Lower Bear Creek Watershed Plan a Tributary of the South Platte River Near Denver, Colorado 2014 Prepared by Groundwork Denver and the Lower Bear Creek Steering Committee 0 Map 1 1 Contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... 4 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................... 5 Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................................................... 8 List of Maps ............................................................................................................................................... 10 List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................... 11 List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................. 13 Element 1 – Causes of Impairment........................................................................................................ 15 Sources of E. coli Contamination in Urban Waters ..................................................................................... 15 Natural History of E. coli ............................................................................................................................ 15 Monitoring & Evaluation List – Aquatic Life................................................................................................ 17 Element 2 – Data Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 19 Existing Lower Bear Creek E. coli Data Analysis .......................................................................................... 19 Load Reduction Calculations ...................................................................................................................... 31 2013 and 2014 E. coli Sampling Results ...................................................................................................... 31 Graphic Representations of Date ............................................................................................................... 35 Element 3 – Description of Nonpoint Source Management Measures............................................. 54 Structural .................................................................................................................................................. 54 Denver Water Quality Improvement Project .............................................................................................. 62 Non-structural (Source control) ................................................................................................................. 84 Restoration BMPs ...................................................................................................................................... 88 Other Best Management Practices in Use in the Watershed....................................................................... 88 Element 4 – Technical and Financial Assistance Needs ..................................................................... 91 Element 5 – Education and Outreach .................................................................................................... 93 Education and Outreach Elements and Approaches ................................................................................... 93 Total Projected Education and Outreach Plan Expenses (2015-2023) ....................................................... 111 Element 6 – Implementation Elements and Schedule ..................................................................... 112 Element 7 – Interim Measurable Milestones .................................................................................... 113 Education and Outreach – Short-Term ..................................................................................................... 114 Education and Outreach – Mid-Term ....................................................................................................... 120 Education and Outreach – Long-Term ...................................................................................................... 127 Management Measures – Short-Term ...................................................................................................... 132 Management Measures – Mid-Term ........................................................................................................ 135 Management Measures – Long-Term ....................................................................................................... 138 Element 8 – Criteria for Determining Management Measure Success.......................................... 141 2 Element 9 – Water Quality Monitoring in Lower Bear Creek......................................................... 144 Works Cited............................................................................................................................................ 148 Appendices ............................................................................................................................................. 150 A. Characteristics of Lower Bear Creek .......................................................................................... 151 B. Land Use, Ownership and Demographics .................................................................................. 159 C. Fish, Wildlife and Plants ............................................................................................................ 164 D. Watershed Planning Process ..................................................................................................... 172 E. Lower Bear Creek Watershed Plan Health and Safety Plan ........................................................ 179 F. Sampling and Analysis Plan - 2013 ............................................................................................ 190 3 Acknowledgements The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment financially and technically supported the watershed planning process with 319 Nonpoint Source funds provided by the Environmental Protection Agency. Groundwork Denver and its partners are thankful for the opportunity to work with State and Federal partners to improve urban water quality. This project was made possible by a group of dedicated volunteers who comprised the Lower Bear Creek Steering Committee. Their commitment to the planning process, knowledge, and enthusiasm are deeply appreciated. 2012-2014 Lower Bear Creek Steering Committee Shakti – Lakewood Resident and Lakewood City Council Member John Aaron – Cutthroat Chapter, Trout Unlimited Cinceré Eades – Denver Parks and Recreation, Natural Areas Parks & Parks Planning Wendy Hawthorne – Groundwork Denver Randy Mourning – Public Works, City of Sheridan Jon Novick – Denver Department of Environmental Health Holly Piza – Urban Drainage and Flood Control District Tom Slabe – Lakewood Resident and EPA Region 8 Life Scientist Jim West – Lakewood Resident We are especially grateful to EPA Region 8 Water Quality Unit and Region 8 Laboratory for providing training, materials, and analysis for E. coli sampling conducted in 2013 and 2014. We have current, watershed-wide data to share thanks to your efforts! Special thanks to Karl Hermann, Marcie Tidd, Tom Slabe, Jeff McPherson and Bill Schroeder. Several interns with Groundwork Denver also provided valuable assistance in the creation of this watershed plan. Thanks to Gerry Martinez, Ryan Carney, Jamie Reis, and David Watson. The Planning Team brought all the moving parts together and facilitated excellent meetings with stakeholders and all committees. Many thanks to our National Park Service team: Kelly Donahue, Alan Ragins, Hugh Osborne and Barbara Johnson. Maps are integral to telling watershed stories. Thanks to Karl Hermann, Cinceré Eades and Joe Lovell for their expertise and fine visuals. 4 Executive Summary The Watershed The Lower Bear Creek watershed is defined by roughly 35 square miles of land that drain into Bear Creek between the outfall of the Bear Creek Reservoir and the confluence with the South Platte River. The 8.2 mile stretch of creek flows through Lakewood in Jefferson County, the City and County of Denver, and the City of Sheridan in Arapahoe County. Land use types include low- and high density-residential areas, open spaces, and business developments. Map 2 shows the full boundary for the watershed, the project boundary, and the communities contained within the watershed boundary. Problems Clean Water Act Section 303(d) requires each State to identify waters that do not meet standards for their designated use and develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for identified contaminants. Lower Bear Creek’s designated uses as identified in Regulation 38 (Stream Classifications and Water Quality Standards) are Aquatic Life Warm I, Recreation E, Water Supply, and Agriculture (CDPHE, 2012). Recreation E describes any activity where people are in direct contact with the water, including wading, water play by children, tubing, and swimming. Swimming is an example of a primary contact recreation activity in Lower Bear Creek. Photo: Rachel Hansgen. 5 The reach between Kipling Parkway and the confluence with the South Platte River