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WATER QUALITY IN THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER AND THE EFFECT OF RESERVOIRS

Comparison of the power spectra of TDS time series from
different locations on the Lower Colorado River is useful in showing
changes in salinity and for indicating physical factors influencing
salinity. Similarities between the power spectra of the Lee Ferry
and Grand Canyon tine series indicated that lateral inputs and
evaporation are not greatly influencing the salinity cycle. The
salinity change within this reach was approximated by a constant
concentration change of 66.6 ppm. A similar model form was used for
the Hoover Dam to Parker Dam reach. Dissimilarities between power
spectra indicated that additional inputs are significant and must be
accounted for in any model of such reaches. The model for Lake Mead
required compensation for evaporation and for the inputs of the Virgin
River and Las Vegas Wash. The modeled salinity increase between
Parker Dam and Yuma contained a trend factor to allow for the effect of
irrigation return flows and seepage. The crosscovariance function was
used to approximate the time lag between data stations. Time series
statistics, including coherence, response function spectra, and overall
unit response, were used and are of utility in estimating salinity
in a river system.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/620102
Date07 1900
CreatorsSlawson, G. C., Jr.
ContributorsDepartment of Hydrology & Water Resources, The University of Arizona
PublisherDepartment of Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)
Source SetsUniversity of Arizona
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext, Technical Report
SourceProvided by the Department of Hydrology and Water Resources.
RightsCopyright © Arizona Board of Regents
RelationTechnical Reports on Hydrology and Water Resources, No. 12

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