Calcium, magnesium and total dissolved solids data as well as modeled salinity and mass balance estimates for Lake Powell, 1952-2017

These data were compiled to quantify the role of Lake Powell in modulating salinity and reducing overall salt flux from the Upper Colorado River Basin downstream. In addition, these data were used to infer summertime calcite precipitation in Lake Powell (the major proposed sink for salt within the system). The Lake Powell Calcium Magnesium data contains summertime surface water calcium and magnesium concentrations along three transects that span the two major inflows to Lake Powell and the region of Lake Powell closest to the dam. The Modeled Salinity data was used to compare measured total dissolved solid concentrations at Lees Ferry to the instantaneous flow-weighted concentration of total dissolved solid entering the reservoir at any given time. The NWIS-Weighted Inflow Salinity data was used to compare total dissolved salt concentrations made by the Lake Powell Water Quality Monitoring Program to those inferred from upstream gaged sites contained in the National Water Information System. The WRTDS-Output Mass Balance data presents annual mass balance estimates for total dissolved solids, sulfate, bicarbonate, calcium, and chloride in Lake Powell including raw results from Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge and Season (WRTDS) modeling and estimates of changes in annual reservoir storage.