Kingsbxiry Lake WPA 



Climatic setting. The MAPS database indicates a net annual 

 precipitation balance of -24 inches. This is near the less 

 evaporative end of the range shown for hydrologically similar 

 sample sites, reflecting somewhat higher precipitation than over 

 most plains sites. Monthly average precipitation for the nearby 

 Geraldine station shows a pronounced May-June peak. 3-year running 

 averages since the mid 1970 's have mostly remained near or above 

 the long-term average, but totals from 1990 through 1992 (the 

 latest year of compiled record) were below the long-term average. 



Geologic setting. Kingsbury Lake occupies a position immediately 

 south of the limit of maximum Pleistocene glacial advance. 

 Kingsbury and nearby lakes are interpreted to lie along ice- 

 marginal drainage channels developed along the glacial margin. The 

 lake basin is underlain by sandstones and shales of the Colorado 

 Group, intruded by dikes connected to the shonkinite intrusion of 

 the Highwood Mountains to the south. Surficial sediments include 

 extensive chemical precipitates, fine-grained organic-rich and 

 reduced lakebed silt and clay, and poorly sorted littoral sand and 

 gravel along winnowed shorelines. 



Hydrologic type. Kingsbury Lake is a glaciof luvial(?) depression 

 lacking surface drainage at historically experienced water levels. 

 Significant ground water discharge from the basin is considered 

 unlikely due to topographic position, the character of basin 

 geology, and high lake salinity. 



Basin Characteristics. Kingsbury Lake is a relatively large playa 

 with a low catchment to wetland area ratio in comparison to 

 hydrologically similar sample sites. The lake basin describes a 

 dogleg, apparently controlled in part by resistant outcrops of 

 intrusive rocks. Most of the inflow to the lake is contributed by 

 Alder Creek, which enters western end of the lake. Strong 

 evaporative conditions, a low volume to surface area ratio (lake 

 depths are reported to be less than 3 feet), and restricted 

 circulation into the eastern arm of the lake create substantial 

 salinity gradients within the lake under the observed conditions. 



Water chemistry. Water at WET31 at the time of sampling was a 

 highly saline sodium sulfate type with low bicarbonate and 

 carbonate concentrations. Salinity at the sampling site was near 

 the upper extreme for hydrologically similar settings in the 

 sampling network. Eguilibrium calculations indicate 

 supersaturation with carbonate species and slight supersaturation 

 with gypsum. Active gypsum(?) precipitation was observed at the 

 sampling site (under somewhat more concentrated conditions than 

 represented by the sample analysis.) 



Water column concentrations for arsenic, boron, and iron were the 

 highest among sampling sites of this type. Chromium concentrations 

 are characteristically elevated for sample sites of this type. 



