STREAM TRACKING IN THE ARAPAHO & ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FORESTS
Stream Tracker is seeking volunteers to document stream conditions throughout Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests along the Colorado Front Range.
We are looking for observations of streamflow presence or absence, as well as photos of flow conditions, of any small streams that intersect hiking trails and roads throughout the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests (ARNF). To participate, you can either visit one of the trails listed below that is a priority trail -or- you can add your own sites along any trail or road in the forest.
Get out tracking on your own
1
Join the project HERE
2
Download the Anecdata. org mobile app, join the Stream Tracker project in the app. Then, familiarize your self with how to stream track by taking a look at Quick Start Guide for how to join Stream Tracker, download the mobile app, navigate to sites, collect data (using the app or paper datasheets), and upload observations.
3
Download additional resources to help you navigate to sites. We strongly recommend downloading a third-party offline navigation app that will allow you to add .kmz layers of ARNF trails and stream tracker points. You can navigate to established sites within the Anecdata app, however, there is no base map when using the app offline which makes navigation a bit trickier. Read more on downloading map layers and using a third-party app to navigate.
4
Go stream track! Establish new sites or revisit your favorite sites multiple times from now through the end of September to track changes in flow conditions. Look here for further guidance on what a stream tracker site looks like when establishing new sites or searching out current sites.
Why we need your help!
Intermittent streams make up 69% of the total stream lengths on National Forests* and yet these smaller streams are rarely monitored and often poorly mapped. Your observations will be used to improve the mapping of where streams are located and how often they flow. Improved maps and increased monitoring of intermittent streams will then aid in management decisions made for the ARNF such as where streamside buffers are needed, road construction and culvert sizing, and source water protection plans.
Priority Trails
Download Anecdata.org app
Download
MAPS.ME app
Poudre Canyon (Highway 14)
Young Gulch: Thirteen points (Young_1 to Young_13). Total distance ~7 miles.
Dadd Gulch: Five sites (Dadd_1 to Dadd_5). Total distance ~4.4 miles.
Big South: Thirteen sites (BS_1 to BS_13). Total distance ~19 miles.
Blue Lake: Seventeen sites (BL_1 to BL_17). Total distance ~9.4 miles.
Pingree Park Road (County Road 63E)
Emmaline Lake: Eleven points (eml1-11) along trail. Access from Forest Road 145. Total distance 8.6 miles.
Big Thompson Canyon (Highway 34)
Crosier Mountain: Five sites (Crosier_1-5). Total distance ~4.6 miles.
Highway 119
Forest Lakes and South Boulder Creek: Access from Gilpin County Road 16. Trail splits ~1.1 miles after trailhead at East Portal. Right (N) fork is Forest Lakes Trail with 5 sites (Forest_1-5), last of which is ~1.4 miles from fork. Left (S) fork is South Boulder Creek trail with 5 sites (SBoulder_1-5), last of which is ~2.4 miles from fork.
Highway 72
Jenny Creek: Access from Eldora Mt. Ski Area. Four points (Jenny_1-4). Total distance ~7 miles.
Other Trails
Captain Mountain
Resthouse Meadows
Chicago Lakes
Herman Gulch
Bard Creek
Doe Creek
Morgan Gulch
Tipperary Creek
*As mapped in the National Hydrography Dataset