Water Quality

Rising surface water temperatures and concentrated nutrients can contribute to algae blooms, which can diminish water quality.

NPS

Water quality is a measure of the suitability of water for various uses based on physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Quality is important for both park ecosystems and visitors. Clean water can be the difference between a species ability to survive or not.

Even if water is clear or transparent, it does not necessarily mean it is "clean" or safe. The Gunnison River flows from the headwaters in the Southern Rocky Mountains and reaches the national recreation area boundary just west of the town of Gunnison. It then flows through three dams before reaching Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. As it goes downstream, the river can be exposed to both natural and unnatural substances that can alter water quality. Substances such as heavy metals, pathogens, sediment, fertilizers, or micro-plastics can impact water quality. Adjacent agricultural, grazing, historical mining, increased visitor uses, and low water levels are also factors.

 

Park staff take water samples from Blue Mesa Reservoir.

NPS

Monitoring Water Quality

National Park Service (NPS) staff routinely monitor various water quality testing sites to determine the "health" of the water. This monitoring has been ongoing since the early 1980s. Data collection helps identify problem areas and show trends of improving or worsening water quality over time. The Clean Water Act requires states to identify all waters that do not meet or cannot meet water quality standards.

Water quality monitoring sites span the entirety of the national recreation area. Most sites are at the mouths of the tributaries into Blue Mesa Reservoir, Morrow Point Reservoir, and Crystal Reservoir.

Overall water quality is good and trending towards improvements. Phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, and water temperature are known to exceed state standards. Some locations also have exceeding levels of E. coli.

Cyanobacteria, a form of free-floating phytoplankton, can release cyanotoxins if conditions are optimal. If these cyanotoxins reach a dangerous level, they can cause harmful algae blooms. Rising surface water temperatures and concentrated nutrients can contribute to these blooms. Park staff monitor and study these blooms to assess whether public health safety measures, such as area closures, are necessary during summer months.

Want to learn more about water quality monitoring at Curecanti? Use the Hydrographic and Impairment Statistics (HIS) database to find park specific statistics.

 

Help Protect Water Resources

Visitors play a role in protecting water quality, and quantity, both at home and in national parks. Here are some ways you can help:

• Turn off the tap while filling water bottles at the visitor centers or campgrounds.

• Properly dispose of waste in trashcans to keep trash out of waterways.

• Pick up and dispose of pet waste. Pet waste may contain harmful bacteria and pathogens that can leech into drinking water sources.

• In places without bathroom facilities, ensure human waste is packed out or buried at least 100 feet from a water source (where allowed). Check park regulations.

• Clean, Drain, Dry and get a watercraft inspection before launching on the reservoirs.

 

Duration:

4 minutes, 32 seconds

In this episode follow Scientists-in-Parks intern and the water monitoring team at Curecanti National Recreation Area as they work to collect water samples and document river algae.