PUB00093

• Year: 2004
• Title: State of Colorado's Watersheds Report
• CWCB Section: Administration
• Author: Colorado Watershed Assembly
• Description: An Annual Report
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

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Background
The Big Dry Creek \Vatcrshed
covers approximately 110 square miles.
originating just west of Rocky Flats
Environmental Technology Site (Rocky
Flats) and flowing through Ar\'ada.
\Vestminster, Broomfield. Thornton.
Northglcnn, and \Veld 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 arc significantly influenced by
reservoir releases from Standley Lake.
ditch diversions. treated wastewater
discharges, and stonnwater mnotl
The \Vatershed Association
was formed in 1997 under an
intergovenunental agreement. Primary
stakeholders supporting the association
include the U.S. Department of Energy:
the Cities of Broomfield. \Vestminster.
Northg1cnn, and Thornton; and the
Woman Creek Reservoir Authority.

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

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(1) environmentally responsible decision-
making \'lith regard to land and stream
uses and (2) identifying measures to
improve and protect stream conditions.

Goals and Accomplishments
The goals of the \VatershedAssociation
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.
In keeping \vith these goals. during
200312004, the Watershed Association
has accomplished these tasks:

. Hosting a half-day stream assessment
field-training class for city staff
who collect \vater quality data on
the stream

. 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 in the fall and benthic
macro invertebrates in the spring
and falL artificial substrate
sampling conducted in the t~ll1 to
help differentiate the influences of
water quality and habitat conditions;
and annual water quality data

The Watershed
Association is developing
a sound scientific
understanding of
conditions in the Big Dry
Creek Watershed.

analysis and comparison to stream
standards

. Providing water quality data to the
Colorado \\'ater Quality Control
Division in support of its triennial
review process

. Uploading annual data into the
watershed database, which is in the
"SIM" format

. Annual newsletter to stakeholders

. Quarterly \Vatershed Associarion
meetings

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Wright fVater Engineers staff/aught a
Iwllday class on stream assessment
training Oil Big DfY Creek 10 city stafl
who conduct momMy mOllitoriHg of
the creek.

Many of these tasks are completed
on an annual basis and will be continued
into next year. For more infonnation
on the Big Dry Creek \Vatershcd
Association. please contact Jane Clal)'.
\Vatershed Coordinator.