Embedded Files
Project updates are aimed at providing stakeholders and the community with up-to-date information about West Plum Creek Stream Management Plan project activities.
October 2025 Update
I'd like to start this letter with a giant thank-you to all who attended our community picnic at Sandstone Ranch in September. If you're on this email list, you likely already know that community participation is a crucial part of any good stream management plan. We know how busy life can get, especially as summer comes to a close - so, to those of you who were able to step away for an evening to join us, we are so thankful!
But don't worry - if you missed it, you can still submit your feedback on the planning process. Read on for links and resources, including a short, five-question survey for anyone who missed the picnic but remains interested in the future of West Plum Creek.
At the picnic, we got lots of questions about what happens when we're ready to leave the planning stage. What does work towards a healthier West Plum Creek look like? What kind of projects might we undertake, and where, and when? Read on for a visit to a neighboring creek system that has already entered the "projects" stage. Photos and stories from the East Plum Creek watershed can inspire and possibly provide a glimpse into our own future!
2026 West Plum Creek Community Picnic
Neighbors and landowners gathered at our recent community picnic to celebrate progress on the stream management plan and to share ideas for the next phase of work. Through activities, speakers, and conversation over a shared meal, community members and steering committee members connected on priorities and hopes for the future.
The event wasn’t just about food and connection though—it was about keeping momentum strong. Community participation is at the heart of this effort, and hearing from those who live, work, and recreate along our waterways ensures that the plan reflects shared priorities and values.
During the course of the evening, we heard from landowners interested in hosting a demonstration restoration project and allowing ecological monitoring on their property. We also learned that West Plum Creek community members care about protecting water quality and water availability in local creeks, preserving crucial wetlands, and protecting bird populations and native plants. Hearing these motivations is key to building a future where our shared values are protected.
If you weren’t able to attend, we encourage you to check out the West Plum Creek Stream Management Plan website for updates and more info or read a brief overview here.
We would also still love to hear from you! At the picnic, we asked attendees some key questions about their values and preferences for the next stages of the process. You can submit your input on the same topics via a short, five-question survey here.
Thanks again to all who attended. If you missed us this time, stay tuned for our next event!
Inspiration and Lessons Learned from East Plum Creek Restoration
The Need for Restoration
For more than a decade, Douglas County and other local partners have worked to restore a seven-mile reach of East Plum Creek (EPC) between Castle Rock and Larkspur (see map below). Over the decades, a number of problems have developed in this reach which impact the hydrology of the system and the ability of fish and other creek-dwelling organisms to move freely.
Examples of East Plum Creek degradation include:
Narrowed floodplain - When the creek was straightened and moved to make way for I-25, the floodplain lost much of its natural width and function. This has reduced the creek’s ability to absorb high flows and increased flood risk for nearby structures.
Blocked fish passage - A driveway crossing was built too high, causing sediment to pile up on one side and creating a 12-foot drop. This acts like a wall in the stream, making it impossible for fish and other aquatic life to move freely.
Disrupted stream channel - The creek blew out around an old, illegal water diversion creating an unnatural “oxbow” bend. Sediment filled in the proper channel. Then the diversion failed, leaving behind a wall of debris, further disrupting stream flow.
Disconnected floodplain and groundwater - In some areas, the stream has cut down so deeply that it no longer connects with the underground water table. As a result, healthy streamside vegetation has declined, and the once-lush riparian zone has been replaced by weeds and poor-quality upland habitat.
Bringing it all Together
Rather than trying to fix problems one at a time or property by property, project proponents used a holistic, stream-segment approach. Looking at a seven-mile reach allowed broader planning and more wide-reaching solutions - but even regional solutions are reached one project or phase at a time.
As work gets started, many elements must come together to complete even a single project. These elements include consent of the landowner, engineering & hydrology designs, environmental permits, funding (often including grants), bidding and contracting with professionals to do the work on the ground, project management logistics, growing or sourcing plant material, and recruiting additional human-power - often including organized volunteer groups such as Mile High Youth Corps or Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado.
Project Examples from East Plum Creek
In 2015, Douglas County Open Space created 4 acres of new riparian and wetland habitat on the Iron Horse Open Space by removing human-placed large boulders on a ¼ mile section of the channelized portion of EPC near Larkspur.
Starting in 2019-2020, Douglas County initiated a 4-phase project to restore most of the 1-mile reach of EPC through Lowell Ranch, a conserved property administered by the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation. This project included removing the above-mentioned driveway crossing and reworking the stream channel, restoring the hydrology to original conditions. The project continues currently.
In 2022, Douglas County removed an obsolete bridge on the Iron Horse Open Space that constricted the channel, and widened the floodplain to match the 2015 restoration that reworked the river immediately downstream. This project again created more wetland and riparian habitat and gave the river more room to safely carry high flows.
Planning for the Future
Restoration of habitats and wetlands, along with monitoring and reporting to federal regulatory agencies continues for some of the aforementioned projects. The project at Lowell Ranch is now in its final stages, but active work and replanting will continue until complete. Local project proponents and partners continue to seek opportunities to initiate further projects in this target reach as opportunities arise, funding can be secured, and all the other elements necessary for a successful project can be coordinated or completed.
Is This a Blueprint for West Plum Creek?
As the West Plum Creek stream management plan is developed further, needs and opportunities for restoration or improvement will become apparent. Developing a list of opportunities and priorities is part of the current phase of planning. Once complete, the West Plum Creek team and partners anticipate identifying and initiating similar projects in the West Plum Creek watershed.
East Plum Creek Gratitude
As you now know, it takes a team to complete projects like these. Numerous partners have contributed to EPC projects, including:
Douglas County Open Space and Engineering
Douglas County Conservation District
Natural Resource Conservation Service
Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation
Mile High Youth Corps
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
Project contractors & consultants
Funding has likewise come from many sources, including:
Douglas County
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Ducks Unlimited
Great Outdoors Colorado
Colorado Department of Health and Environment
Chatfield Watershed Authority
Douglas County Conservation District
Mile High Youth Corps
Charitable foundations
Many thanks to all who have contributed their time and resources to improving the health of East Plum Creek!
Watershed Events
October 28-29 | C9 Summit (Lakewood) - The C9 Summit is a collaborative gathering of Colorado’s diverse water stakeholders. Designed as a space for focused engagement, this summit supports renewed connection, encourages knowledge-sharing across basins, broadens CWCB’s reach to new audiences, and provides a platform to address CWCB initiatives and discuss Roundtable challenges and opportunities. The C9 Summit also serves as an opportunity to consider the broader statewide vision for Colorado’s water future through exploration of emerging themes, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of water management in Colorado. FREE
November 5th, 2025 | Riparian Book Club (Online) - COCO and the Colorado Riparian Association (CRA) are partnering to bring you Colorado Stream Restoration Network (CSRN)'s Riparian Book Club. The ultimate intent of CSRN's Riparian Book Club is to help bridge the gap between academic research on stream/wetland systems and applied restoration design. These book club discussions are targeted toward those tasked with stream-wetland restoration design and project planning, to seminal/pivotal scientific papers that can help them in daily work tasks. The November meeting will focus on the natural wood regime. FREE
December 2nd, 2025 | Colorado Ag Water Summit (Greely) - CAWA is hosting this event with the Colorado Water Center to focus on research related to irrigated agriculture and how we can make that research impactful at a time when we need it most. This event is for agricultural producers, water resource professionals, faculty and staff at universities, and especially students. $70 for producers; $110 for general admission
July 2025 Update
Summer is upon us! Flowers are blooming, the creek is flowing, and some of the days are getting pretty toasty. I hope all of you are enjoying long evenings and dipping your toes in the creek from time to time.
In this newsletter, we invite you to a community picnic in early September, then dive into some updates from the Stream Health Assessment. Let’s get to it!
Join Us for a West Plum Creek Community Picnic
Come picnic in the park – dinner’s on us!
The West Plum Creek Stream Management Plan team is inviting you to a community picnic on Thursday, September 6th. We’ll be gathering with neighbors, connecting with our community, learning from experts, and enjoying some delicious local food – and we want YOU to join us. As a member of the West Plum Creek community, you are integral to the success of this stream management plan, and we want to share this process with you.
The picnic will be held at beautiful Sandstone Ranch Open Space in an area of the park not typically open to the public. You’ll have a chance to:
Take a closer look at some of the creatures that call West Plum Creek home (we’ll even provide you waders if you want to catch them yourself!)
Meet your neighbors and fellow West Plum Creek residents
Enter a drawing to win prizes
Chat with experts about watershed issues
Hear updates on Stream Management Plan progress
Provide feedback on elements of the plan
If you live in the West Plum Creek watershed, we’d love to have you! Bring the whole family for an evening in the park. We hope to see you in September!
Please note: we want to make sure there is enough dinner to go around, so please kindly RSVP for this event.
Questions, or need help registering? Email Maria at mpezza@watershed.center.
Update: West Plum Creek Stream Health Assessment Progress
If you’ve been following along, or if you stopped by the community BBQ last summer at Sandstone Ranch, you will know that steering committee members have been hard at work on a stream health assessment for West Plum Creek. We are almost ready to share the final draft, but for now, read on for some results from the assessment!
Understanding the Health of the Watershed
The West Plum Creek stream health assessment (SHA) was developed to inform the Stream Management Plan and give a clear picture of existing stream and riparian conditions across the watershed. In particular, the SHA looks at native fish habitat, native fish populations and locations, barriers to fish movement, hydrology, water quality, and riparian corridor/bank conditions in the project area. The SHA identifies challenges to native fish spawning and life cycles with the goal of offering recommendations for land management, creek restoration, fish passage improvements, and stream flow protection to reduce risk to native fish.
The health of the West Plum Creek watershed is shaped by several closely connected factors: flow regime, sediment regime, riverscape dynamics, and floodplain connectivity. These factors are currently the most limiting elements in the watershed, and, together, they have a major impact on the overall ecosystem - especially for native fish, which rely on consistent water availability for their survival. To further explore the stream health indicators used to assess West Plum Creek, check out the graphic below, or click here to view a larger version of the indicators and metrics graphic.
Assessment Results
The majority of river sections scored by the SHA team are in fair to good condition, with overall scores of either “B” or “C.” In general, areas higher up in the watershed tended to score better than areas down lower. Areas higher in the watershed have generally been less altered by agriculture and other development because of their steep topography and narrow floodplains.
In contrast, many of the lower reaches have historically been used for horse ranching and hay production, often in or right next to the floodplain. These downstream reaches show more signs of damage, like bank erosion and deep-cut stream channels, which have likely influenced aquatic habitat connectivity, floodplain connectivity, and vegetation cover and extent.
Challenges in the Watershed
One of the most pressing physical issues in the watershed is channel incision, where the streambed is eroding downward. This leads to a disconnect between the creek and its floodplain, preventing the natural exchange of water and nutrients. As a result, valuable floodplain habitats are being lost, plants in the floodplain have a harder time reaching groundwater, and excess sediment may be accumulating downstream, creating further problems.
Periodic dry-up points pose a major threat to stream health and native fish populations. These dry sections can break up fish habitat, isolate fish populations, and reduce biodiversity. Therefore, reducing or eliminating dry-up points is a long-term conservation goal.
Looking Ahead – What’s Next?
While most tributaries experience flow interruptions, the effects of these on native fish populations are not yet fully understood. This highlights the need for continued monitoring and research in order to better understand flow variability and inform decision-making.
The stream health assessment sets a baseline for existing conditions in the watershed, with the hope that future management actions and projects can improve those conditions to benefit native fish, river health, and the local community.
February 2025 Update
Happy spring to all! Have you seen your first spring blooms yet? Signs of the season are beginning to show, so this quarter our newsletter will highlight a few plant and animal species to keep an eye out for on West Plum Creek as you enjoy spring in the watershed. Plus, read to the end for info on this summer’s West Plum Creek Community Barbeque (and RSVP here).
First, an introduction: you may have noticed that this update is not coming to you from our friends at River Network as updates have in the past. The West Plum Creek Stream Management Plan (SMP) team has recently expanded to include The Watershed Center, who will be supporting outreach and engagement during Phase 2 of SMP development.
Who is The Watershed Center?
The Watershed Center (TWC) is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring watersheds, which we do while balancing the needs of both the environment and the community. We are a team of ecologists and communicators with extensive experience in planning and adaptive management of watershed health projects, ranging from rivers to forests. Because the community plays a vital role in shaping the future of our waterways, TWC is committed to working alongside community members to develop an SMP that reflects both watershed health and your priorities. Over the next year, we’ll be connecting with West Plum Creek residents through interviews and events (read to the end for a Save the Date!) to gather input and create a shared vision for the stream’s future.
The Watershed Center staff (February 2025).
Signs of Spring: Flora and Fauna on West Plum Creek
In our last update, we learned about the indicators used to assess the health of West Plum Creek. This time, we’re zooming in on two: Riparian Condition and Biotic Community – in other words, thinking about what’s living in and around the creek. Read on to learn why West Plum Creek amphibian habitat may be unique, and which plant species you may want to keep an eye out for this spring.
A Tale of Two Frogs: Northern Leopard Frogs Hanging on in West Plum Creek
The West Plum Creek valley is truly a unique place. Those who call the valley home are drawn to its scenic vistas, pastoral landscapes, peaceful lifestyle, and traditional way of life. But there is another resident of the valley that seems to appreciate many of these same attributes. You may have to look or listen very closely to notice it, and it lives here for many of the same reasons as its human cohabitants.
Northern Leopard Frogs are one of the most widely distributed amphibian species in N. America, but the species has been declining in the western portion of its range, including Colorado. A 2011 study spearheaded by the University of Colorado found that in their study sites in Northeastern Colorado (not including Douglas County) these frogs occurred in only 1.7% of wetlands they had historically occupied. Many of these wetlands had been lost or severely altered from development along the Front Range. Adding insult to injury, non-native American Bullfrogs had replaced leopard frogs across much of their study area.
Northern Leopard Frog (photo credit Colorado Parks and Wildlife - Rémi Pattyn [left] and Keith Penner [right])
West Plum Creek and East Plum Creek present somewhat of an anomaly in this scenario, as both species have coexisted here for at least three decades. Indeed, during the Stream Health Assessment (SHA), both were observed across most of our study area in West Plum Creek, with most reaches favoring bullfrogs and a few favoring leopard frogs. The SHA provided a unique opportunity to get a snapshot of where these species may be found, but did not provide a complete picture of how these species are interacting in the valley.
American Bullfrog (photo credit Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Our native Northern Leopard Frogs grow up to 3” long, measured from snout to tailbone. They have leopard-like spots along their back and are further distinguished by light colored dorsolateral ridges, aka two lines along their back on either side. Bullfrogs grow to the size of a dessert platter and have a nasty reputation for eating virtually any animal that can fit in their mouth. Bullfrogs breed in ponds along the Front Range around August. They spend nearly a whole year as tadpoles before metamorphosing into hopping frogs. In contrast, leopard frogs breed in early April to early May; their eggs quickly develop into tadpoles, and the tadpoles quickly metamorphose into land hopping frogs in a mere one to two months. This means that leopard frogs can breed in wetlands that only have water for a few months, while bullfrog tadpoles need permanent ponds and lakes.
The increase of such permanent water sources along the Front Range in the form of reservoirs and gravel pit ponds has surely aided the bullfrog takeover. Adding to its uniqueness, Plum Creek stands as a shining example proving that with high-quality, relatively unaltered wetland habitat, our native leopard frogs may be able to coexist with non-native bullfrogs. However, at this point we only have a cursory understanding of how these two species are co-existing and if leopard frogs will be able to maintain their presence despite bullfrog populations.
Plant Watch: Non-Native Species Can Become Invasive
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a non-native, deep-rooted perennial that spreads by seeds and aggressive creeping, horizontal roots called rhizomes. Canada thistle can grow 2 to 4 feet in height. The leaves are oblong, spiny, bright green, and slightly hairy on the undersurface.
Canada thistle leaves (left) and first year rosettes (right) (photo credit Denver Botanic Gardens)
Unlike other noxious biennial thistles, which have a solitary flower at the end of each stem, Canada thistle flowers occur in small clusters of 1 to 5 flowers. They are about 1 cm in diameter, tubular-shaped, and vary from white to purple in color (Colorado Dept. of Agriculture). It is designated a ‘List B’ species according to the Colorado Noxious Weed Act.
Canada thistle flowers (photo credit Colorado Department of Agriculture [left] and Colorado State University Extension [right])
Due to the extensive root system and perennial nature of Canada thistle, elimination of infestations requires persistent treatment. The plant must be stressed and drained of energy over time to kill it entirely. If you are interested in treating Canada thistle, options include:
Biological control-parasites: Specific insects may be applied for general weakening but won’t eliminate the infestation. These methods typically take 5-7 years to have significant effect, but can be a pervasive, long-term general control method on large acreage over time. A rust fungus treatment is being developed.
Biological control-grazing: Cattle, sheep, and goats will graze the young plants early in the spring. This method weakens the plant and slows its seasonal growth, but it should be followed up with other treatments later in the season.
Mechanical control-mowing: Mowing can drain the plant’s reserves if done every 10-21 days during the growing season. It can be done one or more times as the plants are setting flower buds to keep it from flowering and subsequently producing seed.
Chemical control-herbicides: One of the most effective control methods is the application of herbicides. Instructions vary, but application periods are typically in the spring through bud formation or bloom and again in the fall. Fall applications are very effective because the plant is reabsorbing its foliage nutrients at this time of year, taking the herbicide deep into its root system. Only certain herbicides are labeled for use in open water areas. (Colorado Dept. of Agriculture-Conservation Services, 2015)
Additional information may be found in the Canada Thistle Identification and Management Fact Sheet produced by the Colorado Department of Agriculture: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VD0akK6512uYeraw77xI7XVKujmUh81u/view.
Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a nonnative perennial tree native to Europe and Asia. If you’ve spent any time in the West Plum Creek riparian zone, you have no doubt seen it: a short tree with long silvery white leaves, nasty thorns, and reddish bark. As a Colorado List B noxious weed, Russian olive is one of the most problematic invasive plant species we deal with in West Pum Creek (WPC), and it can be seen along the entire length as well as in several of its tributary creeks.
Left to right: Russian olive leaves and fruits, bark, and thorns (photo credit Jefferson County Invasive Species Management)
Russian olive seedling (left) and clump of mature trees (right) (photo credit Jefferson County Invasive Species Management)
Russian Olive trees are capable of damaging riparian ecosystems in several ways:
Outcompeting and displacing native vegetation
Reducing net animal and bird habitat
Taxing water reserves
As a List B species, Russian Olive trees are required to be eradicated, contained, or suppressed. Many landowners have worked consistently to remove Russian Olive in the WPC corridor. In general, the most successful approach has been to cut down medium and large size trees using a chain saw. Immediately treating the cut stump with an herbicide appropriate for use in a riparian zone will greatly reduce the chances of the tree re-sprouting. Smaller trees may be cut with a large tree pruner and require the same immediate treatment with an herbicide. Very small trees in the first year or two may be simply removed by hand, but of course wearing gloves is strongly recommended.
In all cases, cutting or removal leads to the decision of whether to remove the waste from the riparian zone. Larger trees generate a surprisingly large amount of waste due to the dense growth habit of Russian Olives. In the end the decision to remove the waste or not is up to the landowner, but it is better to cut down the Russian Olive whether or not the waste can be extracted from the riparian zone.
More information on Russian Olive tree removal can be found on the Colorado Department of Agriculture Conservation Services website: www.colorado.gov/ag/weeds
News and Events
Save the Date!
We will be hosting a West Plum Creek Community Barbeque on Thursday, September 4th, 2025. This will serve as a chance to connect with your neighbors, learn a little bit more about the watershed, and hear updates on the Stream Management Plan. RSVP today and look for updates in your inbox as we get closer to September!
Job Opening
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is hiring a seasonal Aquatics Technician. This position is based in Fort Collins, CO and will support statewide amphibian conservation efforts. See attached job description for full details and reach out to elizabeth.krone@state.co.us with any questions.
Native Plant Sale
Douglas County Conservation District is hosting their Annual Plant Sale Fundraiser! Preorder your plants online through Friday, April 4th, then pick up your orders on April 25th from 9am-6pm at Douglas County Fairgrounds-Kirk Hall. There will be additional plants for sale on Pick Up Day. Questions? Reach out to Heather Kelly, District Manager at Heather@DouglasConserves.org or 303-218-2622.
Thank you so much for reading! The Watershed Center is honored to be a part of this team, and we look forward to meeting and working with all of you.
December 2024 Update
My how the time flies! It feels like only a short time ago that we were gathering with many of you at Sandstone Ranch to check out cool fish from West Plum Creek and learn about the stream health assessment. The field season is now wrapped up - many of you graciously provided access to collect needed data, here is a big THANK YOU! We are now focused on reviewing all the data collected over the past two years and compiling results into the stream health assessment (more details below!). Once the stream health assessment is finalized, we will share it with you all through our website, quarterly newsletter and an outreach event during summer 2025. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates in 2025!
Read on to learn about a summer landowner BBQ, updates on the stream health assessment for West Plum Creek, and exciting news about our successful Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Plan Grant application for launching Phase II of the West Plum Creek Stream Management Plan (SMP).
What’s up with the stream health assessment for West Plum Creek?
The purpose of a stream health assessment is to characterize aquatic and riparian habitat, stream flows, and water management along the length of West Plum Creek and its tributaries, from the Forest Service boundary downstream to Sedalia.
The stream health assessment is a work in progress! This summer, our team completed riparian vegetation data collection and incorporated it into the stream health assessment. We are also finalizing data collection for hydrology, an important indicator of stream health sometimes referred to as “the master variable” by the experts.
While that gets wrapped up, WPC steering committee members including Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Douglas County Division of Open Space & Natural Resources, Chatfield Watershed Authority, and Douglas County Conservation District are reviewing a final draft of the stream health assessment.
We are taking our time to dive into the information gathered about each of the indicators and metrics of stream health to make sure that the data makes sense with what we know and what you have shared with us about the watershed.
In addition, we are working together to identify the appropriate scoring criteria for each metric as well as the appropriate scoring weights for each metric and indicator. The scoring weights will be “rolled up” to derive a stream health assessment score for each reach in the West Plum Creek watershed. We can’t wait to share more information with you about the scoring process and stream health assessment results in 2025!
Want to learn more about the different indicators and metrics? Check out the graphic below!
Indicators and metrics of stream health for West Plum Creek. Click here to view a larger version of the indicators and metrics graphic.
Are you interested in learning about other stream health assessments (SHA)? Here are examples of what other watersheds have done with their SHAs:
City of Fort Collins - Cache La Poudre River River Health Assessment Framework
City of Steamboat Springs - Yampa River Health Assessment Report
Upper Arkansas Watershed Partnership - South Arkansas River Stream Health Assessment
What is the status of the grant application for Phase II of the Stream Management Plan?
Our team is pleased to share that we received a grant through the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Water Plan Grant Program to support Phase II of the West Plum Creek Stream Management Plan. Phase II will focus on project identification and prioritization with input from stakeholders, landowners, water users and other interest holders.
To kick off Phase II, over the next year, we will be working with The Watershed Center to conduct interviews with water users to understand their needs, values and project ideas. The Watershed Center will also facilitate meetings with local interest holders to discuss how to work together to implement the SMP and outline group agreements. Interest holders include local landowners and water users as well as other local entities with interest in the watershed such as Douglas Land Conservancy, Douglas County Conservation District, and Douglas County. A critical part of Phase II will be to work with interest holders to identify and prioritize voluntary projects and actions that meet the needs and values of local landowners and protect, enhance, or restore West Plum Creek and its tributaries. We will be looking to landowners to help us build this project list, so please do not hesitate to reach out with your ideas!
More information about Phase II will be shared in the next update.
Next Steps
In addition to analyzing landowner interview data and compiling it into a report, our team will spend the winter months analyzing data and finalizing the stream health assessment along with analyzing landowner interview data and finalizing it in a landowner needs assessment. Together, the stream health assessment and landowner needs assessment report will be used to identify a preliminary list of habitat improvement projects that support wildlife and the livelihoods and lifestyles of landowners along the creek. We anticipate completing the assessments and landowner report by early spring 2025.
Q&A: Why is water temperature important for stream health and where are we measuring temperature in the West Plum Creek basin?
The ranges of many aquatic species are limited by water temperature, so this metric is an important measure of habitat quality. Shading from the riparian canopy, good groundwater exchange, and seepage from spring-fed tributaries can contribute to lower temperatures that support the fish species present in West Plum Creek and its tributaries. Fish can also be limited by low temperatures (for example, tilapia die when water temperatures drop to about 50F, which is why we don’t see them in Colorado—water temperatures generally are too cold here). For fish, temperature effects can show up in a lot of different ways: growth rates, reproductive success (egg hatching, timing of reproduction), food source availability, and oxygen availability. Elevated temperatures can lead to problems like reduced oxygen levels and algal blooms, which make the impact on the stream’s ecosystem worse. These conditions can create stress for aquatic life, making it difficult for temperature-sensitive species such as certain fish and macroinvertebrates to survive. Their health is vital for maintaining the ecological balance and biodiversity of the stream.
Project team member Kim Lennberg installs temperature monitoring equipment in Jackson Creek (April 2022).
One-time measurements of water quality taken manually have limited value when considering optimal conditions for resident aquatic species. Continuous temperature data loggers that collect temperature measurements at regular intervals (for example, every 30 minutes) provide a greater understanding of the conditions impacting aquatic habitat and allow for comparison with water quality temperature standards. Both daily maximum temperature (acute) and maximum weekly average temperature (chronic) standards are set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) based on water use designations (such as protection of aquatic life, agriculture, recreation, and water supply). The West Plum Creek SMP team has installed temperature monitoring equipment at 8 sites in the West Plum Creek basin: 4 on the main stem and one each on the Garber Creek, Jackson Creek, Bear Creek, and Gove Creek tributaries. The graph below shows an example of continuous temperature measurements over a 15-month period compared to regulatory standards.
Temperature data readings from May 2022 to July 2023 from West Plum Creek.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It): Are there fish in West Plum Creek?
As we have gotten to know you and other landowners in West Plum Creek, we have discovered that many of you are interested in learning more about the fishes in West Plum Creek. We are excited to share with you this infosheet about the fishes of West Plum Creek! As you will find, we highlighted 12 native fish species found in the creek and three non-native species. Which fish is your favorite?!
Thanks for reading and we hope to see you along West Plum Creek soon!
October 2023 Update
October 2023 Update
In this update, learn about the effects of high creek flows on the 2023 field season, what we are learning so far from conversations with landowners, and next steps for the project. In addition, we are excited to share our new Fishes of West Plum Creek information sheet.
What effects did the high creek flows have on the 2023 field season?
You know it already, but flows in West Plum Creek were above average this year (see the graph below). Safety is our number one priority so we decided to delay some fieldwork until late summer and early fall when flows had decreased and conditions were safer for accessing the creek. We also needed to wait for flows to decrease because high flows cause soil to wash from the banks, making the water cloudy. The cloudiness, or turbidity, makes it difficult to see and net fish during electrofishing.
Graph above: The x-axis (horizontal) shows time from March 1, 2022 to October 20, 2023. The y-axis (perpendicular line) shows streamflow in cubic feet per second (cfs). On May 12, 2023, the average flow rate for West Plum Creek was 347 cfs! This data comes from the U.S. Geological Survey stream gauge that is permanently installed in West Plum Creek at N HWY 67 and N Perry Park Rd, just upstream of where West Plum Creek and East Plum Creek come together to form Plum Creek. You can check creek flows at this gauge daily by visiting the USGS Water Data webpage for the West Plum Creek monitoring site.
Pictured above: Liz Krone, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (left), and Chelsea Silva, River Network (right), on lunch break between interviews with landowners. April 2023
What have we learned through interviews and conversations with landowners?
In April 2023, our team spent a week in the West Plum Creek area conducting interviews with landowners. Our goal was to learn about landowner land and water management practices and landowner experiences with West Plum Creek. Here are some emerging themes:
Why do you choose to live near West Plum Creek? Tranquility, privacy, business operations, and beauty of the landscape.
What are your concerns about West Plum Creek? Development & loss of open space, erosion along the creek banks, and changes in historic flows (less water in the creek than before).
Nearly all interviewees expressed interest in future grant opportunities for improving and protecting water quality, stream and riparian habitats, and stream flows.
Most interviewees are already implementing restoration practices on their property.
We are in the process of compiling what we learned into a report that outlines landowner needs and priorities. The information in this report will be used in the next project phase to help our team figure out where the needs are and what creek restoration opportunities exist. As a reminder, all responses from the interviews are kept anonymous to protect landowner privacy.
Thank you so much for those landowners who participated in an interview with us! We have greatly enjoyed getting to know you and hearing about your connection to West Plum Creek.
Fishes of West Plum Creek.pdfAre there fish in West Plum Creek?
As we have gotten to know you and other landowners in West Plum Creek, we have discovered that many of you are interested in learning more about the fishes in West Plum Creek. We are excited to share with you the attached infosheet about the fishes of West Plum Creek! As you will find, we highlighted 12 native fish species found in the creek and three non-native species.
Next Steps
In addition to analyzing landowner interview data and compiling it into a report, our team will spend the winter months analyzing data and preparing the stream health assessment. Together, the stream health assessment and landowner needs report will be used to identify opportunities to improve habitat and stream flow to support wildlife and the livelihoods and lifestyles of landowners along the creek. We anticipate completing the assessment and landowner report by early spring.
Lastly, our team is preparing to submit a grant through the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Water Plan Grant Program to support Phase II of the West Plum Creek Stream Management Plan. Phase II will focus on project identification and prioritization. We will be looking to landowners to help us build this project list, so please do not hesitate to reach out with your ideas. More information about Phase II will be shared in the next update.
Thanks for reading and we hope to see you along West Plum Creek soon!
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