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Marz~h 2006 RCCD Upper Yampa Beier Basin Implemen[a[inn Plan • 7 <br />it may be indicative of acid rock drainage (ARD) from historic mine sites. Low pH <br />measurements resulting from historic mining activities have been recorded in the Oak Creek <br />• drain. In 2004, Middle Creek apt Road 33 south of Milner was placed on the State's 2004 <br />"Monitoring and Evaluation List" for high pH values, indicating an alkaline situation. <br />• Sulfate: Sulfate is widely distributed in nature and may be present in natural waters in <br />concentrations up to several thousand mg/1. Mine drainage wastes may contribute hiigh <br />sulfate by virtue of pyrite oxidation (APHA-A~~Y~A-WEF, 1995). Occasional elevated levels <br />or exceedences of sulfate standards have been noted in Elkhead Creek and additional <br />locations further downstream on the Yampa River in Moffat County. <br />Selenium: Selenium, an element occurring naturally in soils, can be bioaccumulated in some <br />organisms and can be toxic at higher concentrations. Selenium has been noted at elevated <br />concentrations in several monitoring locations in the basin, including the following: Yan-spa <br />upstream of Phippsburg, Dry Creek through Hayden, Elkhead Creek upstream of Long <br />Gulch, and additional locations further downstream on the Yampa River in Moffat Couriry. <br />Dry Creek, which starts upstreat of and flows through the Town o Hayden, vas placed on <br />the State's 303(d) impaired list due to selenium concentrations higher than the standard. <br />• Fecal coliform: The coliform group consists of several genera of bacteria that belong to the <br />family Enterobacteriaceae. The: most common source or "pathway" of fecal coliform in <br />water systems is waste from mammals. Fecal coliforms are indicator organisms that may be <br />associated with wastewater or animal grazing. In the Yampa Basin, coliform can be indicative <br />of effluent from wastewater treatment facilities and/or grazing animals such as deer, elk, a.nd <br />cattle. Elevated levels of coliform have been detected in several monitoring locations in ithe <br />• valley, including Lost Dog Creek above mouth near Clark, and additional locations further <br />downstream on the Yampa River in Moffat County. In 2004, Middle Creek at Road 33 south <br />of Milner and Foidel Creek were placed on the State's 2004 "Monitoring and Evaluation <br />List" fox high levels of the E. coli bacteria. <br />Sediment: Sediment load is used as an indicator of the extent of erosional release to a <br />stream. Sediment has been des<:ribed as affecting more river miles than any other pollutant <br />in the nation (~~1QCD, 1986). Human activities can accelerate natural sediment production, <br />depending on the inherent erodibility of soils. Sediment is also an important consideration. in <br />the control of other pollutants (such as nutrients and heavy metals), since it may transport <br />them into the aquatic environment. The USFS has expressed concern regarding potential <br />releases in a number of areas. Several tributary streams upstream of Stagecoach Reservoir, as <br />well as on the Little Snake River on National Forest lands were identified by the USFS for <br />further assessment of sediment. In addition, the USFS, in conjunction with the United States <br />Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting evaluations of sediment load, as well as general <br />water quality characteristics, in the blowdown area on the Routt-Medicine Bow National <br />Forest. <br />Nutrients: The ~~/QCD has expressed concern over nutrient enrichment in the upper <br />Yampa River. The City of Steamboat Springs and the WQCD have initiated a program to <br />generate data for assessing enrichment problems in streams and rivers in the Yampa Baskin. <br />Both point sources (wastewater treaunent plant discharges) and nonpoint source runoff <br />contribute to nutrient loading in the basin streams. <br />• 2.4 GENERAL WATERSHED ISSUES <br />Prunary basin issues identified in the 208 Plea include: population growth; land development; <br />increased tourism and recreation; pressure on infrastructure and community resources; diverse use <br />RCCD # l-175 Pier Grrnr ILrarl, ,Sui[r 201.-1 +Sleamhoa[ Slriags, CO 3087 x (/i0) 3J7-.3225 <br />