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S. R. Blakely

Publications and source records attributed to S. R. Blakely.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Selected hydrologic data for the south Platte River through Denver, Colorado

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the cities of Littleton and Englewood, Colorado, studied the effects of the discharge of treated effluent from the Bi-City Waste Water Treatment Plant on low-flow conditions of the South Platte River. An 18-mile reach of the South Platte River, beginning below Chatfield Reservoir, through the Denver metropolitan area was studied. Chatfield Reservoir was used to regulate the flow of the South Platte River on four occasions between October 1982 and January 1984. Each flow-regulation period was used to achieve a stable, low-flow condition. Data collection during low flow allowed for the study of waste assimilation during both warm- and cold-water conditions. Water quality, streamflow, channel geometry, traveltime, mixing-zone, reaeration, and benthic-oxygen demand data were collected at selected instream, tributary, and effluent sites. This report presents data collected during four periods of low flow along the South Platte River. (USGS)

Open-File Report

Effects of wastewater effluent on the South Platte River from Littleton to Denver

The U.S. Geological Survey 's one-dimensional steady-state water quality model was used to investigate the effects of the effluent from the Bi-City WWTP (Wastewater Treatment Plant) on the South Platte River. The Bi-City WWTP is operated by the Cities of Littleton and Englewood. The model was calibrated from a 14.5 mile reach for 5-day carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand, organic, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate using data collected during September 1983. Model verification was completed using data collected during October 1982 and January 1984 for all constituents except nitrite nitrogen. Nitrite nitrogen could not be verified for the cold temperature conditions of January of 1984. Measured benthic sediment oxygen demand used in model ranged from 1.01 to 2.77 grams per square meter per day. Model simulations were made for an estimated 7-day, 10-year discharge of 18 cubic feet per second, upstream from the outfall of the WWTP. Two groups of simulations were made for both warm and cold temperature conditions. In the first group of simulation variations were made in effluent 5-day carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand concentrations and flow rates. The second group of simulations varied the amount of nitrogen discharged as ammonia and nitrate. The extent of the mixing zone downstream of the WWTP outfall was determined by injecting Rhodamine WT dye into the effluent. The mixing zone was found to extend 0.8 miles during low-flow conditions. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report