The Willow Creek Reclamation Committee began characterization of water quality in 1999.  Investigations have included surface water associated with Willow Creek and its tributaries; the Rio Grande; alluvial groundwater below Creede and near selected mine sites; and deep groundwater associated with mine drainage.  For more information on the deep groundwater investigations, go to our Underground page.  Please refer to the WCRC's Sampling and Analysis Plan for Site Reclamation and Surface Water, Groundwater, Biological, and Waste Rock Sampling (rev. 5/03) for detailed information on methodology.  The following is a list of summaries and reports detailing water quality characterization efforts by the WCRC and its partners.

Report on Surface and Mine Water Sampling and Monitoring in Willow Creek Watershed, Mineral County, CO (1999-2002)

Report on Characterization of Groundwater in the Alluvial Deposits Beneath the Floodplain of Willow Creek Below Creede

Results of Groundwater Tracing Experiments in the Nelson-Wooster-Humphrey Tunnel

Private Water Wells In and Near the Creede Graben, North of Creede, Colorado

Comparison of Electromagnetic and Natural Potential Geophysical Investigations near the Emperious Tailings Pile, Creede, Colorado

Willow-Leaf Analysis Determines Extent of Mine Contamination Plume on the Willow Creek Floodplain, Creede, Colorado

Evaluation of Metal Loading to Streams near Creede, Colorado, August and September 2000  (new!)

Nelson Tunnel Water Treatment Feasibility Study and Bench Scale Testing  (new!)

Aquatic Resources Assessment of the Willow Creek Watershed (new!)