Water-Quality Reconnaissance of Surface Inflow to Utah Lake (TP-46)

By: J. C. Mundorff

The water-quality reconnaissance in the drainage basin of Utah Lake covered an area of about 2,180 square miles, mostly in Wasatch and Utah Counties, Utah. About 685 square miles are in the Provo River drainage, about 725 square miles are in the Spanish Fork drainage, and the remaining 770 square miles are included in the drainage areas of other creeks and many small drains and sloughs that discharge directly into Utah Lake. Altitudes in the area range from about 4,490 to 11,943 feet, and normal annual precipitation ranged from about 10 to 60 inches. Normal October-April precipitation ranged from about 6 to 50 inches, mostly in the form of snow. Most of the water available for use within the study area is derived from snowmelt in sparsely populated areas at higher altitudes where water use is small.

The purpose of the reconnaissance on which the report is based was to obtain information about (1) the general inorganic chemical characteristics of surface water throughout the drainage basins of the major streams that contribute to Utah Lake, (2) the effects of the natural environment and of present water use on the chemical characteristics, and (3) general characteristics of the sediment discharge of selected streams in the basin. This information will be useful in the operation of present water systems and in planning future water development and use.

Other Information:
Published: 1974
Pages: 96
Plates: 2 pl.
Location: Utah County and Wasatch County
Media Type: Paper Publication