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BIOSTIMULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF WASTES AND RECEIVING WATERS OF THE SNAKE RIVER BASIN, 1974
Description:
The National Field Investigations Center, Denver and Region 10, EPA conducted a 4 phase study concentrating on nutrient caused algal growth problems in the Snake River Basin (17040104, 170402, 170501). The study area included the Snake River and principal tributaries between Heise, Idaho, and Brownlee Dam. The laboratory phase included nutrient analyses, algal growth potential studies, and nutrient removal tests from March through May 1973. The monitoring program which began in May 1973 is ongoing and features twice monthly sampling of chlorophyll a concentrations, nutrient concentrations, DO, total and fecal coliform bacteria, pH, temperature, and conductivity. An intensive field study was conducted in August 1973 which included nutrient sampling, in situ algal assays, primary production measurements, sediment analyses, algal population identification, aerial photography, and field measurements. At each of the reservoirs evaluated (American Falls, Brownlee, Milner, and Minidoka), algal bloom conditions were reached with concentrations of 0.1 mg/l total phosphorus and 1.0 mg/l inorganic nitrogen. During the summer, in situ bottle tests showed nitrogen was the growth limiting nutrient in all reservoirs except American Falls. Idaho Water Quality Standards are being violated for DO and nuisance aquatic growths in the 4 reservoirs studied. 1974. National Field Investigations Center, Denver, CO and Region 10, EPA, Seattle, WA. 49 pp. plus appendices.