The Cherry Creek Basin has multiple pollution reduction facilities (PRFs) in various locations through the watershed. The Cottonwood Creek Pollutant Reduction Facilities provide phosphorus and sediment reduction during storm events. Together, stream reclamation and wetland detention systems comprise a passive treatment train approach widely implemented by CCBWQA throughout the basin since the 1990s as an effective water quality strategy.

Due to the dry weather in WY 2020, the PRFs were evaluated primarily during base flow conditions since samples from only one storm event were collected.

The Cottonwood Creek PRF treatment train (Peoria Pond, Phases 1 and 2 of stream reclamation completed on Cottonwood Creek downstream, and the Perimeter Pond) functioned by reducing TP concentrations by approximately 10% under base flow conditions and 86% during the storm event characterized in WY 2020. Sediment concentrations, measured as TSS, were reduced by approximately 40% under base flow conditions and 92% during the storm flow event. Based on the differences in reduction during high and low flow events, these PRFs functioned as designed to reduce phosphorus and sediment loading during WY 2020. However, more detailed (and statistical) historical analysis of the changes from upstream to downstream can be completed using the PRF tools (linked below).

Learn More in the 2020 Monitoring Report

Useful Links

• link PRF Performance Data Explorer
• link PRF Statistics Tool
• link Cottonwood Creek Treatment Train