Selected Field Parameters from Streams and Analytical Data from Water and Macroinvertebrate Samples, Central Colorado Assessment Project, Environmental Assessment Task, 2004 and 2005

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Central Colorado Assessment Project (CCAP)
began in October 2003 and is planned to last through September 2008. One major
goal of this project is to compare the relationships between surface-water
chemistry and aquatic fauna in mined and unmined areas. To accomplish this
goal, we are conducting a State-scale reconnaissance sampling program, in which
we are collecting water and macroinvertebrate samples. Selected results from
the first two years of project analyses are reported here. We plan to develop
statistical models and use geographic information system (GIS) technology to
quantify the relationships between ecological indicators of metal contamination
in Rocky Mountain streams and water quality, landscape and land-use
characteristics (for example, mine density, geology, geomorphology, vegetation,
topography). Our research will test the hypothesis that physicochemical
variables and ecological responses to metal concentrations in stream water in
Rocky Mountain streams are ultimately determined largely by historical land
uses.

[Summary provided by the USGS.]