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UPPER/MIDDLE SNAKE RIVER WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS, MAY 1973 TO MAY 1974
Description:
This study was an attempt to determine the behavior of incoming nutrients in the upper Snake reservoir system and to track their flow through the upper and central Snake River (17040104, 170402, 170501). The study found that American Falls Reservoir is an overall sink for total phosphorus and nitrogen. Lake Walcott (Minidoka) acts as a buffering system for American Falls Reservoirs discharge during the irrigation season and a flow-through system for the rest of the year. There was a mean increase of 39% in total phosphorus and 9% in total nitrogen between the discharges of Minidoka Dam and Milner Dam. Brownlee Reservoir exhibited a 16% mean reduction in total phosphorus and a mean increase of 53% in total nitrogen. Idaho water quality dissolved oxygen standards were violated at some time at all but Heise and Henrys Fork River stations. From Milner Dam to Heise, fecal coliform violations occurred. The Main Drain violated the standard for pH on 3 Dec 73. Houck, D. and R. Kreizenbeck. 1975. Working Paper No. EPA-910-8-75-093. Surveillance and Analysis Division, EPA Region X, Seattle, WA. 256 pp.