It begins high in the Rocky Mountains, near the Loveland Basin in Colorado. Melting winter snows descend from heights in excess of 12,000 feet above sea level making their way east to the Platte River, the Missouri River, the Mississippi River and, ultimately, the Gulf of Mexico. Clear Creek is one of many beginning streams in the hydrologic cycle of transporting water to the sea. For millennia this stream provided a robust habitat for fish, including Colorado's signature fish, the Greenback Cutthroat Trout.
But, Clear Creek has been impacted by the growth in Colorado, beginning in the mid-nineteenth century. Mining for precious metals, including placer mining, in Colorado's mineral belt, near Idaho Springs, contaminated the stream with toxic metals that ultimately led to the area around Idaho Springs and Blackhawk, Colorado being declared a Superfund site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Placer mining and highway construction, including U.S. Route 6 and Interstate 70 took away much of the sinuosity of the stream and contributed excess sediment. The highways also added heavy loads of chloride salts to the river. Even today, various automobile and truck accidents introduce additional pollutants to the stream, including oil and gas spills. Finally, residential development is also putting pressure on the stream by introducing various pollutants, from fertilizers to treated sewage waste, into its waters. One of the principal consequences of these environmental insults has been a decline in the robustness of the trout fishery in the stream. The Colorado Greenback Cutthroat trout is rarely found in the basin anymore. Fortunately, through management practices of the Colorado Division of Wildlife, plus substantial expenditures of money and effort on remediation measures by numerous municipal, private sector, and other entities, Clear Creek remains a moderately good fishery with the principal species present being Brown, Rainbow and Brook Trout. Further, trend lines for water quality are encouraging for the future. Metal loads, for example, are being reduced, and are expected to continue to be reduced as additional abatement and other projects come on line. With the on-going attention of WDTU and others, the fishery is expected to continue to improve.
For several years the West Denver Chapter of Trout Unlimited (WDTU) has been an active participant in a number of community based initiatives dealing with impacts to Clear Creek. Activities have included participation in a citizens' Task Force supporting the CERCLA remediation of abandoned mines in the Idaho Springs area and participation in a task force of the Colorado Department of Transportation assessing streams and wetlands enhancement opportunities associated with the re-construction of the I-70. In addition, WDTU is involved with the ongoing activities of the Upper Clear Creek Watershed Association, and those of the Clear Creek Foundation, in efforts to coordinate actions having a direct bearing on Clear Creek.
Trout Unlimited is the preeminent conservation organization in the United States dedicated to the preservation and protection of salmonid species of fish. WDTU believes there are continuing threats to the salmonid fishery in Clear Creek but that there are also opportunities for improvement if reasonable investments are made in stream restoration. Consequently, WDTU has adopted the Clear Creek Basin as a potential restoration project and has applied for assistance under the Home Rivers program of Trout Unlimited. As part of the restoration of Clear Creek WDTU is beginning Phase I of the restoration initiative; restoring approximately a mile of Clear Creek in the area of Golden, Colorado. Opportunities to improve Clear Creek, within the entire basin and within Phase I include:
o Improving Fish Habitat
o Providing an Educational Resource
o Enhancing and Improving Opportunities for Recreational Fishing
o Providing a Recreational Resource for Handicapped Individuals
Improving Fish Habitat:
Impacts to Clear Creek have been severe from a stream geomorphology perspective. Placer and other mining, construction of highways, communities, and other structures have reduced the sinuosity of Clear Creek, increased flow velocities and eliminated what was likely substantial natural vegetation cover along the streambed. The resulting channelized stream has adversely impacted the fish's ability to propagate and expand their population range. Restoration will introduce features into the current stream that will improve its carrying capacity and quality of habitat. By adding structure to the stream, depth will be created providing for resting pools and areas where fish can seek shelter. In addition restoration will include increased plantings, improved oxygenation, and potential areas for spawning.
Providing an Educational Resource
Interest in fish, as a natural resource, is high in the Denver area, evidenced by the large number of fishermen as well as interest received in WDTU's outreach program to Jefferson County Schools. A rejuvenated Clear Creek will provide a living laboratory for expanding opportunities to educate students from a wide, populous geographic area about the ecosystem of cold-water streams, the life cycle of salmonids, and the ethical issues of conserving and preserving our natural world. It will provide students a hands-on experience in salvaging a stream damaged by our mining past and other encroachments by development. Restoration of Clear Creek will provide, in a nearby, highly accessible setting, a virtual outdoor laboratory that will allow for educating students. The overall restoration plan calls for interpretive signage, education material, and interaction with the school system to allow educators to interact with children over this natural resource
Enhancing and Improving Opportunities for Recreational Fishing
Fishing remains a popular recreational pastime in Colorado, and particularly the Denver metropolitan area. The Division of Wildlife has estimated fishing's value to the Colorado economy at over $900 million. Clear Creek provides an opportunity for enthusiasts to enjoy the sport without having to travel long distances. Development of the kayak run contiguous downstream of the reach to be restored by WDTU resulted in a profound increase in the rate of use, and presently provides about 14,000 person-days of recreational opportunity (and economic impact to the Golden area of around $1.6 million) annually. WDTU expects a comparable proportional increase in utilization by fishermen as a result of its restorative effort. The Division of Wildlife has recently stocked Clear Creek with over of WDTU and others, the fishery is expected to continue to improve.
For several years the West Denver Chapter of Trout Unlimited (WDTU) has been an active participant in a number of community based initiatives dealing with impacts to Clear Creek. Activities have included participation in a citizens' Task Force supporting the CERCLA remediation of abandoned mines in the Idaho Springs area and participation in a task force of the Colorado Department of Transportation assessing streams and wetlands enhancement opportunities associated with the re-construction of the I-70. In addition, WDTU is involved with the ongoing activities of the Upper Clear Creek Watershed Association, and those of the Clear Creek Foundation, in efforts to coordinate actions having a direct bearing on Clear Creek.
Trout Unlimited is the preeminent conservation organization in the United States dedicated to the preservation and protection of salmonid species of fish. WDTU believes there are continuing threats to the salmonid fishery in Clear Creek but that there are also opportunities for improvement if reasonable investments are made in stream restoration. Consequently, WDTU has adopted the Clear Creek Basin as a potential restoration project and has applied for assistance under the Home Rivers program of Trout Unlimited. As part of the restoration of Clear Creek WDTU is beginning Phase I of the restoration initiative; restoring approximately a mile of Clear Creek in the area of Golden, Colorado. Opportunities to improve Clear Creek, within the entire basin and within Phase I include:
o Improving Fish Habitat
o Providing an Educational Resource
o Enhancing and Improving Opportunities for Recreational Fishing
o Providing a Recreational Resource for Handicapped Individuals
Improving Fish Habitat:
Impacts to Clear Creek have been severe from a stream geomorphology perspective. Placer and other mining, construction of highways, communities, and other structures have reduced the sinuosity of Clear Creek, increased flow velocities and eliminated what was likely substantial natural vegetation cover along the streambed. The resulting channelized stream has adversely impacted the fish's ability to propagate and expand their population range. Restoration will introduce features into the current stream that will improve its carrying capacity and quality of habitat. By adding structure to the stream, depth will be created providing for resting pools and areas where fish can seek shelter. In addition restoration will include increased plantings, improved oxygenation, and potential areas for spawning.
Providing an Educational Resource
Interest in fish, as a natural resource, is high in the Denver area, evidenced by the large number of fishermen as well as interest received in WDTU's outreach program to Jefferson County Schools. A rejuvenated Clear Creek will provide a living laboratory for expanding opportunities to educate students from a wide, populous geographic area about the ecosystem of cold-water streams, the life cycle of salmonids, and the ethical issues of conserving and preserving our natural world. It will provide students a hands-on experience in salvaging a stream damaged by our mining past and other encroachments by development. Restoration of Clear Creek will provide, in a nearby, highly accessible setting, a virtual outdoor laboratory that will allow for educating students. The overall restoration plan calls for interpretive signage, education material, and interaction with the school system to allow educators to interact with children over this natural resource
Enhancing and Improving Opportunities for Recreational Fishing
Fishing remains a popular recreational pastime in Colorado, and particularly the Denver metropolitan area. The Division of Wildlife has estimated fishing's value to the Colorado economy at over $900 million. Clear Creek provides an opportunity for enthusiasts to enjoy the sport without having to travel long distances. Development of the kayak run contiguous downstream of the reach to be restored by WDTU resulted in a profound increase in the rate of use, and presently provides about 14,000 person-days of recreational opportunity (and economic impact to the Golden area of around $1.6 million) annually. WDTU expects a comparable proportional increase in utilization by fishermen as a result of its restorative effort. The Division of Wildlife has recently stocked Clear Creek with over 10,000 small rainbow trout and has indication a willingness to continue a program if it can be demonstrated to be of value. A principal concern in this project is that the resulting stream be carefully managed to avoid over-fishing and ultimate damage to the resource. Key to the success of the project is implementation of special regulations governing numbers of fish taken and methods of fishing used.
Providing a Recreational Resource for Handicapped Individuals
Clear Creek's location to
major urban centers provides a unique opportunity to allow physically challenged
individuals to enjoy the wonders of the out of doors. The project will include
installing special access structures that will allow handicapped individuals
access to streamside. The resulting capability should prove to be a definite
positive for those individuals who enjoy fishing, bird watching, or simply being
outside in a natural environment.