C-BT Nutrient Project
Technical Advisory Team Members
The Colorado-Big Thompson Project is a source of supplemental water for northeastern Colorado.
The C-BT also provides aquatic habitat, recreational opportunities and hydroelectric power to the
East and West slopes. The Project’s multiple functions occasionally lead to competing needs and
concerns, including nutrient-related water quality issues.
Individuals and entities have studied C-BT water quality for decades. However, to date there
has been no truly comprehensive water quality assessment of the C-BT system. The C-BT Nutrient
Project is designed to fill that gap by identifying nutrient related water quality issues,
analyzing the problems and causes, and recommending feasible options to improve C-BT water
quality. This will occur via a three-phase process.
Phase 1 (Scoping): Develop a consensus-based scope of study identifying project goals and
objectives, water quality issues requiring assessment, and the studies needed to determine the
cause of nutrient related problems.
Phase 2 (Studies and Results): Fund and carry out the studies identified in Phase 1, synthesize
information gathered, analyze the cause and effect relationships behind those problems, and
identify key causal areas.
Phase 3 (Recommendations): Identify key causal areas that management strategies could most
effectively and efficiently address (feasible options will be implemented after Phase 3 completion).
Phase 1 is currently underway and will last through the end of 2007. The District recently created
a Technical Advisory Team to assist with this effort. Team members are technically proficient and
represent federal, state, regional, and local organizations interested in or affected by C-BT Project
water quality. The Technical Advisory Team likely will be engaged in all three phases of the process.
For more information on the C-BT Nutrient Project, download the
Overview. Or, contact Esther Vincent at
970-622-2356 or evincent@ncwcd.org.