Nutrient Project

Northern Water initiated the Nutrient Project in 2005 to comprehensively assess water quality in the C-BT Project. The Nutrient Project includes the Three Lakes Nutrient Study and the Horsetooth Water Quality Study. The Nutrient Project’s objectives:

  • Identify nutrient-related water quality issues
  • Analyze nutrient-related water quality problems and causes
  • Recommend feasible options to improve nutrient-related C-BT Project water quality
The Nutrient Project has three phases:
  • Phase 1 Scoping: Develop a consensus-based scope of study identifying project goals and objectives, water quality issues requiring assessment and how to determine the causes of nutrient-related problems
  • Phase 2 Studies and Results: Fund and carry out Phase 1 studies, synthesize the information gathered, analyze cause/effect relationships and identify the causes of nutrient-related problems
  • Phase 3 Recommendations: Identify key causes of nutrient-related problems that management strategies could effectively and efficiently address (implement feasible options after Phase 3 is complete)
Phase 1 Completed in 2005, the Phase 1 Final Report includes these recommendations:
  • Assess nutrient loading in Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Grand Lake 
  • Develop mitigation strategies and determine the causes of low dissolved oxygen levels in Horsetooth Reservoir

These recommendations will be addressed in Phase II in the Three Lakes Nutrient Study and the Horsetooth Water Quality Study.

Technical Advisory Team
Given the Nutrient Project’s broad geographic scope and a diverse interest group, Northern Water established a technical advisory team to serve as a formal channel for broad-based, expert input.

The initial team included representatives from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Colorado Water Quality Control Division, Grand County, the Big Thompson Watershed Forum and Northern Water/Municipal Subdistrict water users. 

Northern Water invited team members to participate based upon their expertise and the Nutrient Project’s goals. The technical advisory team has evolved to include representatives of federal, state, regional and local organizations interested in or affected by C-BT Project water quality.