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  2. San Juan Watershed

Resources for the San Juan Watershed

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Description Title (link) Designated Use Keywords

Study to establish the natural annual variability of benthic communities in the BPMD.

Author: Mountain Studies Institute

Inter-annual Variability of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in the Bonita Peak Mining District

ecological

Animas River; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; Bonita Peak

Evaluation of the use of site-specific regression models to estimate metal concentrations at nine U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations on the Animas and San Juan Rivers.

Author: USGS

Estimating metal concentrations with regression analysis and water-quality surrogates at nine sites on the Animas and San Juan Rivers, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah

Animas River; San Juan River; metals

Drinking water; agriculture; recreation

Simulation and description of the movement of the Gold King Mine plume and total and dissolved concentrations of metals.

Author: Knightes et al.

Simulating the Fate and Transport of an Acid Mine Drainage Release Using the WASP Model (2016)   Gold King Mine; Metals; mining; Animas; San Juan

Analysis of surface water sampling results from Animas and San Juan Rivers after Gold King Mine release.

Author: Blake et al.

Surface Water Geochemistry, Sediment, and Field Parameters During Snowmelt and Monsoons in the New Mexico Reach of the Animas and San Juan Rivers (2016)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; Animas; San Juan

Report identifying pollution sources within the Animas River Watershed.

Author: Animas Watershed Partnership

COMING SOON: Source Pollution Identification: Colorado/S. Ute Reach Animas River Watershed (2011)   Nutrient loading; water quality; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; Animas

Presentation outlining sampling effort of San Juan and Animas Rivers for E. Coli and other bacteria.

Author: Animas Watershed Partnership

Who Pooped in the River? (2015)   Water quality; bacteria; Animas; San Juan

Presentation on the Citizens' Advisory Committee and water quality issues in the Animas and San Juan Rivers.

Author: New Mexico Environment Department

The Gold King Mine Citizens' Advisory Committee Update: the Committee, Purpose, Members, and Highlights from Previous Meetings (2016)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; Animas; San Juan

Report detailing emerging sedimentation concerns in Lightner Creek.

Author: Lightner Creek Watershed Group

(coming)   Water quality; sediment; Lightner Creek

Study assessing sediment fluxes and other physical characteristics in Lightner Creek.

Author: Mountain Studies Institute

COMING SOON: Lightner Creek Sediment Monitoring Initiative Report - Phase 2 (2011)   Water quality; sediment; Lightner Creek

Outline of Animas Watershed Partnership's Watershed Based Plan (WBP) for the Animas River watershed.

Author: Animas Watershed Partnership

COMING SOON: Animas River Watershed Based Plan (2011)   Outreach; water quality; Animas

Outline of Animas Watershed Partnership's strategies for the period of 2013-2016.

Author: Animas Watershed Partnership

COMING SOON: Animas Watershed Partnership Strategic Action Plan 2013 through 2016 (2013)   Water quality; outreach; water quality; Animas

Report on sediment and stream flow monitoring and development of sediment rating curve for Lightner Creek.

Author: Mountain Studies Institute

Lightner Creek Sediment Monitoring & Rating Curve - Phase III (2013)   Water quality; sediment; Lightner Creek

Guidance and protocol to sampling and analysis efforts along the Animas River watershed.

Author: Animas Watershed Partnership

COMING SOON: 
Sampling and Analysis Project Plan for the Animas River: Surface Water Sampling for Impacts of Nutrients (2009)
  Water quality; nutrient loading; Animas

Quantification of metal concentrations and loadings from mining and natural background sources to guide remediation decisions.

Author: USGS

Modeling Frequency of Occurrence of Toxic Concentrations of Zinc and Copper in the Upper Animas River (1999)   Water quality; Metals: mining; fish; toxicology; Animas

Plans for Remediation of Historical Mining Sites In the Upper Animas River Basin

Author: Animas River Stakeholders Group

The Animas Watershed Plan (2013)   Impairment; Animas River; mining; metals; macroinvertebrates; fish

Summary of workgroup outcomes focused on the Animas River in San Juan and La Plata counties.

Author: River Protection Work Group

River Protection Workgroup for the Animas River Final Report (2013) (PDF)   Animas River; stakeholders

Documents the work of the HCW which met 18 times from April 2008 to January 2010 and presents recommendations for action.

Author: River Protection Work Group

Hermosa Creek Workgroup Final Report (2010) (PDF)   Hermosa Creek; stakeholders

Final report of workgroup assessments of the Piedra River, Weminuche Creek, and Williams Creek.

Author: River Protection Work Group

River Protection Workgroup for the Piedra River Final Report (2013) (PDF)   Piedra River; stakeholders

Final report of Vallecito Creek/Pine River Workgroup assessment of river and watershed protections currently in place, and identification of additional protections needed.

Author: River Protection Work Group

Vallecito Creek and Pine River Workgroup Final Report (2011) (PDF)   Vallecito Creek; Pine River; stakeholders

Final report including San Juan River Protection Workgroup values statement and findings on river and watershed protections currently in place and additional protections needed.

Author: River Protection Work Group

San Juan River Workgroup Final Report (2011) (PDF)   San Juan River; stakeholders

Well water testing results from the Animas River valley.

Author: San Juan Basin Public Health

Well Testing in the Animas Valley (2017) (PDF)   Groundwater; metals; nutrient loading; public health; bacteria; San Juan

CDPHE ongoing water quality data collection from the Animas River, tributaries, and groundwater sources.

Author: CDPHE

Colorado's Post-Gold King Mine Spill Monitoring Results (2017) (PDF)   Flow; temperature; ph; conductivity; turbidity; Gold King Mine; conductance; dissolved oxygen; Metals; nutrient loading; Animas

Summary of study comparing water quality data in the Animas River to state water quality standards.

Author: CDPHE

Assessment of Risks to Public Health & Environment (2018)   Public health; sediment; water quality; Animas

Research article examining geologic setting and historic mining contributing to metals loading in the Animas River and the effect of Sunnyside Gold Corp. mining and reclamation activities.

Author: Steven Lange; Knight Piésold Consulting

SGC Mining and Reclamation Activities and Metals Loading in the Animas River (2018)   Metals; mining; impairment; Animas River

Water rights settlement resolving Navajo Nation claims for the use of waters of the San Juan River Basin in northwestern New Mexico.

Author: Navajo Nation

San Juan River Basin in New Mexico Navajo Nation Water Rights Settlement Agreement (2005)   Water rights; water law; San Juan

Links to news and basic information on the Animas River watershed

Author: San Juan Clean Water Coalition

San Juan Clean Water Coalition Homepage   Outreach; water quality; Animas

One-stop source for viewing San Juan River flow and diversion data between Navajo Reservoir, NM and Mexican Hat, UT. 

Author: San Juan Flows

San Juan Flows   Flow; discharge; San Juan

One-stop source for viewing San Juan River flow and diversion data between Navajo Reservoir, NM and Mexican Hat, UT. F

Author: USGS

San Juan Flows Agriculture Diversion flow; San Juan

Watershed plan to develop a cold water fishery, enhance agriculture diversion structures and functioning capacity of the river through improved riparian communities and wetlands and meet state dissolved copper TMDL goals.

Author: Mancos Valley Watershed Group

Mancos Watershed Plan (2011) (PDF)   Impairment; mining; metals; irrigation; Mancos River

Description of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Section 106 monitoring strategy and assessment of water quality data.

Author: Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

McElmo Creek, Lower San Juan River, Colorado and Cottonwood Wash, Utah Water Quality and Trends Assessment: 2009 – 2010 (2010) (PDF)   Bacteria; nutrient loading; Metals; pH; temperature; San Juan

Description of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Section 106 monitoring strategy and assessment of water quality data.

Author: Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

Mancos River Water Quality and Trends Assessment: 2011 – 2012 (2012) (PDF)   Groundwater; nutrient loading; metals; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; habitat; groundwater; bacteria; Mancos Creek

Study examining the tributary use, demography, and seasonal ranges of two endangered fish species in the San Juan River.

Author: Cathcart et. al

A Tribute to Tributaries: Endangered Fish Distributions within Critical Habitat of the San Juan River, USA (2019)   Fish; endangered species; tributaries; San Juan River

Research generating streamflow for four key gauges in the Upper Colorado River Basin using an expanded tree ring network and calibration records.

Author: Woodhouse et al.

Updated Streamflow Reconstructions for the Upper Colorado River Basin (2006)   Flow; water law; water rights; San Juan

Presentation series on water quality and sustainability in the Animas and San Juan River basins in New Mexico.

Author: New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute

New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute -- Collated Speaker/Presentation Slides for the San Juan and Animas Rivers (2017)   Water quality; sustainability; Gold King Mine; Metals; outreach; Animas; San Juan

Evaluation of potential concern metals in agricultural fields and comparison of analyzed results to EPA residential screening level in soil.

Author: New Mexico State University

Rapid and in-situ analysis of metal concentrations in agricultural fields in San Juan County using Portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) (2018) (PDF) Agriculture PXRF; screening; soil; San Juan

Analysis of concentration of nine elements in soil, leaf, and produce samples and comparison to guideline values.

Author: New Mexico State University

Metal Contaminants in the Animas and San Juan Watershed (2018) (PDF) Agriculture PXRF; irrigation; produce; San Juan

Cultural significance of water resource and plants/agriculture to the Navajo Nation.

Author: Brandon Francis NMSU Ag Science Center

The Holy Corn Pollen Path and the Gold King Mine Spill (2018) (PDF) Agriculture Cultural; San Juan

Evaluation of whether hydrologic model choice affects decision variables within San Juan River Basin when evaluating climate change effects.

Author: Miller et al.

Water Management Decisions Using Multiple Hydrologic Models within the San Juan River Basin under Changing Climate Conditions (2012)   Climate change; precipitation; water availability; San Juan

Evaluation on river conditions before the accidental Gold King mine release, movement of release through river system, and subsequent developments.

Author: U.S. EPA

Analysis of the Transport and Fate of Metals Released from the Gold King Mine in the Animas and San Juan Rivers (2017)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; public health; surface water; Animas

Repository of short reports of Statement of Evaluation for the San Juan River after the Gold King Mine accidental Release.

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Statement of Evaluation for San Juan River Data (Post-GKM Release) (2015)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; San Juan

Map displaying UTAH DEQ water quality sampling sites after GKM release.

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Utah DEQ Sampling Site Map (PDF)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; San Juan

Summary of analysis of the immediate, short-term, effects of the Gold King Mine accidental release on water quality.

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Preliminary Analysis of Immediate Effects of Gold King Mine Release on Water Quality in the San Juan River, Utah (2015)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; San Juan

Comparison of ATSDR standards with metals post-Gold King Mine.

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Screening Value Analysis 08132015 (PDF) Agriculture Screening value; human health; San Juan

Comparison of EPA water quality data to UT water quality criteria and screening values.

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Evaluation of USEPA Water Quality Data for Dissolved Metals Collected in Response to the Gold King Mine Release (2016) (PDF) Agriculture Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; San Juan

Water quality study to determine extent of metals contamination from Gold King Mine release.

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Evaluation of UDEQ Water Quality Data Collected in Response to the Gold King Mine Release (2016) (PDF) Agriculture Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; San Juan

Sediment sampling study to determine extent of metals contamination from Gold King Mine release.

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Evaluation of UDEQ Sediment Data Collected in Response to the Gold King Mine Release (2016) (PDF) Agriculture Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; San Juan

Summary findings from historical and incident response water quality sampling.

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Utah’s Long-term Monitoring and Assessment Plan for the San Juan River and Lake Powell, Utah (2016) (PDF)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; Animas; San Juan; Lake Powell

Repository of water quality sampling results of San Juan River in Utah after Gold King Mine release.

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

San Juan River Water Quality sampling data -- Gold King Mine Release (2015-2016)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; pH; specific conductance; alkalinity; turbidity; San Juan

Water Quality sampling results from San Juan River, McElmo Creek and Montezuma Creek.

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Evaluation of UDEQ Water Quality Data Collected during Spring Runoff following the Gold King Mine Release Data Collected: February 16, 2016 – May 2, 2016 (PDF) Agriculture Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; San Juan

Photos posted to Utah DEQ's website of the San Juan River and associated sampling efforts after Gold King Mine accidental release.

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Gold King Mine Release Photo Gallery (2015)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; San Juan

Overview of the purpose, methods, and results of the SLRA, which includes an exposure assessment, toxicity assessment, and risk characterization.

Author: Tetra Tech, Inc.

SCREENING LEVEL HUMAN HEALTH AND AGRICULTURAL RISK ASSESSMENT San Juan River and Lake Powell Gold King Mine Incident Utah (PDF) Agriculture Risk Assessment; human health; San Juan

Real-time reporting of flow rates and storage capacity for rivers and reservoirs in the San Juan watershed.

Author: Colorado Division of Water Resources

Colorado Surface Water Conditions -- Division 7: San Juan/Dolores River Basin (Real time)   Flow; discharge; Animas; San Juan

Assessment of the impact of unconventional oil and gas exploration and development on groundwater supply sustainability in the San Juan Basin.

Author: New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources

Hydrologic Assessment of Oil and Gas Resource Development of the Mancos Shale in the San Juan Basin, New Mexico (2014)   Oil and gas; groundwater; sustainability; San Juan

Analysis of geological and engineering evidence on potential subsurface development of the Gallup/Mancos play and associated surface impact.

Author: New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources

Reasonable Foreseeable Development (RFD) for Northern New Mexico (2015) (PDF)   Oil and gas; groundwater; sustainability; San Juan

Characterization of hydrogeologic system, investigation of ground/surface water interaction, and assessment of Gold King impacts on shallow groundwater.

Author: Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

Geochemistry of the Animas River Alluvial Aquifer After the Gold King Mine (2017) Spill, San Juan County, New Mexico (PDF) Agriculture Groundwater; surface water; Animas; San Juan

Information and guidance necessary to identify and respond to impairments within the watershed.

Author: Arizona Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) program

Arizona NEMO Watershed-Based Plan San Juan Watershed (2010) (PDF)   Non-point source; sediment; Metals; nutrient loading; water quality monitoring; San Juan

Evaluation of metal concentrations in Animas River food web metal exposures pathways and hazards to stream biota.

Author: Besser et al.

Bioavailability of Metals in Stream Food Webs and Hazards to Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the Upper Animas River Watershed, Colorado (2001)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; fish; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; periphyton; Animas

Study evaluating particulate matter in San Juan River tributaries and their contribution of particulate matter to sediment loads in the San Juan River Delta of Lake Powell.

Author: Frederick et. al

Source Identification of Particulate Metals/Metalloids Deposited in the San Juan River Delta of Lake Powell, USA (2019)   Metals; particulate matter; sediment; San Juan; Lake Powell

Quantification of impacts of natural resource developments on the San Juan Basin's Tertiary aquifers.

Author: New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute

An Integrated Isotopic/Physical Approach to a Numerical Model of Groundwater Flow in the San Juan (1984) (PDF)   Water quality; flow; groundwater; modeling; San Juan

USGS real time probe data for Animas River below Silverton, CO.

Author: USGS

USGS 09359020 Animas River below Silverton, CO   Flow; temperature; pH; conductivity; turbidity; Animas

USGS real time probe data for Cement Creek at Silverton, CO.

Author: USGS

USGS 09358550 Cement Creek at Silverton, CO   Flow; temperature; pH; conductivity; turbidity; Cement Creek

USGS real time probe data for Animas River at Durango, CO.

Author: USGS

USGS 09359500 Animas River at Durango, CO   Flow; temperature; pH; conductivity; turbidity; Animas

Assessment of the effectiveness of remedial measures in the headwaters of the Mineral Creek watershed.

Author: Runkel et al.

A Comparison of Pre- and Post-remediation Water Quality, Mineral Creek, Colorado (2009)   Metals; mining; water quality; Mineral Creek

Review of studies analyzing climate change impacts on the Colorado and Sacramento River Basins.

Author: Gleick and Chalecki

The Impacts of Climatic Changes for Water Resources of the Colorado and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basins (1999)   Climate change; water availability; precipitation; flow; snowpack; Animas; San Juan

Assessment of relative influence of water quality and substratum quality on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the Animas River.

Author: Courtney & Clements

Assessing the Influence of Water and Substratum Quality on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in a Metal-polluted Stream: An Experimental Approach (2002)   Benthic Macroinvertebrate; Metals; toxicology; water quality; Animas

Investigation of the persistence of metals in water and sediments from the Animas River 13 days after the Gold King Mine spill.

Author: Rodriguez-Freire et al.

Post Gold King Mine Spill Investigation of Metal Stability in Water and Sediments of the Animas River Watershed (2016)   Metals; mining; Gold King Mine; pH; water quality; Animas

One of a series of studies evaluating the waterbearing properties of the Navajo Sandstone and associated formations in southern Utah.

Author: USGS

Bedrock Aquifers of Eastern San Juan County, Utah (1986)   Water quality; aquifer; San Juan

Hydrologic, water-quality, and biologic toxicity data collected during the annual spring thaw of 2002 in the upper Animas River.

Author: USGS

Water quality and aquatic toxicity data of 2002 spring thaw conditions in the upper Animas River watershed, Silverton, Colorado (2002)   Mining; water quality; Animas

Report evaluating use of site-specific regression models to estimate metal concentrations at nine U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations on the Animas and San Juan Rivers.

Author: USGS

Estimating metal concentrations with regression analysis and water-quality surrogates at nine sites on the Animas and San Juan Rivers, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah (2018) Agriculture Metals; Animas River; San Juan River; drinking water; agriculture

Evaluation of selenium concentrations in drainage and ponds sites on several New Mexico/Navajo Nation irrigation projects.

Author: USGS

Reconnaissance Investigation of Water Quality, Bottom Sediment, and Biota Associated with Irrigation Drainage in the San Juan River Area, San Juan County, Northwestern New Mexico, 1990-91 (1993) Agriculture Metals; water quality; irrigation; San Juan

Study investigating effects of irrigation drainage and impacts on fish, wildlife, and human health.

Author: USGS

Detailed Study of Selenium and Selected Constituents in Water, Bottom Sediment, Soil, and Biota Associated with Irrigation Drainage in the San Juan River Area, New Mexico, 1991-95 (1998) Agriculture San Juan River; surface water; sediment; water quality; soil; Metals; PAH; San Juan

Evaluation of patterns of longer-term mobility for metals associated with river sediments downstream of the Gold King Mine.

Author: Saup et al.

Anoxia Stimulates Microbially Catalyzed Metal Release from Animas River Sediments (2017)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; Animas

Technical report analyzing and interpreting geochemical data from water, colloid, and sediment samples collected during a period of low flow in the Animas River during 1995.

Author: USGS

Source, Transport, and Partitioning of Metals between Water, Colloids, and Bed Sediments of the Animas River, Colorado (1997) (PDF)   Mining; Metals; water quality; Animas

Water, bottom-sediment, soil, and biological sampling study on San Juan River.

Author: USGS

Physical, Chemical, and Biological Data for Detailed Study of Irrigation Drainage in the San Juan River Area, New Mexico, 1993-94, with Supplemental Data, 1991-95 (1997) (PDF) Agriculture Water quality; irrigation; sediment; soil; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; fish; amphibian; Metals; San Juan

Hydrologic and water quality data from gaging stations, main stem and tributary sites, abandoned mine sites, and stream and spring sites.

Author: USGS

Hydrologic and Water-Quality Data at Selected Sites in the Upper Animas River Watershed, Southwestern Colorado, 1997-99 (2000) (PDF)   Water quality; Metals; pH; temperature; specific conductance; dissolved oxygen; mining; Animas

Assessment of the environmental effects of historical mining in the Animas River watershed focusing on the area upstream of Silverton.

Author: USGS

Integrated Investigations of Environmental Effects of Historical Mining in the Animas River Watershed, San Juan County, Colorado (2007)   Mining; water quality; Animas

Strategic plan for Colorado River riparian areas, including the San Juan River, impacted by non-native invasive trees.

Author: Colorado Headwaters Invasives Partnership

A Consolidated Woody Invasive Species Management Plan for Colorado’s Colorado, Gunnison, Uncompahgre, Dolores, White, and Yampa/Green Watersheds (2008) (PDF)   Invasive species; riparian vegetation; Colorado River

Sampling Activities Report (SAR) for fieldwork conducted at select locations within the Bonita Peak Mining District.

Author: U.S. EPA

SAMPLING ACTIVITIES REPORT 2015 Sampling Events Bonita Peak Mining District Site - San Juan/ La Plata Counties, Colorado (PDF)   Bonita Peak; Metals; sediment; flow; surface water; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; pH; temperature; dissolved oxygen; alkalinity; Animas

Sampling Activities Report (SAR) for fieldwork conducted at select locations within the Bonita Peak Mining District.

Author: U.S. EPA

Sampling Activities Report 2016 Sampling Events Bonita Peak Mining District Site - San Juan/ La Plata Counties, Colorado (2017) (PDF)   Bonita Peak; Metals; fish; fish tissue; sediment; flow; surface water; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; waste rock; floodplain soils; ph; temperature dissolved oxygen; Animas

Sampling Activities Report (SAR) for fieldwork conducted at select locations within the Bonita Peak Mining District.

Author: U.S. EPA

Sampling Activities Report 2017 Sampling Events Bonita Peak Mining District Site - San Juan/ La Plata Counties, Colorado (2018) (PDF)   Bonita Peak; Metals; sediment; flow; surface water; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; pH; temperature dissolved oxygen; alkalinity; Animas

Analysis of metals in Animas River grab samples during peak river recreation season, and every other week in Feb., Mar., Aug., Oct., and Nov. 2017.

Author: Mountain Studies Institute

Summary of 2016 Animas River Water Quality Monitoring at Rotary Park in Durango, CO (2017)   Metals; Gold King Mine; Animas

Survey of Animas River benthic macroinvertebrates and analysis of potential impacts to these populations at two temporal scales.

Author: Mountain Studies Institute

Animas River 2015 Benthic Macroinvertebrate (BMI) Report Gold King Mine Release Monitoring (2016) (PDF)   Metals; Gold King Mine; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; Animas

Analysis of metals in Animas River grab samples during peak river recreation season and early spring runoff events.

Author: Mountain Studies Institute

Summary of 2017 Animas River Water Quality Monitoring at Rotary Park in Durango, CO (2017) (PDF)   Metals; Gold King Mine; Animas

Surveys throughout the Upper Animas River and Mineral Creek watersheds across a gradient of metal exposure to BMI through water and sediment to provide a spatially comprehensive evaluation of the current condition of BMI communities throughout BPMD, document metal concentrations of BMI tissue, characterize the physical habitat for aquatic life at surveyed sites, and examine what environmental factors are most responsible for differences in benthic communities across BPMD.

Author: Mountain Studies Institute

Bonita Peak Mining District 2016 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assessment (2017) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; Metals; Animas

Compilation and assessment of trends in Animas River benthic data collected over 20 years to see if recent observations of BMI communities (2014-2017) differed significantly from historical observations (1997- 2010 and if there have been any detectable downstream changes in BMI communities following the 2003-2004 closure of the mine wastewater treatment plant on Cement Creek.

Author: Mountain Studies Institute

Animas River 2017 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assessment (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; Animas

Summary of water quality results in Animas River and Hermosa Creek for ash and sediment load after 416 Fire.

Author: Mountain Studies Institute

Continued 416 Fire Water Quality Monitoring Results from Hermosa Creek and Animas River (2018) (PDF)   Sediment; fire; runoff; Animas

Watershed plan developed by the Pine River Watershed Group, focusing on the Los Pinos River and Vellecito Creek above Navajo Reservoir

Author: Pine River Watershed Group

Upper Pine River Watershed State of the Watershed Report (2008) (PDF)   Impairment; metals; Pine River

Study evaluating changes in agricultural land use in response to the Gold King Mine Spill using satellite imagery and remote sensing.

Author: American Geophysical Union

Vegetation Change On Navajo Farmlands Along The San Juan River After The Gold King Mine Spill Using Remote Sensing (2018) Agriculture Gold King Mine; agriculture; land use; remote sensing; San Juan River

Investigation of dry irrigation ditches to establish a “pre” Gold King Mine lead (Pb) census downstream from the Silverton Caldera mining region.

Author: NMWRRI

What are the effects of the Gold King Mine spill on San Juan County, NM agricultural irrigation ditches and farms? (2017) (PDF) Agriculture Irrigation; agriculture; lead; Gold King Mine; Animas

USGS real time probe data for Animas River at Silverton, CO.

Author: USGS

USGS 09358000 Animas River at Silverton, CO   Flow; temperature; pH; conductivity; turbidity; Animas

USGS real time probe data for Mineral Creek at Silverton, CO.

Author: USGS

USGS 09359010 Mineral Creek at Silverton, CO   Flow; temperature; pH; conductivity; turbidity; Mineral Creek

USGS real time probe data for the San Juan River at Four Corners, CO.

Author: USGS

USGS 09371010 San Juan River At Four Corners, CO   Flow; temperature; pH; conductivity; turbidity; San Juan

USGS real time probe data for the Animas River near Cedar Hill, NM.

Author: USGS

USGS 09363500 Animas River Near Cedar Hill, NM   Flow; temperature; pH; conductivity; turbidity; Animas

USGS real time probe data for the Animas River below Aztec, NM.

Author: USGS

USGS 09364010 Animas River Below Aztec, NM   Flow; temperature; pH; conductivity; turbidity

USGS real time probe data for the San Juan River at Farmington, NM.

Author: USGS

USGS 09365000 San Juan River At Farmington, NM   Flow; temperature; pH; conductivity; turbidity; San Juan

USGS real time probe data for the San Juan River at Shiprock, NM.

Author: USGS

USGS 09368000 San Juan River At Shiprock, NM   Flow; temperature; pH; conductivity; turbidity; San Juan

USGS real time probe data for the San Juan River at Bluff, Utah.

Author: USGS

USGS 09379500 San Juan River Near Bluff, UT   Flow; temperature; pH; conductivity; turbidity; San Juan

Cooperative effort among the Southwestern Water Conservation District and other entities and agencies in Southwestern CO.

Author: Water Information Program

Water Information Program (WIP) Homepage   Water resources; Animas; San Juan

GIS portal that allows the user to map agricultural structures.

Author: State of Colorado (CWCB/DWR)

Colorado's Decision Support Systems Agriculture GIS; San Juan

Recommendation from CDPHE regarding fish consumption in the Animas River after Gold King Mine spill.

Author: CDPHE

Analysis & Recommendation Fish Consumption - Animas River (2016) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; fish; public health; Animas

Summary of Gold King Mine spill incident and short-term impacts on water quality in the watershed.

Author: CDPHE

CDPHE Action Report - Gold King Mine Spill (2015) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; Animas

Recommendations to public regarding Animas River water sediment load following the Gold King Mine.

Author: CDPHE

River and Sediment Rational -- Cement Creek and Animas River (2015) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality monitoring; sediment; public health; Animas

Recommendations to public regarding Animas River surface water quality.

Author: CDPHE

Surface Water Quality Rationale -- Cement Creek and Animas River (2015) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; public health; surface water; Animas

Dataset reporting metal concentrations in brown and rainbow trout after Gold King Mine spill.

Author: CDPHE

Animas River Spill Incident - Fish Tissue Sample Results (2016) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; fish; Animas

Recommendation from CDPHE regarding fish consumption in the Animas River after Gold King Mine.

Author: CDPHE

Analysis & Recommendation Fish Consumption - Animas River (2016) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; fish; public health; Animas

Summary of water quality monitoring efforts and results in the Upper Animas River Watershed.

Author: CDPHE

Year In Review: Gold King Mine Spill (2016) (PDF)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; Animas

Surface water, sediment and biological Upper Animas monitoring plan for spring 2016 through summer of 2017.

Author: CDPHE

Colorado’s Long-Term Monitoring Plan: Collecting Data for Assessing Risks to Public Health and the Environment in the Upper Animas River Basin (2016) (PDF)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; Animas

Watershed plan from Chapter 9 - San Juan River Basin Plan in Colorado Department of Health and Environment's Statewide Water Quality Management Plan

Author: Colorado Department of Health and Environment

Colorado Statewide Water Quality Management Plan (2011) (PDF)   Fish; land use; agriculture; mining; geology; flow; impairments

Water quality sampling data for lead collected by Animas Water Company.

Author: CDPHE

Animas Water Company Lead Data Summary (2015) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; Animas

Public drinking water sampling data collected along the Animas.

Author: CDPHE

Animas River spill incident - FINAL Drinking Water Sample Results (2015) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; Animas

Public Water System entry point sampling data for Durango and Animas Water Company.

Author: CDPHE

CDPHE Public Water System Entry Point Sampling Data (2015) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; Animas

Dataset of sediment sampling in the Animas River.

Author: CDPHE

Animas River spill Incident - FINAL Sediment Sample Results (2015) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; water quality ; public health; pH; conductivity; dissolved oxygen; metals; temperature; Animas

Dataset of surface water sampling in the Animas River.

Author: CDPHE

Animas River Spill Incident - FINAL Surface Water Sample Results (2015)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; public health; surface water; metals; Animas

Dataset reporting metal concentrations in fish tissues (brown and rainbow trout) after Gold King Mine spill. August 2015 data.

Author: CDPHE

Animas River Spill Incident - Fish Tissue Sample Results (2016) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; fish; Animas

General and historical information on the San Juan River and agricultural use.

Author: CRWUA

Colorado River Water Users Association Agriculture History; San Juan

Water quality sampling data post-Gold King Mine.

Author: U.S. EPA

EPA GKM Follow Up Monitoring Data Fall 2015 - October 2016   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; public health; surface water; Animas

Videos on Gold King Mine response.

Author: U.S. EPA

EPA GKM Spill Emergency Response Videos (2015)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality monitoring; Animas

Plan guiding follow-up data collection after the Gold King Mine accidental release.

Author: U.S. EPA

Post-Gold King Mine Release Incident: Conceptual Monitoring Plan for Surface Water, Sediments, and Biology (2016) (PDF)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; public health; Animas; San Juan; Lake Powell

Benthic macroinvertebrate community data collected after Gold King Mine accidental release.

Author: U.S. EPA

EPA Benthic Biological Data (2016)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; Animas

Dataset that informed EPA's report on fate and transport of metals released from Gold King mine in the Animas and San Juan Rivers.

Author: U.S. EPA

Chemistry of Water and Sediment Data for Analysis of the Transport and Fate of Metals Released from the Gold King Mine in the Animas and San Juan Rivers (2017)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; public health; surface water; Animas

Photos posted to EPA's website related to Gold King Mine accidental release and subsequent response.

Author: U.S. EPA

EPA GKM Spill Emergency Response Photos (2015)   Gold King Mine; Metals; water quality; Animas

Report detailing water quality and contaminant information for the San Juan River and its tributaries.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Water Quality and Contaminants Review (1994) (PDF)   Metals; nutrient loading; water quality; San Juan

Summary of sub-adult and adult large-bodied fish monitoring conducted through the San Juan Basin Recovery Implementation Program.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Sub-adult and Adult Large-bodied Fish Monitoring   Fish; population; San Juan

Repository of USFWS reports on Colorado pikeminnow demographics and stocking programs in the San Juan River basin.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Colorado Pikeminnow Studies   Fish; endangered species; population; stocking; San Juan

Repository of USFWS reports for management and monitoring programs of native and non-native fish in the San Juan River basin.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Evaluation, Integration, Research, and Summary Reports   Fish; flow; invasive species; endangered species; temperature; population; San Juan

Repository of USFWS reports on fish habitat, geomorphology, temperature, and flow patterns in the San Juan River basin.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Hydrology, Geomorphology, Habitat, Flow, and Temperature Studies   Fish; endangered species; temperature; habitat; geomorphology; hydrology; San Juan

Repository of USFWS reports on larval fish surveys in the San Juan River basin.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Larval Fish Surveys   Fish; flow; endangered species; population; San Juan

Repository of USFWS reports on non-native species monitoring and control in the San Juan River basin.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Non-native Species Monitoring and Control   Fish; flow; endangered species; population; invasive species; San Juan

Repository of published scientific literature on populations of native and non-native fishes in the San Juan River basin.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Published Scientific Literature   Fish; flow; invasive species; endangered species; San Juan

Repository of USFWS reports on rare fish augmentation programs in the San Juan River basin.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Rare Fish Augmentation   Fish; flow; endangered species; population; San Juan

Repository of USFWS reports on razorback sucker monitoring in the San Juan River basin.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Razorback Sucker Monitoring   Fish; flow; endangered species; population; San Juan

Repository of USFWS reports on small-bodied fish monitoring in the San Juan River basin.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Small-bodied Fish Monitoring   Fish; flow; population; San Juan

Documents reviewing hydrological studies related to San Juan-Chama project; analysis of project diversions and implications for water availability.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan-Chama Project Water Supply Report (2007)   Hydrology; flow; discharge; San Juan

Repository of USFWS reports for water quality measures related to contaminants and impacts on fish in the San Juan River basin.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Water Quality and Contaminants   Fish; flow; endangered species; Metals; nutrient loading; San Juan

Results of process to develop flow recommendations for the native fish community in the San Juan River.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Flow Recommendations for the San Juan River (1999) (PDF)   Endangered species; flow; water law; water rights; San Juan

Repository of USFWS reports on methods of specimen curation, museum facilities, and quantitative metrics used by USFWS in the San Juan River basin.

Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Specimen Curation (PDF)   Fish; specimen curation; San Juan

Identification of diversions along San Juan and Animas Rivers relevant to native fish entrainment potential and stocking sites.

Author: Bureau of Reclamation

San Juan and Animas Rivers Diversion Study Final Report (2016) (PDF)   Flow; discharge; fish; endangered species; Animas; San Juan

Study evaluating the combined impacts of climate change and land cover disturbances on water balances in the San Juan River basin.

Author: Bennett et. al

Climate-driven disturbances in the San Juan River sub-basin of the Colorado River (2018) (PDF)   Climate; land use; San Juan River

Research article examining the decline of Navajo Nation agricultural irrigation infrastructure, including historical and institutional root causes contributing to the decline of Navajo Nation farming.

Author: American Indian Quarterly

Feeding the Tribe: The Role of Soft Infrastructure in Addressing the Root Problems of the Navajo Nation San Juan River Irrigation System (2018) Agriculture Agriculture; San Juan River

Study of diatom flora of selected sites in the Animas River Watershed.

Author: Sgro et al.

Diatom Species Composition and Ecology of the Animas River Watershed, Colorado, USA (2007) (PDF)   Diatom; water quality; Metals; pH; Animas

Rapid Watershed Assessment of the middle San Juan watershed.

Author: NRCS

Rapid Watershed Assessment Middle San Juan Watershed (PDF)   Sustainability; precipitation; soil; erosion; land use; biota; San Juan

New and modified information related to water planning in the San Juan Basin region and evaluation of projections of future water supply and demand for the region.

Author: State of New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission Office of the State Engineer

San Juan Basin Regional Water Plan (2016)   San Juan River; flow; water law; climate; irrigation; metals; mining

Information on the Animas River, Hermosa Creek, and Dolores River

Author: San Juan Citizens Alliance

San Juan Citizens Alliance Homepage   Outreach; water quality; Animas

Comparison of current and future rainfall-runoff scenarios using climate change GCM projections for the San Juan and Animas River.

Author: Wilby et. Al

A Comparison of Downscaled and Raw GCM Output: Implications for Climate Change Scenarios in the San Juan River Basin, Colorado (1999)   Climate; precipitation; temperature; snowpack; Animas; San Juan

Simulated exposure of Larval flannelmouth sucker to metals in environmental ratios similar to those reported along the San Juan River.

Author: Hamilton and Buhl

Hazard Evaluation of Inorganics, Singly and in Mixtures, to Flannelmouth Sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) in the San Juan River, New Mexico (1997)   Fish; Metals; toxicology; water quality; San Juan

Characterization of the etiology of whirling disease, a parasitic infection of salmonids.

Author: DuBey & Caldwell

Distribution of Tubifex tubifex Lineages and Myxobolus Cerebralis Infection in the Tailwater of the San Juan River, New Mexico (2004)   Whirling disease; San Juan

Information on the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project.

Author: Bureau of Reclamation

Navajo Indian Irrigation Project (1998) Agriculture Diversions; NIIP; San Juan

Information on the San Juan-Chama Project.

Author: Bureau of Reclamation

San Juan-Chama Project (1998) Agriculture Diversions; San Juan

Summary and analysis of post-Gold King Mine water quality measurements taken by BoR.

Author: Bureau of Reclamation

San Juan River Water Quality before, during and after the Gold King Mine Spill (2016) (PDF)   Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; San Juan

Data and results from a geochemical study of groundwater in the Animas River Valley in New Mexico, conducted by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

Author: Newton & Mamer

Hydrology and Geochemistry of the Animas River Alluvial Aquifer, San Juan County, New Mexico: Assessing Groundwater Recharge, Flow Paths, and Solute Sources (2020) Drinking water; agriculture Groundwater; water quality; Animas

Proposed methodology for discriminating bioavailable aluminum from mineral forms of aluminum.

Author: Rodriguez et al.

Determination of Bioavailable Aluminum in Natural Waters in the Presence of Suspended Solids (2019) Aquatic life Water quality; metals

Report on investigation of record of mining legacy and water quality in sediments collected in 2018 from four trenches in the Aztec, New Mexico, drinking-water reservoir #1.

Author: Blake et al.

Sediment record of mining legacy and water quality from a drinking‑water reservoir, Aztec, New Mexico, USA (2020) Drinking water Mining; metals; Animas; San Juan

Technical report detailing data analysis for benthic macroinvertebrate community structure and water chemistry data.

Author: Anderson, Chester, USGS

Effects of Mine Remediation on Water Quality and Benthic Macroinvertebrates In The Upper Animas River Watershed, Southwestern Colorado (2010)   Benthic macroinvertebrates
Water quality monitoring throughout the Arrastra Creek Basin during high and low flows. Survey of macroinvertebrates also completed.

Author: Animas River Stakeholder Group and San Juan RC&D
Section 319 Watershed Project Final Report Segment 3C Characterization Project Arrastra Basin   Macroinvertebrates 
Project to address Diné farmer concerns and develop sampling protocols. 

Author:  Beamer, P. Chief, K., and  Ingram, J.
Farming is Life: Community Driven University Partnerships to Empower Diné Communities following the Gold King Mine Spill   Navajo Nation,  heavy metals, agriculture, Gold King Mine
Evaluation of toxicity of metals to aquatic biota of the upper Animas River and lowest reaches of Cement and Mineral Creeks.

Author: Besser, J. and Leib, K.
Toxicity of Metals in Water and Sediment to Aquatic Biota   Metals, toxicity, aquatic biota, water quality, sediment
Summary of the findings of a series of toxicity studies in streams of the upper Animas River watershed, conducted onsite and in the laboratory between 1998 and 2000

Author: Besser, K., Allert, A., Hardesty, D. et al.
Evaluation of Metal Toxicity in Streams Affected by Abandoned Mine Lands, Upper Animas River Watershed, Colorado   Abandoned mines, metals. Toxicity, Animas River

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) working with the NNEPA to identify sources of metals and trace elements entering the San Juan River from tributaries in the reach flowing through the Navajo Nation and to quantify the contribution from each natural and human-caused source.

Author: Blake, J., Chavarria, S. Matherne, AM.

Tracking the Source of Metals to the San Juan River   San Juan River, metals

Investigation to help develop a community-based intervention to prevent potentially harmful exposures based on actual measured risk and/or effectively communicate long-term risks from the Gold King Mine.

Author: Chief, K., Beamer, P., Ingram, J. et al.

Incorporating Diné Perspectives in Assessing Temporal and Spatial Changes of Contaminants after the Gold King Mine Spill in Navajo Agricultural Communities   Navajo Nation,  heavy metals, agriculture, Gold King Mine

Research examining the physical and chemical properties of precipitation, streamflow, seeps and springs, and draining mines to better understand the surface water and groundwater interactions leading to the generation of acid mine drainage.

Author: Cowie, R.

After the Gold King mine spill: hydrologic investigations to support acid mine drainage remediation near Silverton, Colorado, USA.   Gold King Mine, acid mine drainage, remediation

Study that suggests that internal cycling via plant uptake, detritus-consuming aquatic invertebrates, and bottom-feeding fish contribute to metal persistence in this area.

Author: Duval, B., Cadol, D. Martin, J, et al

Effects of the Gold King Mine Spill on Metal Cycling through River and Riparian Biota   Metals, riparian areas, metal cycling, plant uptake, macroinvertebrates, fish, Gold King Mine

Examination of trace elements as environmental fingerprints in groundwater, surface water, and sediment in the San Juan River

Author: Frederick, L.

Trace Elements as Environmental Fingerprints in Groundwater, Surface Water, and Sediment   Trace elements, groundwater, surface water, sediment

Investigation of potential contamination of acid mine drainage originating from the Gold King Mine Spill (GKMS) that may have traveled into Navajo Nation agricultural systems.

Author: Froyum, J.

Impacts of the Gold King Mine Spill Have Measurable Effects on Navajo Nation Agricultural Lands   Agriculture, Gold King Mine, Navajo Nation

Study of the long-term impacts of heavy metals and metalloids on Navajo Nation agricultural systems

Author: Froyum, J. and Ingram, J.

Influence of Gold King Mine Spill on the Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals and Matalloids in Zea mays   Navajo Nation,  heavy metals, agriculture, bioaccumulation, corn, soil, Gold  King Mine

Monitoring of the metal(loid) concentrations in the sediments of irrigation ditches for three growing seasons across the Animas River Watershed following the GKM spill.

Author: Jha, G.

Long-Term Monitoring of Metal(loid) Contaminants in Agricultural Systems across Animas Watershed after the 2015 Gold King Mine Spill Agriculture Agriculture, long-term monitoring, Animas Watershed, Gold King Mine

Analysis of surface soil elemental concentrations in three New Mexico agricultural fields to determine potential threats to agronomic production using portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF).

Author: Jha,G., Mukhopadhyay, S., Ulery, A. et al.

Agricultural soils of the Animas River watershed after the Gold King Mine spill: An elemental spatiotemporal analysis via portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy Agriculture Agriculture, soils, metals, New Mexico, Gold King Mine

Study to corroborate findings from a previous study concerning the delineation of mining versus non-mining sources of particulate metals in a sediment core taken from Lake Powell.

Author: Johnson, W. and Lopez, S.

Report to Utah Division of Water Quality in response to request for extended Scope of Work regarding source identification for metals in the San Juan River system   Metals, mining, San Juan River, source identification

Microbial source tracking and nutrient monitoring in the San Juan Basin.

Author: San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District

Animas and San Juan Concurrent Nutrient & Bacteria Monitoring Project   San Juan River; microbial source tracking; E. coli; nutrients

Presentation on microbial source tracking and nutrient monitoring in the San Juan Basin.

Author:  San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District, San Juan Watershed Group, Animas Watershed Partnership, Dr. Geoffrey Smith (NMSU)

Summary of the Microbial Source Tracking, E. coli and Nutrients Presentation   San Juan River; microbial source tracking; E. coli; nutrients

Study on colloidal formation and metal transport in Cement and Mineral Creeks.

Author: Schemel, L., Kimball, B., Bencala, K.

Colloid formation and metal transport through two mixing zones affected by acid mine drainage near Silverton, Colorado   Animas River, colloid formation, acid mine drainage

Screening-Level Ecological Risk Assessment (SLERA)  at Bonita Peak Mining District to identify Contaminants of Potential Ecological Concern (COPECs), assess the risk of those COPECs to four terrestrial ecological receptor groups potentially exposed to mine-impacted soils, and rank the various mine-impacted exposure areas based on their total risk. 

Author: U.S. EPA

Final Terrestrial Screening-level Ecological Risk Assessment (2018)   Metals; terrestrial plants, invertebrates, birds, and mammals

Analysis of available biological data collected from the Animas and San Juan rivers to assess how the aquatic life responded to the GKM release.

Author: U.S. EPA

Analysis of the Biological Data Collected from the Animas and San Juan Rivers Following the Gold King Mine Release   Gold King Mine, biological data, Animas River, San Juan River

Report uses selected anion, cation, chloride, and sulfate data along with hydrologic data to highlight the mixing of Cement Creek and the Animas River during the low-flow period in late summer 1997.

Author: USGS

Chemical and hydrologic data from the Cement Creek and upper Animas River confluence and mixing zone, Silverton, Colorado, September 1997   Animas River, Cement Creek, Metals

Sites previously identified as needing reclamation are reviewed and available geochemical information used to rank 26 sites into four classes of priority for reclamation.

Author: USGS

Geochemical investigations and interim recommendations for priority abandoned mine sites, BLM lands, upper Animas River watershed, San Juan County, Colorado   Abandoned mines, metals, Animas River

Advances in geophysical data processing and three-dimensional (3D) model construction to characterize shallow properties important for understanding surface water and groundwater quality issues and  improve knowledge of deep geological structures that may have been conduits for hydrothermal fluids that formed mineral deposits.

Author: USGS

Geological and geophysical data for a three-dimensional view—Inside the San Juan and Silverton Calderas, Southern Rocky Mountains Volcanic Field, Silverton, Colorado   San Juan-Silverton caldera complex, geology

Report summarizing surface and groundwater data collected from Gladstone to Georgia Gulch and Prospect Gulch.

Author: USGS

Geochemistry of Surface and Ground Water in Cement Creek from Gladstone to Georgia Gulch and in Prospect Gulch, San Juan County, Colorado   Cement Creek, surface water, groundwater

Screening level ecological risk assessment (SLERA)  for the San Juan River (SJR) from the border with Colorado to Lake Powell to evaluate potential ecological risks from the Gold King Mine (GKM) spill

Author:  Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Screening Level Ecological Risk Assessment, San Juan River and Lake Powell Gold King Mine Incident, Utah   Water quality; Gold King Mine: Lake Powell; San Juan River; fish;  invertebrates

Screening Level Human Health and Agricultural Risk Assessment (SLRA) completed for the San Juan River and Lake Powell with respect to potential human health and agricultural impacts from the Gold King Mine (GKM) release. 

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Screening Level Human Health and Agricultural Risk Assessment, San Juan River and Lake Powell, Gold King Mine Incident, Utah   Water quality; human health; agriculture; Gold King Mine spill; metals; mining

Evaluation of the historical and response-related water and sediment quality to determine whether metal concentrations and loads pose a risk to the beneficial designated uses in the San Juan River (drinking water, recreation, aquatic life, and agriculture) during different hydrologic conditions

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Impacts from Mine-Drainage to Sediment and Water Quality along the San Juan River and Lake Powell in Utah   Water quality; sediments; Gold King mine; metals; San Juan River; Lake Powell

Screening values used in the evaluation of the San Juan River, Utah, sediment samples

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Screening Value Analysis Sediment Samples Agriculture Screening value; human health; San Juan

Screening values used in the evaluation of the San Juan River, Utah, water quality samples

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Screening Value Analysis Water Quality Samples   Screening value; human health; San Juan

Impacts of the 2015 Gold King Mine spill on Diné activities.

Author: Van Horne, Y., Chief, K., Charley, P. et al.

Impacts to Diné Activities with the San Juan River after the Gold King Mine Spill   Navajo Nation, cultural impacts, spiritual impacts, Gold King Mine

Water-quality effects after remediating abandoned draining mine tunnels using structural bulkheads were examined in two study areas in Colorado, USA.

Author: Walton-Day, Mast, & Runkel

Water-quality change following remediation using structural bulkheads in abandoned draining mines, upper Arkansas River and upper Animas River, Colorado USA   Mine tunnels, mine drainage, metals, Colorado, bulkheads

Analytical considerations for characterizing mining discharges.

Author: Washington, J.

Geochemical Considerations Regarding the Gold King Mine Release   Fate and transport, metals, Gold King Mine, Animas River, San Juan River

Dine' perspectives to understanding and quantifying the environmental impact of the Gold King Mine Spill on Navajo agricultural communities.

Author: Yazzie, D.C., Chief, K., Beamer, P., et al.

Dine' Worldviews driving assessment of environmental and human Impact of the Gold King Mine Spill on Navajo Agricultural Communities Agriculture Navajo Nation,  heavy metals, agriculture, Gold  King Mine
Author: Navajo Nation EPA COMING SOON: San Juan River Fish Tissue Contaminant Study   Fish tissue, San Juan River, Gold King Mine spill, metals, aquatic life, human health
Author: Navajo Nation EPA COMING SOON: Water Quality Standards for Metals and Protection of Crops, Livestock, and Humans   Water quality standards, metals, crops, livestock, human health, Gold King Mine spill, risk assessment
Author: Navajo Nation EPA COMING SOON: Chinle Wash Watershed – Preliminary Surface Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated 305(b) Report and 303(d) Listing)   Chinle Wash, 303(d), water quality standards, surface water quality
Author: Navajo Nation EPA COMING SOON: San Juan River Watersheds – Preliminary Surface Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated 305(b) Report and 303(d) Listing)   San Juan Watershed, surface water quality, 303(d), 305(b), Integrated Report
Author: Navajo Nation EPA COMING SOON: Upper San Juan River Watershed – Surface Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated 305(b) Report and 303(d) Listing)   Upper San Juan River Watershed, surface water quality, Integrated Report, 305(b), 303(d)
Author: Navajo Nation EPA COMING SOON: Chaco River Watershed – Preliminary Surface Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated 305(b) Report and 303(d) Listing)   Chaco River Watershed, surface water quality, Integrated Report, 305(b), 303(d)
Author: Navajo Nation EPA COMING SOON: McElmo Creek Surface Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated 305(b) Report and 303(d) Listing)   McElmo Creek, surface water quality, Integrated Report, 305(b), 303(d)

Appendices

Author: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Impacts from Mine-Drainage to Sediment and Water Quality along the San Juan River and Lake Powell in Utah - Appendices   Water quality; sediments; Gold King mine; metals; San Juan River; Lake Powell
Database collating cross-organization water quality data collected from tributaries along the Animas River over 24 years extending to 2013.

Author: Animas River Stakeholders Group
Combined Water Quality Data (2013)    Water quality; pH; flow; metals; alkalinity; temperature; Animas

Report detailing data analysis for benthic macroinvertebrate community structure survey and water chemistry data for 9 Arrastra Creek sites. 

Author: Animas River Stakeholder Group

Macroinvertebrate Survey of Arrastra Creek (2002)   Benthic Macroinvertebrate; water quality; Arrastra Creek; flow; alkalinity; pH; temperature; metals; hardness; Animas

Technical report detailing data analysis for benthic macroinvertebrate community structure survey for 37 sites from 1996, 1997, and 2004. 

Author: Animas River Stakeholders Group

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Analysis; 2004 Compared to the 1996 and 1997 Data.   Benthic Macroinvertebrate; water quality; Animas

Report detailing data analysis for benthic macroinvertebrate community structure survey at 7  sites, 1992-2010.

Author: Animas River Stakeholders Group

2011 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Data Analysis, for the Animas River Stakeholders' Group, 12/7/10 Chester Anderson, B.U.G.S. Consulting   Animas River; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; water quality; Animas

Technical report detailing benthic macroinvertebrate survey data for Porphyry Gulch. 

Author: Animas River Stakeholders Group

Porphyry Gulch 2015 Benthic Macroinvertebrate (BMI) Report (2015)   Benthic Macroinvertebrate; Mineral Creek

Summary of project to manage nutrient loading in Florida River and enhanced capacity for water quality projects in Animas River.

Author: Animas Watershed Partnership

Animas River and Florida River Water Quality and Habitat Improvement Project (2016) Agriculture Florida River; Best Management Practices; nutrient loading; aquatic habitat improvement; outreach; water quality; Animas

Assessment of the effects of human activities on fish abundances and distribution in the Animas River.

Author: Colorado Division of Water Resources

2010 Animas River Report   Fish; metals; survey; Animas

Summary of ongoing study on levels of heavy metal contaminants in river, soil, and plants. 

Author: Francis, Brandon
NMSU Ag Science Center 

COMING SOON: Working with Nature to Heal the San Juan (2018) Agriculture Remediation; soil; metals; San Juan

Legal note discussing the Native American water rights on the San Juan River in the Four Corners region. 

Author: Hansen, Adrian N.

Endangered Species Act and Extinction of Reserved Indian Water Rights on the San Juan River (1995)   Endangered species; flow; water law; water rights; San Juan

Revised version of 2011 plan to better conform with EPA nine elements for the Lower Animas Watershed.

Author: Mountain Studies Institute

Lower Animas River Watershed Based Plan (2016) Agriculture Impairment; restoration; Animas

Study on contaminants and ecological risks for benthic macroinvertebrates and vertebrate organisms.

Author: U.S. EPA

Screening-level Ecological Risk Assessment (2013)   Metals; Benthic Macroinvertebrate; water quality; mining; pH; Animas

Synthesis of emerging information on the Gold King Mine accidental release, for stakeholders. 

Author: University of Arizona - Superfund Research Program

Understanding the Gold King Mine Spill (2016)
 
  Water quality; Gold King Mine; metals; mining; Animas

Determination of change in vegetation greenness and water stress level to examine change in farming practices and evaluate its impact on farmland productivity.

Author: Xiaobo Hou
University of Arizona

Detection of Vegetation Change In Farmlands Near The San Juan River After the Gold King Mine Spill Using Remote Sensing (2018) Agriculture Remote Sensing; water stress; soil; San Juan

 
 

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Last updated on February 11, 2025
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