The primary objective of the project is to evaluate and update previous regression equations, developed for the USGS streamgages and continuous water-quality records, that describe the relation between specific conductance measured in the Dolores River and calculated total dissolved solids TDS. A secondary objective is to evaluate brine discharge to the river using a previously developed groundwater flow and transport model.
The Bureau of Reclamation operates the Paradox Valley Unit (PVU) in the Paradox Valley of southwestern Colorado. At the Paradox Valley Unit, naturally occurring brine discharges to Dolores River as it crosses the Paradox Valley. A series of extraction wells pumps brine from an area near the river and the extracted brine is disposed of by deep-well injection. The USGS maintains streamgages and continous water-quality monitors up and downstream from the PVU to assess the effects of brine discharge and the PVU. There is a need to update regression equations used to estimate total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations and loads in the Dolores River using data from the USGS streamgages and results from USGS groundwater model of brine discharge in the vicinity of the PVU.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Raw Data from Continuous Resistivity Profiles and Electromagnetic Surveys Collected in and adjacent to the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley, Colorado (2017)
Below are publications associated with this project.
Controls on spatial and temporal variations of brine discharge to the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley, Colorado, 2016–18
Estimation of salt loads for the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley, Colorado, 1980–2015
Effects of the Paradox Valley Unit on dissolved solids, sodium, and chloride in the Dolores River near Bedrock, Colorado, water years 1988-98
- Overview
The primary objective of the project is to evaluate and update previous regression equations, developed for the USGS streamgages and continuous water-quality records, that describe the relation between specific conductance measured in the Dolores River and calculated total dissolved solids TDS. A secondary objective is to evaluate brine discharge to the river using a previously developed groundwater flow and transport model.
The Bureau of Reclamation operates the Paradox Valley Unit (PVU) in the Paradox Valley of southwestern Colorado. At the Paradox Valley Unit, naturally occurring brine discharges to Dolores River as it crosses the Paradox Valley. A series of extraction wells pumps brine from an area near the river and the extracted brine is disposed of by deep-well injection. The USGS maintains streamgages and continous water-quality monitors up and downstream from the PVU to assess the effects of brine discharge and the PVU. There is a need to update regression equations used to estimate total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations and loads in the Dolores River using data from the USGS streamgages and results from USGS groundwater model of brine discharge in the vicinity of the PVU.
Dolores River near Bedrock, CO streamgage (09171100) in spring - Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Raw Data from Continuous Resistivity Profiles and Electromagnetic Surveys Collected in and adjacent to the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley, Colorado (2017)
This data release includes raw and processed (inverted) data for three different geophysical methods, continuous resistivity profiles (CRP), direct current electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and frequency domain electromagnetic induction (FDEM) data. These surface geophysical methods were used as a proxy for groundwater salinity in the Paradox Valley in western Colorado to investigate tempor - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Controls on spatial and temporal variations of brine discharge to the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley, Colorado, 2016–18
The Paradox Valley in southwestern Colorado is a collapsed anticline formed by movement of the salt-rich Paradox Formation at the core of the anticline. The salinity of the Dolores River, a tributary of the Colorado River, increases substantially as it crosses the valley because of discharge of brine-rich groundwater derived from the underlying salts. Although the brine is naturally occurring, itAuthorsAlisa Mast, Neil TerryEstimation of salt loads for the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley, Colorado, 1980–2015
Regression models that relate total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations to specific conductance were used to estimate salt loads for two sites on the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley in western Colorado. The salt-load estimates will be used by the Bureau of Reclamation to evaluate salt loading to the river coming from the Paradox Valley and the effect of the Paradox Valley Unit (PVU), a projeAuthorsAlisa MastEffects of the Paradox Valley Unit on dissolved solids, sodium, and chloride in the Dolores River near Bedrock, Colorado, water years 1988-98
During 1999, a study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation to evaluate the effect of the Paradox Valley Unit on dissolved solids, sodium, and chloride in the Dolores River downstream from the Paradox Valley Unit. This report describes this evaluation and presents the results from this study. Daily mean flow and daily mean specific conductaAuthorsKenneth R. Watts