Stream Monitoring

Since the early 1980s , the Water Utilities Division has collected monthly river samples to assess general water quality and the impact of the City of Longmont and the Wastewater Treatment Plant on the St. Vrain River.

During 2005-2006, we partnered with the USGS to perform additional sampling:

• Tracer study to determine travel time during high and low flows (see photos).
• Evaluation of macroinvertebrates to determine stream health.
• In lieu of fish testing, Semipermiable Membrane Devices (SPMDs) are used to evaluate number of 'emerging contaminants' above detectable levels.

From the USGS Report - The St. Vrain River watershed in northeastern Colorado has experienced rapid urban growth over the last two decades. Population growth has led to increased volumes being treated at wastewater-treatment plants (WWTPs) in the basin. In the last two decades, in-stream restoration efforts and new treatment technologies have been implemented by the City of Longmont, with the goal of improving water quality and the health of aquatic organisms downstream from the WWTP effluent.

Click here to read the rest of the USGS report.

Coming soon - USGS report on emerging contaminants.

Photos courtesy of the USGS.