Quality water research.

Since 2004, the San Juan Watershed Group and our partners have collaborated to spearhead several water quality studies throughout the Animas and San Juan Watersheds to zoom in on levels and hotspots of phosphorus, nitrogen, and E.coli. Several sources were identified through these studies, including agriculture and grazing land use and urban storm water flow.

While E.coli is a useful indicator of fecal contamination and more harmful bacteria for human health if ingested, more information was needed to see what the specific hosts of fecal bacteria are. In 2013 and 2014, the San Juan Watershed Group coordinated a Microbial Source Tracking Study to hone in on host organisms, and found that the most significant contributions of fecal bacteria came from ruminants (cattle, sheep, horses, deer, and elk) and humans.

Further water quality studies and volunteer opportunities to assist with our research will be organized on a funding source basis in the near and far future, so stay tuned!