2007 State of the Watershed Barr Lake & Milton Reservoir Watershed Association Q & A

Littleton Englewood Lakewood Wheat Ridge Arvada Westminster Northglenn Q: Where? A: 850 Sq. Miles Touching 6 Front Range Counties Population: 2.5 Million (1 in 2 Coloradoans) 90% Privately Owned 35% Residential, Industrial, & Commercial 49% Agricultural 500 Miles of Streams & 550 Miles of Canals

Q: Who? A: Barr/Milton Watershed (BMW) Association City of Aurora City & County of Denver City of Thornton Denver Water East Cherry Creek Valley S. Adams County Water & Sanitation District United Water & Sanitation District Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment Plant Metro Wastewater Reclamation District S. Platte Coalition for Urban River Evaluation Farmers Reservoir & Irrigation Company Barr Lake State Park Pelican Lake Ranch Development Potentially Another 2,449,987 Residents Cities Drinking Water Wastewater Recreation

Q: What? A (problem) : Cultural Eutrophication – over loading of nutrients from human sources that lead to water quality issues. - Problem - Sources - Solution A (solution) : Determine appropriate water quality for the water uses in Barr and Milton. Decide what human- related nutrient reductions are needed. Implement a integrated, cooperative plan. A (sources) : Point Sources – pollution discharged from specific, identifiable pipes or points, such as industrial, stormwater, agricultural, or water treatment facilities. Nonpoint Sources – pollution that cannot be traced to a specific origin such as atmosphere, groundwater, sediments, and stormwater.

Q: When? A: Now & Ongoing Two Reservoir Assessments Watershed Modeling In-reservoir Modeling Start pH TMDL Work Summer 2008 Summer 2010 Develop 3 rd - Party pH TMDL State-defined Nutrient Standards

Q: Why? A: Clean Water is Limited, Valuable, and a Necessity Drinking Water Wildlife Farming Recreation Economy Landscaping LivestockDownstream Users (Upstream Users) Prevention Regulations $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

Examples Q: How? A: 2.5 Million Residents May Need To Change Their Ways DIA Environmental Management System Light Rail and Commuting Transportation Stormwater EPA’s Green Roof Aurora Leaf Drop and Treecycling Porous Asphalt Projects Treatment Littleton/Englewood Denitrification Upgrade Metro Wastewater’s $400 Million Upgrades Denver Re-use Water System Community Greenprint Denver Sustainable Living Plan Pay More for Your Water Use Development Low-Impact Development Practices Erosion Controls Best Management Practices Education Chngn Socal Norms (Denvr Watr) Water Festivals Env. Education Curriculum Reservoir Management Timing of Flows In-reservoir Techniques

Symptoms Excessive Nutrients (Phosphorus Nitrogen) Algae Blooms Low Oxygen High pH Fish Kills Poor Clarity Taste/OdorAesthetics Problem Cultural Eutrophication Reflections Eutrophication is natural for lakes. For Barr and Milton, this process is sped up because they are reservoirs and the watershed is heavily used.

Barr Lake Phosphorus Story Milton Reservoir Reflections

Barr Lake Chlorophyll-a Story Milton Reservoir Reflections

Barr Lake Water Clarity Story Milton Reservoir Reflections

Barr Lake Dissolved Oxygen Story Milton Reservoir

Reflections Barr Lake pH Story Milton Reservoir

Reflections Barr Lake In 2007 pH vs Chl-a Milton Reservoir In 2007 pH

Join BMW Association Value Water More Use Less Products With Phosphorus Subtle Management Changes Pick Up Pet Waste Direct Gutters Away From Streets Pick Up Litter Compost Conserve Water Avoid Soil Erosion Keep Chemicals and Debris From Storm Drains Stop Oil Leaks on Your Vehicles Learn Where Your Water Comes From and Where It Goes Small Acts, Large Results

Join BMW Association - $25 Suggested Annual Fee Join a Committee Technical: 4 th Thursday, 10:00am Budget: 4 times a Year Information/Education: 3 rd Thursday, 1:30pm Watershed Plan: 2 nd Thursday Get Involved Contact Info Darcie Garland-Renn ext. 22