Environmental Sciences Commons^™

A Microsystem Sediment-Water Simulation Study For The Proposed Jordanelle Reservoir, Heber City, Utah, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Reclamation

Water

The technique of microsystem sediment-water simulation was used to predict water quality data for the proposed Jordanelle Reservoir, Heber City, Utah. Simulation microsystems were prepared for four sites located in the north arm of the reservoir basin including two sites located in an abandoned acid mine tailings pond. Data obtained from the tailings pond microsystems indicated that low pH water and high trace metal concentrations will exist in the north arm of the reservoir. These data suggested that some kind of membrane or compacted earth lining will be necessary to seal and contain the mine spoilage. Other sites in the …

Identifying Environmental Features For Land Management Decisions, Annual Report, United States, National Aeronautics And Space Administration

Land Use

This annual report outlines the major accomplishments of the Center for Remote Sensing and Cartography (CRSC) since the annual report was submitted in October 1982, with reference to the semiannual report of March 1983. The past year has been characterized by important progress in the research of digital processing techniques, completion of projects involving integrated remote sensing and environmental analysis, and interesting developments for new and continuing projects. Our computing strength is stronger than ever; we continue to rely primarily on the University of Utah Research Institute's Prime computer and NASA's Earth Resources Laboratory Applications Software (ELAS). We continue to …

An Evaluation Of Trapping Efforts To Capture Bobcats, Coyotes, And Red Fox, John A. Litvaitis, Mark O'Donoghue, Mathew Miller, James A. Sherburne

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Wildlife biologists are often involved in efforts to capture free-ranging felids and canids. The objective of these efforts is usually to remove individuals causing unwanted or excessive predation, or to obtain study animals. The most common method used to capture carnivores includes some type of leg-hold trap. Numerous references provide information on the technique of leg-hold trapping (Taylor 1971, Musgrove and Blair 1979); however few reports include an evaluation of these methods.

Practices For Protecting And Enhancing Fish And Wildlife On Coal Mined Land In The Uinta-Southwestern Utah Region, Bettina R. Proctor, Science Applications, Inc., Richard W. Thompson, Jane E. Bunin, Kenneth W. Fucik, George R. Tamm, Edward G. Wolf, U.S Department Of The Interior- Fish And Wildlife Service

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

This handbook contains information on the best current practices to minimize disturbances and adverse impacts of surface mining on fish and wildlife resources. Current state and federal legislation was reviewed to determine those practices which were most compatible with the best technology currently available, fish and wildlife plans, and reclamation plans for the Uinta-Southwestern region of the U.S. The information presented includes risks, limitations, approximate costs, and maintenance and management requirements of each practice. Plans for the restoration of specific habitats, according to the best current practices, are also included.

Hydraulic Model Study Of Hyrum Dam Auxiliary Labyrinth Spillway, Kathleen L. Houston, U.S. Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Reclamation, Division Of Research, Hydraulics Branch

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

The updated IDF (inflow design flood) for Hyrum Reservoir could not be passed with the existing hydraulic structures. The labyrinth was the most economical alternative for an auxiliary spillway. The labyrinth spillway, a series of trapezoidal shapes in plan form, would provide the necessary spillway length and capacity within a comparatively small width. The spillway configuration was based on design curves developed in the Bureau of Reclamation Hydraulic Laboratory.

The 1:30 scale model included the upstream approach channel, the labyrinth spillway, and a transition section leading to a long sloping chute. The model confirmed the maximum discharge of the spillway …

Nothing Succeeds Like Succession: Ecology And The Human Lot, James A. Macmahon

Faculty Honor Lectures

An Honor Lecture provides a rare opportunity for me as a scientist. First, I have the chance to share, and in a sense to justify, my chosen and cherished discipline, ecology, before an eclectic audience. Second, I have a reason to consider my profession in a broader perspective than I normally do, given the pressures of day-to-day teaching, of grantsmanship, and of acting the role of stern taskmaster to my graduate students. I relish the opportunity to dabble, with an ecological perspective, in history, in philosophy, and in other areas. First, I will discuss my discipline in the context of …

United States Department Of The Interior Geological Survey, Utah, Basic Data For Thermal Springs And Wells As Recorded In Geotherm, James D. Bliss

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

No abstract provided.

Effects Of A Wildfire On Seed Rain And Soil Seed Reserve Dynamics Of A Good Condition Sagebrush-Grass Rangeland In Central Utah, Mohamed Ali Hassan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objectives of this research were to investigate the ecological importance of soil seed reserves and seed rain on regeneration of a good condition sagebrush-grass range vegetation after a wildfire and draw conclusions leading to better understanding and management of such ecosystems. Investigations were conducted for two successive years on a community where major plants were neither rhizomatous nor sprouting. In such cases soil seed reserves and seed rain have to be the main source of regeneration. In addition to monitoring soil seed reserves and seed rain, vegetation changes during the past two years and the historical conditions of the …

Accidental Releases Of Sour Gas From Wells And Collection Pipelines In The Overthrust Belt: Calculating And Assessing Potential Health And Environmental Risks, D. W. Layton, R. T. Cederwall, Y. E. Ricker, J. H. Shinn, K. D. O'Banion

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

Parts of the Overthrust Belt of western Wyoming and adjoining areas in Utah and Idaho contain geologic formations with significant accumulations of oil and natural gas. Some of these formations, though, yield gas that is contaminated with toxic hydrogen sulfide. As a consequence, the development of these so-called sour-gas reservoirs requires special safety procedures and technologies in order to prevent accidental releases of gas to the atmosphere that could cause adverse occupational and public health effects. To improve the analysis and assessment of wells and collection pipelines completed on lands leased from the Federal Government, the Minerals Management Service, Onshore …

Characterization Of Water From Laverkin Springs, Utah, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Reclamation

Water

Analytical water data obtained from two separate test programs at the LaVerkin Springs site, Washington County, southwestern Utah, were evaluated. During the first analyses, from February 11 through November 6, 1972, water samples were obtained weekly from 14 atmospheric springs. During the second analyses from November 1, 1979 through August 27, 1980, water samples were obtained weekly at aquifer pressure by pumping from a well representative of the 14 springs. Acquired data included characteristics of the water in 1972, and again in 1979-1980, uniformity of the water in the springs tested, variations of these characteristics within the time of year, …

Scs Natinoal Engineering Handbook: Section 15, Irrigation, Chapter 12--Land Leveling, U.S. Department Of Commerce

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

Land leveling or land grading for irrigation is modifying the surface relief of a field to a planned grade to provide a more suitable surface for efficiently applying irrigation water. Normally land leveling requires moving a lot of earth over several hundred feet. This should not be confused with land planning, land smoothing, or land floating. They are usually accomplished with special equipment to eliminate minor irregularities, and they do not change the general topography of the land surface. Rough grading is removing knolls, mounds, or ridges and filling pockets or swales in a field that is not to have …

Measuring Species Diversity On Revegetated Surface Mines: An Evaluation Of Techniques, United States Department Of Agriculture, Forest Service

Mines and Mineral Resources

This report reviews the three most commonly used techniques for measuring species diversity in plant communities: (1) diversity indices, (2) rank correlation tests, and (3) similarity indices. The author discusses the suitability of each technique for assessing species diversity on mined land and evaluates the most often used indices, test statistics, or coefficients of each technique. Applications of the Shannon-Weiner diversity index, Spearman's rank order correlation coefficient, Motyka and others' and Bray and Curtis' version of Sorensen's similarity index, and Spatz' version of Jaccard's index for assessing mined land species diversity are presented in the appendix.

Growth And Activity Of Juvenile Mosquitofish: Temperature And Ration Effects, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, J. Cech

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

The effects of constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 C) and ration size on the growth rates and activity of juvenile mosquitofish Gambusia affinis (mean wet weight, about 20 mg) were measured in laboratory experiments. On ad libitum rations of Tubifex spp. worms, food-consumption rates of mosquitofish were very high, ranging from 7% dry body weight/day at 10 C to 83%/day at 35 C. Growth increased from 0% dry body weight/day at 10 C to 21%/day at 30 C and declined slightly at 35 C. Gross efficiencies (100 growth/food consumption) increased from 0 at 10 C to …

Planning For Rural Human Services: The Western Energy-Impact Experience, United States Department Of Health And Human Services, Office Of Human Development Services

Fuel Sources

Beginning in the mid-1970's, the development of energy resources in the western United States created significant changes in the small, rural communities of this area. Many of the changes were the result of the rapid influx of population associated with industrial activities. It has long been recognized that communities subject to rapid growth have difficulty meeting the physical facility needs of their residents, such as housing, shopping and school facilities, and sewer and water services. In recent years, a growing recognition of the importance of the social effects of rapid community growth has also developed. These effects include the deterioration …

Interagency Hazard Mitigation: 90-Day Post Flood Recovery Progress Report, Hazard Mitigation Team (Utah)

Elusive Documents

As a result of an extended period of abnormally high precipitation, prolonged snow melt, and subsequent high water tales, Utahns, in 1983 suffered from landslides, debris flows, flooding, and a dam failure. On April 30, 1983, the President determined the Spanish Fork slide-dam and Thistle flood covering Utah, Carbon, and Emery Counties was of sufficient seventy and magnitude to issue a Major Disaster Declaration under Public Law 93-288. The incident period was not closed until July 1, 1983. By the time all flooding had ceased, nineteen additional counties (over 75% of Utah) had been included in the Declaration.

Successional Trends In An Ungrazed, Arid Grassland Over A Decade, Edgar F. Kleiner

Canyonlands Research Bibliography

A study has been made of the vegetational condition of a formerly grazed area, Chesler Park, in Canyonlands National Park. A comparison was made with the same area 10 years earlier. The 10-year successional changes are also compared to baseline data of 10 years earlier from Virginia Park, an adjacent ungrazed area. Because of inaccessibility and long isolation from disturbances, Virginia Park is presumed to be in climax condition and is the control for this study. Chesler Park shows a successional trend after 10 years toward the vegetational condition of Virginia Park. This is exemplified, with only one major exception …

Eutrophication Assessment Of Mt. Dell Reservoir, Richard A. Hanson, V. Dean Adams, Vincent A. Lamarra, Kyle R. Cook, Dennis B. George

Reports

The degree and possible causes of eutrophication in Mt. Dell Reservoir, a small water supply reservoir in Parleys Canyon above Salt Lake City, were examined with a number of limnological studes. These studies described external (incoming stream flow) and internal (sediment) nutrient sources, general limnology, nutrient limitations, and trophic state. A monthly program of sampling at selected stream sites determined taht one area of mixed agricultural and undistrubed rangeland contributed significant amounts of total soluble inorganic nitrogen. Sediment phosphorus uptake and release rates were determined with aquatic three-phase microcosms. The results indicated that sediment phosphorus mass loadings were small (less …

Hydrologic Evaluation Of The Coastal Belt Water Project Sarir And Tazerbo Well Fields, Libya, Edward P. Fisk, Christopher J. Duffy, Calvin G. Clyde, Roland W. Jeppson, Phillip H. Degroot, Bhasker Rao K., Win-Kai Liu

Reports

Executive Summary: The basic purpose of this study was to conduct a finite-element computer model and give an dindependent appraisal of the reliability of the groundwater supply for the proposed Coastal Belt Water Project (CBWP_ Well Fields at Sarir and Tazerbo. There is no doubt that ample quantities of groundwater of acceptable quality occur at the sites selected for these well fields for the estimated 50-year life of the project and longer. Of major concern is the predicted drawdown of wells and total pumping lifts throughout the 50-year period. Excessive drawdowns could cause operating costs to become prohibitibely expensive. Average …

Aquatic Resources Management Of The Colorado River Ecosystem, V. Dean Adams, Vincent A. Lamarra

Reports

The Colorado River system has often been referred to as "the most regulated river system in the world." The Colorado River Basin serves millions of people through agricultural, energy, municipal and industrial uses, fish and wildlife activities, and recreation. The symposium was conceived and organized to allow researchers, private industry, consultants, water users, regulatory agencies, and concerned citizens the opportunity to express needs, desires, and concerns about the vast resources of the Colorado River. We found that there were a diverse number of problems confronting the individuals who are involved in the management of this important ecosystem. A variety of …

Adapting Appropriation Water Law To Accommodate Equitable Consideration Of Instream Flow Uses, Jay M. Bagley, Dean T. Larson, Lee Kapaloski

Reports

The increasing public interest in naturally flowing streams has fostered efforts to obtain their protection under existing state water laws. In this study, the water laws of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming were examined and compared 1) with each other, and 2) against a set of aleitn criteria, to assess shortcomings in accommodating instream flow protections. It was determined that the appropriation system has the essential features of and ambodies legal principles that should allow the accommodation of instream flow values but, at this time, purchase of existing rights or the exercise of governmental reservation/withdrawal/appropriation …

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Are They A Problem In Processed Oil Shales?, David L. Maase, V. Dean Adams

Reports

Organic residues from processed oil shales were characterisized with specific attention to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Oil shale development in the White River Basin (Utah and Colorado) was projected and hydrological and geological parameters pertinent to estimations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) flux were focused. Oil shale samples from the Union B, Paraho, and Tosco II processes were extracted by using organic solvents in a soxhlet apparatus and by mixing shale samples with water (characterization in

An Experimental Investigation Of The Effects Of Crude Oil On Two Freshwater Lake Ecosystems, Martin D. Werner, V. Dean Adams, Vincent A. Lamarra

Reports

Responses of two freshwater lake ecosystems of the Intermountain West to crude oil impaction were investigated. The research was conducted in two phases; in the first phase effects of crude oil were studied on an ecosystem established in three phase laboratory microcosms (gaseous-aqueous-sediment), which simulated the natural lakes. Notable responses of the microcosm ecosystem to oil impaction included: an increased oxygen demand by the biological community, nutrient immobilization, a reduction in plant biomass accumulation and a heterotrophically dominated ecosystem. The increased availability of biologically degradable reduced carbon (i.e., the oil) and nutrient immobilization, rather than toxic effects of oil on …

Effects Of Cadmium On Streams And Irrigated Agriculture In The Presence And Absence Of Oil Shale Leachate, Douglas A. Selby, Jean M. Ihnat, Fredrick J. Post, Jay J. Messer

Reports

Artificial streams, soil perfusion columns, and potted plants were exposed to 20 ug Cd/l in the presence and absence of unretorted oil shale leachate. High cadmium accumulations occurred in the stream biota, but did not measurably affect community structure or function. The presence of oil shale leachate had no effect on bioaccumulation or ecosystem structure or function. Nitrification in soil columns was enhanced by the presence of the organic fraction of oil shale leachate, but this effect was not observed when cadmium was present. Crop accumulation of cadmium was somewhat higher in alfalfa and radishes irrigated with leachate, but did …

The Evaluation Of Metals And Other Substances Released Into Coal Mine Accrual Waters On The Wasatch Plateau Coal Field, Utah, Alberta J. Seierstad, V. Dean Adams, Vincent A. Lamarra, Nancy J. Hoefs, Robert E. Hinchee

Reports

Six sites on the Wasatch Plateau were chosen representing subsurface coal mines which were discharging or collecting accrual water on this coal field. Water samples were collected monthly at these sites for a period of 1 year (May 1981 to April 1982). Samples were taken before and after each mine's treatment system. Water sampels were analyzed for major anions and cations, trace metals, physical properaties, nutrients, total organic carbon, oil and grease, trihalomethanes, and algal assay. Predictions were made as to the possible effects these coal mine accrual waters would have when used for drinking water, irrigation water, stock and …

An Economic Evaluation Of Benefits And Costs Of Maintaining Instream Flows, Rangesan Narayanan, Dean T. Larson, A. Bruce Bishop, Parvaneh Amirfathi

Reports

Instream flows enhance recreation, hydropower, fish and wildlife maintenance, and riverine ecosytems. Each use has water requirements that vary over time in unique patterns. The determination of the overall instream requirement at any given time must be considered in competition with the demand for municipal and agricultural uses. Two obstacles to integrating instream uses into the appropriation system of water law are difficulty in satisfying the legal requirements of an appropriation for a public use and the fact that instream flow uses are considered more "environmental" than "economic" in character. The extreme options for allocating flow between these user groups …

Reconnaissance Of Sediment-Phosphorus Relationships In Some Utah Reservoirs, Jay J. Messer, Jean M. Ihnat

Reports

Introduction: Phosphorus inputs to lakes and reservoirs from tributary streams and non-point sources are well-known contributors to nuisance algal growths that degrade water quality for potable and recreational uses in lakes and reservoirs. However, phosphours inputs to the euphotic zone may also occur from within the lake itself, as a result of releases from both oxic and anoxid sediments. Such releases may originate from phosphorus inputs to a lake or reservoir during high runoff periods in the previous winder or spring, or they may represent phosphorus trapped in the sediment many years earlier, when phosphorus contributions from natural or anthropogenic …

Reconnaissance Of Sediment-Phosphorus Relationships In Upper Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Jay J. Messer, Jean M. Ihnat, Bruce Mok, David Wegner

Reports

Executive Summary: A reconnaissance-level study was conducted in Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming, during the late summer of 1982 in order to determine the possible importance of the sediment sin exacerbating the blue-green algal blooms that occur in summer in the upper reservoir. Sediments can affect phytoplankton dynamics in reservoirs on an annual basis by delyaing the availability of particulate P associated with spring runoff until late summery, when the warm water temperatures and the light climate favor the growth of blue-green algae. Over the longer term, however, sediments that historically have served as a trap for part of the annual …

Hydraulics Of Solving Unsteady Debris Flow, Roland W. Jeppson, Salvador A. Rodriguez

Reports

This report describes methods for determining the depths, velocities, and flow rates of debris flows. As used herein debris flow consists of water rand solid particles sot that the density of the mixture is roughly twice as large as water, and due to the accumulation of large solid particles the viscosity of the mixture is large enough for the flow to exhibit typical laminar flow properties in which adjacent layers slide with respect to each other rather than intermix as occurs in turbulent flows of water for example. A previous report from this project proposed a basic equation for estimating …

Impediments To Effective Interactions Between Multipurpose Water Districts And Other Governmental Institutions In Urbanizing Areas, Jay M. Bagley, Frank W. Haws, Wendell B. Anderson, Daniel H. Hoggan, Lee Kapaloski

Reports

Water institutions are highly diffused throughout society. These institutions interact with one another in various ways. As water needs and services expand, collaborative and cooperative arrangements are commonly sought as a means of meeting common goals of providing a safe, dependable adn least cost water supply to particular constituencies. Of the many different institutions involved in the development, managment, distribution, and use of water, perhaps the most significant in terms of extensive interactions with other institutions is the kind that is typified by Water Conservancy Districts and Metropolitan Water Districts in Utah. The statutory and operating framework of counterpart organizations …

Conjunctive Water Use Planning With Water Quality Constraints In Tooele Valley, Utah, Bhasker Rao K., Calvin G. Clyde, Rangesan Narayanan

Reports

The need for more efficient water management is gaining recognition due to the increased cost of water supply, the growth in the demand for water, and greater environmental and social impacts of water programs. "Conjunctive use" of surfact and groundwater resources provides opportunities for increasing net benefits to the water users. Past "conjunctive use" studies, however, have usually not included water quality constraints. In Tooele valley, Utah, spatial variation of groundwater qualtity (total dissolved solids) is significant. The areas of good (400-500 mg/1), fair (500-1,000 mg/1), and poor (1,000-3,000 mg/1) quality groundwaters were identified in an earlier study by the …