Baseline Reservoir Boulder County, Colorado - blrg.org

1 Beach Management plan Baseline Reservoir Recreation Group Baseline Reservoir Boulder county , Colorado Effective: 4 May 2004. TABLE OF CONTENTS. I. Purpose 1. II. The Swim Area 1. III. The Season and Hours of Operation 1. IV. On-Site Personnel 1. V. Water Sampling 2. VI. Delivery and Results of Samples 2. VII. Daily Data Logs 2. VIII. Voluntary Beach Closure 3. IX. Reopening of Beach Area 3. X. Controls 4. XI. Contacts 4. Appendix A: Example Sampling Schedule A-1. Appendix B: Daily Data Log B-1. Appendix C: Public Awareness Handout C-1. I. Purpose The purpose of this Beach Management plan is to maintain and monitor the quality of the water, particularly the Escherichia coli (E.)

2 Coli) level, in the area of the Baseline Reservoir that has been designated to Baseline Lake Recreation Group, which uses the area primarily for swimming. II. The Swim Area The Baseline Lake Recreation Group leases a portion of the east-end of the Baseline Reservoir including a beach and swim area. The beach spans approximately 50 meters and the swim area covers approximately 2500 square meters (50 meters in each direction). The swim area is separated from the Reservoir by a series of buoys visible to boaters. The Recreation Group consists of 125 families residing in the neighborhoods in close proximity to the Reservoir .

3 The swim area is open to members of the Baseline Lake Recreation Group, and guests may be allowed when accompanied by a member; the general public is not admitted. Figure 1 shows the area designated as the swim area. Fi gure 1: Baseline La ke/ Reservoir III. The Season and Hours of Operation The beach and swim area are open to members from May 15th through October 1st annually. Hours of operation for the swim area during the season are 9:00 - 9:00 daily. IV. On-Site Personnel The gatekeeper will be the on-site personnel responsible for identifying and reporting observances of potential situations that may cause an increase in the E.

4 Coli levels. The gatekeeper is not intended, nor are they required, to be a certified lifeguard. The gatekeeper must be a member of the Baseline Lake Recreation group and be over the age of 18. The gatekeeper is to remain on site during the hours of operation during the season and is responsible for securing the grounds at 9:00 1. V. Sampling Water sampling will be done to ensure that the level of E. coli does not exceed the maximum acceptable level of 235 organisms per 100-ml sample. Sampling shall be done a minimum of once every seven days and no less than five times per full calendar month during the season. In addition to or coinciding with regular sampling, at least one time per calendar month, samples should be taken at least 24 hours prior to the beginning of a peak-use period.

5 The first samplings of the season shall be taken at least five days prior to the date the swim area opens to the members. The last sample shall be taken within five days after the date the swim area closes. Additional sampling may be done as needed, if concerns arise. A schedule for testing will be established prior to the beginning of each season. See Appendix A for an example schedule (for the year 2004) for annual water testing. A. One sample is to be taken within the swim area, according to the following guidelines: within the area of the greatest bather load or activity during regular business hours where the water depth is approximately 3 feet deep from within approximately 12 inches of the surface by an individual trained in proper sampling techniques and following appropriate procedures: B.

6 Two additional samples will be done to monitor possible migration of elevated levels of E. coli into the swim area. The additional samples will be taken at the Reservoir inlet located on Cherryvale Road and at an intermediate point between the inlet and the swim area. VI. Delivery and Results of Samples Samples shall be delivered to the appropriate state certified testing facility, within 6 hours of sampling, to initiate analysis of the sample on the day it was taken. Results are to be returned to Mark Hartman, who will notify Don Pickett of any anomalies. Results of routine sampling must be known within three days of the sampling.

7 Results of samples taken pending closure of the swim area must be known the following day. Records of the results are to be retained for at least three years. VII. Daily Data Logs On-site personnel is responsible for observing and recording information relevant to potential E. coli exposure specific to the swim area. This information shall be recorded daily in the data log shown in Appendix B. E. coli sampling shall be done if a situation is reported that is likely to increase the E. coli level above the acceptable level within the swim area. Such information is to be reported to Don Pickett at (303)666-8415, Mark Hartman at (303)494-9503, and/or Steve Harris at (303)442-0165.

8 2. VIII. Voluntary Beach Closure If sample results indicate that the E. coli density has exceeded 235 organisms per 100 ml, a second sample must be taken in the same location within two hours of notification. Upon receipt of sample results exceeding the maximum acceptable level of E. coli, signs will be posted to notify the members of elevated levels of bacteria. Only sample results pertaining to the swim area will determine swim area closure;. however, the results for samples taken in other areas may contribute to the final decision. If the second sample exceeds 235 organisms per 100 ml, the swim area will be voluntarily closed.

9 -OR- If a single E. coli density sample exceeds 576 organisms per 100 ml, the beach will be voluntarily closed. If the swim beach is closed, signs notifying members of closure will posted by Don Pickett and the President of the Baseline Lake Recreation Group will be notified. Sample #1: E. coli test sample YES Test results show Signs posted at the swim delivered to the lab within 6 hours greater than 235 E. coli area to warn members of of sampling and results received per 100 ml. e l e v a t e d le ve ls of the following day. NO. The swim area will remain open to the members. YES. Test results show greater than The swim area will be closed or equal to 576 E.

10 Coli per 100. immediately until further testing. ml. IX. Reopening of Beach Area The swim area may reopen when the sample results show that the level of E. coli is less than 235 per 100 ml sample. The sample must be taken at the same location as the original sample(s). The decision to reopen the beach will be agreed upon by Mark Hartman and Don Pickett. Don Pickett will remove the signs indicating the beach closure and will notify the President of the Baseline Lake Recreation Group. 3. X. Controls In order to maintain the quality of the water within the swim area, the following items have been addressed to assist the members in keeping the water clean: Information, such as the handout shown in Appendix C, will be distributed to the members of the Recreation Group to increase the awareness of E.