Table 3. Concentrations of selected heavy metals measured at low flow in 

 riotint Haggin streams with past mining histories. 



Oregon Creek California Creek French Creek 



* 



Cu <.01 <.01 .01 



Hg <.03 .04 <.03 



Pb .08 <.04 <.04 



Zn <.01 <.01 <.01 



*Hg concentrations in ug/1, others in mg/1. 



Discussion 



The chemical composition of the water of small streams is a product 

 of precipitation, surface runoff, geology of drainage basins and complex 

 chemical interactions within the stream itself (Reid and Wood, 1976). Human 

 activities on or near streams often introduce other variables into the 

 final determination of water chemistry while human demands on streams as 

 consumptive and recreational resources require specific water quality criteria, 



Water quality in Mount Haggin streams was generally found to be good to 

 excellent. Some areas of concern were detected and these will be discussed 

 later. 



a) Stream Typology 



Two distinct water quality patterns are identifiable in the Mount 

 Haggin streams. The streams that originate at high elevations along the 

 north-south spine of the Anaconda-Pintlars are marked by \/ery low amounts 

 of dissolved chemical constituents and excellent water quality. This pattern 

 of chemical sterility is consistent with other streams in the upper Big Hole 

 drainage (USPS, unpublished data). This group of streams includes Seymour, 

 Sullivan, Twelvemile, Tenmile and Deep Creeks. Deep Creek was included in 

 this group because its chemistry is reflective of the high altitude streams 

 which are its major tributaries. These streams are characterized by low 

 concentrations of dissolved solids, soft water and high percent contributions 

 of silica. This pattern is typical of high elevation streams which drain 

 youthful mountain ranges (Reid and Wood, 1976). 



The relative lack of chemical enrichment in these high elevation 

 streams is due to a predominance of Belt rocks in the headwater areas (USPS, 

 unpublished data). The Belt rocks are composed of very old metasediments 

 which are extremely resistent to chemical and mechanical weathering. 



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