Findings > Baseline​​​

Baseline or "existing" conditions are determined from the analytical results considered together, that is, across all the seasons for each stream.

Baseline metals, ammonia, and nitrate values are the 85th percentile of the measurements.​​

Dissolved oxygen is the 50th and pH is the range between the 15th and 85th percentiles.

The baseline condition for E coli is the geometric mean of the measurements.

Colorado uses these values in evaluating streams as potential Outstanding Waters.

Baseline values, shown below, for all 12 parameters at all 9 of the streams sampled in this study meet the water quality requirements for Outstanding Waters classification.