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Aurora to join USGS study of South Platte and Cherry Creek water quality with $45,000 contribution
Summary
Aurora agreed to jointly fund a three‑year USGS Lagrangian study of nitrates and phosphorus in the South Platte and Cherry Creek reach, contributing $15,000 per year for three years to receive reports and presentations; the committee moved the intergovernmental agreement to study session.
Aurora staff presented an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) request to jointly fund a U.S. Geological Survey study of water quality in the South Platte (from Chatfield downstream to upstream of the Prairie Waters facility) and the Cherry Creek reach.
Rich Bidmore, presenting for the project, said the USGS will perform a Lagrangian study to track sources of point and nonpoint constituents such as nitrates and phosphorus under different flow regimes. Aurora's requested contribution is $15,000 per year for three years (a $45,000 total contribution). Denver Water is also participating via a separate IGA, Bidmore said.
Why it matters: staff said the study will update baselines from a 2020 USGS study and could identify nonpoint sources that might be candidates for mitigation projects (for example, wetlands or stormwater projects). Staff noted potential regulatory consequences if nutrient loads are found to exceed standards enforced by state regulators but said the immediate aim is to better understand sources and inform partners.
Outcome: the committee moved the IGA forward to the study session for further review.
Ending: staff said USGS will provide reports and presentations over the three-year study and that Aurora will use the findings to inform its water quality planning around Prairie Waters.
