| Abstract: | The 35,000-square-mile upper Snake River Basin in eastern Idaho and western Wyoming was one of 20 areas selected for study under the U.S. Geological Survey‘s National Water-Quality Assessment Program. As part of the initial phase of study, data were compiled to describe existing (1992) and historical aquatic biological conditions of surface water in the basin. About 26 macroinvertebrate and fish community metrics were used to assess water quality. The native fish faunas of the basin are composed primarily of cold-water species representing 5 families and 26 species. Water resource development and stream alterations, irrigated agriculture, grazing, aquaculture, and species introductions have affected stream biota in the upper Snake River Basin, particularly in the middle Snake River reach. Most of the aquatic Species of Special Concern consisting of eight native mollusks and three native fish species, are in this reach. Concentrations of synthetic organic compounds and trace elements in fish collected during 1970-90 generally did not exceed National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering concentration guidelines or the 1980-81 national baseline concentrations. DDT and PCB‘s were the most frequently detected fish tissue contaminants. Long-term data on DDT, its metabolites, and PCB‘s indicate decreasing con- centrations of these compounds. Arsenic, mercury, and selenium were slightly elevated compared with nationwide baseline concentrations and may indicate bioaccumulation in the food chain. Concentrations of most other trace elements in fish tissue were below levels of concern for the protection of humans and wildlife. |
| Genre: | USGS Numbered Series |
| ProdID: | 28574 |
| Citation Author: | Maret, T. R. |
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| Citation Language: | ENGLISH |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | vii, 59 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm. |
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| Citation Publisher: | U.S. Geological Survey ;
U.S.G.S. Earth Science Information Center, Open-File Reports Section [distributor], |
| Citation Series: | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Citation Series Code: | WRI |
| Citation Series Number: | 95-4006 |
| Citation Search Results Text: | Water-quality assessment of the upper Snake River basin, Idaho and western Wyoming; summary of aquatic biological data for surface water through 1992; 1995; WRI; 95-4006; Maret, T. R. |
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| Citation Year: | 1995 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Water-quality assessment of the upper Snake River basin, Idaho and western Wyoming; summary of aquatic biological data for surface water through 1992; 1995; WRI; 95-4006; Maret, T. R. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/1995/4006/report-thumb.jpg |
| URL (DOCUMENT): | http://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/1995/4006/report.pdf |
| Date Other: | Wed, 1 Nov 1995 00:00 -0600 |
| Publisher: | U.S. Geological Survey ;
U.S.G.S. Earth Science Information Center, Open-File Reports Section [distributor], |
