Lake Fork River Restoration Project
The Lake Fork Valley Conservancy is currently conducting a Lake Fork
River Restoration project. For more information on this project please
click here.
Monitoring
Major synoptic sampling efforts were conducted in 2005 and 2006 to
assess water quality in the upper reaches of the watershed that are most
impacted from historic mining. Henson Creek water quality data and mine
waste data from selected mine sites was used to write the Reclamation
Feasibility Report, Henson Creek Watershed. This report outlines and
ranks the most important mine sites for reclamation and recommends
Best Management Practices. To date, three sites have been identified for
restoration with construction activities started in 2007.
The LFVC has also worked to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads
(TMDL) for Palmetto Gulch, a tributary to Henson Creek, which is listed
as water quality impaired on Colorado’s 303(d) List due to high levels of
zinc and cadmium. The Federal Clean Water Act requires the adoption of
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL’s) for water bodies that do not meet
adopted water quality standards. The purpose of the TMDL Assessment
is to identify reductions in cadmium and zinc concentrations from mining
sources that will enable the segment to support aquatic life and to meet
the adopted water quality standards. Attainment of the adopted water
quality standards for cadmium and zinc will require reductions in both
mining and natural sources of these metals.
The LFVC is coordinating public input on the TMDL process through
review of the Palmetto TMDL document and through public hearings.
The Lake Fork Valley Conservancy is currently conducting a Lake Fork
River Restoration project. For more information on this project please
click here.
Monitoring
Major synoptic sampling efforts were conducted in 2005 and 2006 to
assess water quality in the upper reaches of the watershed that are most
impacted from historic mining. Henson Creek water quality data and mine
waste data from selected mine sites was used to write the Reclamation
Feasibility Report, Henson Creek Watershed. This report outlines and
ranks the most important mine sites for reclamation and recommends
Best Management Practices. To date, three sites have been identified for
restoration with construction activities started in 2007.
The LFVC has also worked to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads
(TMDL) for Palmetto Gulch, a tributary to Henson Creek, which is listed
as water quality impaired on Colorado’s 303(d) List due to high levels of
zinc and cadmium. The Federal Clean Water Act requires the adoption of
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL’s) for water bodies that do not meet
adopted water quality standards. The purpose of the TMDL Assessment
is to identify reductions in cadmium and zinc concentrations from mining
sources that will enable the segment to support aquatic life and to meet
the adopted water quality standards. Attainment of the adopted water
quality standards for cadmium and zinc will require reductions in both
mining and natural sources of these metals.
The LFVC is coordinating public input on the TMDL process through
review of the Palmetto TMDL document and through public hearings.
The Lake Fork Valley Conservancy's draft Watershed Stewardship Plan is available online. All feedback is welcome. For a brief summary of the Watershed Stewardship Plan please click here. |
| Lake Fork Valley Conservancy | (970) 944-LFVC | PO Box 123 | Lake City, CO 81235 | Email Us |
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