Images

Measuring pH at the outlet of the fourth settling pond downstream from the North Fork Cement Creek. Latitude 37.894451, Longitude -107.64763.

USGS stream Gage (USGS site ID 09358000) on Animas River upstream from Silverton and Cement Creek. Latitude 37.811131, Longitude -107.659213.

Animas River downstream from Silverton, Colorado showing cableway for USGS stream gage at site A72 (USGS site ID 09359020). Latitude 37.789964, Longitude -107.667394.

View of flume installation to measure discharge/flow in the culvert that collects flow from the Gold King Mine. Latitude 37.894631, Longitude -107.638288.

View of the waste pile below the Gold King Mine. Latitude 37.894429, Longitude -107.639135.

View of pond in North Fork of Cement Creek that receives the water from the Gold King Mine portal and native flow in North Fork Cement Creek, looking upstream, very little to no native flow is visible. Latitude 37.89401, Longitude -107.63821.

North Fork Cement Creek just upstream from sodium hydroxide (NaOH) addition (to raise pH), that was conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Looking upstream. Latitude 37.89517, Longitude -107.64656.

Cement Creek near the mouth at site CC48 (USGS site ID 09358550), location of stream gage whose data allowed calculation of the volume of water released during the Gold King Mine release. Latitude 37.8197222, Longitude -107.663056.

Cement Creek downstream from CC48 Gage (USGS  site ID 09358550) and upstream from confluence with the Animas River near Silverton. Latitude 37.81975, Longitude -107.6624.

First of four settling ponds located downstream from North Fork Cement Creek to facilitate settling of solids material after addition of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to the North Fork Cement Creek.  Latitude 37.89451, Longitude -107.64763.

View looking down from the Gold King waste pile showing North Fork Cement Creek downstream from the pond, and the confluence with Cement Creek valley in center, upper, right. Latitude 37.893895, Longitude -107.641154.

Photo showing contrast in clarity between water samples collected at sites A68 (USGS site ID 09358000), Animas River at Silverton, Colorado and upstream from Cement Creek; A72 (USGS site ID 09359020), Animas River downstream from Silverton; and CC48 (USGS site ID 09358550), Cement Creek at mouth. 

View from the Gold King Mine showing water flowing toward viewer in culvert that collects water from the draining Gold King mine tunnel and diverts water around the waste pile on which it flows and which falls off to the left of the photo. Latitude 37.894631, Longitude -107.638288.

View of pond in North Fork of Cement Creek that received the water from the Gold King Mine portal and native flow in North Fork Cement Creek. Latitude 37.89401, Longitude -107.63821.

Island upstream from City of Durango, Colorado's water intake structure where streambed sediments were sampled.  Latitude 37.26428, Longitude -107.8812.

Minisipper location at City of Durango water intake structure.  Minisipper installed by USGS to collect multiple water-quality samples. Latitude 37.26428, Longitude -107.8812.

Photo of submersible Minisipper sampling device used to collect multiple water-quality samples during multiple-day deployment. At several locations downstream from the Gold King Mine following the Gold King Mine release on August 5, 2015.

Glyphosate is frequently applied to corn and soybeans growing areas like these in Iowa.

A USGS Colorado Water Science Center field crew (Bob Brandle, Cory Stevens, Matt Nicotra, and Kevin Scofield) installs a temporary streamgage and takes streamflow and water level measures on the St. Vrain River near Longmont, Colo.

A USGS Colorado Water Science Center field crew (Bob Brandle, Cory Stevens, Matt Nicotra, and Kevin Scofield) installs a temporary streamgage and takes streamflow and water level measures on the St. Vrain River near Longmont, Colo.

A USGS Colorado Water Science Center field crew installs a temporary streamgage and takes streamflow and water level measures on the St. Vrain River off Highway 119 near Longmont, Colo. The river is one of many that flooded during a significant September 2013 rain event along Colorado's Front Range, damaging or destroying several USGS streamgages.