The State of Colorado's Watersheds Report 2005

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local watershed reports Background The Big Dry Creek Watershed covers approximately 110 square miles, originating just west of Rocky Flats and flowing through Arvada, Westminster, Broomfield, Thornton, Northglenn and Weld County before reaching its confluence with the South Platte River near Fort Lupton. The watershed has experienced rapid growth in recent years and is transitioning from primarily agricultural uses to include a mixture of urban uses in the central portion of the watershed. The eastern portion of the watershed remains agricultural, and the headwaters area in the vicinity of Rocky Flats is destined to become a national wildlife refuge. Conditions in the stream are significantly influenced by reservoir releases from Standley Lake, ditch diversions, treated wastewater discharges and stormwater runoff. The Watershed Association was formed in 1997 under an intergovernmental agreement. During 2004, the group formed a non -profit organization with representatives from the cities of Broomfield, Westminster, Northglenn and Thornton and Weld County serving on the first Board of Directors. Additional supporters of the organization include the U.S. Department of Energy, the Woman Creek Reservoir Authority, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Adams County, other governmental agencies and landowners. Mission The mission of the Big Dry Creek Watershed Association is to develop a sound scientific understanding of water quality, flow, aquatic life, and habitat conditions in the Big Dry Creek Watershed for the purposes of. (1) environmentally responsible decision - making with regard to land and stream uses, and (2) identifying measures to improve and protect stream conditions. The goals of the Watershed Association include three broad categories: (1) public education and involvement; (2) monitoring and study; and (3) protecting, preserving and restoring water quality, aquatic life, and habitat. Accomplishments In keeping with this mission, during 2004/2005, the Watershed Association has accomplished these tasks: • A hydrologic assessment of the lower Big Dry Creek watershed to develop a better understanding of erosion and flooding in Adams and Weld Counties. growth The Big Dry Creek watershed has experienced rapid • Monthly water quality monitoring at 11 locations for a broad suite of constituents including metals, bacteria, nutrients and other physical characteristics. • Biological monitoring, including fish, benthic macroinvertebrates and artificial substrate sampling. • Annual water quality data analysis and comparison to stream standards. • Providing water quality data to the Colorado Water Quality Control Division in support of the 303(d) list. • Uploading annual data into the watershed database, which is in the "SIM" format. • Annual newsletter to stakeholders. • Quarterly Watershed Association meetings. Many of these tasks are completed on an annual basis and will be continued into next year. For more information on the Big Dry Creek Watershed Association, please contact: Jane Clary, Watershed Coordinator Wright Water Engineers, Inc 2490 W. 26th Ave., Suite 100A Denver, CO 80211 303 - 480 -1700 (tel)