Kenneth J Leib
Ken is the Associate Director for Studies with the USGS Colorado Water Science Center (COWSC), Western Colorado Office, in Grand Junction, CO.
Previously he served as the Office and Studies Section Chief of the Western Area Office of the COWSC in Grand Junction, CO, and as a project hydrologist. He received a B.S. in Watershed Science from Colorado State University in 1995 and has worked with the USGS since 1996. Ken has served as the COWSC representative to the National Irrigation Water Quality Program, Salinity Control Program, Selenium Management Program, and has been project lead on numerous water-quality and surface water investigations in Western Colorado.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 24
Temporal Geochemistry Data from Five Springs in the Cement Creek Watershed, San Juan County, Colorado Temporal Geochemistry Data from Five Springs in the Cement Creek Watershed, San Juan County, Colorado
Temporal data from five springs in the Cement Creek watershed, San Juan County, Colorado provide seasonal geochemical data for further research in the formation of ferricretes. In addition, these data can be used to help understand the ground-water flow system. The resulting data demonstrate the difficulty in gathering reliable seasonal data from springs, show the unique geochemistry of...
Authors
Raymond Johnson, Laurie Wirt, Kenneth Leib
Concentrations and Loads of Selenium in Selected Tributaries to the Colorado River in the Grand Valley, Western Colorado, 2004-2006 Concentrations and Loads of Selenium in Selected Tributaries to the Colorado River in the Grand Valley, Western Colorado, 2004-2006
The reach of the Colorado River from the Gunnison River confluence to the Utah Border, and tributaries in the Grand Valley, are on the State of Colorado 303(d) list of impaired water bodies because the concentrations of dissolved selenium in these streams exceed the State of Colorado chronic standard of 4.6 micrograms per liter at the 85th percentile level. In response to concerns raised...
Authors
Kenneth Leib
Salinity trends in the upper Colorado River basin upstream from the Grand Valley Salinity Control Unit, Colorado, 1986-2003 Salinity trends in the upper Colorado River basin upstream from the Grand Valley Salinity Control Unit, Colorado, 1986-2003
In 1974, the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act was passed into law. This law was enacted to address concerns regarding the salinity content of the Colorado River. The law authorized various construction projects in selected areas or "units" of the Colorado River Basin intended to reduce the salinity load in the Colorado River. One such area was the Grand Valley Salinity Control...
Authors
Kenneth Leib, Nancy Bauch
Analysis of Dissolved Selenium Loading for Selected Sites in the Lower Gunnison River Basin, Colorado, 1978-2005 Analysis of Dissolved Selenium Loading for Selected Sites in the Lower Gunnison River Basin, Colorado, 1978-2005
Elevated selenium concentrations in streams are a water-quality concern in western Colorado. The U.S. Geologic Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, summarized selenium loading in the Lower Gunnison River Basin to support the development of total maximum daily selenium loads at sites that represent the cumulative contribution to U.S...
Authors
Judith Thomas, Kenneth Leib, John Mayo
Geochemistry of Surface and Ground Water in Cement Creek from Gladstone to Georgia Gulch and in Prospect Gulch, San Juan County, Colorado Geochemistry of Surface and Ground Water in Cement Creek from Gladstone to Georgia Gulch and in Prospect Gulch, San Juan County, Colorado
In San Juan County, Colo., the effects of historical mining continue to contribute metals to ground water and surface water. Previous research by the U.S. Geological Survey identified ground-water discharge as a significant pathway for the loading of metals to surface water in the upper Animas River watershed from both acid-mine drainage and acid-rock drainage. In support of this ground...
Authors
Raymond Johnson, Laurie Wirt, Andrew Manning, Kenneth Leib, David Fey, Douglas Yager
Using tracers to evaluate streamflow gain-loss characteristics of Terror Creek, in the vicinity of a mine-permit area, Delta County, Colorado, water year 2003 Using tracers to evaluate streamflow gain-loss characteristics of Terror Creek, in the vicinity of a mine-permit area, Delta County, Colorado, water year 2003
In 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Delta County, initiated a study to characterize streamflow gainloss in a reach of Terror Creek, in the vicinity of a mine-permit area planned for future coal mining. This report describes the methods of the study and includes results from a comparison of two sets of streamflow measurements using tracer techniques following the...
Authors
Cory Williams, Kenneth Leib
Data summary and loading sources for selected water-quality characteristics of streams in blowdown areas, North Fork Elk River Watershed, Colorado, March 1999-August 2000 Data summary and loading sources for selected water-quality characteristics of streams in blowdown areas, North Fork Elk River Watershed, Colorado, March 1999-August 2000
On October 25, 1997, in and around the Routt National Forest and the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area, a winter snowstorm occurred in conjunction with heavy winds that resulted in the destruction of thousands of acres of old-growth tree stands. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, collected water-quality data at five sites in the North Fork Elk River...
Authors
Kenneth Leib, Paul Von Guerard
Using water-quality profiles to characterize seasonal water quality and loading in the upper Animas River basin, southwestern Colorado Using water-quality profiles to characterize seasonal water quality and loading in the upper Animas River basin, southwestern Colorado
One of the important types of information needed to characterize water quality in streams affected by historical mining is the seasonal pattern of toxic trace-metal concentrations and loads. Seasonal patterns in water quality are estimated in this report using a technique called water-quality profiling. Water-quality profiling allows land managers and scientists to assess priority areas...
Authors
Kenneth Leib, M. Mast, Winfield Wright
Characterization of selenium in the lower Gunnison River basin, Colorado, 1988-2000 Characterization of selenium in the lower Gunnison River basin, Colorado, 1988-2000
Selenium concentrations in certain water bodies in the lower Gunnison River Basin, including the lower Gunnison River and lower Uncompahgre River, have exceeded the Colorado water-quality standard of 5 micrograms per liter for selenium. A task force was formed in 1998 that consists of various government agencies, private irrigation companies, and local residents to address the selenium...
Authors
David Butler, Kenneth Leib
Metal loading assessment of a small mountainous sub-basin characterized by acid drainage -- Prospect Gulch, upper Animas River watershed, Colorado Metal loading assessment of a small mountainous sub-basin characterized by acid drainage -- Prospect Gulch, upper Animas River watershed, Colorado
strongly affected by natural acidity from pyrite weathering. Metal content in the water column is a composite of multiple sources affected by hydrologic, geologic, climatic, and anthropogenic conditions. Identifying sources of metals from various drainage areas was determined using a tracer injection approach and synoptic sampling during low flow conditions on September 29, 1999 to...
Authors
Laurie Wirt, Kenneth Leib, Roger Melick, Dana Bove
Evaluation of Metal Toxicity in Streams Affected by Abandoned Mine Lands, Upper Animas River Watershed, Colorado Evaluation of Metal Toxicity in Streams Affected by Abandoned Mine Lands, Upper Animas River Watershed, Colorado
Acid drainage from abandoned mines and from naturally-acidic rocks and soil in the upper Animas River watershed of Colorado generates elevated concentrations of acidity and dissolved metals in stream waters and deposition of metal-contaminated particulates in streambed sediments, resulting in both toxicity and habitat degradation for stream biota. High concentrations of iron (Fe)...
Authors
John Besser, Ann L. Allert, Douglas K. Hardesty, Christopher Ingersoll, Thomas May, Ning Wang, Kenneth Leib
Using flood-analysis techniques to estimate dissolved-zinc concentrations Using flood-analysis techniques to estimate dissolved-zinc concentrations
No abstract available.
Authors
Kenneth Leib, Winfield Wright, M. Mast
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 24
Temporal Geochemistry Data from Five Springs in the Cement Creek Watershed, San Juan County, Colorado Temporal Geochemistry Data from Five Springs in the Cement Creek Watershed, San Juan County, Colorado
Temporal data from five springs in the Cement Creek watershed, San Juan County, Colorado provide seasonal geochemical data for further research in the formation of ferricretes. In addition, these data can be used to help understand the ground-water flow system. The resulting data demonstrate the difficulty in gathering reliable seasonal data from springs, show the unique geochemistry of...
Authors
Raymond Johnson, Laurie Wirt, Kenneth Leib
Concentrations and Loads of Selenium in Selected Tributaries to the Colorado River in the Grand Valley, Western Colorado, 2004-2006 Concentrations and Loads of Selenium in Selected Tributaries to the Colorado River in the Grand Valley, Western Colorado, 2004-2006
The reach of the Colorado River from the Gunnison River confluence to the Utah Border, and tributaries in the Grand Valley, are on the State of Colorado 303(d) list of impaired water bodies because the concentrations of dissolved selenium in these streams exceed the State of Colorado chronic standard of 4.6 micrograms per liter at the 85th percentile level. In response to concerns raised...
Authors
Kenneth Leib
Salinity trends in the upper Colorado River basin upstream from the Grand Valley Salinity Control Unit, Colorado, 1986-2003 Salinity trends in the upper Colorado River basin upstream from the Grand Valley Salinity Control Unit, Colorado, 1986-2003
In 1974, the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act was passed into law. This law was enacted to address concerns regarding the salinity content of the Colorado River. The law authorized various construction projects in selected areas or "units" of the Colorado River Basin intended to reduce the salinity load in the Colorado River. One such area was the Grand Valley Salinity Control...
Authors
Kenneth Leib, Nancy Bauch
Analysis of Dissolved Selenium Loading for Selected Sites in the Lower Gunnison River Basin, Colorado, 1978-2005 Analysis of Dissolved Selenium Loading for Selected Sites in the Lower Gunnison River Basin, Colorado, 1978-2005
Elevated selenium concentrations in streams are a water-quality concern in western Colorado. The U.S. Geologic Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, summarized selenium loading in the Lower Gunnison River Basin to support the development of total maximum daily selenium loads at sites that represent the cumulative contribution to U.S...
Authors
Judith Thomas, Kenneth Leib, John Mayo
Geochemistry of Surface and Ground Water in Cement Creek from Gladstone to Georgia Gulch and in Prospect Gulch, San Juan County, Colorado Geochemistry of Surface and Ground Water in Cement Creek from Gladstone to Georgia Gulch and in Prospect Gulch, San Juan County, Colorado
In San Juan County, Colo., the effects of historical mining continue to contribute metals to ground water and surface water. Previous research by the U.S. Geological Survey identified ground-water discharge as a significant pathway for the loading of metals to surface water in the upper Animas River watershed from both acid-mine drainage and acid-rock drainage. In support of this ground...
Authors
Raymond Johnson, Laurie Wirt, Andrew Manning, Kenneth Leib, David Fey, Douglas Yager
Using tracers to evaluate streamflow gain-loss characteristics of Terror Creek, in the vicinity of a mine-permit area, Delta County, Colorado, water year 2003 Using tracers to evaluate streamflow gain-loss characteristics of Terror Creek, in the vicinity of a mine-permit area, Delta County, Colorado, water year 2003
In 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Delta County, initiated a study to characterize streamflow gainloss in a reach of Terror Creek, in the vicinity of a mine-permit area planned for future coal mining. This report describes the methods of the study and includes results from a comparison of two sets of streamflow measurements using tracer techniques following the...
Authors
Cory Williams, Kenneth Leib
Data summary and loading sources for selected water-quality characteristics of streams in blowdown areas, North Fork Elk River Watershed, Colorado, March 1999-August 2000 Data summary and loading sources for selected water-quality characteristics of streams in blowdown areas, North Fork Elk River Watershed, Colorado, March 1999-August 2000
On October 25, 1997, in and around the Routt National Forest and the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area, a winter snowstorm occurred in conjunction with heavy winds that resulted in the destruction of thousands of acres of old-growth tree stands. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, collected water-quality data at five sites in the North Fork Elk River...
Authors
Kenneth Leib, Paul Von Guerard
Using water-quality profiles to characterize seasonal water quality and loading in the upper Animas River basin, southwestern Colorado Using water-quality profiles to characterize seasonal water quality and loading in the upper Animas River basin, southwestern Colorado
One of the important types of information needed to characterize water quality in streams affected by historical mining is the seasonal pattern of toxic trace-metal concentrations and loads. Seasonal patterns in water quality are estimated in this report using a technique called water-quality profiling. Water-quality profiling allows land managers and scientists to assess priority areas...
Authors
Kenneth Leib, M. Mast, Winfield Wright
Characterization of selenium in the lower Gunnison River basin, Colorado, 1988-2000 Characterization of selenium in the lower Gunnison River basin, Colorado, 1988-2000
Selenium concentrations in certain water bodies in the lower Gunnison River Basin, including the lower Gunnison River and lower Uncompahgre River, have exceeded the Colorado water-quality standard of 5 micrograms per liter for selenium. A task force was formed in 1998 that consists of various government agencies, private irrigation companies, and local residents to address the selenium...
Authors
David Butler, Kenneth Leib
Metal loading assessment of a small mountainous sub-basin characterized by acid drainage -- Prospect Gulch, upper Animas River watershed, Colorado Metal loading assessment of a small mountainous sub-basin characterized by acid drainage -- Prospect Gulch, upper Animas River watershed, Colorado
strongly affected by natural acidity from pyrite weathering. Metal content in the water column is a composite of multiple sources affected by hydrologic, geologic, climatic, and anthropogenic conditions. Identifying sources of metals from various drainage areas was determined using a tracer injection approach and synoptic sampling during low flow conditions on September 29, 1999 to...
Authors
Laurie Wirt, Kenneth Leib, Roger Melick, Dana Bove
Evaluation of Metal Toxicity in Streams Affected by Abandoned Mine Lands, Upper Animas River Watershed, Colorado Evaluation of Metal Toxicity in Streams Affected by Abandoned Mine Lands, Upper Animas River Watershed, Colorado
Acid drainage from abandoned mines and from naturally-acidic rocks and soil in the upper Animas River watershed of Colorado generates elevated concentrations of acidity and dissolved metals in stream waters and deposition of metal-contaminated particulates in streambed sediments, resulting in both toxicity and habitat degradation for stream biota. High concentrations of iron (Fe)...
Authors
John Besser, Ann L. Allert, Douglas K. Hardesty, Christopher Ingersoll, Thomas May, Ning Wang, Kenneth Leib
Using flood-analysis techniques to estimate dissolved-zinc concentrations Using flood-analysis techniques to estimate dissolved-zinc concentrations
No abstract available.
Authors
Kenneth Leib, Winfield Wright, M. Mast