About

Davidson Creek, Middle Yegua Creek and Deer Creek are currently impaired for not meeting the recreational use standard for E. coli of 126 CFU/100 ml. As a result, a Recreational Use Attainability Analysis was conducted on each creek. Reports show that primary contact recreation occurs on all water bodies indicating that standards will not change.

To more accurately assess the water bodies and identify potential causes and sources of pollution, water quality monitoring and characterization are needed. It is through monitoring and adequate data that watershed managers will be able to get a true assessment of water quality inhibitors. To identify potential causes and sources that degrade water quality, existing data should first be collected and analyzed through a watershed characterization process. This process helps explain to interested parties why there is a need for watershed planning and implementation activities. Local data and information is needed from stakeholders in the area; therefore, stakeholders should be engaged through the characterization process.

To ensure that stakeholders all have the same understanding of the project goals and objectives, education programs will be delivered to the stakeholder group to improve their understanding of contributions to bacteria impairments, the parameters of concern in the project area and ways that they can be mitigated. This process is the first step in actually engaging stakeholders in developing a strategy and ensures that management strategies can be developed and supported from the local level.