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PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BOISE RIVER FROM VETERANS MEMORIAL PARKWAY, BOISE TO STAR, IDAHO, OCTOBER 1987 TO MARCH 1987
Description:
Chemical and physical data were collected at 6 sites and biological data at 5 sites on the Boise River between Veterans Memorial Parkway in Boise and Star, Idaho (17050114), from October 1987 to March 1988. Data were collected to determine whether trace elements from effluents discharged from 2 Boise wastewater treatment facilities were detrimental to aquatic communities. Cadmium, chromium, hexavalent chromium, cyanide, lead, nickel, and silver concentrations in the Boise River were less than or near analytical detection levels and were less than chronic toxicity criteria when detectable. Arsenic, copper, and zinc existed in concentrations less than chronic toxicity criteria. Concentrations of trace elements in bottom material from the Boise River generally were small and could not be attributed to effluents discharged from wastewater treatment facilities. Distribution of mayflies indicates that trace-element concentrations in effluents did not adversely affect intolerant organisms in the Boise River. Densities of native trout were less than 1 fish per 10,760 square feet of stream area upstream and downstream from the Lander Street facility and near Star. The largest native trout density was 7.9 fish per 10,760 square feet within the effluent mixing zone of the West Boise facility. Whitefish densities were from 25 fish per 10,760 square feet near Star to 140 fish per unit, upstream from the West Boise facility. USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 88-4206. S.A. Frenzel, 1988. 48 pp.