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ABERDEEN DRAIN, BINGHAM COUNTY, IDAHO - WATER QUALITY STATUS REPORT, 1978-1979
Description:
A water quality survey was conducted on the Aberdeen Drain, Idaho (17040206) a tributary to American Falls Reservoir, during 1978 and 1979. During irrigation season, discharge is approximately 30 cfs and is reduced to approximately 2-5 cfs during non-irrigation season. The City of Aberdeen sewage treatment plant is a source of nutrients and bacteria to the drain. During the non-irrigation season, phosphorus, nitrates, ammonia, bacteria, and dissolved solids are high. Bacterial concentrations exceed standards for the protection of secondary contact recreation throughout the year. Irrigation return flows are comparatively high in quality and dilute the effluent from the sewage treatment plant during the irrigation season. Except for fecal coliform bacteria, water quality was high enough during the irrigation season so as not to inhibit protected uses of recreation, cold water biota , and agricultural water supply. It was recommended that stream conditions are not suitable for the protection of salmonid spawning and that this use should be deleted from the Idaho Water Quality Standards. McSorley, M. 1981. Water Quality Status Report No. WQ-45. Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Environment, Boise, ID. 11 pp plus appendices.