WSP06933

• File Number: 8272.500
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Colo Dept of Public Health - WQCC and WQCD
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 11/1/1989
• Author: WQCD
• Title: Colorado Nonpoint Assessment Report - November 1989
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

"I
':.",'
:'{,"
J, ~.' ,'.

~""...;

~.~~~i
rj

~~J

,1:'.1
';:','
tJ

sd
,S::..i~
,<.

it

~!l
1::;.J.'

t.l
\~~.
."

i~,

~:;;
'~:~i\

;;!:-~
~>~.
{)J

Bear Creek Lake, which is a1so affected by urban and construction runoff from

Also in the Bear Creek drainage, Indian Hi11s, a

.~

Disposal Systems) systems and shortseperation distrance .to water wells.

Nitrates have contaminated drinking water wells and led to a ban of further

construction in Indian Hills.

Grapevine Creek, a tributary to Bear Creek has been reported as a stream

exhibiting problems due to abandoned mine drainage. The.front range uranium

mining district includes this area Which was once worked for uranium. Further

investigation into this problem is necessary to determine the nature and

extent of the problem.

Bear Creek Lake, located on the plains just as Bear Creek exits the mountains,

is impacted by a combination of point and nonpoint sources. The reservoir and

its tributary basin are being investigated through an EPA Clean Lakes study.

The 1ake water qua1ity data indicate an excessive nutrient, (phosphorus and

nitrogen) and sediment loading problem to Bear Creek Reservoir. Water quality

data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in a 1987 Water Quality Management

Program Report also recorded levels of phenols, meta1s and suspended sediments

exceeding tab1e values. There were also exceedences of table values for

arsenic, copper, lead, iron and manganese. These exceedences were noted in

the inflow, outflow, and the body of the lake.

-58-

~