Projects

Lake Fork Watershed Working Group

Contact Information:
OSM/VISTA: Kristin Hettich
Supervisor: Kato Dee
Address: Colorado Mountain College, 901 S. Hwy. 24, Leadville, CO 80461
Phone: 312-307-1272
Email: kristin.mir AT prodigy DOT net
Website: www.coloradomtn.edu/LFWWG
US Congressional District: 5th
County: Lake

Description of organization and mission:

The mission of the Lake Fork Watershed Working Group is to represent the entire range of community and stakeholder interests in watershed activities, and to facilitate communication, acquire data and recommend restoration and remediation activities in areas of environmental degradation.

Housing Development in Leadville, CO.

The Lake Fork Watershed encompasses approximately 55, 000 acres. In light of EPA investigations of mine-related water impacts in the watershed, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in coordination with Colorado Mountain College's Natural Resource Management Program created the Lake Fork of the Arkansas River Watershed Group in 2000. The group is currently comprised of representatives from U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Department of Health and Environment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geologic Survey, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, Colorado Mountain College, Trout Unlimited, other academic institutions, local landowners, and citizens.

A project has begun to construct a sulfate reducing bioreactor system to treat contaminated water from the Tiger Mine Complex. Dump remediation and prep work for the bioreactor will start in late summer. Chemical, hydrologic, and aquatic wildlife monitoring of the Lake Fork above and below its confluence with Colorado Gulch will occur in conjunction with the bioreactor. Previous studies indicate the Dinero Complex is a significant source of heavy metals contamination into the Lake Fork. Another project this summer includes delineation and characterization of the Dinero wetland as well as the installation of a bulkhead.

Goal of OSM/VISTA in the Coal Creek Watershed Coalition:

This is the first year a OSM/VISTA will work with the watershed group. The responsibilities of the OSM/VISTA includes maintaining the LFWWG website to ensure current and archived information is available to the stakeholders as well as the general public. The OSM/VISTA will also represent the group at meetings, conferences and workshops, assist with the facilitation of meetings, field trips and public outreach.