.9 and 0.1 meter at the sampling times, while discharge varied
from zero (September and January) to approximatelyO.01 m /sec (0.4 cfs)
(May and June). The gradient in this reach was quite gentle, measuring
less than 0.6 meter per mile. The substrate was primarily comprised
of mud and debris. Pond reeds and filamentous algae were observed, as
were cottontail rabbits, jackrabbLts, waterfowl, antelope, frogs,
toads and a garter snake. The northeast edge of the Rochellc Hills
extends to within 0.4 kilometer of this site.
26
-------
CHAPTER IV
RESULTS
Biological
Fisheries
Overall, fish sampling efforts during June 1976 were severely
hampered. Standing crop estimates could be conducted only at Little
Powder River Site //I, while at the other five sites, a combination of
deep water and dense growths of aquatic vegetation (primarily Chara sp.)
reduced sampling efficiency to such a degree that reliable estimates
could not be obtained. For these latter sites, relative abundance is
reported instead.
Taxonomic classification of the fish species thusfar collected
from the Little Powder River (sampled, 1974-76), Antelope Creek (1975
76) and School-Little Thunder Creeks (1976) is presented in Table 2.
Species common to all from streams include fathead minnows, white
suckers, and black bullheads. Green sunfish have been collected
in all but School Creek. Of the 16 species listed, all but 3 have been
found in the Little Powder, while 10 are present in Antelope Creek,
6 in Little Thunder and 3 in School Creek.
Members of the Family Cyprinidae (minnows) predominate the species
list, comprising 6 of the 16 taxa collected. Three species each have
been sampled from the Families Catostomidae (suckers) and Centrarchidae
(sunfishes).
To date, 5 game fish species have been collected in Thunder Basin
waters: black bullheads, green sunfish, stonecat, bluegill and
-------
TABLE 2
TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES COLLECTED FROM THE STUDY STREAMS (1974-1976)
CLASS - OSTEICHTHYES (bony fishes)
SUBCLASS - ACTINOPTERYGII (ray-£inned fishes)
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Stream
00
Clupeif onnes
Cyprinlformes
Perciformes
Cyprinodont if ormes
Hiodontidae
(mooneyes)
Cyprinidae
(minnows)
Catostomidae
(suckers)
Ictaluridae
(North American catfishes)
Cencrarchidae
(sunfishes)
Cyprinodontidae
(killifishes)
LPR ¦> Little Powder River
AC = Antelope Creek
Hiodon
alosoides (Rafinesque)
(goldeye)
LrR
Cyprinus
carpio (Linnaeus)
(carp)
LPR,
AC
Hybopsis
gracilis (Richardson)
LPR,
AC
(flathead chub)
Rhinichchys
cataractae (Valenciennes)
(longnose dace)
LPR,
AC
Notropis
stramineus missuriensis (Cope)
(sand shiner)
LPR,
AC
Pimephales
promelas (Rafinesque)
(fathead minnow)
LPR,
AC,
SC,
LTC
Hybognathus
placitus (Girard)
(plains minnow)
LPR,
AC
Carpiodes
carpio (Rafinesque)
(river carpsucker)
LPR
Moxostoma
niacrolepidotura (Lesueur)
(northern redhorse)
LPR
Catostoraus
commersoni (Lac^pfede)
(white sucker)
LPR,
AC,
SC,
LTC
Ictalurus
raelas (Rafinesque)
(black bullhead)
LPR,
AC,
SC,
LTC
Noturus
flavus (Rafinesque)
(stonecat)
LPR
Lepomis
cyanellus (Rafinesque)
(green sunfish)
LPR,
AC,
LTC
Lepomis
macrochirus (Rafinesque)
(bluegill)
LTC
Micropterus
salraoides (Lac£p&de)
(largemouth bass)
LTC
Fundulus
kansae (Carman
(plains klllifish)
AC
SC = School Creek
LTC " Little Thunder Creek
-------
largemouth bass. The former 2 species appear to be quite widespread
throughout the Basin, while the latter 3 have each been found at only
one location. Parker (1976) reports that in June of 1975 the Wyoming
Game & Fish Department surveyed Reno Reservoir (located upstream from
our study site in the Little Thunder Creek drainage) and collected both
largemouth bass and bluegill. This reservoir is most likely the source
of the individuals we collected at our Little Thunder site. One
stonecat was seined from Little Powder River Site //2 in June of 1976.
While this is the first recorded capture of the species in this stream,
Baxter and Simon (1970) do report its occurrence in the Powder River
drainage. Another game fish species, the channel catfish, is listed
by Baxter and Simon as an inhabitant of the Little Powder; however,
WRRI has not collected any to date.
No species listed in Table 2 is considered as "threatened" by the
Department of the Interior, although the goldeye (collected in Little
Powder River, 1974) is listed in Wyoming's Rare & Endangered Wildlife
(Wyoming Game & Fish Department) as "status undertermined"
Little Powder River. Relative abundance and length-weight data
for the fish collected at the two study sites during 1976 are presented
in Table 3, while standing crop estimates for Site //I (1974-76) appear
in Table 4.
The number of species collected (or observed) at the sites was
again found to fluctuate quite widely between sampling years. At Site
//l, only 4 species were recorded (10 in 1975, 7 in 1974), while at //2,
an increase to 9 was observed, as compared with only 3 in 197 5 (11 in
1974). The plots of fish species diversity shown in Figure 7 illus-
trate this, fluctuation. However, should the diversity values for both
29
-------
TABLE 3
FISH LENGTH, WEIGHT AND SPECIES COMPOSITION DATA
LITTLE POWDER RIVER, JUNE 1976
Species Number % Total Number Mean Length Length Range Mean Weight Weight Range
(mm) (mm) (jgJ (_g_)
SITE //I
Black Bullhead
2
1.5
67 .0
64-
70
8.5
-
Green Sunfish
1
0.7
41.0
-
2.0
-
Sand Shiners
123
91.1
all less than
65 mm
0.5
-
Fathead Minnows
9
6.7
all less than
65 mm
1.3
-
SITE if 2*
Black Bullhead
2
5.0
138 .0
121-
155
39.0
28-50
Stonecat
1
2.5
180.0
-
58.0
-
Sand Shiners
26
65.0
all less than
65 mm
1.0
-
Fathead Minnows
4
10.0
all less than
38 mm
0.5
-
Flathead Chub
2
5.0
128 .0
125-
131
19.0
18-20
Plains Minnow
5
12.5
76.0
-
4.0
-
*Green sunfish, white suckers and river carpsuckers were also observed, but not captured.
-------
TABLE 4
STANDING
CROP ESTIMATES FOR FISH
SPECIES
COLLECTED AT
LITTLE
POWDER RIVER
SITE 01
JUNE
1974, 1975 AND 1976
Species
No./Hct.
(No./Km)
%
Numbers
1974
Kg/Hct.
(Kg/Km)
X
We ight
No/Hct.
(No./Km)
1975
2 Kg/Hct.
Numbers (Kg/Km)
%
Weipht
No/Hct.
(No/Km)
1976
%
Numbers
Kg/He t.
(Kp/Kn)
%
Wc ieht
Black Bullhead
803
(322)
11.0
21.1
(8.4)
28.0
541
(220)
11.6
6.6
(2.7)
12.4
48
- (19)
1.5
0.4
(0.2)
18.6
Green Sunfish
711
(285)
9.7
7.8
(3.1)
10.3
385
(157)
8.3
3.6
(1.5)
6.9
24
(10)
0.7
0.05
(0.02)
2.3
River Carpsucker
0
0
0
0
52
(21)
1.1
14.7
(6.0)
27.9
0
0
0
0
Northern Redhorse
0
0
0
0
52
(21)
1.1
3.7
(1.5)
7.1
0
0
0
0
White Sucker
902
(361)
12.3
35.9
(14.4)
47.6
437
(179)
' 9.4
16.7
(6.8)
31.8
0
0
0
0
Plains Minnow
0
0
0
0
180
(73)
3.9
1.2
(0.5)
2.4
0
0
0
0
Sand Shiner
4466
(1784)
60.8
6.8
(2.7)
9.0
2831
(1153)
60.8
2.6
(1-0)
4.9
2922
(1187)
91.1
1.4
(0.6)
65.1
Carp
72
(29)
1.0
2.7
(1.1)
3.6
25
(U)
0.5
0.2
(0.1)
0.4
0
0
0
0
Flathead Chub
0
0
0
0
128
(53)
2.8
3.2
(1.3)
6.0
0
0
0
0
Fathead Minnow
356
(143)
4.9
1.1
(0.5)
1.5
25
(11)
0.5
0.1
(0.03)
0.2
214
(87)
6.7
0.3
(0.1)
14.0
Longnose Dace
25
(9)
0.3
0.02
(0.01)
<0.1
0
0
0
0
0
0
.0
0
TOTALS
7340 100.0 75.4 100.0 4656 100.0 52.6 100.0 3208 100.0 2.15 100.0
(2933) (30.2) (1899) (21.4) (1303) (0.92)
-------
u>
NJ
3.01-
cr
LlI
CO
2.0
X
£ '-0
I =
LTCo
SCo
1974
1975
1976
YEAR
3.0
W 2.0
c/)
<
2
o
m
52 i.o
1^
SCo
1974 1975
YEAR
1976
Figure 7. Mean Shannon Diversity Index Values for the Fish Populations
Sampled from the Four Study Streams, 1974-1976.
-------
siLe:; in <¦.,ic 11 yt:.ir be ;ivo.r;i}',ccl nrl LliLs plot drawn, we would observe
little change over the sampling years. This would tend to indicate that
natural movement of fish into and out of the study sections is responsible
for this fluctuation, not response to environmental change.
Sand shiners remained the predominant species at both sites,
comprising 91.1% of the catch at //I and 65.0% at //2. Considering
biomass, sand shiners also predominated at //I (65.1% of catch), while
black bullheads contributed 35.1% at it2. However, numerous large river
carpsuckers, as well as green sunfish and white suckers, were observed
avoiding our seines at //2, due primarily to the high water conditions
encountered (0.50 cu m/sec). This may also be the explanation for
the exceptionally low standing crop estimate at Site it 1, although fish
avoidance was not directly observed.
Antelope Creek. Relative abundance and length-weight data for fish
collected at the two Antelope Creek sites are presented in Table 5.
Both the number of species sampled and the total number of indivi-
dual fish collected at both sites were found to decline from 1975 to
1976. Speciation decreased from 8 to 6 at Site it 1 and from 9 to 5 at
it2, while the reduction in total numbers was much more dramatic (324
down to 38 at it 1 , 1728 down to 11 at it2). Extremely high water
(especially at Site it2) and dense stands of aquatic vegetation (espe-
cially at it 1) markedly reduced sampling efficiency, resulting in these
declines. Despite these reductions, Figure 7 indicates an increase
in community diversity based upon fish numbers and only a slight
decrease when considering biomass. While this may seem rather unusual,
it must be kept in mind that the Shannon-Weaver diversity index is
based not only on the richness or number of species and the total
33
-------
TABLE 5
FISH LENGTH, WEIGHT AND SPECIES COMPOSITION DATA
ANTELOPE CREEK, JUNE 1976
Species Number % Total Number Mean Length Length Range Mean Weight Weight Range
(mm) (mm) (g) (&)
SITE //I
Black Bullhead
3
7.9
all less than
70 mm
9.3
-
Green Sunfish
3
7.9
all less than
55 mm
1.0
-
Sand Shiners
5
13.2
all less than
71 mm
2.4
-
Fathead Minnow
24
63.2
all less than
73 mm
1.7
-
Plains Minnow
1
2.6
80.0
-
14.0
-
White Sucker
2
5.2
85.5
85-86
20.0
-
SITE It 2*
Sand Shiner
4
36.4
56.8
52-60
1.0
-
Fathead Minnow
1
9.0
62.0
-
8.0
-
Flathead Chub
3
27 .3
107.3
90-140
12.0
10-14
Plains Killifish
3
27.3
43.3
38-48
1.0
-
*One dead black bullhead observed.
-------
number of individuals present, but also the distribution of those
individuals among the species (EPA, 1973) . The low sampling efficiency
we experienced in 1976 also cannot be overlooked.
At Site //l, fathead minnows remained the predominant species,
comprising 63.2% of the numbers collected and 29.6% of the biomass. Due
to the small sample size, little can be said regarding a predominant
species at Site //2. Sand shiners, fathead minnows, flathead chubs
and plains killifish were collected in about equal numbers.
School-Little Thunder Creeks. Relative abundance and length-
weight data for fish collected at the School and Little Thunder Creek
sites are presented in Table 6. Standing crop estimates could not
be made because of the reduction in sampling efficiency caused by deep
water and dense aquatic vegetation.
At the School Creek site, white suckers predominated on both a
numbers and a biomass basis, comprising 71.4% and 75.1% of the sample,
respectively. Lesser numbers of black bullheads and fathead minnows
were also collected. Diversity of the fish community (Figure 7 )
generally ranged lower than at the other sampling stations, due most
likely to the extensive channel dewatering which occurs. During the
September visit to the site, only a few shallow (<0.5 ft) scattered
pools remained in the reach of stream.
Fish diversity was found to be higher at the Little Thunder site
(Figure 7 ), although the numbers collected were similar to those for
School Creek. The pool selected for study on Little Thunder is appar-
ently fed by ground water, as water levels throughout the year did not
vary greatly.
Four game fish species were collected from Little Thunder, black
35
-------
TABLE 6
FISH LENGTH, WEIGHT AND SPECIES COMPOSITION DATA
JUNE, 197 6
Species Number % Total Number Mean Length Length Range Mean Weight Weight Range
(mm) (mm) (g) (gj>
SCHOOL CREEK
Black Bullhead
2
14.3
115.0
70-160
49.0
20-78
Fathead Minnow
2
14.3
73.5
67-80
12.0
-
White Sucker
10
71.4
125.5
74-220
36.7
12-120
LITTLE THUNDER
CREEK
Black Bullhead
1
12.5
160.0
-
72.0
-
Green Sunfish
1
12.5
155.0
-
72.0
-
Bluegill
2
25.0
179.5
179-180
125.0
110-140
Largemouth Bass
1
12.5
80.0
-
4.0
-
Fathead Minnow
2
25.0
47.5
45-50
1.0
-
White Sucker
1
12.5
200.0
-
90.0
-
-------
bn J I.headfj, grcc.n sun fish, bluegLll ;i ncl largemouth bass. As discussed
earlier, the sourc:c: Lor the latter two species is most likely Reno
Reservoir, located upstream. Except for the one bass, these specimens
were of "fishable" size. This would indicate that with proper manage-
ment, a fisheries potential does exist for these deep, ground water
fed, ponds which are scattered along the creek in this reach. Fisher-
man access to them, however, would certainly be a constraint.
Other species collected at the Little Thunder site included fathead
minnows and white suckers.
Biology of Species Collected (1974-1976)
Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus). (From: Baxter and Simon, 1970;
Scott and Crossman, 1973; Hunter, 1963.)
Adult Size: Aproximately 20 cm.
Life Expectancy: seven to nine years.
Range: Widely distributed in the U. S., from the Great Lakes to
the Mexican Border and from the Alleghenies to the Rocky
Mountains. In Wyoming, primarily in the northeastern counties
and also in the North Platte, Big Horn and Niobrara river
systems.
Preferred Habitat: Pools of small and medium sized streams.
Sometimes abundant in small lakes, ponds and sloughs.
Feeding Habits: Carnivorous, feeding primarily on insects, mol-
luscs and small fishes.
Spawning Habits: Individuals reach sexual maturity at two to three
years of age. Spawning normally occurs during the spring
and early summer (20°C to 28°C) over substrates of mud,
silt, sand or aquatic vegetation in pools having water depths
37
-------
ranging from 4 cm to 46 cm. Eggs are deposited in a nest
built by the male and hatch in three to five days. Members
of the species are prolific spawners and often overpopulate
their warm water habitats.
Comments: At the Little Powder River and Antelope Creek study
sites in 1975, it appeared that spawning had occurred prior
to the June sampling and the eggs had hatched. This was
indicated by the number of fish in the 3 cm to 5 cm size
group.
Black Bullhead (Ictalurus melas). (From: Baxter and Simon, 1970;
Scott and Crossman, 1973; Forney, 1955; Wallace, 1967; Black, 1953.)
Adult Size: Average 13 cm to 18 cm, but up to 38 cm.
Life Expectancy: Approximately nine years.
Range: From the East coast west to the Rocky Mountains and from
Manitoba south to Tennessee. In Wyoming, found in all
drainages east of the Continental Divide on the plains.
Species can tolerate water temperatures to mid 30°C range and
very low dissolved oxygen concentrations.
Preferred Habitat: Low gradient, turbid, warm-water streams and
ponds.
Feeding Habits: Primarily carnivorous, including aquatic insects,
snails, crustaceans and small fish. Also feed on plant
materia L.
Spawning Habits: Spawning normally occurs during the spring and
early summer (approximately 21°C) in shallow pool area having
substrates of mud, silt, sand or rooted aquatic vegetation.
Each mating pair builds at least five nests, with approxi-
38
-------
mntely 200 eggs deposited in each. Eggs hatch in five days
and the fry are guarded by one or both parents. Members of
this species are prolific spawners and often overpopulate
their habitat unless intensively managed as a fishery.
Comments: At the Little Powder River study sites in 1975, it
appeared that spawning had occurred prior to the June
sampling and the eggs had hatched. This was indicated by the
number of fish collected in the 3 cm to 5 cm size class.
Sand Shiner (Notropis stramineus missuriensis). (From: Baxter
and Simon, 1970; Scott and Crossman, 1973; Minckley, 1973; Carlander,
1969; Starrett, 1951.)
Adult Size: Normally 5 cm to 8 cm.
Life Expectancy: Three to four years.
Range: Rocky Mountains east to the St. Lawrence drainage. In
Wyoming, all drainages east of the Continental Divide, except
the headwaters of the Madison and Yellowstone rivers in
Yellowstone Park.
Preferred Habitat: Warm, perennial, sandy streams and sandy,
shallow lakes with little rooted aquatic vegetation.
Feeding Habits: Omnivorous, including aquatic and terrestrial
insects and diatoms.
Spawning Habits: Individuals normally become sexually mature at
one year of age. Spawning occurs in the summer from June
to August over sand and clean gravel areas. Each female
produces Trom 250 to 3,000 eggs which are scattered over
the stream substrate. No nest construction or parental care
is known to occur.
39
-------
Comments: Excellent forage species in Wyoming. No spawning
activity or gravid specimens were noted during WRRI's 1974
and 1976 collections. Ripe females were collected on
Antelope Creek in June, 1975.
Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas). (From: Baxter and Simon,
1970; Markus, 1934; Simpson, 1941; Scott and Crossman, 1973; Wynn-
Edwards, 1932.;
Adult Size: Up To 9 cm.
Life Expectancy: Normally two years.
Range: Northwest Territory of Canada south to Mexico, east of
the Rocky Mountains. In Wyoming, widespread and common in
smaller streams, many ponds and some lakes east of the
Continental Divide. Has been introduced into the Green River
drainage.
Preferred Habitat: Cool and warm water, slow-flowing, weedy
streams and shallow lakes and ponds. Common in many inter-
mittent streams.
Feeding Habits: Primarily herbivorous, including algae, plankton
and organic detritus. Also, small numbers of insects.
Spawning Habits: In more northerly climates, individuals reach
sexual maturity at one year of age; however, in Iowa, it
was found that fish hatched in May reach adult size and were
spawning by late July. Spawning activity normally begins in
spring or early summer when water temperatures reach 16°C.
Males select and guard nests located in rocky or weedy areas
(also under logs) of pools in one to three feet of water.
Females then deposit up to 12,000 adhesive eggs which cling
40
-------
to the roo£ of the nest. The incubation period ranges from
four to six days. During this phase of development, the
male guards the eggs and agitates the water in the near
vicinity of them-. This agitation prevents silt accumulations,
removes matabolic products and aerates the eggs.
Comments: At the study sites in June, 1976, examination of adult
fish revealed that most spawning activity had already
occurred, although several individuals, still gravid, were
collected. This species serves as an excellent forage fish
throughout the U. S.
Carp (Cyprinus carpio). (From: Baxter and Simon, 1970; Scott
and Crossman, 1973.)
Adult Size: Seldom over 4.5 kilograms in Wyoming.
Life Expectancy: Up to 20 years.
Range: Throughout U. S. In Wyoming, common at lower elevations
in all river systems except the Snake and Niobrara rivers.
Preferred Habitat: Lakes, lagoons and quiet pools and backwaters
of rivers.
Feeding Habits: Omnivorous. Species "roots" in bottom muds for
insects, annelids, molluscs, crustaceans and vegetation.
Spawning Habits: Maturity is normally reached in three to four
years for males, while for females, four to five years.
Spawning occurs in the spring and early summer when water
temperatures range from 17°C to 28°C in tiie shallow, weedy
areas of pools. Carp are extremely prolific, with large
females capable of producing up to several million adhesive
eggs. No nests are built and no parental care is exhibited.
41
-------
Eggs are scattered over the bottom where they adhere to
vegetation and incubate for three to six days before hatching.
Comments: During the June, 1974, sampling on the Little Powder,
no gravid individuals were collected. Two explanations can
be offered for this; either spawning had already occurred,
or, the three individuals captured had not yet reached
sexual maturity. Only one immature specimen was captured
in 1975 on each study stream and none were collected in 1976.
This species is normally considered detrimental to game fish
because their "rooting" while feeding increases turbidity
and destroys vegetation.
Flathead Chub (Hybopsis gracilis). (From: Baxter and Simon, 1970;
Olund and Cross, 1961; Cross, 1967; Scott and Crossman, 1973.)
Adult Size: Average 13 cm to 18 cm. Up to 25 cm or more.
Life Expectancy: Several years.
Range: From the Northwest Territory of Canada south to Oklahoma
and New Mexico. In Wyoming, common in all drainages east
of the Continental Divide except the Madison, Yellowstone,
Niobrara and South Platte river systems.
Preferred Habitat: Larger silty rivers. Seldom found in lakes
and ponds.
Feeding Habits: Primarily carnivorous, including terrestrial and
aquatic insects and small fish. Also some vegetation.
Spawning Habits: Species apparently spawns relatively late in
summer when rivers are lower, warmer and the bottom more
stable. No other information is available except that males
become tuberculate in late summer.
42
-------
Comments: Two of the four individuals collected from the Little
Powder in June, 1974 were females in pre-spawning condition.
Ripe females were collected in June, 1975 on Antelope Creek.
Longnose Dace (Rhinichthys cataractae). (From: Baxter and Simon,
1970; Kuehn, 1949; Simpson, 1941; McPhail and Lindsey, 1970; Scott and
Crossman, 1973.)
Adult Size: Average 8 cm to 10 cm. Up to 15 cm.
Life Expectancy: Up to five years.
Range: Throughout U. S. In Wyoming, native to and common in all
drainages but the Green and Little Snake River basins.
Preferred Habitat: Both small and large streams in riffle areas.
Also found in lakes along rocky shorelines.
Feeding Habits: Primarily insectivorous, but also feed on small
amounts of algae.
Spawning Habits: Spawning occurs in the spring and summer most
probably in riffle areas over a gravel bottom. Each female
normally produces from 200 to 1,200 adhesive eggs which cling
to the substrate. No nest is built but one parent remains
in the vicinity of egg deposition to guard them. At 16°C,
eggs hatch in seven to ten days.
Comments: None of the fish collected were found to be gravid,
indicating that spawning had already occurred or that the
specimens were juvenile fish. Few individuals were collected
during June 1975 sampling and none in 1976, most probably
due to the lack of gravel bottomed riffle areas which this
species prefers.
43
-------
WhiLc Sur.kcr (CaLostoinus comincjrsoni) . (From: Baxter and Simon,
1970; Reighard, 1920; Simpson, 1941; Scott and Crossman, 1973; Campbell,
1935; Geen et al., 1966.)
Adult Size: Rarely over 0.9 kilograms in Wyoming.
Life Expectancy: Up to 17 years.
Range: Rocky Mountains east to Atlantic seacoast and south from
the Arctic Circle to southeastern U. S. In Wyoming, most
common fish east of the. Continental Divide. Also been
introduced into Green and Little Snake River drainages.
Preferred Habitat: Common in a variety of habitats, from high
mountain lakes to sluggish lowland streams. Avoids fast
current.
Fedding Habits: Omnivorous. Feeds along stream bottom primarily
for insects, but also for algae and other organic debris.
Spawning Habits: Individuals normally mature from three to four
years of age. Spawning activity begins in spring and early
summer when water temperatures reach 10°C in shallow water
over sand or gravel substrates. During spawning the males
become densely tuberculate. There is no deliberate construc-
tion of a nest but the activities of the adults create
depressions in the substrate into which the female may deposit
up to 50,000 eggs. The incubation period lasts approximately
14 days.
Comments: In June, it appears spawning had already occurred as
no gravid adults were collected. This species serves as a
good forage fish.
44
-------
Northern Redhorse (Moxustoma macro.lepidotum) . (From: Baxter and
Simon, 1970; Scott and Crossman; Meyer, 1962; Reed, 1962.)
Adult Size: Up to 51 cm and one kilogram.
Life Expectancy: Reported up to 12 years.
Range: Montana and Saskatchewan east to Atlantic seacoast and
south to Oklahoma. In Wyoming, species had previously been
collected in the North Platte and lower Laramie Rivers, in
the Belle Fourche, Tongue and Powder River drainages, and in
the Big Horn River.
Preferred Habits: Medium sized streams and lakes with cool,
clear water.
Spawning Habits: In Iowa, individuals have been reported to
become sexually mature at three years of age. Spawning
occurs in the spring when water temperatures reach 11°C in
shallow water over sand or gravel substrates. As with white
suckers, there is no deliberate nest construction. Females
produce up to 30,000 eggs, which are scattered over the
stream bottom and then abandoned.
Comments: Of the five individuals collected in June, 1974, at
the Little Powder River Site No. 2, none were gravid. As
all were less than 13 cm in length, these were most probably
juvenile fish. In 1975, one mature male in spawning colors
was captured at Little Powder No. 1. None were collected in
1976.
River Carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio). (From: Baxter and Simon,
45
-------
1.970; Scott and Grossman, L973; Harlan and Speaker, J 951; Deacon, 1961;
Buchholz, 1957.)
Adult Size: Up to 4.5 kilograms in Wyoming.
Life Expectancy: Unknown.
Range: From Montana to Pennsylvania and south to Tennessee and
Texas. In Wyoming, found in the Big Horn, Powder, Little
Powder, Belle Fourche, and North Platte river basins.
Preferred Habitat: Ouiet pools in clear and turbid streams, but
not common in rubble-bottomed streams.
Feeding Habits: Primarily herbivorous, but also some small
invertebrates.
Spawning Habits: Spawning occurs from April to June with the
eggs being scattered over the stream bottom and left
unattended.
Comments: During the June, 1974 sampling at Little Powder River
Site No. 2 neither of the two individuals collected were
gravid. Either spawning had previously occurred or these
were juvenile forms (both were less than 15 cm in length).
Neither of two 1975 fish collected were gravid.
Plains Killifish (Fundulus kansae). (From: Baxter and Simon,
1970; Scott and Crossman, 1973; Eddy and Underhill, 1974.)
Adult Size: Up to 10 cm.
Life Expectancy: Unknown.
Range: From Oklahoma to South Dakota, on the Great Plains. In
Wyoming, primarily east of the Continental Divide. Present
in the southeast corner of the sLate in the North and South
Platte River drainages. Also present in the Cheyenne River
46
-------
drainage, Ocean Lake, Owl Creek, and Big Horn River. Species
is tolerant of water containing high values of total solids,
primarily sulfates of magnesium and sodium.
Preferred Habitat: Warm water, sandy, shallow streams. Is
tolerant to shifting sand bottoms, high salinities.
Feeding Habits: Feeds on surface, open water. Is primarily car-
nivorous, mostly small insects.
Spawning Habits: Spawning usually occurs in late summer, with
water temperatures ranging near 28°C, over gravel in shallow
water, 5 c^m - 10 cm. Some Killifishes spawn throughout
summer. Deposited eggs are buried, presumably from the
shifting of sand.
Comments: An extremely hardy and aggressive species. Can be used
as a bait fish, but not preferred. No gravid individuals
found in June, 1975 or 1976.
Plains Minnow (Hybognathus placitus). (From: Baxter and Simon,
1970; Scott and Crossman, 1973; Eddy and Underhill, 1974.)
Adult Size: Up to 15 cm, usually 10.16 cm - 13 cm.
Life Expectancy: Unknown.
Range: The Great Plains, mainly west of the Missouri River from
North Dakota and Montana south to central Texas. In Wyoming,
found in the Bighorn, Tongue, Powder, Little Powder, Little
Missouri, Belle Fourche and Cheyenne rivers. Is native to
the North Platte River".
Preferred Habitat: Turbid side pools of silty streams, in slower
water. Common associates are the flathead chub and river
carpsucker.
47
-------
Feeding Habits: MainLy herbivorous, but does include aquatic
invertebrates in the diet.
Spawning Habits: Unknown for this species. Presumably eggs are
scattered in silt-bottomed backwaters, with the breeding
season apparently extended.
Comments: Ripe females were collected on Antelope Creek in June,
1975.
Stonecat (Noturus flavus). (From Baxter and Simon, 1970; Scott and
Crossman, 1973.)
Adult Size: Up to 30 cm, but normally not more than 20 cm in
Wyoming.
Life Expectancy: Individuals reported up to 9 years.
Range: Rocky Mountains east to New York and south to Alabama and
Oklahoma. In Wyoming, found in the North Platte, Belle
Fourche, Powder, Tongue and Bighorn drainages.
Preferred Habitat: Riffles or rapids of moderate to large streams
having rubble bottoms. Also in lakes near sand and gravel
bars where wave action is present.
Feeding Habits: Primarily carnivorous, feeding on immature aquatic
insects. Secondarily, on molluscs, minnows, crayfish and
plant material.
Spawning Habits: Peak activity in June and July, when water
temperatures reach 28°C. Spawns in streams or shallow,
rocky areas of lakes, depositing a mass of approximately 500
sticky eggs under the cobbles. Male guards the eggs.
Comments: Normally too small to be considered of value by
sportsmen. Poison glands are well developed and can deliver
-------
a painful sting. Only one specimen has thusfar been collected
on the study streams, that being from the Little Powder River
in June of 197 6.
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). (From: Baxter and Simon,
1970; Scott and Crossman, 1973; Eddy and Underhill, 1974.)
Adult Size: 20-38 cm.
Life Expectancy: 13-15 years.
Range: From southern Canada and through the Great Lakes to Florida
and northeastern Mexico. Has been introduced in Wyoming in
the eastern counties, Little Thunder Basin Reservoir, the
Lander area, and Fes to Lake, near Wheatland.
Preferred Habitat: Larger lakes and backwaters of slow streams
with summer temperatures exceeding 24°F and abundant beds
of aquatic vegetation. With Wyoming's cool water tempera-
tures, habitat is marginal for this species.
Feeding Habits: Carnivorous. Species feeds on insects, smaller
fish, crayfish, and frogs.
Spawning Habits: Occurs when water temperatures reach 16-18°C,
late spring to midsummer, in water 0.6 to 1.8 meters deep,
on mud substrate or vegetation. Eggs are deposited in
nests built by mates, which are rigorously defended until
the eggs are hatched and the fry leave. The eggs must be
protected from siltation or they will be deserted.
Comments: Species introduced into Reno Reservoir (located upstream
from the study site) by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department.
This undoubtedly is the source of the specimen collected.
49
-------
I' J nog L] I (Lap pin Ik macrochlrus mac rochirus) . (From: Baxter and
Simon, 1970; Scott and Crossman, 1973; Eddy and Underhill, 1974.)
Adult Size: Up to 28 cm; but rarely over 18 cm in Wyoming.
Life Expectancy: 8-10 years.
Range: Native range is restricted to the fresh waters of eastern
and central North America, from South Dakota to Lake Champ-
lain, and south to Florida and Texas. Has been introduced
in Wyoming and can be found in farm ponds in the northeastern
counties. It is also found in Little Thunder Basin Reservoir,
Campbell County, and Ocean Lake, Fremont County.
Preferred Habitat: Warm weedy ponds, sloughs, small lakes with
deep weed beds, and sluggish streams.
Feeding Habits: Primarily carnivorous, feeding on insects,
molluscs, smaller fish, and some plant material.
Spawning Habits: Spawning usually occurs from the last part of
May to early July, with temperatures ranging from 68°C to
83°C. Substrates are sandy bottoms, mud, silt, or aquatic
vegetation. Nests are built similar to colonies by aggressive
and territorial mates. Over population of their habitat
often occurs because these fish are prolific spawners.
Comments: Species introduced into Reno Reservoir (located upstream
from the study site) by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department.
This undoubtedly is the source of the specimen collected.
Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides). (From: Baxter and Simon, 1970; Scott
and Crossman, 1973; Kennedy and Sprules, 1967; Battle and Sprules, 1960;
McPhail and Lindsey, 1970.)
Adult Size: Average 0.5 kg or less in Wyoming.
50
-------
Life Expectancy: Individuals reported to 15 years.
Range: From Saskatchewan through the Missouri and Mississippi
drainages east to Ohio and south to Tennessee, Oklahoma and
Texas. In Wyoming, formerly found in the North Platte, Big
Horn, Powder and Little Missouri river drainages. Found only
in the lower Powder River, Clear Creek and Little Missouri
River during recent collections.
Preferred Habitat: Quiet, turbid water of larger rivers, the small
lakes, ponds and marshes connected to them, and also in muddy
shallows of larger lakes. Large eyes adapt it to turbid
conditions.
Feeding Habits: Carnivorous, including insects, fish and frogs.
Juveniles feed primarily on zooplankton.
Spawning Habits: Spawning normally occurs in the pools of turbid
rivers and backwater lakes and ponds during the spring and
early summer when water temperatures reach the 50 to 55°F
range. In Manitoba, females averaged 14,150 eggs each.
Fertilized eggs are semi-buoyant and float in the current.
Thus, no nest is built and no parental care is exhibited.
Eggs hatch in about two weeks.
Comments: In Wyoming, young goldeye have never been collected and
no data is available regarding spawning habits. Species are
not classified as a game fish in Wyoming; however, in Canada
it is considered a valuable food fish. One specimen was
collected in the 1974 Little Powder River sampling, but none
have been captured since.
51
-------
llonthic Invertebrates
Little Powder River. The invertebrate fauna collected at the
LittlePowder sites were found to represent 3 phyla, 6 classes, 12 orders,
23 families and at least 33 genera. The taxonomic classification for
these organisms is presented in Table 7 while Tables 8 and 9 summarize
the collections at each site.
Site No. 1
Throughout the 1976 sampling year, two taxa were found to
predominate on a numbers basis at Site No. 1. In April and June,
Dubiraphia (beetle) larvae comprised 27.9 and 28.6%, respectively, of
total numbers, while in the fall and winter samples, Chironomidae
larvae were most abundant (60.6 and 91.0% respectively). Considering
biomass, oligocheates (April, 56.9%), freshwater snails (Lymnaea in
June, 69.8%; Physa in September, 23.7%) and Chironomiden larvae (January,
76.2%) predominated at various times throughout the year. Another
form sampled regularly was the mayfly nymph, Caenis. New taxa collected
in 1976 were Sialis fuliginosa (alderfly larva) , Gyraulus (snail) ,
Neumania (water mite) and Belostoma (giant water
Site No. 2
Invertebrate groups which predominated throughout the year on
a numbers basis included Chironomidae larvae (April and January, 28.2
and 65.0% respectively), Dubiraphia larvae (June, 26.8%) and oligocheates
(September, 28.7%). Physa, oligocheates, Sphncrium (freshwater clam),
Macromia (dragonfly nymph) and Chironomidae larvae were most abundant by
t
weight at various time' throughout the year. Caenis nymphs were also
common. New genera collected in 1976 included Haliplus (beetle),
Ptilostomis (caddisfly) , Progomphus (dragonfly), Neumania and Gyraulus.
-------
TABLE 7
TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF BENTHIC FAUNA FROM THE LITTLE POWDER RIVER
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
l_n
w
Crustacea
Arachnoidea
Order
Dip tera
(two-winged flies)
Coleoptera
(beetles)
Ephemeroptera
(mayfly)
Odonata
(damsel and
dragonflies)
Trichoptera
(caddisfly)
Hemiptera
(water bugs)
Megaloptera'
(hellgrammites)
Amphipoda
(shrimp)
Hydracarina
(water mites)
Family
Chironomidae
Ceratopogonidae
Tabar.idae
Elmidae
Haliplidae
Caenidae
Coenagrionidae
Gomphidae
Libellulidae
Psychomyiidae
Phryganeidae
Corixidae
Belostomatidae
Dipsocoridae
Sialidae
Talitridae
Unionicolidae
Limnocharidae
Genus
Chironomus sp.
Pentaneura sp.
Palpomyia sp.
Chrysops sp.
Dubiraphia sp.
Haliplus sp.
Caenis sp.
Ischnura sp.
Progomphus sp.
Macromia sp.
Polycentropus sp.
Ptilostomis sp.
Sialis fuliginosa
Hyallela azteca
Neumania sp.
Limnochares sp.
-------
TABLE 7 (Cont.)
Phylum
Annellida
Mollusca
Class
Clittellata
Gastropoda
Pelecypoda
Order
Oligocheata
(worms)
Pulmonata
(snails)
Sphaeriacea
(clams)
Familv
Tubif icidae
Physidae
Lymnaeidae
Planorbidae
Sphaeriidae
Genus
Physa sp.
Lymnaea sp.
Gyraulus sp.
Sphaerium sp.
-------
TABLE 8
SUMMARY OF BOTTOM FAUNA COLLECTED AT LITTLE POUT3ER RIVER SITE NO. ]
Class
Order
Family
Genus
April 19 76
June 1976
September 1976
Januarv 1977
% Total
No. No.
Bio- Bio- Bio- Bio-
mass % Total % Total mass % Total Z Total mass % Total % Total mass X Total
(nig) Biomass No. No. (nig) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass
Insecta
Diptera
Chi ronomidae
Pentaneura sp.
(larvae)
Chlronomug 9p.
(larvae)
Other larvae
Other pupae
(unidentifiable
piece)
(unidentifiable
pupae)
Ceratopogonidae
Palpomyla sp.
(larvae)
Coleoptera
Elmidae
Dublraphla sp.
(larvae)
(adults)
(unidentifiable
larvae)
Trichoptera
Psychorayiidae
Polycentropu3 sp.
18
8
0
0
1
14.8
6.6
0.8
1.9
1.3
0.1
1 0.8 0.6
1 0.8 0.1
34 27.9 2.0
2 1.6 0.3
1 0.8 0.1
1 0.8 0.2
6.6
4.5
0.3
2.1
7.1
14.3
0.1
0.2
7.1 0.1
0.3 0
6.9 4 28.6 0.4
1.0 0
0.3 0
0.7 0
20 7.1 1.4 1.6 47 4.0 4.5 1.2
63 22.3 13.8 15.5 348 29.9 258.0 68.5
1.9 88 31.2 7.8 8.8 663 57.1 24.6 6.5
3.8 0 0
0 0
1.9 2 0.7 0.2 0.2 0
2 0.7 0.3 0.3 8 0.7 0.4 0.1
7.5 21 7.4 1.6 1.8 45 3.9 3.7 1.0
3 1.1 4.5 5.1 0
0 0
-------
Class April 1976
Order Bio-
Family Z Total mass % Total
Genus No. No. (mg) Blomass No.
Ul
a*
Ephemeroptera
Caenidae
Caenig sp. 11 9.0 1.3 4.5 3
Odonata
Coenagrionidae
0 0
3 2.5 1.0 3.4 0
(unidentifiable
pieces)
Hemiptera
Corixldae
1 0.8 0.7 2.4 0
Belostomatidae
0 0
0 0
Megaloptera
Sialidae
Slalis fullglnosa 0 0
Crustacea
Amphipoda
Talitridae
Hyallela azteca 10 8.2 2.5 8.6 1
Arachnoidea
Hydracarina
Unionicolldae
Neuraanla sp. 0 0
Clittellata
Oligocheata
Tubificldae
28 23.0 16.5 56.9 1
TABLE 8 (Cont.)
June 1976 September 1976 Jauu.irv 1 Q? 7
Bio- Bio- Bio-
Total mass X Total X Total mass % Total % Total mass 7, Total
No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mi;) Biomass
21.4 0.6 11.3 21 7.4 3.1
3.5
0.8
0.4 0.1
0.4 0.1
0.1
1 0.4 0.1 0.1 34 2.9 10.9 2.9
0 1 0.1 71.0 18.9
1 0.4 0.1 0.1 0
1 0.4 2.4 2.7 0
7.1 0.1 1.9 0
1 0.4 0.1 0.1 0
7.1 0.1 1.9 39 13.8 19.7 22.2 5 0.4 0.5 0.1
-------
Class April 1976
Order Bio-
Family % Total mass X Total
Genus No. No. (mg) Biomass No
Gastropoda
Pulmonata
Physidae
Physa sp. 0
Lymnaeidae
Lymnaea sp. 2 1.6 0.4 1.4
Planorbidae
Gyraulus sp. 0
Pelecypoda
TOTALS
122
(100.0) 29.0 (100.0)
TABLE 8 (Cont.)
June 1976
Bio-
Z Total mass
No. (rag)
% Total
Biomass
September 1976
Jnnuarv 1977
No.
% Total
No.
Bio-
mass
(mg)
% Total
Biomass
No.
% Total
No.
B i o-
mass '¦
(np) Bic
>1
03S3
7.1
3. 7
69.8
2.5
2.1
0.4
21.1
7.8
0.8
23. 7
8.8
0.9
0.2
2.5
0.7
1.4
4.0
4.5
(100.0) 5.3 (100.0) 282 (100.0) 88.9 (100.0) 1162 (100.0) 376.5 (100.0)
-------
TABLE 9
SUMMARY OF BOTTOM FAUNA COLLECTED AT LITTLE POWDER RIVER SITE NO. 2
Class April 1976 June 1976 September 1976 Janun ry 19 7 7
Order Bio- Bio- Bio- Bio-
Famlly X Tocal mass % Total % Total mass % Total Z Total mass Z Total % Total mass % Total
Genus No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (nig) Bicrr.ass
Insecta
Diptera
Chironomidae
Chlronomus sp.
22
11.1
0.9
1.6
4
0.8
1.4
0.9
55
7.9
11.5
3.9
132
24.0
CO
r-j
48.S
(larvae)
Other pupae
0
11
2.3
1.6
1.1
0
0
Other larvae
31
15.6
2.0
3.5
76
15.8
4.0
2.8
62
8.9
3.5
1.2
212
38.5
6.2
10.3
Pentaneura sp.
3
1.5
0.4
0.7
17
3.5
1.6
1.1
22
3.1
1.5
0.5
14
2.5
1.3
2.3
(larvae)
Ceratopogonldae
Palpomyia sp.
8
4.0
0.6
1.0
4
0.8
0.6
0.4
6
0.9
0.4
0. 1
19
3.5
1.7
3.0
(larvae)
3
1.5
0.8
1.4
1
0.2
0.4
0.3
1
0.1
0.1
<0.1
0
(unidentifiable
pupae)
Tabanidae
Chrysops sp.
1
0.5
1.2
2.1
2
¦0.4
0.3
0.2
1
0.1
5.3
1.8
0
(larvae)
Coleoptera
Elmldae
Dublraphla sp.
28
14.1
2.2
3.8
129
26.8
7.1
4.7
173
24.7
22.0
7.4
126
22.9
12.9
22.4
(larvae)
(adult)
1
0.5
0.2
0.4
11
2.3
2.2
1.5
3
0.4
0.4
0. 1
0
(adult pieces)
0
0
3
0.4
5.7
1.9
0
Haliplidae
Hallplus sp.
0
2
0.4
1.3
0.9
0
0
Ephemeroptera
Caenldae
Caenls sp.
30
15.1
2.2
3.8
94
19.5
15.3
10.2
124
17.7
7.2
2.4
29
5.3
2.2
3.8
Hemiptera
Corixldae
4
2.0
0.5
0.9
4
0.8
1.9
1.3
3
0.4
0.7
0.2
1'
0.2
0.1
0.2
-------
Class April 1976
Order Bio-
Family Z Total mass Z Total
Genus No. No. (og) Biomass No.
Dipsocoridae
0 0
Trichoptera
Phryganeidae
Ptllostomls sp. 0 0
2 1.0 0.6 1.0 0
(pieces of larvae)
Odonata
Coenagrionldae
Ischnura sp. 0 0
(pieces of nymphs) 3 1.5 0.4 0.7 1
Gomphidae
i_n -- 1 0.5 0.3 0.5 0
Progomphus sp. 0 2
Libellulidae
Macromia sp. 0 0
Arachnoidea
Hydracarina
Litnnocharidae
Llmnochares sp. 0 1
Unionicolidae
Neumanla sp. 0 1
Crustacea
Amphipoda
Talltridae
Hyallela azteca 0 5
Clittellata
Ollgocheata
Tubificidae
52 26.1 10.9 18.8 104
TABLE 9 (Cont.)
June 1976 September 1976 January 19 7 7
Bio- Bio- Bio-
Total mass % Total Z Total mass % Total % Total mass X Total
No. (n>g) Biomass No. No. (rag) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass
0.1 0.1 <0.1
0
1 0.1 0.9 0.3 0
1 0.1 0.2 <0.1 0
0.2
0.4
4.5
9.3
3.0
6.2
12
5
0
2
1.7
0.7
2.6
2.1
0.3 0.5
0.1 107.6
0.9
0.7
0.2
36.2
0.4
0.6
1.0
0.2 0.8 0.5 0
0.2 0.1 <0.1 0
1.0 1.7 1.1 0
21.6 30.7 20.5 201 28.7 44.5 15.0 14 2.5 2.0 3.5
-------
TABLE 9 (Cont.)
Class
Order
Family
Genus
April 1976
June 1976
September 1976
January 197 7
Bio- Bio- Bio- Bio-
% Total mass % Total Z Total mass Z Total % Total mass X Total % Total mass Z Total
No. No. (rag) Biomass No. No. (nig) Biomass No. No. (rag) Biomass No. No. (mg) Bior-.ass
Gastropoda
Pulmonata
Physidae
Physa sp.
Lymnaeidae
Lymnaea sp.
Planorbldae
Gyraulus sp.
Pelycypoda
Sphaeriacea
Sphaeri idae
Sphaerlum sp.
4.5
29.7
51.3
0.5
5.0
8.6
1.9
0.2
23.2
0.2
15.5 16
0.1 3
2
0.4 30.5 20.4 0
0.2 11.0 7.3 0
2.3
0.4
0.3
46.7
2.8
5.8
15.7
0.9
2.0
0.2
2.5
4.3
0.3
25.1
8.4
(halves of shells)
TOTALS 199 (100.0) 57.9 (100.0) 482 (100.0) 149.7 (100.0) 700 (100.0) 297.2 (100.0) 550 (100.0) 57.6 (100.0)
-------
OJ
E
CE
Figure 8. Seasonal Trends in Relative
Abundance for all invertebrates
Versus the Class Insecta for
the Little Powder River
Study Sites, 1974-1976.
-------
Overall Trends and Community Structure
Tables 10 and 11 present the relative abundance of bottom
fauna collected at the two study sites in 1976 on both a numbers and a
2
biomass per 0.1 square meter (m ) basis.
As shown in Figure 8, the general trend in abundance is for lower
numbers and biomass in the spring and early summer increasing to annual
peak concentrations in the fall and winter. Also, it is of interest
to note the greater fluctuations in abundance observed at Site //I when
compared with it2. Two inter-related hypotheses can be offered to
explain these trends. First of all, as this reach of the Little
Powder River is subject to periods of zero flow, it would appear likely
that the invertebrate fauna has selected a life history strategy to
cope with intermittency. This strategy involves overwintering in the
late stages of larval development, followed by emergence of adult forms
in the spring, coinciding with periods of runoff. The adults then
reproduce and the availability of water at this time of year ensures
both hatching success and distribution of the species.
The second hypothesis relates to the channel form and substrate
characteristics of the two study sites. The channel in this reach of
the Little Powder River through Thunder Basin can be categorized as
incised or entrenched (a river which has cut its channel through the
bed of the valley floor; its channel formed by the process of degrada-
tion, Arnett, 1976). At Site #1, the degree of entrenchment is greater
than at //2, indicating that downcutting is more extensive (see photos
in Figure 3 ). This then could explain the more dramatic fluctuations
observed at it 1. With more extensive erosion of the substrate, a greater
portion of the invertebrate fauna is being uprooted. AL.so, visual
62
-------
TABLE 10
-ftEiAT-fVE- ABUNDANCE OF BOTTOM FAUNA ON A NUMBERS BASIS
AT THE TWO LITTLE POWDER RIVER STUDY SITES
Numbers of Organisms per 0.1 m
Site No. 1 Site No. 2
Phvlum
Class
Order
April June September January April June September January
Arthropoda Insecta Diptera 20.8 2.8 125.4
Coleoptera 26.5 2.9 17.3
Ephemeroptera 7.9 2.2 15.1
Hemiptera 0.7 0 1.4
Trichoptera 0.7 0 0
Odonata 2.2 0 0.7
Megaloptera 0 0 0.7
Crustacea Amphipoda 7.2 0.7 0
Arachnoidea Hydracarina 0 0 0.7
Annellida Clittellata Oligocheata 20.1 0.7 28.0
Mollusca Gastropoda Pulmonata 1.4 0.7 10.0
Pelecypoda Sphaeriacea 0 0 2.9
764.5 48.9
32.3 20.8
6.5 21.5
25.1 2.9
0
0
0
0
0
1.4
2.9
0
0
0
3.6 37.3
1.4 6.5
0 0.7
82.5
101.8
67.4
2.9
0
2.1
0
3.6
1.4
74.6
7.2
2.1
105.4
128.5
88.9
2.9
1.4
14.3
0
0
0
144.2
15.1
1.4,
270.3
90.4
20.8
0.7
0
1.4
0
0
0
10.0
0.7
0
TOTALS
87.5 10.0
202.2
833.4 142.9 345.6
502.1
394.3
-------
TABLE 11
-REfcATI-VE- ABUNDANCE OF BOTTOM FAUNA ON A BIOMASS BASIS
AT THE TWO LITTLE POWDER RIVER STUDY SITES
Milligrams of Organisms per 0.1 m
Site No. 1 Site No. 2
Phylum
Class
Order
April June September January April June September January
Arthropoda Insecta
Annellida
Mollusca
Crustacea
Diptera
Coleoptera
Ephemeroptera
Hemiptera
Trichoptera
Odonata
Megaloptera
Amphipoda
Arachnoidea Hydracarina
Clittellata Oligocheata
Gastropoda Pulmonata
Pelecypoda Sphaeriacea
2.86 0.28
1.72 0.29
0.93 0.43
0,. 50 0
0.14 0
0.72 0
0 0
1.79 0.07
0 0
11.83 0.07
0.29 2.65
0 0
16.85
4.38
2. 22
0.14
0
0.07
1.72
0
0.07
14.13
21. 29
2.87
206.2
2.65
0.29
58.74
0
0
0
0
0
0.36
1.79
0
4.24
1.72
0.43
0.51
0
0
0
7.11
7.6
1.58 10.97
0.36 1.36
0
9.90
0
1.22
0.64
7.82 22.02
21.30 16.78
3.59 29.76
16.00
20.16
5.16
0.57
0.79
80.90
0
0
0
31.92
39.66
18.00
26. 75
9. 25
1.58
0.07
0
0.43
0
0
0
1.43
1.79
0
TOTALS
20.78 3.79
63.74
270.03 41.55 107.36 213.16
41.30
-------
observations of the substrate indicate a smaller overall particle size
predominates at it 1 than at //2. Thus, the substrate at //I would be
more susceptible to the sediment transport process.
A summary of the relative abundance data for the 1976 Little
Powder River bottom fauna collections (grouping both sites together)
is provided in Table 12. Considering all samples, the most abundant
invertebrate types on a numbers basis were Diptera larvae (56.4%),
beetle larvae (16.7%), oligocheates (12.6%) and mayfly nymphs (9.1%).
These same 4 groups were also the predominant types in 1975. On a
weight basis, Dipterans were again most abundant (36.8%), followed by
snails (13.9%), nymphs of the order Odonata (12.1%) and oligocheates
(11.8%) .
The trends observed in the Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index values
for 1974 to 1976 at the two Little Powder sites are depicted in
Figure 9 . Inspection of these plots indicates a similar pattern as
that seen for relative abundance. It would appear that the hypotheses
presented above apply to the diversity variations also.
The results of Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests to determine
differences in community diversity between the 1976 sampling times
and sites are presented in Table 13 while Table 14 compares the 1975 and
1976 data. Analysis of these results provides verification of the
above discussion regarding the greater seasonal variability observed
in the benthic community at Site //1. Testing between sampling years
generally indicates that no significant differences existed at the
.01 level, although at Site 2 differences were found between the June
1975 and 1976 samples when considering diversity based upon invertebrate
numbers.
65
-------
TABl.E 12
SUMMARY OF RELATIVE ABUNDANCE DATA FOR THE
BOTTOM FAUNA OF THE LITTLE POWDER RIVER
Numbers and Milligrams per 0.1 ra^
ON
April
19 76
June
1976
September 1976
January 1977
T^
: j i
Phylum
Class
Order
Mean
No.
X Total
Mean
Biotnass
(nig)
Z Total
Mean
No.
X Total
Mean
Bioiaass
(ng)
Z Total
Mean
No.
Z Total
Mean
Biomass
(mg)
Z Total
Mean
No.
I Total
Mean
Biotnass
(ng)
Z Total
Mean
No.
t Toe a 1
v'e
Bie-ass
(-:)
* .otal
Arthropoda
Insec ta
Diptera
34.9
30.2
3.55
11.4
42.7
24.0
3.70
6.7
115.4
32.7
16.43
11.9
517.4
84.3
116.48
74.8
710.4
56.4
140. 16
36. 5
Coleoptera
23.7
20.5
1.72
5.5
52.4
29.4
3.95
7.1
72.9
20.7
12.27
8.9
61.4
10.0
5.95
3.8
210.4
16.7
23.59
o. 3
Epheuaeropcera
14.7
12.7
1.26
4.0
34.8
19.5
5.70
10.3
52.0
14.8
3.69
2.7
13.7
2.2
0.94
0.6
115.2
9.1
11.5°
3.0
HeoipCera
1.8
1.6
0.43
1.4
1.5
0.8
0.68
1.2
2.2
0.6
0.36
0.3
12.9
2.1
29.41
18.9
18.4
1.5
3C.?S
8 .1
Trlchoptera
1.1
1.0
0.29
0.9
0
0
0
0
0.7
0.2
0.40
0.3
0
0
0
0
1.8
0. 1
0. 6-9
0.2
Odonata
2.6
2.3
0.62
2.0
1.1
0.6
4.95
8.9
7.5
2.1
40.49
29.2
0. 7
0.1
0.22
0.1
11.9
0.9
46. 23
12.1
Megaloptera
0
0
0
0
0'
0
0
0
0.4
0.1
0.86
0.6
0
0
0
0
0.4
<0.1
0. So
C. 2
Crus tacea
Anphipoda
3.6
3.1
0.90
2.9
2.2
1.2
0.65
1.2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5.8
0.5
1. 55
0.^
Arachnoidea
Hydracarina
0
0
0
0
0.7
0.4
0.32
0.6
0.4
0.1
0.04
<0. 1
0
0
0
0
1.1
0.1
0.3?
0.1
Annelllda
Clitcellata
Ollgocheata
28.7
24.8
9.83
31.5
37.7
21.2
11.05
19.9
86.1
24.4
23.03
16.6
6.8
1.1
0.90
0.6
159.3
12.6
4i.Sl
11.8
Hollusca
Gastropoda
Pulmonata
4.0
3.5 10.80
Pelecypoda
Sphaerlacea 0.4 0.3 1.80
34.6 4.0 2.2 9.72 17.5 12.6 3.6 30.48 22.0 1.1 0.2 1.79 1.4
5.8 1.1 0.6 14.88 26.8 2.2 0.6 10.44 7.5 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 115.5
(100.0) 31.20 (100.0) 178.2 (100.0) 55.6 (100.0) 352.4 (100.0) 138.49 (100.0) 614.0 (100.0) 155.69 (100.0)
21.7 1.7
3.7 0.3
1260.1 (100.0)
52.79
27.12
3S0.96
13.9
7.1
(100.0)
-------
Figure '). Sc.isoh.i I Trends of Hol'lom F.uin.i Rep rrscnl ed hy
M'mh Sli.union I) i vers i L y I nil ex V.lines /it l.lie
LiU Ic Powder Kivor Sliidy Siles in I 9 /'t - I () 7 1 .
67
-------
TABLE 13
¦RESULTS OF KRUSKAL-WALLIS RANK-SUM AND MANN-WHITNEY U TESTS
FOR SHANNON SPECIES DIVERSITY INDEX VALUES AT
LITTLE POWDER RIVER (1976) SITES
(Kruskal-Wallis) "Between Sampling Date" Values = Significant difference at
above 11J 345 .01 level
(Mann-Whitney) "Between Sampling Sites" Values = Significant difference at
above 33.0 .01 level
NUMBERS BASIS
Between Sampling Dates
Site No. 1 9.067
Site No. 2 3.907
Between Sampling Sites
April, 1976 26.0
June, 1976 34.0
September, 197 6 25.0
January, 1977 34.0
BI0MASS BASIS
Between Sampling Sites
Site No. 1 13.232
Site No. 2 1.713
Between Sampling Sites
April, 1976 22.0
June, 1976 36.0
September, 1976 28.0
January, 1977 36.0
M
-------
TABLE 14
RESULTS OF MANN-WHITNEY TESTS FOR SHANNON SPECIES DIVERSITY
INDEX VALUES AT LITTLE POWDER RIVER SITES, 1975-1976
Values above 33.0 = Significant difference at .01 level
Values above 29.0 = Significant difference at .05 level
NUMBERS BASIS
Between LPR //l: 197 5 and 1976
April 30.0
June 18.5
September-October 19.0
January 30.5
Between LPR //2: 1975 and 1976
April 33.0
June 34.0
September-October 26.0
January 20.0
BIOMASS BASIS
Between LPR //1: 1975 and 1976
Apr j1 26.0
Junc 26.0
September-October 30.0
January 30.0
I'.ulween LI'K 112: 1975 and 1976
April 70.0
. 11 ii n1 79.0
Si ¦ |> L (¦ mI><¦ r-l )<_ I (il>i ¦ r '0.0
January 7 1.0
69
-------
An Lf 1_
-------
TABLE 15
TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF BENTHIC
Class Order
Insecta Diptera
(two-winged flies)
Coleop tera
(beetles)
Ephemeroptera
(mayfly)
Odonata
(damsel and
dragonflies)
Trichoptera
(caddisfly)
Hemiptera
(water bugs)
Crustacea
Amphipoda
(shrimp)
FAUNA FROM ANTELOPE
Family
Chironomidae
Ceratopogonidae
Tabanidae
Haliplidae
Hydrophilidae
Dytiscidae
Caenidae
Coenagrionidae
Libillulidae
Psychomyiidae
Phryganeidae
Corixidae
Dipsocoridae
Talitridae
CREEK
Genus
Chironomus sp .
Pentaneura sp .
Palpomyia sp.
Probezzia sp.
Dasyhela sp.
Chrysops sp.
Tabanus sp.
Haliplus sp.
Berosus sp.
Hydroporus sp.
Caenis sp.
Ischnura sp.
Anomalagrion sp.
Cordulia sp.
Polycentropus sp.
Phryganea sp..
Hyallela azteca
Unionicolidae
Neumania sp.
-------
TALBE 15 (Cont.)
Phylum
Class
Arachnoidea
Order
Hydracarina
(water mites)
Family
Hygrobatidae
Lebertidae
Limnesiidae
Genus
Megapus sp.
Lebertia sp.
Limnesia sp.
Annellida
Clittellata
Mollusca
Gastropoda
Oligocheata
(worms)
Hirudinea
(leeches)
Pulmonata
(snails)
Tubificidae
Glossiphoniidae
Physidae
Planorbidae
Lymnaeidae
Physa sp.
Gyraulus sp.
Lymnaea sp.
Pelecypoda
Sphaeriacea
(clams)
Sphaeriidae
Pisidium sp.
-------
TABLE 16
SUMMARY OF BOTTOM FAUNA COLLECTED AT ANTELOPE CREEK SITE NO. 1
Class April 1976 June 1976 September 1976
Order Bio- Bio- Bio-
Family % Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total % Total mass °L Total
Genus No. No. (nig) Biomass No. No. (nig) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass
Insecta
Diptera
Chironomidae
Pentaneura sp.
(larvae)
Other larvae
Other pupae
Ceratopogonidae
Palpomyia sp.
(larvae)
Probezzia sp.
(larvae)
Dasyhela sp.
(larvae)
Tabanidae
Chrysops sp.
Tabanus sp.
(pupae)
Coleoptera
Haliplidae
Haliplus sp.
(larvae)
(adults)
36
83
0
1
0
0
0
0
9
0
2.8
6.6
<0.1
0.8
2.3 <0.1
11.5 0.3
0.2 <0.1
7.1
0.2
10
160
4
1
0
0
2
0
4
0
0.8
12.9
0.3
<0.1
0.2
0.3
0.8 <0.1
30. 3
0.7
4.0
2.4
1.5
<0.1
0.1 <0.1
0.2
0.1
322
403
0
17
1
1
48
7
6.2
7.8
0.3
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
0.1
0.9
0.1
2.4
5.7
0.7
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.8
38.9
10.7
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
0.2 <0.1
0.6
0.2
-------
TABLE 16 (Cont.)
Class April 1976 June 1976 September 1976
Order Bio- Bio- Bio-
Family % Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total
Genus No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (nig) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass
Hydrophilidae
Berosus sp. 2 0.2 1.5 <0.1 0 23 0.4 2.5 <0.1
(larvae)
Dytiscidae
Hydroporus 0 0 1 <0.1 1.5 <0.1
(adult)
Ephemeroptera
Caenidae
Caenis sp. 18 1.4 2.2 <0.1 13 1.0 2.8 0.1 647 12.5 6.8 0.1
Trichoptera
Psychomiidae
Polycentropus sp. 13 1.0 5.6 0.2 0 9 0.2 1.9 <0.1
Phryganeidae
Phryganea sp. 0 0 2 <0.1 2.5 <0.1
1 <0.1 0.1 <0.1 0 0
(piece of larvae)
Odonata
Coenagrionidae
Ischnura sp. 0 0 168 3.3 79.4 1.3
Anomalagrion sp. 0 0 1 <0.1 1.1 <0.1
7 0.6 2.2 <0.1 1 <0.1 0.2 <0.1 19 0.4 0.7 <0.1
(pieces of nymphs)
Libellulidae
Cordulia sp. 0 0 1 <0.1 35.7 0.6
-------
TABLE 16 (Cont.)
Class April 1976 June 1976 September 1976
Order Bio- Bio- Bio-
Family % Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total
Genus No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass
Hemiptera
Corixidae
(unidentified)
Clittellata
Oligocheata
Tubificidae
<0.1 7.1 0.1
Crus tacea
Amphipoda
Talitridae
Hyallela azteca 39 3.1 4.5 0.1> 25 2.0 1.7 <0.1 1379 26.6 80.7 1.3
Arachnoidea
Hydracarina
Unionicolidae
Neumania sp. 0 0 4 <0.1 0.6 <0.1
Hygrobatidae
Megapus sp. 0 0 1 <0.1 0.1 <0.1
Lebertiidae
Lebertia sp. 0 0 1 <0.1 0.1 <0.1
Limnesiidae
Limnesia sp. 0 0 3 <0.1 0.1 <0.1
0 0 2 <0.1 0.1 <0.1
17 1.3 3.5 0.1 28 2.3 8.0 0.4 39 0.8 2.6 <0.1
-------
TABLE 16 (Cont.)
Class
Order
Family
Genus
April 1976
June 1976
September 1976
Bio- Bio-
% Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total
No. No. (rag) Biomass No. No. (nig) Biomass No.
Bio-
% Total mass % Total
No. (nig) Biomass
Hirudinea
Glossiphoniidae
Gastropoda
Pulmonata
Physidae
Physa sp.
Planorbidae
Gyraulus sp.
Lymnaeidae
Lymnaea sp.
<0.1
5.1
0.3
0.2
58.9
0.9
205 16.2 1240.0' 33.9 141 11.4 493.6 24.4 939 18.1 2534.5 41.5
4 0.3 14.8 0.4 11 0.9 10.9 0.5 134 2.6 181.6 3.0
526 41.5 1063.3 29.1 496 39.9 729.7 36.1 321 6.2 778.7 12.7
(appears
fossilized)
Pelycypoda
Sphaeriacea
Sphaeriidae
Pisidium sp.
TOTALS
0
<0.1
3.9
0.2
0
307 24.2 1301.6 35.6 344 27.7 725.9 35.9 673 13.0 2277.2 37.2
1268 (100.0) 3660.4 (100.0) 1242 (100.0) 2020.1 (100.0) 5189 (100.0) 6114.3 (100.0)
-------
TABLE 17
SUMMARY OF BOTTOM FAUNA COLLECTED AT ANTELOPE CREEK SITE NO. 2
Class April 1976 June 1976 September 1976
Order Bio- Bio- Bio-
Family % Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total
Genus No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (nig) Biomass
Insec ta
Diptera
Chironomidae
Pentaneura sp.
1
2.6
0.1
0.4
(larvae)
Chironomus sp.
0
(larvae)
(pupae)
0
Other larvae
22
56.4
1.6
5.7
Other pupae
5
12.9
0.3
1.2
Ceratopogonidae
Palpomyia sp.
5
12.8
1.6
5.7
(larvae)
Ephemeroptera
Caenidae
Caenis sp. 0
Odonata
Coenagrionidae
0
(nymphs)
Hemiptera
Dipsocoridae
0
0
13
7.9
0.3
1.8
0
7
4.3
1.6
9.4
0
1
0.6
0.2
1.2
4
30.8
0.5
20.8
89
54.3
0.7
4.1
0
2
1.2
0.1
0.6
1
7.7
0.1
4.2
10
6.1
1.0
5.8
1
7 . 7
0.1
4.2
37
22.6
1.6
9.4
1
7.7
0.4
16.7
1
0.6
0.1
0.6
0
1
0.6
0.1
0.6
-------
TABLE 17 (Cont.)
Class April 1976 June 1976 September 1976
Order Bio- Bio- Bio-
Family % Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total
Genus No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass
Crustacea
Amphipoda
Talitridae
Hyallela azteca 0 1 7.7 0.1 4.2 0
Clittellata
Oligocheata
Tubificidae
5 12.8 1.2 4.2 1 7.7 0.1 A.2 1 0.6 0.1 0.6
Gastropoda
Pulmonata
Physidae
Physa sp.
Lymnaeidae
Lymnaea sp.
Pelecypoda
Sphaeriacea
Sphaeriidae
Pisidium sp. 0 2 15.4 0.4 16.7 0
1
0
2.6
23.5 83.0
7.7
7.7
0.6 25.0
0.1 4.2
2
0
1.2
11.3 66.1
TOTALS
39 (100.0) 28.3 (100.0) 13 (100.0) 2.4 (100.0) 164 (100.0) 17.1 (100.0)
-------
TABLE 18
RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF BOTTOM FAUNA ON A NUMBERS BASIS
AT THE TWO ANTELOPE CREEK STUDY SITES
Numbers of Organisms per 0.1 m
Site No. 1 Site No. 2
Phylum
Class
Order
April June September April June September
Arthropoda Insecta
Diptera 86.0 126.9 539.9 23.6 3.6 87.4
Coleoptera 7.8 2.9 56.6 0 0 0
Ephemeroptera 12.9 9.3 464.0 0 0.7 26.5
Odonata 5.0 0.7 135.5 0 0.7 0.7
Trichoptera 10.0 0 7.9 0 0 0
Hemiptera 0 0 2.9 0 0 0.7
Crustacea Amphipoda 28.0 17.9 989.0 0 0.7 0
Arachnoidea Hydracarina 0 0 7.9 0 0 0
Annellida Clittellata Oligocheata 12.2 20.1 28.0 3.6 0.7 0.7
Hirudinea 0 0.7 5.7 0 0 0
Mollusca Gastropoda Pulmonata 527.1 465.4 999.8 0.7 1.4 1.4
Pelecypoda Sphaeriacea 220.2 246.7 482.7 0 1.4 0
TOTALS
909.2
890.6
3719.9
27.9 9.2
117.4
-------
TABLE 19
RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF BOTTOM FAUNA ON A BIOMASS BASIS
AT THE TWO ANTELOPE CREEK STUDY SITES
Milligrams of Organisms per 0.1 m
Site No. 1 Site No. 2
Phylum
Class
Order
April
June September April Jane September
Arthropoda Insecta Diptera
Coleop tera
Ephemeroptera
Odonata
Trichoptera
Hemiptera
Crustacea Amphipoda
Arachnoidea Hydracarina
Annellida Clittellata Oligocheata
Hirudinea
Mollusca Gastropoda Pulmonata
Pelecypoda Sphaeriacea
TOTALS
10.04
6.18
1.58
1.58
4.09
0
3.23
0
2.51
0
25. 76
1. 72
2.01
0.14
0
0
1.22
0
5. 74
3.66
1662.54 887.97
933.51 520.62
7.38
38.43
4.88
83.84
3.15
5.09
57.89
0.71
1.86
42.25
2506.46
1633.21
2.57 0.43
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.07
0.29
0
0
0.07
0
2625.26 1448.84 4385.15
0.86 0.07
0 0
16.85 0.50
_0 0.29
20.28 1.72
2.8
0
1.14
0.07
0
0.07
0
0
0.07
0
8.10
_0
12.25
-------
fauna collected at the two Antelope,' Creek sites on a numbers and biomass
2
per 0.1 m basis, while Table 20 summarizes these data by sample dates.
Trends in relative abundance and diversity for the 1975-1976 period are
plotted on Figures 10 and 11. Tables 21 and 22 present the results of
statistical comparisons of diversity between sampling sites, dates
and years.
As found in 1975, the densest concentrations of bottom fauna were
collected at Site No. 1, where abundance ranged from 890.6 up to 3719.9
2
organisms per 0.1 m . At No. 2, numbers varied only from 9.2 up to
2
117.4 per 0.1 m . Several inter-related explanations can be offered
for this variation between sites. Site No. 2 is located much lower
in the basin than is No. 1 and as such is influenced by the contribu-
tions of additional tributary streams. These tributaries, following
extended precipitation events, add not only flow to Antelope Creek,
but also large quantities of sediment. Inspection of these drainages,
as well as Antelope Creek itself between No. 1 and No. 2, indicates
that mass wasting is a common occurrence. The resultant effect is best
illustrated by certain of the measurements taken on June 24, 1976 at
the two study sites. Following several days of rain in the basin, flow
at No. 1 was 2.2 cfs and the water was clear (turbidity of 1.3 NTU,
secchi disc still visible at the deepest location, 1.3 feet). On the
same day, flow at No. 2 was measured at 24.0 cfs, while turbidity was
450 NTU and a secchi disc reading of 0.1 feet was recorded. The
presence of rooted aquatic vegetation at No. 1, while absent at No. 2,
is also indicative of a more stable substrate and typically less turbid
water conditions. The inter-relation of these factors then is most
likely the explanation for the greater abundance of invertebrate fauna
81
-------
TABLE 20
SUMMARY OF RELATIVE ABUNDANCE DATA FOR THE
BOTTOM FAUNA OF ANTELOPE CREEK
April
June
September
Total
Phylum
Class
Order
Mean
No.
Z Total
Mean
Bio-
mass
(nig)
Z Total
Mean
No.
Z Total
Mean
Bio-
mass
(nig)
% Total
Mean
No.
% TotaL
Mean
Bio-
mass
(mg)
Z Total
Mean
No.
X Total
Mean
Bio-
raass
(^g)
2 Tota
Arthropoda
Insecta
Dlptera
54.8
11.7
6.31
0.5
65.3
14.5
13.10
1.8
313.7
16.3
5.09
0.2
433.8
15.3
24. 50
0.6
Coleoptera
3.9
0.8
3.09
0.2
1.5
0.3
0.86
0.1
28.3
1.5
19.22
0.9
33.7
1.2
23.17
0.5
Ephemeroptera
6.5
1.4
0.79
0.1
5.0
1.1
1.04
0.1
245.3
12.8
3.01
0.1
256.8
9.0
4.84
0. 1
Odonata
2.5
0.5
0.79
0.1
0.7
0.2
0.22
<0.1
68.1
3.5
41.96
1.9
71.3
2.5
42. 97
1.0
Trlchoptera
5.0
1.1
2.05
0.2
0
0
0
0
4.0
0.2
1.58
<0.1
9.0
0.3
3.63
<0.1
Hemlptera
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1.8
0.1
2.58
0.1
1.8
0.1
2.58
<0.1
Crustacea
Amphlpoda
14.0
3.0
1.62
0.1
9.3
2.1
0.65
0.1
494.5
25.8
28.95
1.3
517.8
18.2
31.22
0. 7
Arachnoidea
Hydracarina
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.0
0.2
0.36
<0.1
4.0
0.1
0.36
<0.1
Annellida
Clittellata
Oligocheata
7.9
1.7
1.69
0.1
10.4
2.3
2.91
0.4
14.4
0.8
0.97
<0.1
32.7
1.2
5.57
0.1
Hlrudlnea
0
0
0
0
0.4
0.1
1.83
0.3
2.9
0.2
21.13
1.0
3.3
0.1
22.96
0.5
Gastropoda
Pulmonaca
263.9
56. 3
839.70
63.5
233.4
51.9
444.24
61.3
500.6
26.1
1257.28
57.2
997.9
35.2
2541.22
59.8
Pelecypoda
Sphaerlacea
110.1
23.5
466.76
35.3
124.1
27.6
260.46
35.9
241.4
12.6
816.61
37.1
475.6
16.8
1543.83
36.4
TOTALS 468.6 (100.0) 1322.8 (100.0) 450.1 (100.0) 725.31 (100.0) 1919.0 (100.0) 2198.74 (100.0) 2837.7 (100.0) 4246.85 (100.0)
-------
CM
O
v
Jj 10,000
UJ 1000
o
100
10
AC#I
¦ ' ' ' ' t1 I I 1 I » ' 1 1 1 I
M
A N
1975
F M A
1976
I0,000r
AC #1
M A N F M A
1975 1976
1000
AC# I,
100-
Class: INSECTA
I ' ¦ ¦ '
M A N F M A
1975 1976
lOOOr
UJ
0
1 100
=>
CO
LU E
>
< ^
< a>IO
a:
Class! INSECTA
AC#I
Figure 10. Seasonal Trends in Relative
Abundance for All Invertebrates
Versus the Class Insecta for
the Antelope Creek Study Sites,
1975 and 1976.
83
-------
_ 3.0
CO
cr
UJ
CD
2.0
1.0
-
AC# 1
/
/ ^
/ X-
/ z'
/ z'
^ AC # 2
-
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
i i i
AMJ JASOND
JFMAMJJASONC
1975
1976
3.0 r
O
CD 2.0
1.0
0
AC# I
AC #2
i i i i i i i i I i i I i i
i i i
AMJJASOND
1975
JFM AMJJASOND
1976
Figure 11. Seasonal Trends of Bottom Fauna Represented by
Mean Shannon Diversity Lndex Values at the
Antelope Creek Study Sites in 1975 and 1976.
84
-------
TABLE 21
RESULTS OF KRUSKAL-WALLIS RANK-SUM AND MANN-WHITNEY U TESTS
FOR SHANNON SPECIES DIVERSITY INDEX VALUES AT
ANTELOPE CREEK SITES (197 6)
(Kruskal-Wallis) "Between Sampling Date" Values = Significant difference at
above 9.210 .01 level
(Mann-Whitney) "Between Sampling Site" Values = Significant difference at
above 33.0 .01 level
NUMBERS BASIS
Between Sampling Dates
Site No. 1 5. 240
Site No. 2 2.403
Between Sampling Sites
April, 1976 32.0
June, 1976 36.0
September, 1976 35.0
BIOMASS BASIS
Between Sampling Dates
Site No. 1 3.266
Site No. 2 4.683
Between Sampling Sites
April, 1976 31.0
June, 1976 36.0
September, 1976 26.0
85
-------
TABLE 22
RESULTS OF MANN-WHITNEY TESTS FOR SHANNON SPECIES DIVERSITY
INDEX VALUES AT ANTELOPE CREEK SITES, 1975-1976
Values above 33.0 = Significant difference at .01 level
Values above 29.0 = Significant difference at .05 level
NUMBERS BASIS
Between AC //1: 1975 and 1976
April 36.0
June 26.0
September 36.0
Between AC //2: 1975 and 1976
April 21.0
June 25.0
September 2k
BIOMASS BASIS
Between AC #1: 1975 and 1976
April 36.0
June 22.0
September 24.0
Between AC //2: 1975 and 1976
April 22.0
June 31.5
September 27.0
86
-------
at Site No. 1.
Inspection of the abundance plots in Figure 10 indicates no clear
seasonal trends thusfar in our studies on Antelope Creek. It is unfor-
tunate that heavy ice conditions (18 inches thick) associated with very
low water levels prevented sampling in January of 1977.
Considering diversity of the benthic communities (Figure 11), the
same relationship between the two sites was found as that observed for
abundance. At all sampling times, diversity values ranged higher at
No. 1 than at No. 2. Cause for this undoubtedly parallels that given
above for abundance. While the results of the statistical tests
(Table 21) indicate no significant differences in diversity between
1976 sampling dates at each site, significant differences were found at
the .01 level between the two sites in both June and September. Testing
at the .01 level between sampling years (1975-1976) showed no signifi-
cant differences at Site 2, while for Site 1, differences were found
between both the April and the September samplings.
School Creek-Little Thunder Creek. 1976 was the first year that
sampling was conducted on these ephemeral Thunder Basin streams.
For School Creek, our collections identified representative of 3 phyla,
5 classes, 10 orders, 22 families and at least 29 genera (Table 23).
Members of at least 34 genera were sampled from Little Thunder Creek
(Table 24). Summaries of the collections made at these sites are
presented in Tables 25 and 26.
School Creek
.The bottom fauna of School Creek was found to be predominated
by an assortment of freshwater snails, including Physa, Lymnaea, and
Gyraulus. On a numbers basis, these genera accounted for up to 92.9%
87
-------
TABLE 23
TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF THE BENTHIC FAUNA OF SCHOOL CREEK
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
oo
00
Order
Dip tera
(two-winged flies)
Coleoptera
(beetles)
Ephemerop tera
(mayfly)
Trichoptera
(caddisfly)
Hemip tera
(water bugs)
Odonata
Family
Chironomidae
Ceratopogonidae
Tabanidae
Stratiomyidae
Dolichopodidae
Elmidae
Haliplidae
Dytiscidae
Hydrophilidae
Caenidae
Limnephilidae
Dipsocoridae
Lestidae
Coenagrionidae
Genus
Chironomus sp.
Pentaneura sp.
Palpomyia sp.
Dasyhelea sp.
Chrysops sp.
Nemotelus sp.
Dubiraphia sp.
Haliplus sp.
Hydroporus/Hygrotus sp.
Celina sp.
Coptotomus sp.
Berosus sp.
Caenis sp.
Limnephilis sp.
Lestes sp.
Ischnura sp.
Crus tacea
Amphipoda
Talitridae
Hyallela azteca
-------
Phylum
Annelida
Mollusca
Class
Clittellata
Gastropoda
Pelecypoda
TABLE 23 (Cont.)
Order
Oligocheata
Pulmonata
Sphaeriacea
Family
Tubificidae
Physidae
Planorbidae
Lymnaeidae
Sphaeriidae
Ge
Physa sp.
Gyraulus sp
Lymnaea sp.
Pisidium sp
-------
TABLE 24
TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF BENTHIC FAUNA FROM LITTLE THUNDER CREEK
Phylum
Ar thropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Diptera
(two-winged flies)
Coleoptera
(beetles)
Ephemerop tera
(mayfly)
Hemiptera
(water bugs)
Odonata
(damsel and
dragonflies)
Trichoptera
(caddisfly)
Family
Chironomidae
Ceratopogonidae
Tabanidae
Dixidae
Elmidae
Haliplidae
Hydrophilidae
Chrysomelidae
Dytiscidae
Caenidae
Dipsocoridae
Coenagrionidae
Gomphidae
Phryganeidae
Limnephilidae
Psychomyiidae
Genus
Chironomus sp.
Pentaneura sp.
Dasyhelea sp.
Palpomyia sp.
Chrysops sp.
Dixa sp.
Dubiraphia sp
Haliplus sp.
Berosus sp.
Donacia sp.
Hydroporus/Hygrotus
Hydroporus sp.
Caenis sp.
Ischnura sp.
Gomphus sp.
Phryganea sp.
Limnephilus sp.
Polycentropus sp.
-------
TABLE 24 (Cont.)
Phylum
Annellida
Mollusca
Class
Crustacea
Arachrioidea
Clittellata
Gastropoda
Order
Amphipoda
(shrimp)
Hydracarina
(water mites)
Oligocheata
(worms)
Hirudinea
(leeches)
Pulmonata
(snails)
Family
Talitridae
Limnocharidae
Pionidae
Tubificidae
Glossiphoniidae
Physidae
Lymnaeidae
Ancylidae
Planorbidae
Genus
Hyallela azteca
Limnochares sp.
Forelia sp.
Glossiphonia sp.
Helobdella stagna
Physa sp.
Lymnaea sp.
Ferrissia sp.
Gyraulus sp.
Pelecypoda
Sphaeriacea
(clams)
Sphaeriidae
Pisidium sp.
-------
TABLE 25
SUMMARY OF BOTTOM FAUNA COLLECTED AT SCHOOL CREEK
Class
Order
Family-
Genus
May 19 76
June 1976
September 1976
.Januarv 1977
No.
X Total
No.
Bio-
mass
(mg)
X Total
Biomass
No.
X Total
No.
Bio-
mass X Total
(mg) Biomass
No.
X Total
No.
Bio-
mass
(mg)
X Total
Biomass
Z Total
No. No.
Bio-
mass X Total
(rag) Biomass
Insecta
Diptera
Chironomldae
Chlronomus sp.
(larvae)
Pentaneura sp.
(larvae)
Other larvae
Other pupae
Ceratopogonidae
Palpomyia sp.
Dasyhelea sp.
(larvae)
Tabanidae
Chrysops sp.
(larvae)
Strationryidae
Nemotelus sp.
(larvae)
Dollchopodidae
(larvae)
(piece of larvae)
Coleoptera
Elmidae
Dublraphla Bp.
(larvae)
(adults)
<0.1 0.1
<0.1 0.1
217
17
<0.1 10
3
12.5 40.4
1.0 0.4
<0.1
0.6
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.6
1.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.2
<0.1
<0.1 0.4 <0.1 0
<0.1 0.1 <0.1 0
71
0
4.1 5.5
0.6 107
<0.1 7
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
0.2 7.0 <0.1 10 0.6 19.1 0.2 5 0.3 22.2 0.4 0
0.1 1.1 <0.1 0
40.2 109.3 3.5
2.6 0.4 <0.1
0.4 0.1 <0.1
0.4
0.6
<0.1
-------
u .
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
TABLE 25 (Cont.)
May 1976
June 1976
September 1976
Bio- Bio- Bio-
Z Total mass X Total X Total mass X Total X Total mass % Total
No. No. (nig) Biomass No. No. (mg) Bloraass No. No. (mg) Biomass
0.1 0.2
0.1
0.3
<0.1 0
1
<0.1 0
0
0
0.2 3.2
<0.1
<0.1 0.7
<0.1 0
0
3
1
0.2 4.2 <0.1
0.1 9.2 0.1
0.4 1.0 <0.1
0.1 0.2
<0.1
0.1
0.2 <0.1
0.1 3.1
<0.1
<0.1 1.4
<0.1
0.2 4.9
<0.1
0.1 0.1
<0.1
24
1.4 0.9
<0.1
20 1.1 117.2 0.6 0
2 0.1 11.7 <0.1 0
0.1 0.1
<0.1
0
2 0.1 3.5 <0.1
0
-------
TABLE 25 (Cont.)
Class May 19 76 June 1976 September 1976 January 1977
Order Bio- Bio- Bio- Bio-
Family % Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total X Total mass X Total % Total mass X Total
Genus No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass
Coenagrlonidae
Ischnura 9p.
Crustacea
Amphipoda
Talitridae
Hyallela azteca
Clittellata
Oligocheata
Tubificldae
Gastropoda
Pulmonata
Physldae
Physa sp.
Planorbidae
Gyraulus pp.
Lymnaeidae
Lyninaea sp.
Pe lecypoda
Sphaeriacea
Sphaeri idae
Ptsidlum sp.
TOTALS
85
1192
428
7
0.1
A.9
0.6
22.8
68.1 17508.6
24.4 386.0
0.4 14.0
<0. 1 0
0.1 158
96.9 729
2.1 728
<0.1 36
9.4 38.8
43.5 8226.7
43.5 678.2
2.1 63.5
89
0.4 39
91.1 654
7.5 577
0.7 2
0.3
0.1
0.1
0.1
5.1 28.7
2.2
9.3
37.7 5231.8
33.2 1056.2
0.1 4.5
<0.1 0
<0.1 0
0.5 0
0.2 1
81.3 105
16.4 43
<0.1 1
0.4
0.1
39.5 2971.3
16.2 79.4
0.4
2.4
<0.1
93.9
2.5
<0. 1
1 0.1 1.3 <0.1 0 5 0.3 7.6 0.1 0
1751 (100.0) 18074.5 (100.0) 1675 (100.0) 9033.6 (100.0) 1736 (100.0) 6431.3 (100.0) 266 (100.0) 3163.6 (100.CM
-------
TABLE 26
SUMMARY OF BOTTOM FAUNA COLLECTED AT LITTLE THUNDER CREEK
Class
May
1976
June
1976
September 1976
Janua rv
1977
Order
Bio-
Bio-
Bio-
B io-
Family
X Total
mass
X Total
X Total
mass
X Total
X Total mass X Total
% Total
mass
% Tcta
Genus
No.
No.
(mg)
Blomass
No.
No.
(mg)
Biomass
No.
No. (mg) Biomass
No.
No.
(rag)
Bio 3S:
Insecta
Dlptera
Chlronomidae
Chironoraus sp.
0
0
0
2
<0.1
1.3
<0.1
(larvae)
Pentaneura sp.
52
0.8
2.3
<0.1
5
<0.1
0.6
<0.1
0
32
0.4
2.3
-------
Class Hay 1976
Order Bio-
Famlly 2 Total mass % Total
Genus No. No. (rag) Biomass No.
Chrysomelldae
Donacla sp. 0
(larvae)
Dy tlscidae
Hydroporus/Hygrotus 0
(larvae)
Hydroporus 0
(larvae)
2
(pieces of adults)
Ephemeroptera
Caenidae
Caenls sp. 283
Hemiptera
Dipsocoridae
0
Odonata
Coeriagrlonldae
Ischnura sp. 45
0
(pieces of nyraphs)
Gomphldae
Gociphus sp. 1
Trlchoptera
Phryganeidae
Phryganea sp. 0
Limnephilidae
Llmnephllus sp. 0
Psychomyiidae
Polycentropus sp. 0
Crustacea
Amphlpoda
Talitrldae
Hyallela azteca 196
1
1
0
<0.1 2.3 <0.1 0
A.2 20.9 0.3 75
0
0.7 6.9 0.1 5
3
<0.1 8.4 0.1 1
0
0
0
2.9- 17.7 0.3 116
TABLE 26 (Cont.)
June 1976 September 1976 January 1977
Bio- Bio- Bio-
% Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total % Total mass % Total
No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biomass No. No. (mg) Biorcjss
<0.1 0.1 <0.1 0 0
<0.1 0.1" <0.1 0 0
0 1 <0.1 0.1 <0.1
1 <0.1 17.2 0.3 0
1.1 22.4 0.30 511 8.3 55.6 1.0 346 4.7 37.5 0.6
1 <0.1 0.2 <0.1 0
<0.1 3.1 <0.1 38 0.6 4.5 <0.1 75 1.0 41.1 0.6
<0.1 0.6 <0.1 0 0
<0.1 21.3 0.3 1 <0.1 0.2 <0.1 0
0 3 <0.1 115.8 1.9
0 6 <0.1 15.5 0.3
0 12 0.2 2.2 <0.1
1.8 7.4 0.1 207 3.4 16.1 0.3 804 11.0 86.5 1.4
-------
TABLE 26 (Cont.)
Class
Order
Family
1 Genus
May 1976
June 1976
September 1976
Jami.irv 1977
No.
8 io-
% Total mass % Total
No. (mg) Biomass No.
Bio-
% Total mass % Total
No. (mg) Biomass
No.
Bio-
% Total mass
No. (mg)
2 Total
Siomnss No.
X Tot.il mass
No. (rag')
i o : a i
1C-35S
Arachnoldea
Hydracarina
LImnocharidae
Llmnochares sp. 5
Plonidae
Forella sp. 0
Clittellata
Oligocheata
Tubificldae
23
Hlrudlnea
Glosslphonlldae
Glosslphonla sp. 0
Helobdella atagnallg 0
Gastropoda
Pulmonata
Physidae
Physa sp. 1136
Lymnaeidae
Lymnaea sp. 49
Ancylidae
Ferrlssia sp. 370
Planorbidae
Gyraulus sp. 3287
<0.1 3.0 <0.1 2
0
0.3 2.3 <0.1 18
16.8 3200.7 53.2 1732
0.7 74.7 1.2 211
5.5 189.4 3.1 474
48.7 2154.9 35.8 3667
<0.1 0.3 <0.1
0.3
2.6 <0.1
26.4 4601.6 57.3 790
3.2 299.4 3.7 60
7.2 298.3 3.7 465
55.8 2658.8 33.1 3756
<0.1
0.2 <0.1
<0.1 0.4 <0.1
<0.1 7.9 0.1 0
1
12.8 2533.8 42.2 780
1.0 70.1 1.2 33
7.5 257.5 4.3 474
60.9 2985.2 49.7 3831
<0.1 0.1
0.1 0.7
<0.1 1.5
10.7 2462.1
0.5 44.6
6.5 233.S
52.5 28S8.7
-------
(May) of the individuals collected, while for biomass, they contributed
between 96.4 (January) and 99.3% (June) of the total. Other taxa which
constituted at least 1.0% of the numbers or biomass at one time or
another throughout the year included Chironomid larvae (Chironomus and
Pentaneura), caddisfly larvae (Limnephilus), and oligocheates.
Little Thunder Creek
Freshwater snails also predominated the invertebrate fauna of
Little Thunder Creek. In addition to Physa, Gyraulus, and Lymnaea,
another snail, Ferrissia, was also collected. On a numbers basis, these
4 genera contributed from 70.2 (January) to 92.6% (June) of the totals,
while they provided up to 97.8% (June) of the biomass. Other common
groups included Chironomid larvae, beetle larvae (Dubiraphia), mayfly
nymphs (Caenis) and freshwater shrimp (Hyallela azteca).
Overall Trends and Community Structure.
Relative abundance data for School and Little Thunder Creeks
are presented in Tables 27 and 28, while Figures 12 and 13 illustrate
the seasonal trends observed in abundance and diversity. The results
of statistical tests of diversity values between the sample dates and
sites are presented in Table 29.
The relative abundance of organisms at these study sites showed
little seasonal fluctuation. This was due primarily to the predominance
of the snail groups which spend their entire life cycle in the aquatic
habitat. For this reason, separate plots were made for the class
Insecta, a group in which most representatives spend at least a portion
of their life cycle out of the water (typically, the adult stages for
reproductive functions). Thus, greater seasonal variation is seen when
only Insecta is considered. Generally, the trend would appear to be
-------
TABLE 27
SUMMARY OF RELATIVE ABUNDANCE DATA FOR THE
BOTTOM FAUNA OF SCHOOL CREEK
May 1976
June 1976
September 1976
January 1977
Tot* 1
Phylua
Class
Order
Mean
No.
X Total
Mean
Biomass
(ng)
I Total
Kean
No.
Z Total
Mean
Biomass
(mg)
Z Total
Mean
No.
X Total
Mean
Bloroass
(mg)
* Total
Mean
No.
X Total
Mean
Bloraass
(nig)
X Total
Mean
No.
X Total
Biomass
Ug)
Z Total
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
3.6
0.3
5.81
<0.1
10.0
0.8
14.20
0.2
184.4
14.8
46.54
1.0
82.4
43.2
78.75
3.5
280.6
7.2
1-5.3
0.6
Coleoptera
4.9
0.4
2.85
<0.1
5.7
0.5
2.22
<0.1
59.6
4.8
19.50
0.4
0.7
0.4
0.43
<0.1
70.9
1.8
25.0
o.:
Ephemeroptera
0.7
<0.1
0.07
<0.1
0
0
17.2
1.4
0.65
<0.1
0
0
17.9
0.5
0. 72
vO
-------
TABLE 28
SUMMARY OF RELATIVE ABUNDANCE DATA FOR THE
BOTTOM FAUNA OF LITTLE THUNDER CREEK
May 1976 Jure 1976 September 1976 January 1977 Totals
M ean
No.
Z Total
No.
Mean
Biomass
(og)
I Total
Biomass
Mean
Ho.
Z Total
Ho.
Mean
Biomass
(mg)
I Total
Biomass
Mean
No.
Z Total
Ho.
Mean
Biomass
(mg)
Z Total
Bloioass
Mean
No.
Z Total
No.
.Scan
Biomass
(mg)
Z Total
Biomass
Mean
No.
Z Total
^ - ~-
Bie^sss
(r-i)
X Total
3 i c r.a s s
Dlptera
908.6
18.8
229.22
5.3
24.4
0.5
56.01
1.0
17.2
0.4
2.50
<0.1
607.5
11.6
32.99
0.8
1557.7
8.1
320.72
1.7
Coleoptera
56.7
1.2
5.74
0.1
156.3
3.3
9.54
0.2
209. S
4.7
23.82
0.6
52.4
1.0
7.32
0.2
474 .9
2.5
46. -12
0.3
Ephetneroptera
203.0
4.2
14.99
0.3
53.8
1.1
16.07
0.3
366. 5
8.3
39.88'
0.9
248.2
4.7
26.90
0.6
871.5
4.5
97.8i
0.5
Hemiptera
0
1 0
0
0
0.7
<0.1
0.14
<0.1
0
0
0.7
<0.1
O.li
<0.1
Odonata
33.0
0.7
10.97
0.3
5.4
0.1
17.93
0.3
28.0
0.6
3.37
<0.1
53.8
1.0
29.48
0.7
121.2
0.6
61.75
0.3
Trichoptera
0
0
0
0
0
0
15.1
0.3
95.75
2.2
15.1
<0.1
95-75
0.5
Amphipoda
140.6
2.9
12.69
0.3
83.2
1.8
5.31
0.1
148.5
3.4
11.55
0.3
576.6
11.0
62.04
1.4
948.9
4.9
91.59
0.5
Hydracarlna
3.6
<0.1
2.15
<0.1
1.4
<0.1
0.22
<0.1
1.4
<0.1
0.14
<0.1
0.7
<0.1
0.07
<0.1
7.1
<0.1
2.58
<0.1
Oligocheata
16.5
0.3
1.65
<0.1
12.9
0.3
1.86
<0.1
0.7
<0.1
0.29
<0.1
5.7
0.1
0.50
<0.1
35.8
0.2
4.30
<0.1
Hlrudinea
0
0
0
0
0.7
<0.1
5.67
0.1
0.7
<0.1
1.08
<0.1
1.4
<0.1
6.75
<0.1
Puloonata
3472.6
71.7
4030.44
93.4
4363.5
92.6
5635.84
97.9
3636.9
82.3
4193.19
97.4
3670.7
70.1
4037.27
93.9
15143.7
78.8
17896.74
95.R
0
0
0.7
<0.1
0.29
<0.1
0
0
0
0
0.7
<0.1
0.29
<0.1
Sphaertacea
8.6
0.2
7.24
0.2
8.6
0.2
14.42
0.3
11.5
0.3
25.53
0.6
5.7
0.1
6.45
0.2
34.4
0.2
53.64
0.3
TOTALS
4843.2
(100.0)
4315.09
(100.0)
4711.2
(100.0)
5757.49
(100.0)
4421.6
(100.0)
4306.09
(100.0)
5237.1
(100.0)
4299.85
(100.0)
19213.1
(100.0)
18678.51
(100.0)
-------
CVJ
1,000
LTC
100
10
Class : INSECTA
J L
_l I I L_
M J S N
1976
CVJ '
E
,000
CT>
E
UJ
o
z
<
o
z
D
CD
<
txl
>
Ui
cr
100
10
Class = INSECTA
1 1 1 1 - l 1 A | I
M J S N J
1976
CO
a)
4J
0)
cd
0
a)
>
<4-1
H
H
4J
w
4J
a)
cd
4-1
d)
cd
4-»
u
H
a
«i
Vj
a
iJ
H
a>
a;
a>
W
Pi
>
w
TD
c
d
C
c
w
M
nj
T>
H
3
ii
0)
¦U
W
ii
W
0)
CO
*0
<
cd
a
c
ii
u
a)
4-1
CJ
cj
a)
r-
u
o
a)
r-.
H
(1)
r-H
On
a>
X
O
CJ
rH
ii
CJ
JJ
o
1
n)
c
X.
^4
VO
c
cd
w
o
a)
r->.
0
T3
3
CO
*a
a*
cn
C
0)
c
iM
cd
D
a)
3
a)
0)
.c
c
CO
<
>
4J
H
H
CM
a)
u
3
00
¦H
101
-------
^ 3.0
cn
cr
Hi
CD
2
=>
5 2.0
>-
co
cr
LxJ
> 1.0
Q
LTC#
<
LlI
0
I i I
J I 1 I I I I L
AMJ J ASOND
1976
J F M
1977
CO
CO
<
2
o 2.0
CD
>¦
K
CO
CC
UJ
>
Q
<
LlI
1.0
LTC#
SC#I
J I I l I I I 1 l I i L
AMJ J AS OND
1976
J F M
1977
Figure 13. Seasonal Trends of Bottom Fauna Represented by Mean Shannon Diversity Index Values
at the School Creek and Little Thunder Creek Sites in 1976-1977.
-------
TABLE 29
RESULTS OF KRUSKAL-WALLIS RANK-SUM AND MANN-WHITNEY U TESTS
FOR SHANNON SPECIES DIVERSITY INDEX VALUES AT
SCHOOL CREEK AND LITTLE THUNDER CREEK (1976)
(Kruskal-Wallis) "Between Sampling Date" Values = Significant difference at
above 11.345 at .01 level
(Mann-Whitney) "Between Sampling Site" Values = Significant difference at
above 33.0 .01 level
NUMBERS BASIS
Between Sampling Dates
Site - School Creek 13.347
Site - Little Thunder Creek 2.930
Between Sampling Sites
May, 1976 35.0
June, 19 76 32 JO
September, 1976 28.0
January, 1977 35.0
BIOMASS BASIS
Between Sampling Dates
Site - School Creek 3.073
Site - Little Thunder Creek 0.720
Between Sampling Sites
May, 1976 36.0
June, 1976 36.0
September, 1976 36.0
January, 1977 36.0
103
-------
toward lowest densities in the earLy summer increasing into the fall
and winter quarters. Possibly the survival strategy discussed above
for the Little Powder River explains this fluctuation. Support for
this hypothesis is provided by noting that for the most abundant insect
order, the Diptera, 14 of the 17 pupae collected throughout the year
were sampled in May. This indicates the emergence of the adult stages
was soon to occur.
Generally, diversity of the benthic community ranged higher on
Little Thunder than on School Creek, especially on a biomass basis
(Figure 13, Table 29). Considering seasonal variation, the only
significant difference found was for School Creek diversity based
upon numbers. Biomass diversity showed little fluctuation between
seasons.
104
-------
Water Quality
Water quality results are reported on WRRI laboratory sheets for
each of the sites sampled. The site number and dates of sampling are
included below. Data sheets may be found in Appendix A.
Little Powder River
Site 1 4-28-76
Site 2 4-28-76
Site 1 6-23-76
Site 2 6-23-76
Site 1 9-23-76
Site 2 9-23-76
Site 1 1-20-77
Site 2 1-20-77
Antelope Creek
Site 1 4-28-76
Site 2 4-28-76
Site 1 6-24-76
Site 2 6-24-76
Site 1 9-22-76
Site 2 9-22-76
Site 1 1-19-77
Site 2 Not Sampled
Little Thunder Creek
Single Site 5-13-76
Single Site 6-24-76
Single Site 9-22-76
Single Site 1-19-77
School Creek
Single Site 5-13-76
Single Site 6-24-76
Single Site 9-22-76
Single Site 1-19-77
105
-------
These data are summarized in Tables 30 to 33, while Tables 34
to 37 present the maximum, minimum and expected range of each consti-
tuent. At this time the expected range column is only an estimate.
Heavy precipitation or extended drought prior to sampling could cause
these values to fall outside the expected limits. In comparing data
it is best to use the actual values determined through sampling.
The tentative conclusions offered following last year's sampling
program can still be considered valid with the additional year's data
at Antelope Creek and the Little Powder River. These waters are highly
buffered, moderately alkaline, and contain high concentrations of cal-
cium, magnesium, sodium, bicarbonate and sulfate. These waters are
suitable only for the most restrictive uses. There is a dilution effect
between sampling sites on the Little Powder River while a sizable con-
centration is observed between Antelope Creek sites. This suggests
that added flow of lesser chemical concentration is introduced to the
Little Powder River drainage between sampling stations while either
evaporative concentration or concentrative inflow is occurring in the
sampled reach of Antelope Creek. By site, these and the other sampled
waters could be generally categorized in the following manner.
Little Powder River
Total salt concentrations at both sites for 3 of the h sampling
dates would prove restrictive to almost all uses.
High suspended solids values noted at both sites during the June
sampling period. This is typical of the mainstem of the Powder
River and has been observed in previous years.
106
-------
TABLE 30
LITTLE POWDER RIVER WATER QUALITY DATA
Water Quality Parameter 4-28-76 6-23-76 9-23-76 1-20-77
(mg/1 unless specified) Site 1 Site 2 Site 1 Site 2 Site 1 Site 2 Site 1 Site 2
Calcium (Ca)
210
93
76
54
340
320
180
130
Magnesium (Mg)
110
27
38
28
170
170
110
52
Sodium (Na)
350
370
130
120
250
290
770
720
Potassium (K)
19
9.1
10
8.1
42
42
13
14
Total Cations (meq/1)
35.14
23.16
12.71
10.42
43.04
44.17
52.17
42.85
Carbonate (C0^)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Bicarbonate (HCO^)
470
400
220
190
290
310
720
670
, ' |
Sulfate (S0^)
1300
870
420
340
1900
1800
1700
1600
Chloride (CI)
14
13
7.4
7.4
9.6
9.3
2.9
33
Nitrate (NO^)
0.4
0.5
1.5
1.5
0.0
0.0
0.5
0.8
Phosphate (PO^) as (P)
0.05
0.05
0.14
0.14
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.04
Fluoride (F)
1.0
0.8
0.4
0.3
1.1
1.2
1.2
1.1
Total Anions (meq/1)
34.59
25.11
12.50
10.29
45.19
43.53
47.68
43.80
Conductance (umhos)
2840
2260
1110
970
3250
3410
4040
3780
COD
27
27
25
25
14
13
16
15
pH (SU)
8.3
8.3
7.9
7.8
8.0
8.1
8.0
8.0
Turbidity (NTU)
40
80
315
380
6.5
14.0
~
Hardness (CaCO^)
980
340
340
250
1600
1500
920
550
Silica (Si02)
7.0
7.5
13
13
4.8
2.4
13
14
Nitrite
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.01
<0.1
Sodium %
43
69
44
50
25
29
64
73
Total CO^
230
200
110
91
140
150
350
330
Ammonia (N)
0.3
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Total Kjeldahl (N)
1.8
1.4
1.8
2.1
1.1
0.7
0.6
0.7
Phosphate (P0^)
0.05
0.05
0.14
0.14
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.03
Suspended Solids
84
104
590
560
24
12
40
40
Vol. Suspended Solids
16
12
50
50
24
12
8
6
TDS
2410
1680
872
816
3250
3260
3270
3060
Total Solids
2490
1780
1460
1380
3270
3270
33 LO
3100
107
-------
TABLE 30 (Cont.)
Water Quality Parameter
(rag/1 unless specified)
4-28-
¦76
6-23-
¦76
9-23-
-76
1-20-
¦11
Site 1
Site 2
Site 1
Site 2
Site 1
Site 2
Site 1
Site 2
Arsenic
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Barium
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.05
Boron
0.45
0.15
0.14
" 0.12
2.09
3.97
3.2
3.4
Cadmium
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
0.03
<0.01
Copper
0.03
0.03
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Chromium
<0.1
<0.1
<0.01
<0.1
<0.01
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Fluoride
1.0
0.8
0.4
0.3
1.1
1.2
1.2
1.1
Iron (Total)
0.48
0.26
2.86
4.22
0.00
0.00
0.44
0.29
Iron (Dissolved)
1.55
0.63
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.05
Lead
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
0.2
0.3
0.6
0.5
Manganese
0.2
0.2
0.07
0.18
<0.05
<0.05
0.59
0.22
Mercury
<0.001
0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Nickel
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Selenium
<0.001
0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Silver
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.05
<0.05
Zinc
0.03
0.13
0.03
0.34
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
Cyanide
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
MBAS
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
0.02
<0.02
Phenol (ppm)
0.003
0.003
0.002
0.004
<0.001
<0.001
0.006
0.006
Oil and Grease
1.7
1.6
1.3
0.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
0.9
Sulfides
0.0
0.0
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
0.002
<0.001
] 08
-------
TABLE 31
ANTELOPE CREEK WATER QUALITY DATA
Water Quality Parameter A28 76 6-24-76 9-22-76 1-19-77
(mg/1 unless specified) Site 1 Site 2 Site 1 Site 2 Site 1 Site 2 Site 1
Calcium (Ca)
220
240
130
120
53
230
240
Magnesium (Mg)
78
96
58
46
38
110
100
Sodium (Na)
210
250
140
140
210
280
290
Potassium (K)
8.8
1U
7.7
9.1
7.7
16
9.1
Total Cations (meq/1)
26.40
31.00
17.70
16.18
15.19
33.00
33.11
Carbonate (CO^)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Bicarbonate (HCO^)
250
330
180
170
370
320
370
Sulfate (SO^)
1000
1200
700
560
480
1300
1200
Chloride (CI)
29
25
15
13
18
25
6.8
Nitrate (NO^)
0.2
0.2
0.5
1.2
0.0
1.0
0.2
Phosphate (P0^) as (P)
0.05
0.06
0.04
0.19
0.01
0.04
0.03
Fluoride (F)
0.9
1.0
0.7
0.8
1.1
1.0
1.3
Total Anions (meq/1)
26.22
31.14
17.99
14.92
15.93
33.74
31.60
Conductance (ymhos)
2300
2620
1480
790
1440
2780
2630
COD
16
12
16
16
16
12
3.2
pH (SU)
8.2
8.2
8.2
8.0
8.0
8.1
8.0
Turbidity (NTU)
6
14
1.3
450
2.4
2.5
Hardness (CaCO^)
860
990
570
490
290
1000
1000
Silica (Si02)
7.3
10
6.9
9.5
7.8
13
11
Nitrite
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Sodium %
34
35
35
38
61
37
38
Total CO^
120
160
87
82
160
160
180
Ammonia (N)
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Total Kjeldahl (N)
1.2
0.5
1.1
2.0
1.4
1.1
0.0
Phosphate (P0^)
0.05
0.06
0.04
0.19
0.01
0.04
0.01
Suspended Solids
24
56
24
1020
8
20
28
Vol. Suspended Solids
12
12
0.0
88
8
20
4
TDS
1930
2280
1200
996
992
2430
2200
Total Solids
1950
2340
1220
2020
1000
2450
2230
109
-------
TABLE 31 (Cont.)
Water Quality Parameter 4-28-76 6-24-76 9-22-76 1-19-77
(tng/1 unless specified) Site 1 Site 2 Site 1 Site 2 Site 1 Site 2 Site 1
Arsenic
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Barium
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.05
Boron
0.10
0.08
0.03
0.02
0.00
0.00
0.00
Cadmium
<0.01
<0.01
<0.1
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Copper
0.03
0.03
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Chromium
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Fluoride
0.9
1.0
0.7
0.8
1.1
1.0
1.3
Iron (Total)
0.15
0.11
0.39
3.88
0.18
0.00
0.05
Iron (Dissolved)
0.15
1.60
0.31
0.00
0.00
Lead
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
0.2
0.2
Manganese
0.2
0.2
il
O
0.00
0.23
0.12
0.94
Mercury
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Nickel
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Selenium
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Silver
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.05
Zinc
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.02
<0.02
<0.02
Cyanide
<0.02
<0.02
~
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
MBAS
<0.01
<0.01
0.02
0.02
<0.01
<0.01
0.02
Phenol (ppm)
<0.001
0.005
0.002
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
0.19
Oil and Grease
2.4
1.4
0.0
0.0
1.0
0.9
0.7
Sulfides
0.0
O.O
<0.001
<0.001
0.01
110
-------
TABLE 32
SCHOOL CREEK WATER QUALITY DATA
Water Quality Parameter
(mg/1 unless specified) 5-13-76 6-24-76 9-22-76 1-19-77
Calcium (Ca)
410
360
570
510
Magnesium (Mg)
260
210
660
330
Sodium (Na)
330
280
990
390
Potassium (K)
42
29
82
17
Total Cations (meq/1)
56.82
48.60
127.79
69,^3
Carbonate (C0~)
it J ]
28
0.0
0.0
n.n
Bicarbonate (HCO^)
560
520
560
880
Sulfate (SO^)
2400
1800
5500
2600
Chloride (CI)
32
25
91
4.3
Nitrate (NO^)
0.8
0.5
0.00
1.6
Phosphate (PO^) as (P)
0.01
0.04
0.17
0.06
Fluoride (F)
1.4
1.4
5.7
3.4
Total Anions (meq/1)
61.12
46.83
127.12
69.82
Conductance (ymhos)
3660
3040
8290
4820
COD
66
67
170
62
pH (SU)
8.5
8.1
7.7
7.8
Turbidity (NTU)
3.5
2.3
19.0
Hardness (CaCO^)
2100
1800
4100
2600
Silica (Si02)
12
11
2.7
16
Nitrite
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Sodium %
25
25
34
24
Total CO^
2100
260
270
430
Ammonia (N)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Total Kjeldahl (N)
1.1
1.8
6.6
2.2
Phosphate (PO^)
0.01
0.04
0.17
0.01
Suspended Solids
44
20
128
68
Vol. Suspended Solids
36
4.0
8
12
TDS
4030
3160
9760
4680
Total Solids
4070
3180
9770
4750
111
-------
TABLF, 32 (Cont.)
Water Quality Parameter
(mg/1 unless specified)
5-13-76
6-24-76
9-22-76
1-19-77
Arsenic
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Barium
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
Boron
1.08
0.84
4.43
10
Cadmium
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Copper
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Chromium
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Fluoride
1.4
1.4
5.7
3.4
Iron (Total)
1.7
1.17
0.00
3.40
Iron (Dissolved)
0.00
0.00
2.62
Lead
<0.1
<0.1
0.4
0.6
Manganese
0.33
0.18
5.34
5.81
Mercury
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Nickel
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Selenium
<0.001
<0.001
0.001
<0.001
Silver
<0.5
<0.5
0.5
<0.05
Zinc
0.19
0.02
0.02
<0.02
Cyanide
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
MBAS
0.03
0.04
Phenol (ppm)
0.009
<0.001
0.015
0.012
Oil and Grease
0.0
0.0
2.3
2.5
Sulfides
0.0
<0.001
0.006
0.01
112
-------
TABI.IL 33
LITTLE THUNDER CREEK
WATER QUALITY
DATA
Water Quality Parameter
(mg/1 unless specified)
5-13-76
6-24-76
9-22-76
1-19-77
Calcium (Ca)
160
86
120
200
Magnesium (Mg)
100
41
110
100
Sodium (Na)
180
84
180
190
Potassium (K)
16
8.8
19
16
Total Cations (meq/1)
24.00
11.56
23.07
26.74
Carbonate (CO^)
30
0.0
0.0
0.0
Bicarbonate (HCO^)
280
210
280
410
Sulfate (SO^)
960
360
930
850
Chloride (CI)
12
5.6
13
3.4
Nitrate (NO^)
0.2
0.7
. 0.0
0.3
Phosphate (PO^) as (P)
0.01
0.03
0.04
Fluoride (F)
0.9
0.6
0.9
1.1
Total Anions (meq/1)
25.98
11.22
24.41
24.56
Conductance (pmhos)
1930
981
2020
2040
COD
21
20
19
2.3
pH (SU)
8.6
8.0
8.1
8.0
Turbidity (NTU)
13
63
5
Hardness (CaCO^)
800
380
740
910
Silica (SiO^)
7.6
8.6
6.8
23
Nitrite
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Sodium °L
32
32
34
31
Total CO^
170
100
140
200
Ammonia (N)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Total Kjeldahl (N)
0.7
1.4
1.1
0.6
Suspended Solids
52
68
28
44
Vol. Suspended Solids
40
8.0
28
4
TDS
1660
738
1670
1630
Total Solids
1710
806
1700
1690
113
-------
TABLE 33 (Cont.)
Water Quality Parameter
(mg/1 unless specified)
5-13-76
6-24-76
9-22-76
1-19-77
Arsenic
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Barium
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
Boron
0.32
0.14
0.32
2.4
Cadmium
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Copper
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Chromium
<0.1
<0.1
<0.-1
<0.1
Fluoride
0.9
0.6
0.9
1.1
Iron (Total)
0.07
0.63
0.00
0.10
Iron (Dissolved)
0.19
0.00
0.00
Lead
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
0.3
Manganese
0.00
0.18
<0.05
1.28
Mercury
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Nickel
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Selenium
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Silver
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.05
Zinc
0. AO
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
Cyanide
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
MBAS
<0.01
<0.01
0.02
Phenol (ppm)
<0.001
0.005
0.010
0.008
Oil and Grease
0.0
2.0
0.0
0.8
Sulf ides
0.0
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
114
-------
TABLE 34
MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, AND EXPECTED AVERAGE
WATER QUALITY VALUES FOR THE LITTLE POWDER RIVER
(Data for samples collected between April, 1976 and January, 1977)
Site 1 Site 2
Water Quality Parameter
(mg/1 unless specified)
Max.
Min.
Expected
Range
Max.
Min.
Expected
Range
Calcium (Ca)
340
76
50-350
320
54
50-350
Magnesium (Mg)
170
38
40-200
170
27
20-120
Sodium (Na)
770
130
100-800
772
120
120-700
Potassium (K)
42
9.1
10-15
42
8.1
10-20
Total Cations (meq/1)
52.17
12.71
44.17
10.42
Carbonate (CO^)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Bicarbonate (HCO^)
720
220
200-750
670
190
120-700
Sulfate (S04)
1900
420
300-1600
1800
340
300-1600
Chloride (CI)
14
2.9
10-50
33
7.4
10-30
Nitrate (N03)
1.5
0.0
0-2.0
1.5
0.0
0.0-2.0
Phosphate (PO^) as (P)
0.14
0.02
<.10
0.14
0.02
<.10
Fluoride (F)
1.2
0.4
0-2.0
1.2
0.3
0-1.0
Total Anions (meq/l)
47.68
12.50
43.80
10.29
Conductance (ymhos)
4040
1110
1000-4500
3780
970
900-3900
COD
27
14
10-50
27
13
20-30
pH (SU)
8.3
7.9
7.5-8.0
8.3
7.8
7.5-8.0
Turbidity (NTU)
315
6.5
5-400
380
14
10-400
Hardness (CaCO^)
1600
340
200-1200
1500
250
200-1200
Silica (Si02)
13
4.8
3-20
14
2.4
3-20
Nitrite
<0.1
<0.01
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Sodium %
64
25
73
29
Total COj
350
110
100-400
330
91
100-400
Ammonia (N)
0.3
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.0
Total Kjeldahl (N)
1.8
0.6
0.5-3.0
2.1
0.7
0-4.0
Phosphate (PO^)
0.14
0.02
0-1.0
0.14
0.02
0-1.0
Suspended Solids
590
24
20-700
560
12
60-1100
Vol. Suspended Solids
50
8
5-60
50
6
5-60
TDS
3270
872
900-3000
3260
816
700-3500
Total Solids
3310
1460
1000-3500
3270
1380
1000-3500
115
-------
TABLE 34 (Cont.)
Site 1 Site 2
Water Quality Parameter Expected Expected
(mg/1 unless specified) Max. Min. Range Max. Min. Range
Arsenic
<0.05
<0.05
<0.007
<0.05
<0.05
<0.007
Barium
<0.5
<0.5
" <0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
Boron
3.2
0.14
0.1-4.0
3.97
0.12
<0.9
Cadmium
0.03
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Copper
0.03
<0.01
<0.01
0.03
<0.01
<0.01
Chromium
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
A
O
<0.1
<0.1
Iron (Total)
2.86
0.00
0-7.0
4.22
0.00
0.5-5.0
Iron (Dissolved)
1.55
0.00
0-1.5
0.63
0.00
0-0.5
Lead
0.6
<0.1
<0.1
0.5
<0.1
<0.1
Manganese
0.59
<0.05
0-2.0
0.22
<0.05
0-2.0
Mercury
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Nickel
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Selenium
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Silver
<0.5
<0.05
<0.5
<0.5
<0.05
<0.5
Zinc
0.03
<0.02
0-0.2
0.34
<0.02
0-0.5
Cyanide
<0.02
<0.02
<0.08
<0.02
<0.02
<0.008
MBAS
0.02
<0.01
0.0
<0.02
<0.01
0.0
Phenol (ppm)
0.006
<0.001
<0.002
0.006
<0.001
<0.01
Oil and Grease
1.7
1.1
0-3.0
1.6
0.4
0-2.0
Sulfides
0.002
0.0
0.0
<0.001
0.0
0.0
116
-------
TABLE 35
MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, AND EXPECTED AVERAGE
WATER QUALITY VALUES FOR ANTELOPE CREEK
(Data for samples collected between April, 1976 and January, 1977)
Site 1 Site 2
Water Quality Parameter
(mg/1 unless specified)
Max.
Min.
Expected
Range
Max.
Min.
Expected
Range
Calcium (Ca)
240
53
40-280
240
120
;00-250
Magnesium (Mg)
100
38
25-100
L10
46
25-J.50
Sodium (Na)
290
140
100-300
720
140
100-700
Potassium (K)
9.1
7.7
3-10
16
9.1
5-15
Total Cations (meq/1)
23.11
15.19
33.00
16. J.8
~
Carbonate (CO^)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Bicarbonate (HCO^)
370
180
150-400
670
170
200-700
Sulfate (SO.)
4
1200
480
350-1500
1600
560
450-1200
Chloride (CI)
29
6.8
10-30
25
3.3
10-70
Nitrate (NO^)
0.5
0.0
0-1
1.2
0.2
<1.0
Fluoride (F)
1.3
0.7
0.2
1.1
0.8
<1.0
Total Anions (meq/1)
31.60
15.93
33.74
14.92
Conductance (pmhos)
2630
1440
1000-3000
3780
790
1000-4000
COD
16
3.2
10-50
16
12
10-25
pH (SU)
8.2
8.0
7.0-8.5
8.2
8.0
7.0-8.5
Turbidity (NTU)
6
1.3
5-180
450
2.5
5-400
Hardness (CaCO^)
1000
290
400-800
1000
490
500-1100
Silica (SiO^)
11
6.9
3-15
13
9.5
3-15
Nitrite
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<1.0
Sodium %
61
34
38
35
Total CO^
180
87
50-250
160
82
50-200
Ammonia (N)
0.6
0.0
0
0.0
0.0
0
Total Kjcldahl (N)
1.4
0.0
0-1.5
2.0
0.5
0.5-2.0
Phosphate (FO^)
0.05
0.01
<0.5
0.19
0.03
<1.0
Suspended Solids
28
8
10-150
1020
20
20-750
Vol. Suspended Solids
12
0.0
5-30
88
12
5-100
TDS
2200
992
800-2500
3060
996
900-3000
Total Solids
2230
1000
800-2500
2450
2020
1000-2800
117
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TABLE 35 (Cone.)
Site 1 Site 2
Water Quality Parameter Expected Expected
(mg/1 unless specified) Max. Min. Range Max. Min. Range
Arsenic
<0.05
<0.05
<0.01
<0.05
<0.05
<0.007
Barium
<0.05
<0.05
- <0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0,5
Boron
0.10
0.00
0-0.2
3.4
0.0
<0.5
Cadmium
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Copper
0.03
<0.01
<0.01
0.03
<0.01
<0.01
Chromium
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Iron (Total)
0.39
0.05
0-2.0
3.88
0.00
0.5-2.Q
Iron (Dissolved)
0.15
0.00
O
i~
1
o
1.60
0.00
0-0.5
Lead
0.2
<0.1
<0.1
0.5
<0.1
<0.1
Manganese
0.94
0.14
0-3
0.22
0.00
0-1.0
Mercury
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.0001
<0.001
0-0.007
Nickel
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Selenium
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Silver
<0.5
<0.05
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
Zinc
0.03
<0.02
<0.02
0.03
<0.02
<0.02
Cyanide
<0.02
<0.02
<0.008
<0.02
<0.02
<0.008
MBAS
0.02
<0.01
<0.01
0.02
<0.01
<0.01
Phenol (ppm)
0.002
<0.001
<0.001
0.005
<0.001
<0.002
Oil and Grease
2.4
0.0
O
Csj
1
O
1.4
0.0
0-3.0
Sulfides
0.01
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
0.0
<0.001
118
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TABLE 36
MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, AND EXPECTED AVERAGE
WATER QUALITY VALUES FOR SCHOOL CREEK
(Data for samples collected between May, 1976 and January, 1977)
Water Quality Parameter
(mg/1 unless specified) Max. Min. Expected Range
Calcium (Ca)
570
360
200-650
Magnesium (Mg)
660
210
175-700
Sodium (Na)
990
280
200-1200
Potassium (K)
82
17
10-100
Total Cations (meq/1)
127.79
48.60
Carbonate (CO^)
28
0.0
0-20
Bicarbonate (HCO^)
880
520
200-1000
Sulfate (SO^)
5500
1800
1000-6000
Chloride (CI)
91
4.3
4-100
Nitrate (NO^)
1.6
0.00
0-3.0
Phosphate (PO^) as (P)
0.17
0.01
0-1.0
Fluoride (F)
5.7
1.4
1.0-7.0
Total Anions (meq/1)
127.12
46.83
Conductance (ymhos)
8290
3040
2000-9000
COD
170
62
20-250
pH (SU)
8.5
7.7
7.5-8.8
Turbidity (NTU)
19
2.3
0-250
Hardness (CaCO^)
4100
1800
1000-5000
Silica (SiO^)
16
2.7
2.0-20
Nitrite
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Sodium %
34
24
Total CO^
2100
260
175-2500
Ammonia (N)
0.00
0.00
0.00
Total Kjeldahl (N)
6.6
1.1
0-10.0
Suspended Solids
128
20
0-800
Vol. Suspended Solids
36
8
0-50
TDS
9760
3160
1800-10,000
Total Solids
9770
3180
2000-10,000
119
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TABLE 36 (Cont.)
Water Quality Parameter
(mg/1 unless specified) Max. Min. Expected Range
Arsenic
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Barium
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
Boron
10
1.08
1.0-15
Cadmium
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Copper
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Chromium
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Fluoride.
5.7
1. A
1.0-7.0
Iron (Total)
3.40
0.00
0-4.0
Iron (Dissolved)
2.62
0.00
0-3.0
Lead
0.6
<0.1
<1.0
Manganese
5.81
0.18
0-8.0
Mercury
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Nickel
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Selenium
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Silver
0.5
<0.05
<1.0
Zinc
0.19
<0.02
<1.0
Cyanide
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
MBAS
0. OA
0.03
<0.10
Phenol (ppm)
0.015
<0.001
<0.10
Oil and Grease
2.5
0.0
0-5
Sulfides
0.01
0.0
0.0
120
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TAIW.K 37
MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, AND EXPECTED AVERAGE
WATER QUALITY VALUES FOR LITTLE THUNDER CREEK
(Data for samples collected between May, 1976 and January, 1977)
Water Quality Parameter
(mg/1 unless specified) Max. Min. Expected Range
Calcium (Ca)
200
86
40-250
Magnesium (Mg)
110
41
25-150
Sodium (Na)
190
84
75-200
Potassium (K)
19
8.8
7-25
Total Cations (meq/1)
26. 74
11.56
Carbonate (CO^)
30
0.0
0-20
Bicarbonate (HCO^)
410
210
175-500
Sulfate (SO^)
960
360
200-1200
Chloride (CI)
13
3.4
2.5-15
Nitrate (NO^)
0.7
0.0
0-2.0
Phosphate (PO^) as (P)
0.04
0.01
<.10
Fluoride (F)
1.1
0.6
0-1.5
Total Anions (meq/1)
25.98
11.22
Conductance (pmhos)
2040
981
700-2500
COD
21
2.3
5-25
pH (SU)
8.6
8.0
7.5-8.8
Turbidity (NTU)
63
5
10-250
Hardness (CaCO^)
910
380
250-1000
Silica (Si02)
23
6.8
5-25
Nitrite
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Sodium %
34
31
Total CO^
200
100
80-3 00
Ammonia (N)
0.00
0.00
0.0
Total Kjeldahl (N)
1.4
0.6
0-2.5
Suspended Solids
68
28
10-200
Vol. Suspended Solids
40
4
2-75
TDS
1670
738
600-2500
Total Solids
1710
806
600-2500
121
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TABLE 37 (Cont.)
Water Quality Parameter
(mg/1 unless specified) Max. Min. Expected Range
Arsenic
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Barium
<0.5
<0.5
<0.5
Boron
2.4
0.14
0-4.0
Cadmium
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Copper
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Chromium
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Fluoride
1.1
0.6
O
1
o
Iron (Total)
0.63
0.00
0-2.0
Iron (Dissolved)
0.19
0.00
0-1.0
Lead
0.3
<0.1
0-1.0
Manganese
1.28
0.00
0-2.5
Mercury
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Nickel
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
Selenium
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Silver
<0.5
<0.05
<0.05
Zinc
0. AO
<0.02
0-1.0
Cyanide
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
MBAS
0.02
<0.01
<0.01
Phenol (ppm)
0.010
<0.001
<0.01
Oil and Grease
2.0
0.0
0-3.0
Sulfides
<0.001
0.0
<0.001
122
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A downstream dilution effect is observed for total ions which is
most notable in terms of calcium, magnesium and sulfate concentra-
tions. This suggests that dilution water between sampling stations
is higher in relative terms, in sodium and bicarbonate.
Two samples (April and June) at site 2 exceed the "threshold con-
centration" of 0.1 mg/1 for zinc. Additionally total iron found
at both sites in June would exceed recommended criteria for
aquatic life.
¦ Sharp increases in Boron concentrations were observed during September
and January sampling at both sites. This should continue to be
monitored if future reclamation plans were to be dependent upon
these waters or the parent materials.
Measurable ammonia and kieldahl nitrogen levels in April and June
samples indicating that non-point contribution is present.
Good continuity with previous data.
Antelope Creek
Increasing mineralization in a downstream direction. No signifi-
cant change is observed in chemical relationships between sites
indicating that the factors influencing concentration are constant
throughout the study area.
Low levels of trace metals and elements.
Low COD levels.
High suspended solids concentrations found at site 2 in June.
In that low background levels were observed at site 1 during this
same period it must be assumed that significant erosion potential
exists in the reach between sites. If this area were ever surface
mined special soil and overburden treatments might prove necessary
to retard erosion.
Generally strong similarities to other drainages in the area and
to previous data.
Little Thunder Creek
Generally better water quality than that observed at the other
streams. The waters, though still exceeding user criteria for
salinity, have a lower dissolved solids concentration than at the
other sampling stations.
Low organic levels.
Low nutrient levels.
123
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' Well buffered, alkaline waters.
January sample exhibited greater Boron concentrations than expected.
Zinc, in May, exceeded the "threshold concentration."
Low total and dissolved iron concentrations.
Exceptionally low levels for the other trace metals and elements.
School Creek
The most saline of the waters sampled. The most dilute sample
exceeds the recommended level for agricultural use by three times.
Exceptionally hard, these waters would prove almost useless to
those industrial applications where scale formation is a problem.
Inordinately high Boron levels observed during the September and
January sampling periods. These levels would restrict agricultural
applications.
Exceptionally high manganese levels. Discoloration of vessels
and other containers holding these waters could be expected.
Higher total and dissolved iron than that recommended for preser-
vation of aquatic life was observed in over fifty percent of the
samples.
Excess zinc was observed in a single sample.
In general these waters are by far the worst in overall quality.
Total salinity combined with several other elements found in toxic
concentrations would preclude these waters being used in almost
any economic application.
124
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CHAPTER V
DISCUSSION
The aquatic fauna of the four Thunder Basin study streams can
generally be classified as cool and warmwater forms, tolerant of a
wide range of environmental conditions. These are low-gradient,
shallow, sluggish habitats, characterized by vast fluctuations in
flow (0 to 453 cu m/sec (16,000 cfs) on the Cheyenne River below
Antelope Creek #2 and 0 to 28.3 cu m/sec (1000 cfs) on the Little
Powder), temperature (0 to 30°C) , turbidity (up to 1500 NTU measured
in 197A on the Little Powder), and dissolved oxygen (down to 2.2 mg/1
on School Creek in January, 1977). Also, these waters are quite saline
(TDS measured up to 9760 mg/1 at School Creek) and were periodically
found to contain high concentrations of heavy metals, primarily zinc.
Considering the harsh environmental extremes mentioned above, it
is not surprising that the study streams provide little potential as
sport fisheries. The black bullhead and green sunfish which comprise
the predominant game fish populations are neither present in large
numbers nor, for the most part, in catchable sizes. Analysis of the
water quality data, in conjunction with the hydrologic observations
made, indicate that the fishery potential at the Little Thunder site
exceeds that for the other study sections. While zero flow was
observed here in September, it is apparent that ground water feeds this
reach as little fluctuation in water level was observed throughout the
year. Hasfurther and Rechard (1976) report an evaporation rate of 142
cm per year for shallow ponds in the Gil]ette area. Thus, were it
125
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not for ground water inflow, groaLer fluctuations wou Ld be expected on
Litt]e Thunder, much like that observed on School Creek in September,
when the site was almost completely dewatered.
Water quality conditions on Little Thunder were also found to be
the most favorable for aquatic fauna. Dissolved oxygen concentrations
were never found to drop below 5.4 mg/1 while the pH ranged from 8.0 to
8.6. Fry (1960) concluded that good fish production was generally
achieved in a pH range of 6.7 to 8.6. Little Thunder water was found to
be relatively clear at all sample times, as indicated by the turbidity
measurements (ail less than 63 NTU) and secchi disc readings (0.2 to
0.8 m). The abundance of rooted aquatic vegetation was also indicative
of clear water conditions. Salinity ranged lower at the Little Thunder
site (TDS of 738 to 1670 mg/1), than at the other study sections,
also indicating more favorable conditions for fish life. It is proposed
that seining efforts on Little Thunder Creek be increased during 1977
to better determine the abundance and size range of. the largemouth
bass and bluegill known to be present.
Two species of particular interest thusfar collected on the Little
Powder River are the goldeye and the stonecat. Goldeye are currently
on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's list of rare and endangered
wildlife (status undetermined). While only one specimen has been
collected to date (1974), it is important that the Little Powder does
provide some of the last habitat for the species in the state.
Increasing attention has of late been paid to the stonecat,
especially in the Northern Great Plains area. With rising demands for
water by industry and other users, fisheries biologists have become
concerned with the problem of determining suitable instream flow
I 26
-------
I'L'f,Lines La maintain the. fishery resources oC the region. Bovee (1975)
has recommended that the stonecat be used as the indicator species for
recommending such flows for rearing habitat. This designation as an
indicator was based upon two criteria: 1) the species has a very
narrow range of physical habitat requirements for rearing, primarily
in regard to velocity and sedimentation; and, 2) it is naturally
present in many streams of the region.
For the reasons given above, it is our recommendation that during
1977 concentrated efforts should be made to determine the abundance
of these two species on Thunder Basin lands and to investigate their
life histories, food preferences and to the extent possible, their
general habitat preferences.
The benthic invertebrate fauna of the four Thunder Basin study
streams during 1976 was predominated by freshwater snails (Physa,
Lymnaea and Gyraulus were found at all 4), Diptera larvae (Family
Chironomidae), mayfly nymphs (Caenis), beetle larvae (primarily
Dubiraphia), freshwater shrimp (Hyallela azteca), clams (Sphaerium and
Pisidium), oligocheates (Family Tubificidae) and damselfly nymphs
(primarily Ischnura). This list closely approximates that of our 1975
studies on just Antelope Creek and the Little Powder, and would most
probably cover the major types expected on any of the streams through-
out Basin lands.
This assemblage of invertebrates can be characterized as forms
commonly found living in or near the mud substrates of ponds, lakes
and streams where organic debris is available as a food source
(Usinger, 1973; Hynes, 1970; Pennak, 1953). Typically, these types
are tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions, including
127
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intermittency, high temperatures and turbidities, low dissolved
oxygen, high TDS concentrations, and low habitat diversity in terms of
substrate, water depths and velocities.
Throughout the sampling year, relative abundance of the bottom
fauna generally ranged higher at School Creek, Little Thunder Creek and
Antelope Creek No. 1. This was due primarily to the dense stands of
aquatic vegetation at these sites and the abundance of snails associated
with them. As shown in an earlier section, turbidity measurements
ranged lower at these three study sections and secchi disc readings
higher, the result being increased light penetration and photosynthe-
tic activity.
Mean annual diversity (average for all samples taken at a given
site throughout the year) was found to be highest at Little Powder
it 2 (2.30 for numbers; 2.07 for biomass) , Antelope Creek //I (2.23 numbers,
1.54 biomass) and Little Thunder Creek (2.00 numbers; 1.54 biomass).
Values for the remaining 3 .sites were as follows: Little Powder //I
(1.57 numbers; 1.26 biomass); School Creek (1.57 numbers; 0.51 biomass);
and, Antelope Creek it2 (1.06 numbers; 0.88 biomass).
Mangum (1975) states that in macroinvertebrate communities, it is
natural to find a few species with high numbers of individuals and many
species with a few individuals. The effects of an unfavorable condi-
tion are often manifest by elimination of some species, a reduction in
numbers of other species, and/or an increase in numbers of one to
several species which proliferate due to an absence of competition and
an abundance of food. Through his work, Mangum has developed the
following stream classification system based upon Shannon-Weaver index
values:
128
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Diversity Index
3-4
Stream Condition
Excellent
2-3
Good
1-2
Fair
<1
Poor
Applying this system to our six study sites using the mean annual
diversity values based on numbers, stream condition would be rated as
follows:
Site Stream Condition
Little Powder //I fair
Little Powder if2 low-good
Antelope //I low-good
Antelope //2 low-fair
School Creek fair
Little Thunder Creek low-good; high-fair
From our sampling and analysis program to date, it appears we are
beginning to define the range of diversity values which can be
expected for the benthic communities in the various types of aquatic
habitats associated with the stream environments of Thunder Basin.
Overall, values can be expected to vary from approximately 1.0 up to
2.5. A tentative classification by habitat type would be as follows:
Expected Location
Within Diversity Range
Habitat Type (1.0-2.5)
Permanent, clear-water pool on ephemeral or
intermittent stream (Little Thunder Creek and
Antelope Creek If 1)
Ephemeral pool on ephemeral stream (School Creek)
Permanent, turbid water pool on intermittent
stream (Antelope Creek //2)
Turbid water pool in severely incised reach of
perennial stream (Little Powder //1)
Turbid water pool of perennial stream less severely
incised with lateral erosion occurring (Little
Powder #2)
Upper
half
Lower
half
Lower
half
Lower
half
Upper
half
129
-------
To emphasize, this is offered as a tentative classification, based on
general characteristics of our study streams and sites. Another year
of sampling and observation on these streams will allow us to 1) improve
our estimate for the diversity range; 2) verify or refute the relation-
ship between the diversity range and the habitat type descriptions; 3)
provide more accurate descriptions of the habitat types; and, A) through
more extensive fish sampling, explore the possibility of adding a
"fisheries factor" of some type to the classification system.
130
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CHAPTER VI
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Fisheries
The sport fishery potential of the four Thunder Basin study streams
is quite limited due to the environmental extremes discussed in previous
sections. Black bullhead and green sunfish are the predominant game
fish species, with bluegill, largemouth bass and stonecat also being
collected at specific sites. Due to its stable water levels and water
quality conditions, the Little Thunder Creek site has the greatest
potential for development of a sport fishery. Non-game fish species
present consist primarily of an assemblage of minnow species.
More extensive fish sampling efforts are recommended for 1977. Not
only will this provide more information on the species composition,
relative abundance and population size for all of the study streams, it
will allow us to assess the distribution, life history patterns and food
habits of the more critical species, such as the goldeye and stonecat of
the Little Powder River and the largemouth bass of Little Thunder Creek.
Benthic Invertebrate Fauna
Results of our sampling indicate that the following list would
most likely include the major invertebrate types expected from any of the
streams throughout Thunder Basin: snails (Physa, Lymnaea, Gyraulus),
mayfly nymphs (Caenis), beetle Larvae (primarily Dubiraphia), shrimp
(Hyallela azteca), clams (Sphaerium and Pisidium), oligocheates and
damselfly nymphs (primarily Ischnura). Based upon the Shannon-Weaver
-------
diversity index val.ues and the classification used by Mangum (1975),
the general condition of Thunder Basin streams can be rated as from low-
fair up to low-good. Dependent upon the habitat type, we would expect
diversity values for these benthic communities to range from approximately
1.0 to 2.5. A tentative classification of habitat types, based upon
observable water quality, channel form and flow regime characteristics,
has been proposed in relation to their location within this diversity
range.
Another year of bottom fauna sampling is recommended to allow us
to better define these habitat types and the expected diversity range
within each type. We anticipate that development of such a classification
system will prove useful to agency personnel involved in environmental
assessment-
Water Quality
The data reported in this document for the Little Powder River and
Antelope Creek exhibit strong similarities to the data previously
collected at these sites. The tentative conclusions offered last year
appear valid when examined with the more current data. These waters,
while appearing too salty for all but the most limited applications can
be considered "typical" of surface water found in the Eastern Powder
River Basin.
The data reported for Little Thunder and School Creeks are the
first findings in this investigation. Generally, they too, could be
considered to be "typical" of the region's waters. These two sites
however, represent the extremes of what could be expected in the area's
surface water quality. Little Thunder Creek while containing waters
more saline than that recommended for most uses is probably of as good
132
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a quality ns is generally found in the area. Low levels of organics
and trace metals would indicate that these waters could be capable of
supporting much aquatic life.
School Creek, however, has salinity levels exceeding 25% sea water
with concentrations in excess of recommended criteria for iron, zinc,
manganese and boron. Some levels of retardation of indigenous aquatic
life should be observed.
To provide background and support data for the continued sampling
of the aquatic biota recommended above, it is our recommendation that this
water quality program be also continued.
133
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CHAPTER VII
LITERATURE CITED
American Public Health Association. 1975. Standard Methods for the
Examination of Mater and Waste Water. 14th Ed. New York:
American Public Health Association.
Arnett, J. L. 1976. Nomenclature for Instream Assessments. U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service Report. 7 p.
Battle, H. I. and W. M. Sprules. 1960. "A description of the semi-
buoyant eggs and early development stages of the goldeye (Hiodon
alosoides (Rafinesque)). Journal Fish. Res. Bd. Canada. XVII:
245-65.
Baxter, George T. and James R. Simon. 1970. Wyoming Fishes. Bulletin
No. 4. Cheyenne, Wyoming: Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Black, E. C. 1953. "Upper Lethal Temperatures of Some British Columbia
Freshwater Fishes." Journal of the Fishery Resources Board Canada,
X, 196
Campbell, R. S. 1935. "A Study of the Common Sucker, Catostomus
commersoni (Lacfepfede) of Waskesiu Lake." M.S. Thesis, University
of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Carlander, K. D. 1969. Handbook of Freshwater Fishery Biology. Vol.
I: Life History Data on Freshwater Fishes of the United States
and Canada, Exclusive of the Perciformes. Ames, Iowa: Iowa
State University Press.
Chorley, Richard J. (ed.). 1969. Introduction to Fluvial Processes.
London: Methuen and Co., Ltd.
Corbett, D. M. 1962. Stream-Gaging Procedures. U.S. Geological Survey
Water Supply Paper No. 888. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing
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