Water Professionals Protect Water Quality In Chatfield Watershed

Protecting the water quality in Chatfield Reservoir, by managing the pollutants that enter the Chatfield Watershed, was the focus of a recent gathering of the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission, stakeholders of the Chatfield Watershed Authority (Authority), and other concerned water-quality managers. They all came together for an on-site educational seminar and tour of the Chatfield Watershed that was conducted on October 11th by members of the Authority.According to Larry Moore, Co-Chairman of the Authority, "Our primary focus is to protect the water quality in the Chatfield Reservoir through on-going planning and implementation of water quality monitoring and projects. It's important to know that one of the leading causes of contaminants (nutrients) in Chatfield actually comes from unknown (nonpoint) sources. These nonpoint sources, which account for about 80% of nutrient load problem, come from nutrients derived from livestock manure, pet wastes, aged/unmaintained septic systems, runoff of excess fertilizers from residential or agricultural land, and sediment from eroding stream banks into the water supply." The tour took the state water quality policy-makers to Chatfield Reservoir and tributaries to the Reservoir, Massey Draw and Plum Creek, to discuss water quality issues, including stream restoration improvements to reduce erosion and opportunities to improve water quality near environmentally sensitive areas like Plum Creek.Said Co-Chairman of the Authority Kevin Urie, "We have a lot of great ideas for improving the water quality in the Chatfield Watershed. With our collaborative efforts and partnerships, we aim to get the support needed to move these necessary projects forward. Watershed planning and funding are essential to promote water quality in our watershed and reservoir in order to keep the water safe for everyone."The Authority has been the recent recipient of grants from State agencies to provide funding support for developing a watershed plan, conducting additional water quality monitoring in Plum Creek, and controlling erosion along streams in the watershed. The Authority is a local volunteer agency comprised of water professionals and state and local environmental oversight agencies. The Authority has sustained a water-quality monitoring program for the past 25 years in order to promote the long-term protection of water quality in the watershed and reservoir for drinking water, fisheries, recreation, and other beneficial uses through various programs to manage and monitor pollutant controls as an oversight group. Said the Authority's Manager Julie Vlier, "Educating the public is an essential part of the outreach effort that is focused on priority projects such as the North Massey Draw Stream Restoration Improvement at the Ken-Caryl Equestrian Center and Livestock Management projects for agricultural users in the watershed. That's why the Authority stakeholders felt compelled to hold the tour of the Chatfield Watershed and we are so pleased with the turnout."The Chatfield Watershed includes over 400-square miles and is comprised of key drainage areas including Plum Creek, Deer Creek, Massey Draw, and a portion of the South Platte River from the outfall of Strontia Springs Reservoir to Chatfield Reservoir.