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WATER QUALITY STATUS REPORT, PALOUSE RIVER, IDAHO, 1975-1976
Description:
The Palouse River (17060108) was surveyed during low and high stream flow conditions of September 1975 and April 1976. The purpose of the study was to assist in the development of effluent limitations for point sources and to identify and evaluate nonpoint sources. While water quality of the main river segment above Princeton was high, the main river segment below Princeton, the South Fork and Paradise Creek were considerably lower in quality. Bacteria, sediment, and nutrients from dryland farming, livestock grazing, and inadequate sewage disposal systems impacted the above segments significantly. Point sources, with the exception of the Potlatch STP on April 20, 1976 and the Moscow STP, do not contribute significantly to basin pollutant loadings. High ammonia concentrations were observed in the South Fork Palouse River and Paradise Creek during September of 1975, however, the concentrations were not toxic. Because of the superficial nature of this study, the applicability of specific water quality standards was not attempted and a more definitive study is needed. Water Quality Status Report No. 33, August 1978. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Environment. 17 pp plus appendices.