North Fork Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network

North Fork Volunteer Monitoring Network

Since April 2001, the dedicated volunteers of the North Fork Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Project have been collecting water samples up and down the North Fork Valley. As part of this joint project coordinated by NFRIA, local volunteers receive lab and field training on EPA-approved water sampling procedures. Once a month volunteers head out to seven different sites throughout the watershed to collect samples. The sample stations start as high up as Muddy Creek, and extend as far as the Pleasure Park on the North Fork of the Gunnison. Sites AN-1 and NF-4 have been changed, and a new eighth site has been approved.

Samples are analyzed for metals (such as selenium, arsenic, lead, iron, and aluminum), nutrients (including nitrates, phosphates, and sulfates), and bacteria (E. coli and total coliform). Recently the Network began sampling for river bugs (macroinvertebrates) at a few select stations every year. Samples are analyzed by EPA and the Division of Wildlife's River Watch Program.

If you would like to volunteer for the North Fork Volunteer Monitoring Network, please contact NFRIA.

How's the Water?

Overall, results indicate that the water quality in our area is good, although the local geology, land use, and hydrology create changes in water chemistry consistent with the journey of that water from mountain streams to farm fields.

Data gathered from this sampling program is used to assess the overall health of the area's waters, and to evaluate just how fishable and swimable our creeks and rivers actually are. The data is also provided to the EPA for inclusion in their regional database. In the long-run, it is hoped that the information collected by members of this volunteer team will encourage more informed decision-making by locals, government agencies, and local officials, using new water quality data that helps to better define and quantify our natural resources.

When we analyze water samples we compare them to Colorado state standards. State standards are numbers developed by the Colorado Department of Health to evaluate the potential uses of recreation, agriculture, wildlife, and drinking water on our river.

We have standards for bacteria, nitrogen, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, pH and heavy metals. Chronic standards are based on long-term exposure to low concentrations (like secondhand smoke), while acute standards are based on high concentrations for a short duration (like radioactivity).

Here is how we are doing:

Parameter	Standard	How did the North Fork do?
E. coli bacteria	Winter: 630 colonies/100 ml Summer: 126 colonies/100 ml	Water samples did not exceed the winter standard, but did exceed the summer standard below Hotchkiss (NF-4) in 2001. All other areas were well below the standard, making it safe to swim and play in the water near Somerset and Paonia.
Nitrogen	10 milligrams/ liter	Water samples were well below the standard and haven't been above 1 milligram per liter.
Dissolved Oxygen	6.0 milligrams/ liter	Water samples generally fell between 5.9 and 13.2 milligrams per liter, with the lowest non-averaged values in the summer at the lower end of the North Fork (NF-5).
pH	6.5 - 9.0	Water samples generally fell within the standard's range. In July of 2002, two stations near Somerset were just above the 9.0 range, making these samples just a bit more basic than the standard recommends.
Metals	Most metal standards are calculated using an equation that includes hardness of the water. Standard values are different for each sample taken.	Manganese exceeded the state chronic and acute standard at most stations starting in November of 2001 and continuing to March of 2003. Iron frequently exceeded the state standard of 1000 micrograms per liter for our river. Lead exceeded chronic standards, but not acute, at several stations, starting in the fall of 2001, which could be damaging to aquatic organisms over time. These levels could be naturally occurring in the local geology, but this has yet to be determined.

Network Partners & Sponsors

Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 Laboratories
Colorado Division of Wildlife- River Watch Program
Colorado Department of Health & Environment
Delta-Montrose Electric Association- Operation Roundup
United Companies
CSU Cooperative Extension- Roger's Mesa Research Center
Paradise on a Hanger
Hardin's Natural Foods
Town of Paonia
Town of Hotchkiss
Dedicated volunteers from the North Fork Community

Thanks to all who contribute!