Cutthroat Chapter River Watch News and Information (last updated March 5, 2008 )

What is River Watch. The “Colorado River Watch” program is an on-going volunteer water quality-monitoring program co-sponsored by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) and the Colorado Watershed Network. It is designed to provide the CDOW and the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission with high quality water ecosystem data for use in making or revising water quality standards.  Several Colorado Trout Unlimited chapters have joined the program in the collection and analysis of water samples from designated sites per chapter. These samples are analyzed monthly for pH, temperature, hardness, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen and heavy metals (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Pb, Se, and Zn). Twice a year (spring and autumn) nutrients (phosphorous, nitrate + nitrite, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, and total suspended solids) are collected. Chapter members conduct the water sample analyses except for the nutrient and heavy metal samples which are analyzed by an outside CDOW laboratory. Once a year, during low water flow conditions - typically in the autumn - samples are collected for macroinvertebrates.  Volunteers sample water from the South Platte River (Station #216). Ken McClatchy is the Cutthroat Chapter River Watch Coordinator (303-972-0079) or email JKMCCL@aol.com.

Sampling Team Assignments.

Station 216 (new Jan 07) Sampling Team - the following Cutthroat Chapter volunteers will sample the South Platte River (Station #216): Jim Rasmussen, Doug McFarland, Bob DiCarlo, Chris Buriss (Cherry Creek Anglers) and Ken Mc Clatchy.

Directions to reach the sampling site is as follows:

Station 216 - The new site is number 216 and may be reached from the intersection of South Santa Fe drive (US hwy 85) and West Bowles Ave.  Bowles Avenue is 3.3 miles north of the intersection of South Santa Fe drive and C-470. From the  intersection of South Santa Fe drive and Bowles Ave, turn left and go west on Bowles for approx. ¼ mile and turn left into the parking lot. Park in a public parking section of the lot (avoid the private or restricted parking areas).  The bridge over the South Platte River will be in front of you.  The collection site is just above the bridge.

Sampling instructions are described on page 129 in the River Watch notebook given to team members. Post-collection sample analyses will be completed at Ken McClatchy's house. Directions to Ken's house are as follows: The address is 7925 West Layton Avenue, Unit #310. Take South Wadsworth north from C-470 or south from Highway 285, turn East on Layton Avenue (opposite from Sam’s Club and the Lone Star Grill. Take two immediate left turns and leave your car in the parking lot. If you get lost or need additional directions, Ken's telephone number is 303-972-0079.  You should allocate about 1 hour

Data Graphs

Dissolved Oxygen

Dissolved Oxygen (percent saturation)

pH

Phenol Alkalinity

Water Temperature

Total Alkalinity

Total Hardness