Stormwater Quality Program

The city has been conducting water quality monitoring on Boulder Creek for over 30 years. Boulder creek is used for recreation (class 1A), agriculture, and domestic water supply as defined by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. In order to protect these essential stream functions the city conducts water quality monitoring at 15 location along Boulder Creek and its tributaries in order to assess water quality conditions, and monitor compliance with state regulations. Further information on the city’s water quality monitoring program can be found in the Keep it Clean Partnership’s annual water quality report which summarizes the water quality monitoring efforts and results for Boulder Creek and the greater St. Vrain watershed.

Biological monitoring utilizes living organisms (bioindicators) to evaluate the health of the aquatic environment. Aquatic insects, known as benthic macroinvertebrates, are a widely used bioindicator for assessing the health of aquatic ecosystems. Benthic macroinvertebrates are used to detect changes in their aquatic environment based on the abundance and composition of macroinvertebrate families present. The City of Boulder has monitored benthic macroinvertebrates in Boulder Creek since 1995 and is currently conducting monitoring at nine locations.

All proposed development projects are subject to the requirements of the City of Boulder Design and Construction Standards (DCS). Development review applications are processed and overseen by City of Boulder Planning and Development Services.

DCS Chapter 7 – Stormwater Design details the design standards, process, and documentation requirements pertaining to stormwater management for new development and redevelopment. The following forms and checklists supplement the Stormwater Design DCS Chapter:

• Drainage Report and Stormwater Plan Checklist: Lists the required elements of a drainage reports and stormwater plans.
• Low Impact Development (LID) Checklist: Submittal form for documenting inclusion of LID techniques in development plan.
• Stormwater Management Plan Checklist and CAD Template: Lists the required elements of a stormwater management and erosion control plans.
• Post-Construction Water Quality Design Form: Submittal form for documenting compliance with a post-construction water quality design standard.
• SCM Inspection and Maintenance Guide: The following template and attachments are for use in the creation of long-term inspection and maintenance guides for stormwater facilities.
  • Inspection and Maintenance Guide Template
  • Attachment A: Maintenance Schedules and Descriptions
  • Attachment B: Inspection Forms

The City of Boulder follows the Mile High Flood District, Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual and associated Excel design tools (Detention Design and UD-BMP).

The City of Boulder also encourages reference to the City and County of Denver Ultra-Urban Green Infrastructure Guidelines when appropriate for site conditions.

All new development and redevelopment projects in the City of Boulder are required to implement erosion and sediment control measures in accordance with an erosion control plan.

Projects that disturb greater than 1 acre of land must have an approved Stormwater Management Plan and apply for a City of Boulder Erosion Control Permit.