by Rob Buirgy

Over the past year we have seen an increase in attention focused on the value of clean water and healthy rivers. The Big Thompson Watershed Forum led the way in assessing and protecting the state of our watershed by strengthening collaborative efforts, developing our GIS database and water quality monitoring program, and building the foundation of our outreach network.

Many communities across the country must struggle with disorganized management of their local waters by a host of agencies and organizations with conflicting missions. Short of reorganizing the entire political arena, the most effective way to harmonize water quality management is by championing collaborative projects based on sound science. The Forum continues to stand out as the center for reliable information and the gathering place for agencies, organizations and individuals committed to clean water.

Together with our partners in the Water Quality Monitoring Program, we have designed a network of monitoring stations and a testing regimen that will provide baseline data of a quality and precision never before achieved in this area. As this data is analyzed and the information included in our on-line Geographic Information System, policy makers and local citizens will have the reliable information needed to make sound management decisions and to follow trends in water quality and stream health.

Clean water is the lifeline of our communities – adding to our quality of life and making this region attractive to homeowners, tourists, and businesses. This year, the Forum completed a self-guided tour of the watershed to introduce residents and visitors to the importance of the Big Thompson River in our community. We have distributed over 1,000 brochures and 500 posters through nine displays located from the Loveland Visitor’s Center to Rocky Mountain National Park. A new display for the Loveland Wildlife program introduced over 1,000 5^th grade students to the important factors determining stream health. The Forum also participated in the Loveland Water Festival, bringing classroom visits and our own ‘Pollution Pictionary’ to over 250 students.