Impact/Purpose:

The goal of this project is to reduce selenium loading from non-point sources to segments of the Gunnison and Uncompahge Rivers, maintain the viability of current land uses within the basins, improve water quality to meet state standards to protect fish and wildlife, including some species of threatened and endangered species.

Description:

The Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basins Targeting Project will gather water quality data necessary to characterize the selenium loads that are being contributed from within the basins. Evaluation of the variabiliy of selenium loading in the basins will guide the implementation of best management practices and will provide additional insight into how watershed conditions and land use practices affect selenium loading from a particular area. In addition to identifying the sources of selenium loading, the project will also develop an educational program for land users about the selenium issue, its potential impacts on fish and wildlife and current land practices, and what can be done to reduce the amount of selenium entering the rivers to improve water quality.

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