Webinar Series
Throughout the implementation of the San Juan Watershed Program, EPA, states, and tribes, have actively engaged other federal, state, tribal, non-profit, academic, and other partners to lead, inform, and support WIIN-funded activities. In collaboration with participating states and tribes, EPA launched a regular webinar series in 2021 to highlight research, monitoring, implementation, and outreach projects throughout the watershed and engage new and existing partners. Past webinar presentations and recordings (when available) are provided below. For more information on upcoming webinars, contact EPA.
Past Webinars
Tracking Bacteria in the Animas and San Juan Rivers
On June 6, 2022, Melissa May with the San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District in New Mexico presented on the results of a bacteria study on the Animas and San Juan Rivers that used microbial source tracking to find out "who pooped in the river?"
San Juan River Basin Fish Recovery Program
On May 16, 2022, Eliza Gilbert with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service presented on the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program to protect and recover two endangered fish species, the Colorado Pikeminnow and the Razorback sucker, in conjunction with new and existing water development projects on the San Juan River.
Hydrologic and Geomorphic Monitoring and Data Sharing in Southwestern Colorado
On May 2, 2022, Gigi Richard, Director of the Four Corners Water Center and Instructor of Geosciences at Fort Lewis College, presented on the work of the Center, snow and watershed monitoring in the Animas Basin, and geomorphic monitoring on the Dolores River.
Lake Farmington Coring
On April 18, 2022, hydrologists at the USGS New Mexico Water Science Center presented on the Lake Farmington Sediment Coring Project to improve our understanding of metals contamination in the San Juan River watershed over time.
Bonita Peak Mining District Update
On April 4, 2022, Anthony Edwards, Colorado Communications and Outreach Liaison, and Peter Butler, chair of the Bonita Peak Mining District Community Advisory Group (CAG) and co-founder of the Animas River Stakeholder Group (ARSG), presented on current developments in the Bonita Peak Mining District, including updates on Gladstone and Mineral Creek and proposed settlement agreements.
East Mancos River Restoration Project
On November 29, 2021, presenters from the Mountain Studies Institute, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety discussed the WIIN-Act funded East Mancos River metals tracking study and Thunder Mine site remediation to reduce metal contributions to the East Fork Mancos.
- Mancos River – Assessment of metal sources, mobilization, and potential for downstream toxicity (pdf)
- Mine Reclamation in the East Mancos River / Thunder Mine (pdf)
Lake Powell/Colorado River Delta Sediment
On November 15, 2021, Mike DeHoff from the Returning Rapids project discussed how the group’s findings and efforts to document how Lake Powell sediment was stored in Cataract Canyon and how this sediment is moving out of the canyon and into the Lake Powell. The Returning Rapids project was founded by a group of river runners who wanted to understand changes in Lower Cataract Canyon as Lake Powell levels began to drop.
Lake Powell Coring Project
On November 1, 2021, Scott Hynek from the U.S. Geological Survey Utah Water Science Center discussed the WIIN-Act funded Lake Powell coring study to identify the characteristics and chart the chronology of sediments in the San Juan delta to help scientists better understand their impact on the rates of metals deposition into Lake Powell.
Animas Water Quality Data Between Silverton and Hermosa
On October 18, 2021, Peter Butler, chair of the Bonita Peaks Mining District Community Advisory Group (CAG) and co-founder of the Animas River Stakeholder Group (ARSG), presented the CAG’s water quality sampling and analysis effort on the Animas River in the canyon below Silverton, CO and above Hermosa, CO.
How San Juan Basin Public Health Identifies Failing Septic Systems
On October 4, 2021, Brian Devine, Environmental Health Director for San Juan Basin Public Health, discussed how his organization identifies failing septic systems in Colorado.
Building Watershed Group Capacity
On September 27, 2021, Alyssa Richmond, San Juan Watershed Group Coordinator with the San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District discussed how to build the organizational capacity of watershed groups by 1) developing innovative projects that leverage partnerships, 2) transitioning knowledge to create continuity when change happens, and 3) adapting relationship-building efforts to meet the needs of different stakeholder groups.
Southern Ute Indian Tribe Ethnographic Study on the Cultural Use of Plants
On September 13, 2021, Alex Ratcliff with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe (SUIT) Water Quality Program, presented on a WIIN Act-funded ethnographic on the cultural use of plants by Tribal members. The study looks at traditional plants harvested for cultural purposes, possible metals contamination in these plants from Animas River water, cultural traditions associated with these plants, and the toxicological risks of using these plants for cultural purposes.
History of Mining Remediation in the Upper Animas
On June 7, 2021, Abe Franklin with the New Mexico Environment Department’s Watershed Protection Section presented on the state's Nonpoint Source Pollution Program in the San Juan Basin.
Watershed Science, Partnerships, and Restoration in the San Juan Basin of New Mexico
On May 10, 2021, Alyssa Richmond, San Juan Watershed Group Coordinator with the San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District discussed the group's current watershed planning work, lessons learned, and the power of partnerships. The San Juan Watershed Group has spearheaded water quality research and watershed planning in the Lower Animas River of New Mexico for 20 years through the Lower Animas Watershed-Based Plan.