South Platte Salinity

Salinity in the Lower South Platte

Salinity is a measure of the dissolved salts in water and is an important indicator of overall water quality. Natural levels of salinity influence water chemistry, nutrient cycling, and the types of aquatic plants and animals that can thrive in a stream, lake, or reservoir. Freshwater organisms are adapted to specific salinity ranges. When salt concentrations become too high, aquatic life can experience stress, reduced growth and reproduction, or even mortality. Elevated salinity can also alter aquatic communities by favoring salt-tolerant species and reducing biodiversity.  

In addition to ecological impacts, excessive salinity can affect drinking water supplies, irrigation water, livestock watering and industrial uses. High salt levels may increase water treatment costs, contribute to infrastructure corrosion, and mobilize nutrients and metals that can further degrade water quality.  

A man wearing a hat and high vis vest conducting salinity monitoring holding a tube and other tools for the job.

26

Legacy Stations

10,500,000

Data Points and Counting

13

Current Stations
A river flowing underneath a bridge.

Tracking Salinity Across the South Platte Basin

Northern Water’s South Platte River Basin Salinity Monitoring Program has collected specific conductivity data, a key indicator of salinity, every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, year-round since 2001. Over the course of the program, monitoring has been conducted at 26 stations across the basin, with 13 stations currently active. This continuous, long-term dataset provides a valuable baseline for understanding how salinity varies across the region and changes over time, supporting informed water management and resource planning decisions. 

South Platte River Basin Salinity Monitoring Program
Data Quality and Access

Northern Water developed rigorous protocols to quality assure/quality control (QAQC) the long-term salinity datasets. To download salinity data, visit Northern Water's Data Portal. For the full salinity record and/or for questions about data QAQC protocols, email data@northernwater.org.