River Watch Final Project
2011-2012
By Kearn Gerber
For 2012 River Watch
Geology
“The Yampa River is located in the Wyoming Basin Physiographic Province of the Rocky
Mountains. Four major structural features, the Washakie Basin, the Park Range, the Unita
Mountains, and the White River Plateau define the river basin. The headwaters begin in the Flat
Tops and pass through a variety of unique features such as volcanic dikes; exposed Precambrian
through Quaternary rocks; flowing into the wide alluvial valley where agricultural lands and
riparian habitat co-exist.”
http://www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/YampaRiver/Nature/Pages/YampaRiverNature.aspx
Biology
“The Yampa River is one of the most hydrologic ally and biologically intact rivers in the
West. They Yampa River supports a diversity of native aquatic communities (including four
federally listed fish species; the Colorado pike minnow, humpback chub, bony tail chub, and the
Razorback Sucker. As well as a candidate species such as the Colorado River Cutthroat Trout)
and significant reaches of globally rare riparian plant communities. Sand hill cranes stage on the
Yampa River during migratory travel and to care for their young until they are ready to fly. Blue
Heron rookeries co-exist with nesting bald eagles and a variety of other avian species. This area
of Northwest Colorado is known for abundant big game species: Elk, deer and antelope can be
found throughout the year.”
http://www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/YampaRiver/Nature/Pages/YampaRiverNature.aspx
Human Influence
People have been trying to take out non-native fish so they don’t kill off the endangered
native fish like the bony tail and humpback chub, Colorado Pike Minnow and the Razor Back
Sucker. People also influence the river by creating the water treatment plant that cleans the
water going into the river.
Fortification North
Located North of Craig and there isn’t much urban influence.
Fortification South
Located South of Craig there is quite a bit of urban influence.
South Beach
South Beach is South of Craig about six miles and there isn’t very much urban influence.
Golf Course
Fortification North May 2011- May 2012 Averages
Temperature-11.4˚C
Total Alkalinity-165.3 Mg/L
Hardness-201.7 Mg/L
pH-9.18 S.U.
DO-9.022 Mg/L
Fortification South May 2011-May 2012 Averages
Temperature-10.8˚C
Total Alkalinity-175.6Mg/L
Hardness-222.4Mg/L
pH-8.01
DO-8.6Mg/L
Golf Course May 2011-May 2012 Averages
Temperature-11 C
Total Alkalinity-167.8 Mg/L
Hardness-224 Mg/L
pH-8.241
DO-9.4 Mg/L
South Beach May 2011- May 2012 Averages
Temperature-6.67 C
Total Alkalinity-151.5 Mg/L
Hardness-217 Mg/L
pH-8.2
DO-8.29 Mg/L
Hypothesis on metals for 2012
If we continue to have such a dry year then there won’t be as much metals in the rivers. Since
there isn’t near as much water as there was last year there won’t be anywhere close to as much minerals
draining into the rivers. There will also not be as much erosion. A lot of metals come from the erosion of
rocks. It also comes from the ground through groundwater and there won’t be as much groundwater this
year as there was last because we have gotten only a fraction of the snow and rain that we did last year.
What I learned about water quality this year
This year in river watch I learned that water quality affects everyone and everything. If we don’t have
clean water to drink then everyone will die. If a mine closes down and water runs through it into the river
then the river will be contaminated potentially killing the whole ecosystem of the river and endangering
the lives of people that live around the river.
Hydrograph
Flow
Depth
2011 METALS
ZINC 12 PPB
SELENIUM 2 PPB BUT AT CONLUENCE OF LITTLE SNAKE AND YAMPA 550 PPB
MANGANESE 102 PPB
LEAD 3.8 PPB
COPPER 5.3 PPB BUT ZERO AND CONFLUENCE
ALUMINUM 2900 PPB
IRON 317 PPB