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

are just a few indicators that should be monitored in the river. Based upon discussions
with a geo-morphologist familiar with the area, no macroinvertebrates we noted under
rocks located in the stream, which is an initial indicator of water quality problems.

Sediment is the number one problem in the lower portions of the watershed, below
Terrace Reservoir. It is very likely that several stream segments in the lower portion of
the watershed would pass the sediment criteria established under the Provisional
Implementation Guidance for Determining Sediment Deposition Impacts to Aquatic Life
in Stream and River (Attachment 11). High depositional areas in the river should be
monitored to determine compliance to this guidance and to determine if sediment is
impacting the designated uses. .

Monitoring of the Alamosa River by the CDPHE should be performed routinely. The
monitoring program is important in understanding the continuing impact to the river from
contaminated sediments, stream banks, and stormwater discharges. In the past, the
monitoring program has failed to adequately monitor the Alamosa River from Terrace
Reservoir to US 285. Downstream segments 9 and 10 are listed as impaired due to
mining activities and were not as intensively sampled as the upper portions of the
watershed. It is questionable that there is enough water quality data collected in
Segment 10 that would support a TMDL analysis.

Private well owners using water for domestic purposes should be encouraged to monitor
water quality routinely. The most common drinking water parameter that exceeds water
quality standards is nitrate. The occurrence of high nitrate levels is due to fertilizer .
application and infiltration into the groundwater. In areas of high pesticide or herbicide
application, it is encouraged that samples be tested for trace toxic organics. Many of
these organics are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act but may pose some
long-term environmental health risks.

There should be a watershed animal grazing plan for Alamosa River. It is common to
have cattle wading directly in the river in the lower portions of the watershed. Animal
grazing has been recognized by the Alamosa River Watershed Restoration Program as
a source of water quality problems. Funding for fencing animals away from the stream
has already been identified, as a water quality protection need. Improper grazing
practices promote water quality problems by increasing sediment loading, reducing
stream bank stability and reducing riparian vegetation, and increasing erosion. Direct
discharge of animal waste creates bacterial and possibly nutrient problems. Numerous
BMPs need to be identified and implemented on grazing areas adjacent to the Alamosa
River such as buffer strips and fencing. Programs with monetary incentive to eliminate
or improve animal grazing near rivers should be explored.

Upper Alamosa River Watershed

The Remedial Design and Remedial Action Program managed by CDPHE does not
have a Work Plan or a Management Plan. EPA Guidance for Remedial Design and
Remedial Action mention the need to develop such plans for Federal Lead Projects (66).
It is recognized that the Summitville Mine Clean Up is a State of Colorado lead project;
however, some type of management plan should be developed. A management plan
would identify items such as: 1) project objectives, 2) organizational structure, 3)
communication approach, 4) project constraints, 5) RD/RA contracting strategy, 6)
schedule development, 7) budget preparation, 8) access issues and 9) community

7