Blue River Watershed Group

The Blue River Watershed Group is a non-profit organization founded in 2004, focused on promoting, protecting, and restoring the Blue River watershed in Colorado. The organization encompasses a broad area including all of Summit County and parts of Grand and Lake Counties, covering approximately 680 square miles[1][2][3].

Mission and Objectives

The mission of the Blue River Watershed Group is to promote, protect, and restore a healthy Blue River watershed through collaborative community education, stewardship, and resource management. The organization aims to restore damaged areas, enhance fish habitat quality, improve scenic and recreational values, and ensure the functionality of wetlands within the watershed[1][2][3].

Projects and Activities

Restoration Projects

• Tenmile Creek Restoration: Completed in 2016, this project enhanced floodplain connectivity, improved fish habitat quality, and increased recreational access[2][3].
• Peru Creek Mine Mitigation: Efforts have focused on cleaning up mining sites, such as the Brittle Silver, Delaware, and Silver Spoon mines, to reduce heavy metal leaching into the creek[2][3].
• Swan River Restoration: Ongoing projects aim to restore areas impacted by historic dredge mining, improving habitat for trout and other wildlife[1][2][3].

Educational Initiatives

The Blue River Watershed Group engages in community education through various programs, workshops, and events. It also collaborates with local organizations to provide experiential education opportunities for youth and adults, emphasizing environmental stewardship and water resource management[3][5].

Watershed Planning

The organization is guided by its Integrated Water Management Plan, developed in collaboration with Trout Unlimited, which serves as a strategic framework for restoration and water management projects[1][3][5].

Partnerships and Community Engagement

The Blue River Watershed Group partners with local stakeholders, organizations such as Trout Unlimited, and government agencies to promote watershed health through citizen science initiatives, river cleanups, and educational events[2][3][5]. It also spearheads initiatives like the Summit County Outdoor Coalition to ensure environmentally sustainable outdoor recreation practices[5].

Financial Overview

As a designated 501(c)(3) organization, donations to the Blue River Watershed Group are tax-deductible. The organization primarily relies on contributions for its funding, which support restoration projects, educational programs, and water management initiatives[4].

Impact

The Blue River Watershed Group plays a crucial role in addressing water quality issues and advocating for sustainable water management practices, particularly in the context of climate change and population growth in Colorado[3].