Calcium, magnesium and total dissolved solids data as well as modeled salinity and mass balance estimates for Lake Powell, 1952-2017
Data for journal manuscript: Calcite precipitation in Lake Powell reduces alkalinity and total salt loading to the Lower Colorado River Basin
Dates
Publication Date
2019-12-27
Start Date
1952
End Date
2017
Citation
Deemer, B.R., 2019, Calcium, magnesium and total dissolved solids data as well as modeled salinity and mass balance estimates for Lake Powell, 1952-2017: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9A9P44R.
Summary
These data were compiled to quantify the role of Lake Powell in modulating salinity and reducing overall salt flux from the Upper Colorado River Basin downstream. In addition, these data were used to infer summertime calcite precipitation in Lake Powell (the major proposed sink for salt within the system). The Lake Powell Calcium Magnesium data contains summertime surface water calcium and magnesium concentrations along three transects that span the two major inflows to Lake Powell and the region of Lake Powell closest to the dam. The Modeled Salinity data was used to compare measured total dissolved solid concentrations at Lees Ferry to the instantaneous flow-weighted concentration of total dissolved solid entering the reservoir at [...]
Summary
These data were compiled to quantify the role of Lake Powell in modulating salinity and reducing overall salt flux from the Upper Colorado River Basin downstream. In addition, these data were used to infer summertime calcite precipitation in Lake Powell (the major proposed sink for salt within the system). The Lake Powell Calcium Magnesium data contains summertime surface water calcium and magnesium concentrations along three transects that span the two major inflows to Lake Powell and the region of Lake Powell closest to the dam. The Modeled Salinity data was used to compare measured total dissolved solid concentrations at Lees Ferry to the instantaneous flow-weighted concentration of total dissolved solid entering the reservoir at any given time. The NWIS-Weighted Inflow Salinity data was used to compare total dissolved salt concentrations made by the Lake Powell Water Quality Monitoring Program to those inferred from upstream gaged sites contained in the National Water Information System. The WRTDS-Output Mass Balance data presents annual mass balance estimates for total dissolved solids, sulfate, bicarbonate, calcium, and chloride in Lake Powell including raw results from Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge and Season (WRTDS) modeling and estimates of changes in annual reservoir storage.
The purpose of this dataset is to compare pre dam and post dam salinity dynamics in the Lake Powell reach of the Colorado River as well as to describe spatial patterns in surface water summertime calcium and magnesium concentrations in Lake Powell reservoir and to look for evidence of calcite precipitation within the reservoir.
Rights
The author(s) of these data request that data users contact them regarding intended use and to assist with understanding limitations and interpretation. Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
