NAWQA South Platte River Basin Study Completed
The South Platte River Basin study, conducted as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program, combines information on water chemistry, physical characteristics, stream habitat, and aquatic life to provide science-based insights for current and emerging water issues in surface waters (streams, rivers, reservoirs) and groundwaters of the South Platte River Basin. The results can contribute to informed decisions that result in practical and effective water-resource management and strategies that protect and restore water quality.
USGS Circular 1167 summarizes the results of the occurrence and distribution assessment (high-intensity sampling phase) of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program's South Platte River Basin Study Unit investigation (1992 -1995).
Study Area:
Location
The South Platte River Basin has a drainage area of about 24,300 mi2 and is located in parts of three States - Colorado (79 percent of the basin), Nebraska (15 percent of the basin), and Wyoming (6 percent of the basin). The South Platte River originates in the mountains of central Colorado at the Continental Divide and flows about 450 mi northeast across the Great Plains to its confluence with the North Platte River at North Platte, Nebraska. Altitude in the basin ranges from 14,286 ft at Mt. Lincoln on the Continental Divide to 2,750 ft. at the confluence of the South Platte and North Platte Rivers. The basin includes two physiographic provinces - the Front Range Section of the Southern Rocky Mountain Province and the Colorado Piedmont Section of the Great Plains Province.
Climate
The basin has a continental-type climate modified by topography, in which there are large temperature ranges and irregular seasonal and annual precipitation. Mean temperatures increase from west to east and on the plains from north to south. Areas along the Continental Divide average 30 in. or more of precipitation annually, which includes snowfall in excess of 300 in. In contrast, the annual precipitation on the plains east of Denver, Colorado, and in the South Park area in the southwest part of the basin, ranges from 7 to 15 in. Most of the precipitation on the plains occurs as rain, which typically falls between April and September, whereas most of the precipitation in the mountains occurs as snow, which typically falls between October and March.
Land Use
The three-State area of the South Platte River Basin has about 2.8 million people, over 95 percent of who live in Colorado. The basin contains the most concentrated population density in the Rocky Mountain region, located along the Front Range urban corridor in Colorado where the mountains meet the plains. Population densities outside the urban corridor are small and centered in small towns located along the principal streams. The principal economy in the mountainous headwaters is based on tourism and recreation; the economy in the urbanized south-central region mostly is related to manufacturing, service and trade industries, and government services; and the economy of the basin downstream from Denver is based on agriculture and livestock production.
Land use and land cover in the South Platte River Basin during 1975-80 is divided into: 41 percent rangeland, 37 percent agricultural land, 16 percent forest land, 3 percent urban or built-up land, and 3 percent other land. Rangeland is present across all areas of the basin except over the high mountain forests. Agricultural land is somewhat more restricted to the plains and the South Park area near Fairplay, Colo. Forest land occurs in a north-south band in the mountains. Urban or built-up land is present primarily in the Front Range urban corridor. The 'other land' category includes: water (110 mi2), barren lands (160 mi2), tundra (400 mi2), and perennial snow and ice (1 mi2). Barren lands primarily are areas under construction or are areas of strip mining, quarries, or gravel pits.
Study Summary
USGS Circular 1167 summarizes the results of the occurrence and distribution assessment (high-intensity sampling phase) of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program's South Platte River Basin Study Unit investigation (1992 -1995).
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA)
Below are publications associated with this project.
Water quality in the South Platte River basin, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, 1992-95
Nutrient concentrations in wastewater treatment plant effluents, South Platte River Basin
Concentration, distribution, and comparison of selected trace elements in bed sediment and fish tissue in the South Platte River Basin, USA, 1992- 1993
Organochlorine compounds and trace elements in streambed sediment and fish tissue, South Platte River Basin; Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming
Sources and loads of nutrients in the South Platte River, Colorado and Nebraska, 1994-95
Denitrification and mixing in a stream-aquifer system: Effects on nitrate loading to surface water
U.S. Geological Survey Nitrogen-Cycling Workshop: Denver, Colorado October 30 - November 2, 1995
Inventory of biological investigations related to stream water quality in the South Platte River basin, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, 1891-1994
Fish communities in the plains region of the South Platte River, August 1993 and 1994
Water-quality assessment of the South Platte River basin, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming: Analysis of available nutrient, suspended-sediment, and pesticide data, water years 1980-92
Review of sediment data in the South Platte River Basin, Colorado, 1980-92
Quantity and quality of ground-water discharge to the South Platte River, Denver to Fort Lupton, Colorado, August 1992 through July 1993
Nutrients in the South Platte River, 1993-95
- Overview
The South Platte River Basin study, conducted as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program, combines information on water chemistry, physical characteristics, stream habitat, and aquatic life to provide science-based insights for current and emerging water issues in surface waters (streams, rivers, reservoirs) and groundwaters of the South Platte River Basin. The results can contribute to informed decisions that result in practical and effective water-resource management and strategies that protect and restore water quality.
USGS Circular 1167 summarizes the results of the occurrence and distribution assessment (high-intensity sampling phase) of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program's South Platte River Basin Study Unit investigation (1992 -1995).
Study Area:
Location
The South Platte River Basin has a drainage area of about 24,300 mi2 and is located in parts of three States - Colorado (79 percent of the basin), Nebraska (15 percent of the basin), and Wyoming (6 percent of the basin). The South Platte River originates in the mountains of central Colorado at the Continental Divide and flows about 450 mi northeast across the Great Plains to its confluence with the North Platte River at North Platte, Nebraska. Altitude in the basin ranges from 14,286 ft at Mt. Lincoln on the Continental Divide to 2,750 ft. at the confluence of the South Platte and North Platte Rivers. The basin includes two physiographic provinces - the Front Range Section of the Southern Rocky Mountain Province and the Colorado Piedmont Section of the Great Plains Province.
Climate
The basin has a continental-type climate modified by topography, in which there are large temperature ranges and irregular seasonal and annual precipitation. Mean temperatures increase from west to east and on the plains from north to south. Areas along the Continental Divide average 30 in. or more of precipitation annually, which includes snowfall in excess of 300 in. In contrast, the annual precipitation on the plains east of Denver, Colorado, and in the South Park area in the southwest part of the basin, ranges from 7 to 15 in. Most of the precipitation on the plains occurs as rain, which typically falls between April and September, whereas most of the precipitation in the mountains occurs as snow, which typically falls between October and March.
Land Use
The three-State area of the South Platte River Basin has about 2.8 million people, over 95 percent of who live in Colorado. The basin contains the most concentrated population density in the Rocky Mountain region, located along the Front Range urban corridor in Colorado where the mountains meet the plains. Population densities outside the urban corridor are small and centered in small towns located along the principal streams. The principal economy in the mountainous headwaters is based on tourism and recreation; the economy in the urbanized south-central region mostly is related to manufacturing, service and trade industries, and government services; and the economy of the basin downstream from Denver is based on agriculture and livestock production.
Land use and land cover in the South Platte River Basin during 1975-80 is divided into: 41 percent rangeland, 37 percent agricultural land, 16 percent forest land, 3 percent urban or built-up land, and 3 percent other land. Rangeland is present across all areas of the basin except over the high mountain forests. Agricultural land is somewhat more restricted to the plains and the South Park area near Fairplay, Colo. Forest land occurs in a north-south band in the mountains. Urban or built-up land is present primarily in the Front Range urban corridor. The 'other land' category includes: water (110 mi2), barren lands (160 mi2), tundra (400 mi2), and perennial snow and ice (1 mi2). Barren lands primarily are areas under construction or are areas of strip mining, quarries, or gravel pits.
Study Summary
USGS Circular 1167 summarizes the results of the occurrence and distribution assessment (high-intensity sampling phase) of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program's South Platte River Basin Study Unit investigation (1992 -1995).
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA)
Our surface water, groundwater, and aquatic ecosystems are priceless resources, used by people across the Nation for drinking, irrigation, industry, and recreation. The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project is a leading source of scientific data and knowledge for development of science-based policies and management strategies to improve and protect our water resources. - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Water quality in the South Platte River basin, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, 1992-95
No abstract available.AuthorsKevin F. Dennehy, David W. Litke, Cathy M. Tate, Sharon L. Qi, Peter B. McMahon, Breton W. Bruce, Robert A. Kimbrough, Janet S. HeinyFilter Total Items: 29Nutrient concentrations in wastewater treatment plant effluents, South Platte River Basin
Accurate data about nutrient concentrations in wastewater treatment plant effluents are needed for river basin water-quality studies. As part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program in the South Platte River Basin, nutrient data were requested from 31 wastewater-treatment plants located in the basin. This article describes the types of nutrient data available fromAuthorsM. Pocernich, D. W. LitkeConcentration, distribution, and comparison of selected trace elements in bed sediment and fish tissue in the South Platte River Basin, USA, 1992- 1993
During August–November 1992 and August 1993, bed sediment and fish liver were sampled in the South Platte River Basin and analyzed for 45 elements in bed sediment and 19 elements in fish liver. The results for aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, selenium, silver, uranium, and zinc are presented here. All 12 trace elements were detected in bed sediment, but not allAuthorsJ. S. Heiny, C. M. TateOrganochlorine compounds and trace elements in streambed sediment and fish tissue, South Platte River Basin; Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming
Concentration data for organochlorine compounds and trace elements in streambed sediment and fish tissue collected throughout the South Platte River Basin as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National WaterQuality Assessment (NAWQA) Program were evaluated to determine the following: (1) which organochlorine compounds and trace elements occurred most frequently, (2) whether detection frequenciesAuthorsJanet S. HeinySources and loads of nutrients in the South Platte River, Colorado and Nebraska, 1994-95
The South Platte River Basin was one of 20 river basins selected in 1991 for investigation as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water- Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. Nationwide, nutrients have been identified as one of the primary nationwide water-quality concerns and are of particular interest in the South Platte River Basin where nutrient concentrations are large compared to coAuthorsD. W. LitkeDenitrification and mixing in a stream-aquifer system: Effects on nitrate loading to surface water
Ground water in terrace deposits of the South Platte River alluvial aquifer near Greeley, Colorado, USA, had a median nitrate concentration of 1857 μmol l−1. Median nitrate concentrations in ground water from adjacent floodplain deposits (468 μmol l−1) and riverbed sediments (461 μmol l−1), both of which are downgradient from the terrace deposits, were lower than the median concentration in the teAuthorsP. B. McMahon, J.K. BöhlkeU.S. Geological Survey Nitrogen-Cycling Workshop: Denver, Colorado October 30 - November 2, 1995
No abstract available.AuthorsFrank J. TriskaInventory of biological investigations related to stream water quality in the South Platte River basin, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, 1891-1994
An inventory of the biological investigations conducted in the South Platte River Basin from 1891 to 1994 was done as a part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program in the South Platte River Basin. To aid in the sampling design of the biological component of the South Platte NAWQA, sources of water-related studies were compiled from computerized literatureAuthorsCathy M. Tate, Jorge R. Ortiz-ZayasFish communities in the plains region of the South Platte River, August 1993 and 1994
As part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program, fish communities were sampled at five sites in the South Platte River from Denver, Colo rado, to North Platte, Nebraska. The number and composition of fish species changed from upstream to downstream in the South Platte River. The total number of fish collected at each site varied among sites and from year toAuthorsCathy M. Tate, L.M. MartinWater-quality assessment of the South Platte River basin, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming: Analysis of available nutrient, suspended-sediment, and pesticide data, water years 1980-92
Nutrient, suspended-sediment, and pesticide data from surface- and ground-water sites in the South Platte River Basin for water years 1980-92 were compiled, screened, and interpreted. This activity is part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program. The analysis of existing water-quality data provides a perspective on recent water-quality conditions in the SoAuthorsK. F. Dennehy, D. W. Litke, P. B. McMahon, J. S. Heiny, C. M. TateReview of sediment data in the South Platte River Basin, Colorado, 1980-92
Suspended-sediment transport and its relation to water quality are important issues in the South Platte River Basin. Most sediment enters the South Platte River during snowmelt runoff from March to June. The suspended sediment varies by particle size, concentration, and load. Suspended-sediment data in the South Platte River for water years 1980-92 are limited; therefore, only generalizations canAuthorsJanet S. HeinyQuantity and quality of ground-water discharge to the South Platte River, Denver to Fort Lupton, Colorado, August 1992 through July 1993
Water-quality studies conducted by the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District have indicated that during low flow in segments of the South Platte River between Denver and Fort Lupton, concentrations of dissolved oxygen are less than minimum concen- trations set by the State of Colorado. Low dissolved-oxygen concentrations are observed in two reaches of the river-they are about 3.3 to 6.4 miles andAuthorsP. B. McMahon, K.J. Lull, K. F. Dennehy, J.A. CollinsNutrients in the South Platte River, 1993-95
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), as part of its National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program has been collecting and analyzing water samples from streams in the South Platte River Basin in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming to characterize the water-quality conditions within the basin. Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus compounds) have been a focus of this sampling effort because of their poteAuthorsDavid W. Litke