Abstract

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Geodatabase Development: Tracking, Mapping Water Quality in Denver Region
Track: Water Resources
Author(s): Robin Reilley

The Clean Water Act of 1977 regulates pollutant discharge into U.S. waters, setting water quality standards for contaminants in surface waters. Continued development in urban and semiurban areas increases point and nonpoint pollution sources impacting water quality. Regional planning organizations must develop methods to limit, track, and map water quality impacts.



The Denver area continues to experience growth and associated development pressure, as do mountain communities to the west. The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) is the regional planning agency involved in developing planning strategies addressing water quality issues.



Utilizing NHD data and collaborating with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Water Quality Control Commission, DRCOG developed a gedatabase for tracking, updating, monitoring, and mapping water quality concerns. The database specifically addresses streams classified as impaired, requiring total minimum daily load (TMDL) allocations. In the future, the database may expand to encompass additional water resource management issues.

Robin Reilley
Denver Regional Council of Governments
WATER RESOURCES
4500 CHERRY CREEK DRIVE SOUTH
SUITE 800
Denver , CO 80246
US
Phone: 303.480.6739
E-mail: rreilley@drcog.org