Water quality data for 12 stations in the Parachute Creek drainage basin, as well as 3 steam flow stations, were analyzed to establish the chemical quality characteristics of the Middle Fork of Parachute Creek and its tributaries. Using a mean annual combined runoff of 3,000 acre-feet for Middle Fork, Davis Gulch, and East Middle Fork, and an average salinity of 450 mg/1, the mean annual natural salt load conveyed by surface flows is 1,850 tons.