WDTU participates in the Colorado River Watch water quality monitoring program.  Led by WDTU member Kelly Youse, our chapter collects samples at several “stations” along Clear Creek in the canyon area. Samples are collected monthly from April through October. Volunteers are always welcome. Clear Creek water sampling is a great educational opportunity, and John welcomes youth participation.

Colorado River Watch (CRW) is a cooperative program between the River Science and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). CRW organizes periodic water and invertebrate sampling from a large number of Colorado’s streams and rivers. A wide range of organizations participate, including schools, Trout Unlimited chapters, and other nonprofits.

Samples are routinely analyzed by our chapter for hardness, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature. Additional samples are collected to determine dissolved and total metal concentrations, including Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn. Metals analysis is performed at the CPW laboratory in Fort Collins, CO. Twice a year, we collect nutrient samples for analysis of ammonia, chloride, sulfate, total suspended solids, total phosphorus, nitrate, and nitrite. We collect an annual macroinvertebrate sample, which is sent to the state, which then sends it to an outside lab for identification. The collected data are entered into a database, which CPW makes available online.