The Animas River Watershed Based Plan (Anderson and Scheid 2010) reports that the Florida River, a perennial tributary, is a significant source of nutrients to the Animas River. Recent measurements have shown high levels of N and P at the inflow of the Florida River to the Animas River In July 2010, of 31 inflows to the Animas River that were sampled between Baker’s Bridge and the CO/NM state line, the Florida River ranked 4th among non-permitted inflows for nitrogen loading and 5th for phosphorus loading.
The Colorado 2005 – 2010 Nonpoint Source Action Plan aims to conduct voluntary nonpoint source projects with active groups of citizens. The Animas Watershed Partnership (AWP), a local watershed organization, has identified two landowners along the Florida River who are interested in implementing pollution reducing BMP’s. The restoration site consists of about 1 mile of the Florida River and floodplain, as it passes through private property.
Esme Cadiente (MSI) and Pete Nylander (Souther Ute Water Program) check flows on the Florida River.
The Project aims to implement at a local level the goals and objectives of the Colorado NPS Management Plan (2005). The plan identifies reduction of sediment, N and P loading to CO waters as a joint priority with EPA. The Project is focused on reducing loading of these pollutants to the Florida River and to the Animas River. The Project includes monitoring to assess water quality changes associated with BMPs, and proposes outreach linked directly to issues and actions.
In an effort to determine the effectiveness of BMP’s in achieving environmental goals, Mountain Studies Institute (a subcontractor of the SJRCD) and the MRP will conduct collect and assess water samples pre- and post-project BMP implementation. The monitoring data collected during this project will be used to evaluate the chemical, biological, and physical changes to the Florida River and its riparian area after the restoration activities are implemented.
