Lower Gore Creek: Vail WWTP to Eagle River

Current and Historical Drivers of Degradation

The section of Gore Creek in Vail is included on Colorado’s 303(d) list of impaired waterways. Water quality degradation manifests in low aquatic macroinvertebrate heath index scores. Identified sources of degradation include stormwater runoff, riparian degradation, pesticide/herbicide application, and transportation infrastructure encroachment and runoff. This section of Gore Creek is also impacted by discharges from the Vail Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Elevated nutrient concentrations are observed.

Water storage and operations of Black Lakes and water withdrawals for municipal supply produce modest impacts to the flow regime. Winter water withdrawals for snowmaking can impact streamflows but are generally offset by discharges from the WWTP and augmentation releases from Black Lakes. Peak flows during typical years and dry years have declined more than 20% compared to natural historic conditions.

A trends analysis shows significant declines in late summer streamflows between 1996-2020.

Report Card