Reservoirs In Idaho

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Brownlee Reservoir is located between the western Idaho and eastern Oregon border, and is located at the uppermost part of Hells Canyon 20 miles from Cambridge Idaho. The southern part can be located at Oregon Farewell Bend State Park or Wesier Idaho Steck Park. The reservoir covers 15,000 acres of land, 58 miles long, and in some part more than 300 feet in depth level. There are three dams built on the Snake River to generate electricity for Idaho Brownlee dam, Oxbow dam, and Hells Canyon dam. The reservoir is the most heavily fished area in the state of Idaho, and produces a heavy amount of fish between the two states with the exception of the ocean. Some species of fish include flathead, catfish, crappie, bluegill, perch, bass, largemouth, trout, and rainbow. With heavy amount of fish that are being produced from Brownlee Reservoir Idaho and Oregon monitors the fish and wildlife in the area. The department of Environmental Quality of Idaho and TerraGraphics Environmental Engineering conducted a study on rivers, connecting to the Snake River and Hells Canyon complex for any presents of mercury contamination. The study included rivers from Idaho such as Payette, Boise, Weiser, and Lower Salmon. Oregon Rivers include, Imnaha, Grande Ronde, Malheur, and Powder. Also included in the study were the Snake River below Brownlee Reservoir, and upstream from the Boise, plus samples were taken from Owyhee river. Scientist concluded that Imnaha River had the best results, because of its limited commercial area, very little industrial area, and no mines. Unfiltered samples were taken in June 2006 and the first week of September 2006. Special step were taken to gather the samples, so as to not contaminate the results. Gatherers wore contamin... ... middle of paper ... ...gon. www.deq.state.id.us/media/639772-brownlee_trib_report_0607.pdf‎. Abbott, M., Lin C., Martian, P., Einerson, J. (2008). Atmospheric mercury near Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir in southern Idaho. Journal of International Association of Geochemistry. Volume 23 issue 3. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ Rhea, D., Farag, A., Harper., D., McConnell, E., Brumbaugh, W. (2012). Mercury and Selenium Concentrations in Biofilm, Macroinvertebrates, and Fish Collected in the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho, USA, and Their Potential Effects on Fish Health. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Volume 64, Issue 1. pg. 130-139. Bechard, M., Perkins, D., Kaltenecker, G., Alsup, S. (2009). Mercury Contamination in Idaho Bald Eagles, Haliaeetus leucocephalus. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Volume 83, Issue 5. pg. 698-702.

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