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City of Boulder/USGS Water Quality Monitoring
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Boulder Creek Watershed
BOULDER CREEK MILLENNIUM BASELINE STUDY
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U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY - CITY OF BOULDER - BASIN
The Boulder Creek Millennium Baseline Study, performed during the
summer and fall of 2000 by the U.S. Geological Survey,
the City of Boulder, and BASIN, provides an in-depth analysis of Boulder
Creek water quality. This study measured several parameters
not normally regulated or considered to be problematic in Boulder
Creek. High-flow (June) and low-flow (October) water quality
sampling of Boulder Creek from upstream of the town of Eldora to
the confluence with the St. Vrain Creek was carried out to
determine natural and human influences on water chemistry. The study
also provides a baseline data set for the new millenium from
which future water quality changes can be observed.
Stream chemistry is controlled by natural and anthropogenic (human)
inputs, as well as chemical reactions that influence the fate and
transport of these inputs. Detailed water quality sampling of Boulder
Creek, including the main stem and major tributaries, allows
us to determine the sources and sinks of chemical constituents.
The relative importance of different sources varies seasonally,
and therefore high- and low-flow sampling is an important step in
characterizing the watershed.
A variety of measurements were made,
including pH, dissolved oxygen, and major element, nutrient, metal,
pesticide and pharmaceutical concentrations. See
the full list of analyses.
If you have any questions and comments about the Boulder Creek Millennium
Baseline Study please email the BASIN team (at basin@basin.org
or through the BASIN
comment form). |
