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projects and programs

Mission statement:

THE MISSION OF THE COAL CREEK WATERSHED COALITION IS TO MAINTAIN, RESTORE AND ENHANCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY OF CRESTED BUTTE'S LOCAL WATERSHEDS TO ENSURE THOSE LOCAL WATERSHEDS AND HABITATS ARE OF THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE QUALITY NECESSARY TO SUPPORT WILDLIFE, AQUATIC LIFE, AND HUMAN LIFE.

LONG-TERM WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM IN THE COAL CREEK WATERSHED

2003:
  • CCWC works with partners to characterize water quality and historic abandoned mine sites in the Coal Creek Watershed.
2010:
  • Long-term monitoring program has evolved to support efforts to establish appropriate water quality standards in Coal Creek.
Present-Day:
  • CCWC collects approximately 75 water quality samples each year. The samples are analyzed for metals and selected anions. Cadmium, copper, and zinc are priority metals.
  • Results from CCWC’s long-term water quality monitoring program will be used to establish site-specific standards for lower Coal Creek.
  • Appropriate standards and permit limits will reduce cadmium, copper, and zinc loads and better protect existing water uses in lower Coal Creek and downstream waters.

HIGHLIGHTS OF WATERSHED PROTECTION AND RESTORATION PROJECTS

2016:
  • CCWC supported a statewide effort to characterize water quality at draining mine sites throughout the East River Watershed in response to critical data gaps identified following the Gold King Spill near Durango in 2015.
2017:
  • CCWC and partners secured funding to reclaim the Gunsight Processing Area near Crested Butte. The project removed  approximately 260 pounds of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc.
  • CCWC worked with partners to adopt revised water quality standards in lower Coal Creek. The new cadmium, copper, and zinc standards protect existing water quality to a much higher degree than any prior standards.
2018:
  • CCWC partnered with the US Forest Service to install a permanent toilet facility at Musicians’ Camp. In the past three years, the permanent toilets at Musicians’ Camp have intercepted over 1,000 pounds of human waste that would have otherwise been deposited in the watershed.
2019:
  • CCWC expanded into the Washington Gulch Watershed to better characterize E. coli concentrations and to address stakeholder concerns. 
2020:
  • CCWC and partners installed a new permanent toilet in the Washington Gulch Watershed.

FUTURE EFFORTS TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND WATERSHED HEALTH

In the coming years, CCWC will continue to support CDPHE and EPA as they make decisions regarding the long-term management of the Standard Mine Superfund Site. CCWC and USGS lead the interim water quality monitoring. CCWC’s reporting will be critical in the process to determine whether additional remedial action is needed at the site.

CCWC also looks forward to continued progress on issues related to the Keystone Mine Site where CCWC provides technical expertise to the Town of Crested Butte and Gunnison County. The next Water Quality Control Commission Rulemaking Hearings for lower Coal Creek are scheduled for December 2020 and June 2022.

CCWC has received funding from DRMS to characterize historic abandoned mine sites and develop reclamation projects in the East River Watershed.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Coal Creek Watershed Coalition is a 501(c)(3) non-profit THAT works to maintain, restore, and enhance the environmental integrity of Crested Butte’s local watersheds for the benefit of wildlife, aquatic life, and human life.

YOUR DONATION SUPPORTS Our cost-effective projects THAT improve water quality and watershed health and our monitoring programs WHICH provide critical information to local, state, and federal partners.

every little bit makes a difference!