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ASSESSMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT ON WATER QUALITY: THE BELLE FOURCHE AND LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER BASINS
Citation:
Melancon, S., B. Hess, AND R. Thomas. ASSESSMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT ON WATER QUALITY: THE BELLE FOURCHE AND LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER BASINS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/7-79/234 (NTIS PB80123565).
Description:
The Belle Fourche and Little Missouri River Basins are key areas in the Nation's search for untapped resources to supplement increasing energy demands. The basins contain vast beds of low-sulfur, strippable coal that potentially will support a large number of coal-fired powerplants, and gasification and liquefaction complexes for conversion of coal into commercially usable power. However, utilization of these energy resources, especially if maximum levels of expansion are realized, is expected to have considerable impact on water resources in the Little Missouri and Belle Fourche River Basins. Decreased flows from energy developments will accompany increased salt and sediment loadings. The resultant lowered water quality will further reduce water usability for municipal, industrial and irrigation purposes and will have adverse impacts on the aquatic eco-system. Water quality monitoring needs in the basins are addressed with priority listings of parameters for measurement to detect changes in water quality as a result of energy resource development.