The elevation of the Mount Haggin streams may cause a lag in the development 

 of periphyton communities which would take up nitrates. Secondly, the 

 presence of numerous beaver ponds may act as a system of nitrate storage 

 reservoirs which are capable of collecting and delaying the release of runoff 

 nitrates and organic source materials. Finally, the intermediate flow 

 period may have been marked by the presence of communities of nitrogen 

 fixing blue-green algae. Extremely high nitrate concentrations in Slaughter- 

 house and Sevenmile Creeks were accompanied by large skeins of filamentous 

 algae. 



c) Metals 



Although the data indicate good to excellent water quality in the Mount 

 Haggin streams, some areas of concern were noted. Relatively high arsenic 

 levels were measured in Oregon, California, French and Willow Creeks. Arsenic 

 distribution patterns (Figure 2) indicated that the arsenic concentrations 

 may be due to precipitates from the Anaconda Smelter, or, in the case of 

 French Creek, past mining activities. Arsenic is concentrated by aquatic 

 organisms, however, the concentration is not progressive through the food 

 chain. Toxicity of arsenic varies with the valence of the ions with the 

 trivalent arsenicals being more toxic than the pentavalent. Arsenic concentra- 

 tions in Mount Haggin streams were well below any known values capable of 

 harming aquatic life; however, arsenic has been found to have a greater toxic 

 effect on mammals than on aquatic organisms (USEPA, 1976). A low flow 

 concentration of 40.6 ug/1 in Willow Creek approaches the EPA criterion of 

 50 ug/1 for drinking water. While present arsenic levels in the Mount Haggin 

 streams are not at known toxic concentrations, they should be monitored to 

 prevent future damage to fish and wildlife. 



A heavy metals analysis was performed on the low flow samples from 

 Oregon, California and French Creeks because of their past mining histories. 

 Concentrations of dissolved copper, mercury, lead and zinc were low or below 

 minimum detection levels in most cases. Exceptions were noted for lead in 

 Oregon Creek and mercury in California Creek. A low flow concentration of 

 .08 mg/1 of lead was observed in Oregon Creek. This concentration exceeds 

 both the mean natural range of lead in rivers and streams (1-10 ug/1) and 

 the domestic water supply standard (50 ug/1) recommended by the EPA. Two 

 to three month exposures of brook and rainbow trout to .1 mg/1 lead in soft 

 water (20-45 mg/1 CaCO^) resulted in detrimental effects on the fish (USEPA, 

 1976). The solubility and hence, the toxicity potential of lead increase 

 markedly with water softness; therefore, conditions in Oregon Creek may be 

 near to a point at which damage could occur to the trout population. It is 

 not known whether the lead concentrations in Oregon Creek originate from 

 natural sources, from air-born precipitates, or from past mining operations 

 on the stream. Lead concentrations downstream in California Creek did not 

 indicate any detrimental effects contributed from Oregon Creek. 



The mercury concentration in California Creek was observed to be .04 

 ug/1 at low flow. This amount falls within concentrations measured in 

 U.S. rivers from 31 states where no known mercury deposits occurred (<.l ug/1); 

 however, it approaches the maximum standard of .05 ug/1 recommended for the 

 protection of aquatic life by the EPA (USEPA, 1976). Mercury can be 



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