You are here:
DEARY CREEK STUDY, LATAH COUNTY, IDAHO. 1979
Description:
In Water Year 1979, a water quality study was conducted on Mount Deary Creek in Latah County, Idaho (17060306) to determine the present water quality of the stream and to obtain background information to determine effluent limitations for the City of Deary. The survey involved the monitoring of the City of Deary lagoon discharge and 3 Deary Creek stations. The study was designed to observe the 6 prominent periods of the hydrologic cycle which include fall, summer and winter base flows; and the rising limb, peak, and falling limb of spring runoff. The parameters covered in the study include temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, oxygen demand, solids, bacteria, and nutrients. The study found that the stream is intermittent and has seasonal water quality problems with a dissolved oxygen violation, bacteria violations, excessive turbidity, and trophic nutrient concentrations. The Deary discharge contributed to the dissolved oxygen violation, bacteria violations, and trophic nutrient levels. The turbidity problem and a portion of the bacteria violations and nutrient problems were caused by upstream nonpoint or natural sources. An effluent limit evaluation for the City of Deary has determined that secondary treatment with an indirect or subsurface discharge during low flows or drystream conditions will be adequate to eliminate the impact of the Deary discharge on beneficial uses. Water Quality Summary No. 8. 1980. Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Environment, Boise, ID.