| Ski Area Expansion Impacts on Water Quality
The Telluride Ski and Golf Company (Telski), Telluride, Colorado,
has expanded in Prospect Basin watershed, located on the Uncompahgre
National Forest in southwestern Colorado. The expansion began in
2000, including construction of new ski slopes, and the installation
of new access roads, ski lifts, and water lines for snow making.
Any ecosystem disturbance that exposes bare soil, such as tree removal
or reconstruction of slopes for ski runs, or road or water line
installation, could result in increases in overland flow and changes
in the release of soil particles and chemical constituents from
the ecosystem. Monitoring has been conducted to examine possible
changes in stream flow, sedimentation, and water chemistry of surface
waters. Helicopter logging, mulching, and multiple silt fences have
be utilized to minimize disturbance. The effectiveness of mitigation
of construction disturbance is examined by comparing data from Prospect
Creek with that from nearby undisturbed watersheds, Turkey Creek
and Bear Creek. Data are collected weekly during the summer and
monthly during the winter. Significant construction occurred during
the summer and fall of 2001. Monitoring is continuing and data are
currently being summarized.
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