Water Quality Monitoring

Updated 3 days ago

Bill Hoblitzell, program Specialist with Lotic Hydrological, will talk about Monitoring our rivers and creeks.

Chapters

Welcome and Introduction (00:00:15)
Pete Wadden welcomes attendees to the Lunch with the Locals event, introduces himself, and mentions the event sponsors.

Pete Wadden, the watershed specialist with the Town of Vail Environmental Sustainability Department, welcomed everyone to the Lunch with the Locals event. He introduced himself and mentioned that the event is hosted monthly with sponsorship from the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District and High Five Access Media. He encouraged attendees to enjoy the food and instructed them on composting the waste from the event.
Upcoming Event Promotion (00:01:07)
Promotion of a presentation on the history of the Ute Indian Tribe at the Vail Public Library by Lynn Albers.

Pete Wadden informed attendees about an upcoming event at the Vail Public Library featuring a presentation by Lynn Albers on the history of the Ute Indian Tribe in Eagle County. He encouraged those interested in local history to attend.
Introduction of Presenters (00:01:38)
Introduction of Josh Rumble and Bill Hobble, who will be presenting on watershed restoration and hydrology.

Pete Wadden introduced Josh Rumble, the Director of Watershed Restoration with the Eagle River Coalition, and Bill Hobble, a hydrologist with Lodic Hydrological. Both are involved with local watershed projects and were welcomed to speak at the event.
Eagle River Coalition Overview (00:02:07)
Josh Rumble provides an overview of the Eagle River Coalition's mission and activities focused on watershed health.

Josh Rumble, Director of Watershed Restoration with the Eagle River Coalition, explained the mission of the coalition, which advocates for the health of the Upper Colorado and Eagle River watersheds. He discussed the coalition's focus on education, advocacy, and restoration projects to protect and enhance the natural, scenic, and economic values of the rivers.
History and Formation of Eagle River Coalition (00:03:59)
The history of the Eagle River Coalition's formation following a mine spill disaster and its evolution over the years.

Josh Rumble recounted the formation of the Eagle River Coalition, which originated from the need to address the environmental impact of a mine spill at Gilman. He described how local watershed groups, such as the Environmental Business Alliance and the Black Gore Creek Steering Committee, combined efforts to form the coalition. The coalition's work is tied to watershed plans that guide restoration and monitoring efforts.
Eagle River Community Water Plan (00:07:59)
Overview of the Eagle River Community Water Plan, which guides river health assessment and restoration projects.

Josh Rumble detailed the Eagle River Community Water Plan, which aims to assess river and ecosystem health, determine future impacts from climate change and development, and identify restoration projects. The plan includes reach report cards and calls for creating a community-wide coalition to implement the plan's projects.
Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Program (WQ Map) (00:10:30)
Bill Hoel explains the Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Program's role in characterizing watershed health.

Bill Hoel introduced the Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Program (WQ Map), which is part of the Eagle River Coalition. The program collects and analyzes water quality data from various partners, including the USGS, to assess watershed health and trends. The goal is to provide actionable information for local communities and leadership.
Water Quality Report Cards and Data Utilization (00:15:13)
The use of water quality report cards to translate data into actionable information for community decision-making.

Bill Hoel discussed how the coalition uses water quality report cards to present data in an accessible format for decision-makers. The report cards provide a visual representation of water quality standards attainment across different stream segments and help guide local actions.
Eagle Mine Water Quality Success Story (00:19:02)
The Eagle Mine Superfund site is highlighted as a success story in reducing heavy metal concentrations in the river.

Bill Hoel shared the success story of the Eagle Mine Superfund site, where efforts to remediate zinc and other heavy metals have significantly improved water quality over time. Despite some seasonal exceedances, overall concentrations have decreased, demonstrating effective remediation.
Stream Temperature Monitoring Program (00:21:17)
Explanation of stream temperature monitoring to address fishery stress and inform management decisions.

Bill Hoel described the coalition's stream temperature monitoring efforts, which help assess fishery health and inform management decisions regarding stream closures. The data is used to understand the effects of climate change and development on stream temperatures and guide policy.
Water Quality Analysis (00:29:10)
Discussion on water quality indicators and disturbances in local creeks.

Detailed analysis of water quality indicators using bug life in local creeks. Discussion covered various disturbances such as nutrients, metals, and urban runoff affecting water quality. Examples from Gore Creek and other areas were provided to illustrate the impact of urbanization on water quality.
Urban Runoff and Riparian Buffer Loss (00:39:01)
Exploration of impacts of urban runoff and riparian buffer loss on water quality.

The session focused on the impact of urban runoff and the loss of riparian buffers on water quality. Examples from various locations such as Silverthorne, Aspen, and local areas were discussed. The importance of vegetation in riparian zones for buffering polluted runoff was emphasized.
Development and Water Quality Challenges (00:47:00)
Challenges of urban development on water quality and potential solutions.

The discussion centered on the challenges posed by urban development to water quality, highlighting careless urban development as a major issue. Various development projects and their potential impacts on water quality were examined. The need for community leadership and regulatory measures to mitigate these impacts was underscored.
Climate Change and Water Use (00:52:01)
Impact of climate change on stream flows and water use practices.

The impact of climate change on decreasing stream flows and the pressures of water use were discussed. The session highlighted how changing temperatures and precipitation patterns affect water availability. The necessity for better water management practices and tough decisions regarding water use was stressed.
Community Leadership and Regulations (00:55:00)
Role of community leadership and regulations in protecting water quality.

The final part of the meeting emphasized the role of community leadership and strong regulations in protecting water quality. The importance of stormwater management and setbacks was highlighted. Examples of effective community actions and the challenges of maintaining infrastructure were discussed.
Discussion on PUD Maintenance and Accountability (00:55:18)
Discussion about the importance of maintenance and accountability in PUD plans, especially regarding stormwater infrastructure.

The discussion focused on the need for maintenance and accountability plans in Planned Unit Developments (PUDs). Concerns were raised about whether there are mechanisms for the town to enforce maintenance, such as fines, and the importance of having operations and maintenance (O&M) costs built into PUD approvals. The county's role in urban land use planning and the potential for stormwater authorities was also discussed.
Environmental Impacts of Water Use and Ponds (00:56:34)
Concerns about ponds and their impact on water supply and environmental issues were discussed, including ethical water use.

The conversation highlighted the water supply crisis in the region and raised ethical concerns about using water for aesthetic ponds. The impact of private ponds as harbors for invasive species and their questionable use of water in the arid west were discussed. The need to consider these factors in future planning was emphasized.
Water Quality and Resource Management (00:58:01)
Discussion on water quality in the Eagle River and comparisons with other regions, emphasizing the need for careful management.

Participants discussed the water quality of the Eagle River, noting that it remains relatively clean compared to other regions. However, there is a need to maintain this quality by motivating and convincing people of its importance. The conversation compared the Eagle River's situation to that of the South Platte and other rivers.
Impact of Road Salts on Aquatic Life (00:59:21)
Exploration of the effects of salts from roads and urban surfaces on aquatic life and water quality.

The discussion covered the impact of road salts and other urban runoff on streams and aquatic ecosystems. Research from CDOT and academic institutions was mentioned, highlighting the complexity of the issue and the need for more data to understand thresholds where aquatic life is affected. The conversation stressed that the problem is not solely due to state roads but also involves local urban runoff.
Meeting Wrap-Up and Next Steps (01:01:46)
The meeting concluded with a call for further questions and a preview of next month's topic on beavers.

The meeting was wrapped up with an invitation for attendees to ask further questions to the speakers. The next meeting's topic was announced to be about beavers, indicating continued discussions on environmental and ecological issues.