Bond (1977, 1979) investigated nutrient-concentration patterns of stream flow in Red Butte Creek. In particular, his studies focused on relationships between nutrient transport out of the watershed and stream discharge rates. Solute concentration was not necessarily proportional to stream discharge. Instead, for many ions, such as magnesium, sulfate, and chloride, the relationship was logarithmic. The slopes of these relationships depend on whether stream flow is increasing (i.e., spring snow melt) or decreasing. Over the course of the year, a loop or directional trajectory was formed by having two different slopes. For most of the major ions, the trajectory was clockwise; that is, ionic concentration was greater in winter when flow rates were low than during summer. Plant growth of the dominant riparian species commences near the end of the snowmelt period, and it is questionable whether riparian species are able to utilize the greater nutrient availability during the snowmelt period. After snowmelt, stream discharge is based primarily on groundwater input. Nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate concentrations in Red Butte Creek during groundwater discharge are low (Bond, 1979). In contrast, overall concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate are much greater because of parent bedrock characteristics.