FLOOD10357

• Document ID: 123
• County: Rio Grande
• Stream Name: Alamosa River
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Sub-Basin: Alamosa - Trinchera
• Water Division: 3
• Title: Alamosa River Watershed Project Literature and Watershed Assesment, Final EPA Report
• Date: 9/30/2003
• Prepared For: Valle del Sol Community Center
• Prepared By: US Environmental Protection Agency
• Watershed Pro - Doc Type: Project Report

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

relations. It is known that the project is lacking CERCLA funds to initiate the elements of
the ROD; however, the lack of an overall plan indicates a lack of future planning,
strategizing and effective execution of the ROD. A plan should be developed by CDPHE
that indicates some type of post ROD activities that will be occurring during the short and
long-term. The plan needs to identify project objectives, schedule, design and
environmental monitoring activities, and a public involvement plan.

The OU5 ROD mentions that surface water, sediment, and aquatic life monitoring will
occur in Alamosa River and Terrace Reservoir. No monitoring of these items have been
known to occur to date. A sampling plan needs to be developed by CDPHE for long
term monitoring.

Abandoned mines can be a significant source of metals and low pH to the Alamosa
River. No environmental studies were found that performed mass loading studies for
these abandoned mine areas associated with Burnt Creek, Stunner Creek, Alum Creek
and Bitter Creek. Chemical characterization studies that address mass loading, source
identification, seasonal discharge characteristics, stream flow, etc., are needed to
determine if restoration opportunities such as passive treatment exist.

The biggest risk to the Alamosa River and Terrace Reservoir is the untreated release of
surface water contained in the SDI. High concentrations of copper will be released to
the Alamosa River and Terrace Reservoir if contained water is not treated. CDPHE is
taking a reasonable approach is attempting to separate "clean" water from water
containing high metal concentrations. This approach will result in less water to treat and
thus lower treatment costs. The priority of the ROD actions is to obtain treatment
capabilities in order to avoid untreated releases of the SDI. Treatment technologies
should be consistent with the TMDL analysis in order to obtain downstream designated
uses.

The watershed restoration plan should actively review the restoration opportunities in the
upper watershed. The upper watershed contains habitat for a variety of plant and animal
species. Recreational and economic opportunities for the local watershed inhabitants
and tourists should be evaluated. The watershed could serve as a "hands on" education
opportunity for high school or college students. University research could be promoted
in areas on mining impacts, water chemistry, mining area restoration, wetland
restoration, and contaminated sediment impacts.

Terrace Reservoir

The fish study that was being performed by CDPHE was meant to provide an indication
of improved water quality conditions in Terrace Reservoir. CDPHE used this study to
publicize the improvement of the water quality from the Summitville Mine Clean Up. The
studies performed by the CDOW do indicate that trout are able to survive and even
thrive in Terrace Reservoir. This was a good qualitative study that did not have a
formalize work plan or quality assurance plan.

The CDPHE fish study did have some shortcomings. First, the study in Terrace
Reservoir was performed during a time in which no untreated SDI releases occurred into
the Alamosa River. Drought conditions in the watershed caused a lower than normal
snow pack and a reduced number of intense storms that would normally flush potentially
toxic metals into the reservoir. CDPHE collected fish and had them tested for heavy

8