WSP01843

• File Number: 5000.100
• Description: Flood Protection Section - Coal Creek Project
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 7/21/1980
• Author: City of Louisville
• Title: City of Louisville - Coal Creek Proposal
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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0017 27

MUSICK, WILLIAMSON, SCHWARTZ,
LEAVENWORTH & COPE, P. C.

Water Quality Control Commission
June 27, 1980
Page Three

In setting these standards, the Commission has set forth
certain considerations for their deliberation. These considerations
can be found at Section 3.1.6(1) of the "Regulations Establishing
Basic Standards and an Antidegradation Standard and Establishing
a System for Classifying State Waters, for Assigning Standards,
and for Granting Temporary Hodifications" (hereinafter referred
to as "\vater Quality Standards"). A revie\v of each of these con-
siderations is helpful in assessing the present situation in
this segment of Coal Creek.

1. 3.1.6(a). Classifications should be directed towards
the realization of the water quality goals set forth in the federal
and state acts.

A Class 2-Warm Water Aquatic Life classification will be
sufficient to achieve the 1983 fishable, swimmable goals set
by the Clean Water Act. A status quo ammonia level will have
no effect on this body of water as a swimmable resource. In addition,
such ammonia levels will not affect the present fish population
for this stream. That is based on the belief of the City and
supported by the report submitted by Dr. Lewis, that the improvement
in ammonia may not improve the fishery in Coal Creek. The present
fishery is also impacted by intermittent stream flows, sandy
creek bottoms, high temperatures, and nonpoint source pollution.
A limited fishery presently exists, but the improvement of that
fishery must be based on all of these factors--not just ammonia.

2. 3.1.6(b). It is state law and policy to prevent any
water quality degradation that can interfere with present uses.

A Class 2-Warm Water Aquatic Life classification will not
interfere with any present uses on Coal Creek. In addition, it
is not a degradation of the stream, rather the proposal by the
Division represents an upgrading. '

3. 3.l.6(c). Upstream classifications must not jeopardize
downstream classifications or actual uses.

The Class 2-Warm Water Aquatic Life classification protects
all present uses on Coal Creek and all present uses downstream
from Coal Creek. In addition, such classification will not jeopardize
any downstream classifications.

This conclusion is based on the report of Dr. William Lewis
that indicated instream concentrations of ammonia at 0.03 mg/l
prior to entering Boulder Creek. This level of ammonia would