GSL DISSOLVED MINERAL INFLOW (WRB-3 Part I)

This report presents the data collected for a study of the dissolvedmineral
load contributed by surficial sources to Great Salt Lake, Utah.
The study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation
with the University of Utah durinq the period from July 1959 through
June 1962, and is part of an overall investigation of the Great Salt
Lake basin by the University. Financial support for the study was
provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and by the University of Utah
Research Fund and Uniform School Fund. Some of the data presented
in this report were obtained as part of cooperative programs between
the Geological Survey and other agencies.
The study was conducted under the immediate supervision of J. G.
Connor (to July 1961) and R. H. Langford (from AuguGt 1961), district
chemists in charge of water-quality investigations in Utah by the U.S.
Geological Survey. A. J. Eardley, Dean, College of Mines and Mineral
Industries, Univcraity of Utnh, represented the University in Lhe
cooperative study and in review of the findings. Personnel of other
Geological Survey offices in Salt Lake City and Logan, Utah, aided
in the collection of samples and provided waler-c.lischctrge data. The
sampling program in the lower Bear River was carried out by personnel
of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, U.S. Department of the
Interior. Local observers sampled the lower Jordan River and the Weber
River at Gateway.
The basic data were obtained to define the chemical composition of
streams, drains, and springs discharging into the Great Salt Lake area
and to define the chemical composition of the lake brine itself. Most
of the data included in this report were obtained during a period when
inflow to the lake was low and when the water surface of Great Salt
Lake was at or near its lowest recorded level. The basic data are
grouped in seven tables; each table includes data for several sources
within the unit represented by the table. Mean daily discharges are
given for sampling sites located at or near gaging stations, and measurements
of instantaneous discharge or estimates of discharge are
given for other sampling sites. For analyses of samples of lake brine
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collected south of the railroad fill, the stage of Great Salt Lake is
reported to the nearest O. 05 foot based on records collected at the
Salt Lake Co. Boat Harbor. Lake stage is not reported for analyses
of samples collected north of the railroad fill because of suspected
differences in water-surface elevation between the two parts of the
lake. The location of each sampling site is reported to the nearest
section and is keyed by number to the map on Plate 1.
The criteria used in collecting the samples included: 1) selection of
sampling sites to insure adequate mixing of upstream tributary waters
at the sampling section, 2) selection of the most representative sampling
pointwithregard to the stream cross section, and 3} scheduling
the sampling frequency to ascertain accurately the yearly average
concentration.
Each sample was analyzed according to methods commonly used by the
GP.ologicn l Survey (Rainwater and Thatcher, 1960). Iodide was determined
by a modification of the method of Rossum and Villarrus (196 0).
Density was determined if the specific conductance exceeded 10,000
micromhos. Great Salt Lake brine samples were diluted with distilled
water prior to analysis.