The Fountain Creek Watershed District has been working for over 15 years to protect the health of our local waterways. As executive director of this quasi-governmental agency, I often get asked, “What exactly do you do?” While our work is complex, our mission is simple: to protect the health of the Fountain Creek Watershed through creek restoration, flood control, water quality improvement and community outreach.
What is the Fountain Creek Watershed?
The Fountain Creek Watershed spans both El Paso and Pueblo counties, including Palmer Lake and Monument to the north, Green Mountain Falls and Manitou Springs to the west, and the larger towns of Colorado Springs, Fountain and Pueblo. We’re all in this watershed together, literally. This area is where our local rivers, creeks and streams come together, draining into the main stem of Fountain Creek at America the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs. It then flows into the Arkansas River at Confluence Park in Pueblo. The health of our watershed is crucial because every action we take impacts the water quality, flood risks and ecosystems of this shared area.
Since 2009, the district has worked collaboratively with our nine member governments to address the region’s varied needs. Our goal is a thriving, healthy watershed that benefits everyone – from residents to wildlife, now and in the future.
Proactive measures are key to protecting our watershed. By taking steps now to improve resiliency, protect water quality, manage flood risks and restore habitats, we reduce the costs of responding to future disasters like floods, fires and pollution events.
Flood control keeps our communities safe
Flooding poses significant risks to homes, roads and infrastructure. Fountain Creek is one of the most erratic waterways in the country, so managing flood risks requires careful planning and continual action. The district’s flood control projects focus on reducing flood risks by establishing floodplains, improving drainage, stabilizing creek banks and restoring riparian habitats that provide crucial ecosystem services, such as natural flood management and pollutant uptake.
Water quality protection
Our efforts to improve water quality include significant investments in creek restoration projects. Over $35 million has been spent on restoring areas that have prevented 150,000 tons of sediment from eroding into Fountain Creek, which benefits local agriculture in the Lower Arkansas Valley. Clean water is essential for growing healthy crops and maintaining a healthy environment.
We encourage homeowners to manage stormwater through our springtime rain barrel sale, which promotes the use of roof runoff. By capturing stormwater on-site, residents can reduce the amount of polluted water entering storm drains and eventually our creeks.
Another significant challenge is E. coli pollution, which exceeds state standards in several of our creeks. To combat this, we partner with El Paso County Parks to host events like “Scoop the Poop” at Bear Creek Dog Park, providing pet waste bags and raising awareness about the importance of keeping dog waste out of the creeks.
Community engagement
Protecting the health of the Fountain Creek Watershed involves a range of efforts. We aim to ensure that the watershed remains a safe and clean environment for people and wildlife. Public engagement plays a critical role in our work, and we are proud to host initiatives such as the Great American Cleanup in the spring, Creek Week (Colorado’s largest cleanup!) in the fall, and the Fountain Creek Brewshed Alliance, which supports over 25 local breweries by promoting clean water for great beer.
Our work is amplified by community involvement. The district thrives on public participation, from volunteers who help with cleanups to individuals who attend our monthly “Liquid Lectures” at local breweries. We rely on citizens to get involved through educational programs, advisory committees and grassroots efforts.
You don’t need to be a water expert to make a difference. Simple actions, like adopting sustainable practices or learning more about the watershed, contribute to a healthier environment. When we all work together, we make our community stronger and more connected to the land and waters that support us.
How you can get involved
There are numerous ways to get involved with the Fountain Creek Watershed District. Subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter, participate in a cleanup, or attend a Citizen Advisory Group meeting. Each action, no matter how small, contributes to the overall health of our watershed.
For more information on how to get involved, learn more about our projects, or request a free presentation please visit Fountain-crk.org. Together, we can protect the watershed for future generations.
