REDWATER RIVER STUDY
MONTANA
JULY - AUGUST, 1975
TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS BRANCH
SURVEILLANCE AND ANALYSIS DIVISION
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION VIII
MARCH, 1976
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INTRODUCTION
On March 13, 1975, the Montana Department of Health and Environ-
mental Sciences requested, through the Office of Energy Activities,
a baseline biological and chemical survey of the Redwater River in
McCone County. This survey was requested in conjunction with the
Poplar River study, thus combining two survey trips into one. The
Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences requested
data needed to predict the effects on water quality of a coal gasifi-
cation plant proposed by the Burlington Northern railroad in this area.
Biologists from the Surveillance and Analysis Division conducted
a cursory-baseline survey which included selected chemical, fish, and
macro-benthos sampling, from July 29, 1975 through August 3, 1975.
GENERAL
The Redwater River is located in the north-east portion of the
state of Montana. The river originates near the town of Watkins,
and flows in a generally north-easterly direction for about 135 km.
(84 miles) where it terminates at its confluence with the Missouri
River, downstream of the town of Poplar (Fig. 1).
There is one major tributary to the Redwater River in the study
area. This is East Redwater Creek which flows in a north-westerly
direction and joins the Redwater River approximately 15 km. (10 miles)
upstream from its mouth.
The Redwater River drainage is characterized by cold winters
and low precipitation. The precipitation, most of which occurs during
the spring and early summer months, had subsided at the time of the
survey. As a result, during the study the river was near low flow
conditions.
METHODS
Fish sampling was conducted with trap nets, seines or electro-fishing.
Trap nets used during the survey had 0.76 by 0.91 m. (2.5 x 3 ft.)
frames or 0.76 by 1.52 m. (2.5 x 5 ft.) frames. The smaller nets
had a 0.63 cm. [h in.) mesh and the larger frame nets had 1.27 cm.
{h in.) mesh. Each net had either a 15.2 m. (50 ft.) or 30.5 m. (100 ft.)
lead. All trap nets were set for 24 hour periods.
Two haul seines were used to capture fish from pool areas. A
1.83 by 30.48 m. (6 x 100 ft.) seine with 1.27 cm. {h in.) mesh was
used in small pools. Larger pools required the use of a 3.05 by
76.2 m. (10 x 250 ft.) seine with 2.54 cm. (1 in.) mesh.
Electro-fishing was conducted with a Coffelt1 system capable
of generating a maximum of 300 volts, 10 amps, and 200 pulses per
second. A single probe with 91.4 m. (300 ft.) of cable was used to
shock the fish. The samples kept for reference were preserved in
10^ formalin.
1. Any mention of product names does not constitute E.P.A. endorsement.
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Macro-invertebrates were collected by means of a Petersen Grab.
Samples were sieved with a U.S. Standard No. 30 sieve and organisms
remaining on the sieve were placed in pint jars with 10 percent formalin.
Organisms were also hand picked from selected rocks and debris. These
samples were also preserved in 10 percent formalin.
All water samples taken for metals, Total Dissolved Solids and
Total Suspended Solids were "grab" type samples and were transported
to the Regional Laboratory in Denver, Colorado for processing.
WATER QUALITY EVALUATION
To determine existing water quality, "grab" type samples were
collected on two consecutive days (July 29 and July 30). In addition,
samplers made field determinations at each of five stations (Fig. 1)
for temperature, pH, flows and conductivity. Samples for dissolved
oxygen were fixed in the field and analyses were determined at a later
time. Samples for alkalinity were also taken in the field, held on
ice, and analyzed at the end of.each sampling day. Results of all
field and laboratory determinations and detailed station location
descriptions are listed in the Appendix.
BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION
Generally, the majority of aquatic invertebrates throughout the
entire study area were pollution sensitive types (Table 4). The
main limiting factor in their distribution seemed to be the composition
of the substrate. A rubble type substrate lends itself to a more
diverse population due to the variability in characteristics. The
number of small habitats available reduces the intense competition
for food and space. As rubble is silted-in the space for habitation
is reduced and the competition for the remaining space results in the
reduction in numbers of less tolerant organisms. In a primarily
shifting silt and sand substrate only a few types of organisms can
adapt to the erwronment. The upper reaches of the study area were
characterized by rubble and gravel bottom. The lower stretches
gradually changed from a rubble type substrate to that of shifting
silt and sand with rubble restricted to riffle areas. In the riffle
areas the rubble interstices were filled with silt and sand.
A diversity of fish species were captured throughout the entire
system (Table 5). Warm water game fish were observed throughout the
study area, but appeared to be predominant in the lower stream reach
as reflected by catch data from the first station near the mouth
(RW-1) and the second station eight miles upstream (RW-2). One
young of the year Walleye was identified at the upper-most station,
near Circle (RW-5), indicating the probable use of the upper river
by adult Walleye for spawning activities. With such a diversity of
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warm water game fish, a majcrportion of the river is probably utilized
for spawning and propagation. Further studies would be warranted to
determine the extent of spawning activities in the Redwater River,
especially by migrating Missouri River fish.
Chemical analysis also showed total dissolved solids (TDS)
ranging from 1640 to 3470 mg/£ (Appendix, Table 2). High TDS during
the survey contributed to high salinity or specific conductivity,
2400 to 4625 micromhos (Appendix, Table 3). In water of 4000 micromhos
or above, sac fry of Walleye and Northern Pike have a very low survival
success.2 Thus, continual propagation of a sport fishery in the
Redwater River could be diminished if salinities are increased during
the spring spawning or propagation periods.
Aluminum was also present in the water samples taken for chemical
analysis. Values ranging from 400 to 1800 yg/£ were observed.
Increased amounts of aluminum might prove harmful to a fisheries
population. In most natural waters, ionizable aluminum is in the form
of anionic or neutral precipitates, and anything greater than 0.1 mg/£
of aluminum would be deleterious to growth and survival of fish.3
High sodium levels were also observed in the samples taken for chemical
analysis. Values ranging from 827,000 to 413,000 yg/£ were recorded.
(Appendix, Table 2).
SUMMARY
The Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences
requested EPA provide a baseline biological and chemical survey of
the Redwater River. Biologists from the Surveillance and Analysis
Division conducted a study which included selected chemical, fish,
and macro-benthos sampling.
Chemical analyses revealed some probable problem areas with the
physical characteristics of the water. Large amounts of total
dissolved solids (TDS), contributing to an increase in salinity,
could be a problem if amounts were increased. Sodiums were also high,
o
Peterka, John J. 1972. Effects of saline waters upon survival
of fish eggs and larvae and upon the ecology of the Fathead Minnow
in North Dakota. Dept. of Zoology, N. Dakota State University.
WI-221-013-72.
O
^Freeman, R.A. and W.H. Everhart. 1971. Toxicity of aluminum
hydroxide complexes in neutral and basic media to rainbow trout.
Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 100 (4):644-658.
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but did not seem to have any detrimental effect on the fish population.
Amounts of aluminum found were relatively high, and if increased,
could effect the fish population.
Fish sampling established the existance of a sport fisheries
population in the Redwater River. In all probability warm water game
fish use the river for spawning and propagation. This was substant-
iated by one young of the year Walleye found in the upper reaches of
the river near the town of Circle.
Macro-benthos sampling indicated the majority of aquatic inverte-
brates to be pollution sensitive types. With increased silt deposits,
intermediate and pollution tolerant organisms could increase in numbers.
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APPENDIX
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Missouri River
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TABLE 1
STATION DESCRIPTION
Station #1
Redwater River approximately two and one-half miles
south of Missouri River bridge on State Highway 13
and approximately fourteen miles east on improved
county dirt road and approximately two-thirds of a
mile from the confluence with the Missouri River.
Station #2 Redwater River approximately four and one-half miles
north of Vida to State Secondary Highway 201 and approx-
imately ten miles east and approximately two and one-
fourth miles north to. concrete pad.
Station #3 Redwater River approximately six miles south of Vida
on State Highway 13 and approximately eight miles east
on improved county dirt road then approximately one
mile south on improved county dirt road then approx-
imately three and one-half miles south-east to the
river.
Station #4 Redwater River approximately fifteen miles south of
Vida on State Highway 13 to Duck Creek Road. Then
approximately six and three-fairths miles east then
approximately one mile north and approximately one-
half mile east of ranch to concrete pad.
Station #5 Redwater River upstream of State Highway 20 bridge.
Note: The majority of fish samples were taken approximately three
miles north-west of Circle on State Highway 13 and approximately
one mile east on dirt road to river.
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TflTJUE i
REDWATER RIVER
JULY 29 -
CHEMICAL
AUGUST 3,
ANALYSIS
1975
RW-
-1
RW-2
RW-3
RW-4
RW
-5
7/29/75
7/30/75
7/29/75
7/30/75
7/29/75
7/30/75
7/29/75
7/30/75
7/29/75
7/30/7!
Sodi um ug/4
517,000
548,000
413,000
434,000
651,000
620,000
827,000
796,000
806,000
816,000
Hg*
0.5
0.5
0.3
1.1
0.5
0.6
14
2.0
0.3
11
Se
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
As
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
A1
1 ,600
1,500
1,800
1,700
800
600
400
500
500
1 ,100
B
<100
500
350
<100
300
600
500
900
900
550
Fe
2,350
1,750
2,250
2,100
1,150
1,000
700
700
1 ,100
950
Cu
6
6
4
4
4
4
4
4
8
8
Ca "
43,200
42,200
46,200
40,200
45,200
47,200
44,200
48,200
92,400
95,200
Mg
57,500
44,500
67,000
54,000
95,500
76,500
118,000
92,500
143,500
137,000
Zn "
10
10
10
10
5
10
10
5
10
5
TSS mg/z
90
66
162
118
36
33
26
31
24
69
TDS »
1,880
1,850
1,680
1,640
2,300
2,250
3,100
3,030
3,460
3,470
* Results questionable
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TABLE 3
REDWATER RIVER PHYSIO-CHEMICAL DATA
JULY 29 - AUGUST 3, 1975
RW-1
D.O.-mg/£ 6.5
pH 8.1
S.C.-micromhos 2925
Time 0930
Temp. °C 24.5
Alka.-mgA 476
Flow-c.f.s. 5.5
RW-2 RW-3 RW-4
6.1 7.2 8.7
8.3 7.7 .7.8
2400 3200 4100
1215 1435 1500
25.5 26.5 26
434 518 572
5.2 3.8 3.7
RW-5
7.3
7.6
4625
1730
27
498
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TABLE 4
REDWATER RIVER BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES
JULY 29 - AUGUST 3, 1975
Station RW-1 RW-2 RW-3 RW-4 RW-5
Organisms
Ephemeroptera
Hexaqenia sp. X
Heptagenia sp. XX X
Caenis sp. X X X X X
Baetis sp. X X X X X
Habrophlebia sp. X X
Ameletus sp. X X
Trichoptera
Polycentropus sp. X XX
H.ydropsyche sp. X X X X X
Cheumatopsyche sp. X X X X X
Agraylea sp. X
Odonata
Anisoptera /
Petaluridae X
Zygoptera XXX
Diptera
Chironominae X X X X X
Simulium sp. X X
Tabanidae X X
Annelida
Oligochaeta X X X X X
Coleoptera
Dubiraphia sp. X X
Amphipoda
Hylella sp. X XXX
Pelecypoda X
Megaloptera
Sialis sp. X X
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TABLE 5
REDWATER RIVER FISH DATA
JULY 29 - AUGUST 3, 1975
RW-1 RW-2 RW-3 RW-4 RW-5
Northern pike X X
(Esox 1uci us)
Sauger X X
(Stizostedion canadense)
Walleye XX X
(Stizostedion vitreum)
Burbot X
(Lota lota)
Goldeye X X X X
(Hiodon alosoides)
Channel catfish X
(Ictalurus punctatus)
Black bullhead X X X X X
(Ictalurus melas)
Stonecat XXX
(Noturus flavus)
Carp X X X X X
(Cyprinus carpio)
Carpsucker XXX X
(Carpoides carpio)
Shorthead redhorse X X X X X
(Moxostoma macrolepidotum)
Smallmouth buffalo X
(Ictiobus bubal us)
White sucker X X X X X
(Catostomus commersoni)
Longnose sucker X X X X
(Catostomus catostomus)
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Table 5 - continued
RW-1 RW-2 RW-3 RW-4 RW-5
Green sunfish X X
(Lepomis cyanel1 us)
Golden shiner X X X X X
(Notemigonus crysoleucas)
Brassy minnow X X X X X
(Hybognathus hankinsoni)
Fathead minnow X X X
(Pimephales promelas)
Longnose dace XXX
(Rhinichthys cataractae)
Lake chub X X
(Couesius plumbeus)
Total No. of species 15 15 13 12 10
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