Impacts from Colorado Wildfires to Water Quality

Colorado has seen more than its share of wildfires this year. The Colorado Springs fire burner dozens of homes and dislocated hundreds from their neighborhoods. But the fires also have had incredible negative impact on water quality, not just from the soot settling in water bodies. Fires leave areas prone to erosion. And with the recent storms, sediment laden runoff has been a huge problem. In Colorado Springs, one reservoir has been shut down as a result of being filled with sediment. Forest crews have been busy trying to restore the landscape but it will take years before the soil stabilizes.

Source: EPA blog: