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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MUSICK, WilLIAMSON, SCHWARTZ,
LEAVENWORTH & COPE, P. C.
Water Quality Control Commission
June 27, 1980
Page Four

001728

not affect any of the proposed or existing classifications for
Boulder Creek in this area of the stream.

4. 3.1.6(dJ. Classifications must protect all current
classified and actual uses, unless it is determined after public
hearing that downgrading is justifiable...

The Class 2-Warm Water Aquatic Life classification does
not represent a downgrading of the Coal Creek segment, therefore,
this section is inapplicable.

5. 3.1.6(el. Classification should be for the highest
water quality obtainable. Obtainability is to be judged by whether
the use classification can be obtained in approximately twenty
(20) years by any recognized control techniques that are environ-
mentally, economically, and socially acceptable as determined
by the Commission after public hearings.

In determining the obtainability for this segment of Coal
Creek, the Commission should look at the environmental, economical,
and social techniques which are acceptable to the Commission.

From an environmental standpoint, the Commission needs to
make a policy decision as to whether they believe that it is
worthwhile to upgrade this stretch of Coal Creek. As noted by
Dr. Lewis in his report, in order to improve the fishery in Coal
Creek attention must be given to the entire habitat and stream
conditions and not just the ammonia level. An improvement in
ammonia levels is simply not sufficient to improve the fishery
for this stretch of the stream. In order to achieve the proposal
by the Division, considerable amounts of money and effort must
be spent in improving the streambed and flow conditions so that
an improved fishery can be supported.

In addition, it will cost the City of Louisville approximately
$2.38 million to meet the ammonia standard for this stretch of
the stream. This does not include costs for Lafayette and Erie.

6. 3.1.6(fl. Non-chemical quality parameters such as flow
and streambed conditions are valid quality concerns.

Information submitted by Rocky Mountain Consultants concerning
stream flow characteristics indicates that Coal Creek is an inter-