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WATER QUALITY STATUS REPORT, LOWER WEISER RIVER, WASHINGTON COUNTY, IDAHO, 1983 - 1984
Description:
The Lower Weiser River, Crane Creek to the mouth at Weiser (17050124), Washington County, Idaho and its tributaries and selected irrigation inflows were the subject of a water quality survey for one year during 1983-84. The Weiser River contributes nearly 260,000 tons of annual suspended sediment load to the Snake River. Sediment sources were spring runoff (majority), agricultural return (less than 1%), and streambank erosion. Other pollutants (nutrients, bacteria, pesticides, and metals) generally followed the trend of the suspended sediment. Lindane, 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, and toxaphene were the major pesticides found in water samples. Analysis of fish tissue showed small concentrations of the breakdown products of DDT, pentachlorophenol and toxaphene. Pesticide levels in fish were below the FDA limit. Bacterial levels commonly exceeded State standards and were primarily of livestock origin. Mercury was detected in water and fish tissue, but at levels below public health hazard. Macroinvertebrate collections showed a higher degree of disturbance than the river above Crane Creek. Water Quality Series No. 53. William H. Clark. 1985. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Environment, Boise, ID. 81 pp.