Description:

This report documents the water quality of the United States reach of the Kootenai River (17010104) for the period October 1967 through March 1972. The end date marks the impoundment of the river by Libby Dam in Montana and the beginning of a postimpoundment study. A significant decrease in the values for a number of water quality parameters was observed in the Kootenai River in 1968 following the implementation of waste water treatment controls to an industrial discharge to a tributary of the Kootenai River in Canada. The aquatic insect population of the river increased between 1968 and 1969 and remained high throughout the study. The nutrient concentrations and loadings, especially phosphorus, were sufficiently high to predict the development of eutrophic conditions in Lake Koocanusa, formed by impoundment of the river by Libby Dam. Water quality problems observed from Libby Dam project construction activities appear to have been restricted to increases in suspended sediment and turbidity. Bonde, T.J.H. and R.M. Bush. 1975. Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 124 pp.

Record Details:

Record Type:DOCUMENT

Product Published Date:10/24/1997

Record Last Revised:12/10/2002

Record ID: 5947

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Quality Assurance:

Title :LIBBY DAM PREIMPOUNDMENT STUDY - KOOTENAI RIVER WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS, 1967-1972

Data Use & Constraints :This report contains a summary of methods used for sampling and analyses.