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ROCK CREEK, POWER COUNTY, IDAHO. WATER QUALITY STATUS REPORT, 1977-1979
Description:
A survey was conducted on Rock Creek, Power County, Idaho (17040209) to assess the levels of transported sediment, various chemical and physical parameters, and macroinvertebrate fauna during base and peak flow periods. The survey was initiated in October 1977 and sampling was concluded in June 1979. Turbidity, suspended and total solids, and organic nutrients were found to exceed EPA limits 11 months out of the 18 month study period. Rock Creek invertebrate fauna is quite low in both diversity and evenness. Tubificidae (Anelida, Oligo-chaeta) and Chironomidae (Insecta, Diptera) predominate at almost all stations. There are a number of ephemeral streams which flow only during storm events and during the runoff season. When dry, these beds collect silt and sand which contribute to the large sediment load during peak runoff periods. Seasonal and diel analyses indicate that the primary source responsible for water quality degradation appears to be non-point aeolian deposits in dry waterbeds and water-borne sediments from overland flow into the creek during snowmelt and rainstorms. La Point, T.W. 1980. Water Quality Status Report No. WQ-44. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Environment, Boise, ID. 77 pp.