Effects of increasing urbanization on ground- and surface-water resources in the Fraser River watershed Completed
The USGS has assessed the effects of increasing urbanization on ground- and surface-water resources in the Fraser River watershed. The population of Grand County increased 93 percent between the years of 1970 and 1990. The majority of the new development in the watershed will rely on ground water and individual septic disposal systems (ISDS's). This study has assessed the potential effects of ISDS contamination on shallow ground-water quality.
This study also measured streamflow and the potential effects of urban growth on surface-water quality at one site (Fraser River below Crooked Creek at Tabernash, CO - 09033300) in the watershed.
The results from this study will assist local entities develop efficient land and water-management practices.
OBJECTIVES:
- Complete a retrospective analysis of all water-quality and water-quantity information available for the watershed.
- Assess current ground-water quality and quantity in areas of increasing urbanization.
- Determine effects of ISDS's on ground-water quality in areas of historic ISDS use.
- Assess surface-water quantity and quality at one site downstream from the majority of the urban land use in the watershed.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Water-quality characteristics and ground water quantity of the Fraser River watershed, Grand County, Colorado, 1998-2001
Streamwater quality at selected sites in the Fraser River basin, Grand County, Colorado, water years 1991-2000
Ground-water-quality assessment of selected wells in the Fraser River Watershed, Colorado, August 1998
Fraser River watershed, Colorado — Assessment of available water-quantity and water-quality data through water year 1997
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
The USGS has assessed the effects of increasing urbanization on ground- and surface-water resources in the Fraser River watershed. The population of Grand County increased 93 percent between the years of 1970 and 1990. The majority of the new development in the watershed will rely on ground water and individual septic disposal systems (ISDS's). This study has assessed the potential effects of ISDS contamination on shallow ground-water quality.
This study also measured streamflow and the potential effects of urban growth on surface-water quality at one site (Fraser River below Crooked Creek at Tabernash, CO - 09033300) in the watershed.
The results from this study will assist local entities develop efficient land and water-management practices.
OBJECTIVES:
- Complete a retrospective analysis of all water-quality and water-quantity information available for the watershed.
- Assess current ground-water quality and quantity in areas of increasing urbanization.
- Determine effects of ISDS's on ground-water quality in areas of historic ISDS use.
- Assess surface-water quantity and quality at one site downstream from the majority of the urban land use in the watershed.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Water-quality characteristics and ground water quantity of the Fraser River watershed, Grand County, Colorado, 1998-2001
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Grand County Board of County Commissioners, conducted a 4-year study to assess ground- and surface-water-quality conditions and ground-water quantity in the 302-square-mile Fraser River watershed in north-central Colorado. The Fraser River flows north about 28 miles from the headwaters near the Continental Divide, through the towns of Winter ParkAuthorsNancy J. Bauch, Jeffrey B. BailsStreamwater quality at selected sites in the Fraser River basin, Grand County, Colorado, water years 1991-2000
To determine the effect of population growth on streamwater quality in the Fraser River Basin, the U.S. Geological Survey did a study in cooperation with the Grand County Commissioners and the East Grand County Water Quality Board. During water years 1991 through 2000, the study determined that concentrations of un-ionized ammonia and nitrite plus nitrate in the streamwater of the basin are withinAuthorsJeffrey B. BailsGround-water-quality assessment of selected wells in the Fraser River Watershed, Colorado, August 1998
No abstract available.AuthorsLori Estelle Apodaca, C. Michelle Smith, Jeffrey B. BailsFraser River watershed, Colorado — Assessment of available water-quantity and water-quality data through water year 1997
The water-quantity and water-quality data for the Fraser River watershed through water year 1997 were compiled for ground-water and surface-water sites. In order to assess the water-quality data, the data were related to land use/land cover in the watershed. Data from 81 water-quantity and water-quality sites, which consisted of 9 ground-water sites and 72 surface-water sites, were available for aAuthorsLori Estelle Apodaca, Jeffrey B. Bails - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.