NFRIA Water Quality Monitoring

In addition, water temperatures in the lower segment of the river are cause for concern during the summer months. The North Fork aquatic habitat is designated Aquatic Life Cold 1, meaning that the maximum weekly average water temperatures should not reach above 20 degrees Celsius in order to ensure survival of native species. The low level of water in the summer, magnified by irrigation demands, has led to high water temperatures in the lower reaches of the river. NFRIA's efforts to encourage more sustainable irrigation practices and consolidate braided river channels into a single stream address the issue of high water temperatures. .


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Water Quality Monitoring
Since 2001, NFRIA has effectively monitored the water quality of the North Fork of the Gunnison River and selected tributaries. Water quality samples are collected each month by teams of dedicated NFRIA volunteers and delivered to government laboratories to determine levels of metals, nutrients, bacteria and other important water quality parameters. In 2005 and again in 2009, NFRIA compiled the collected water quality data, subjected them to detailed analysis, and published reports on the health of the river. These documents, available by clicking the link below, are invaluable status reports on the water quality of the river. They are used extensively by a number of resource management agencies and provide background information on water quality conditions in the watershed and their normal seasonal variations.
_______________________________________ Read the 2009 Water Quality Report (Download Adobe Reader for FREE here) _______________________________________	Click for a detailed informational brochure on NFRIA, its past successes, and its goals Click to see the flow rates of the North Fork of the Gunnison River
In general, NFRIA's water quality monitoring program has found the watershed to be healthy. Certain segments of the North Fork of the Gunnison River have been identified as having chronic concentrations of selenium, exceeding state standards. Selenium is an essential trace element that, when consumed in excess amounts, can cause health problems for animals. NFRIA's river restoration work attempts to mitigate the levels of selenium in the river by reducing bank erosion and establishing riparian buffers designed to keep sediment out of the river. Other sampled metals, including iron, copper, lead, aluminum, and zinc have also been measured to exceed state standards in isolated spikes throughout the sampling period.
	In addition, water temperatures in the lower segment of the river are cause for concern during the summer months. The North Fork aquatic habitat is designated Aquatic Life Cold 1, meaning that the maximum weekly average water temperatures should not reach above 20 degrees Celsius in order to ensure survival of native species. The low level of water in the summer, magnified by irrigation demands, has led to high water temperatures in the lower reaches of the river. NFRIA's efforts to encourage more sustainable irrigation practices and consolidate braided river channels into a single stream address the issue of high water temperatures. .
NFRIA no longer samples at AN-1, NF-3, and NF-4
Water Quality Monitoring Partners
-Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 Laboratories -Colorado Division of Wildlife -River Watch Program -Colorado Department of Health & Environment -Delta-Montrose Electric Association -Operation Roundup -United Companies	-CSU Cooperative Extension -Roger's Mesa Research Center -Paradise on a Hanger -Hardin's Natural Foods -Town of Paonia, Colorado -Town of Hotchkiss, Colorado -Dedicated volunteers from the North Fork Community
North Fork River Improvement Association :: 122A East Bridge Street :: PO BOX 682 ::Hotchkiss, CO 81419 P: 970.872.4614 :: F: 970.872.4621 :: support@nfria.org Hosted by: Earthbound :: Healthy Rivers Make Healthy Communities