Boulder Creek and its tributaries will be getting a closer look as the Boulder Creek Watershed Initiative (BCWI) sends forth its volunteers to observe the waters and conduct research.

The BCWI, a nonprofit organization, aims to educate the community on protecting the watershed and getting citizens involved in a stewardship while increasing awareness of water quality.

The four "stream teams" have been organized to monitor the waters of Boulder Creek from Louisville through Boulder and into Nederland.

The teams have been arranged by area with "one in Nederland, one in Louisville and two in Boulder," said Paul Hempel, the executive director of the BCWI.

Each team consists of "pretty much just volunteers from the community," Hempel said.While the teams were first arranged in February, they have received the necessary training to now work on their own. The teams received three training sessions each.

"After the training, I gave them the equipment," Hempel said.

"They're also just getting going," Hempel said. "We trained them first and certified them. They took their first real samples in July."

"The first year of the program is just getting going," Hempel said.

The teams' first task will be primarily observing and monitoring the quality of the water in their area. Measurements taken will include pH balance and temperature.

This fall, the BCWI is planning to introduce biological analysis to its teams.

The teams will then undertake further research, such as observing aquatic habitats. The teams will also observe the "chemical, physical and biological aspects of the stream," Hempel said.

An additional concern for watersheds has been pharmaceuticals that have potentially been introduced to the water. The teams don't currently test for these substances, but hope to one day.

"We're tied in with the Unites States Geological Survey in the city of Boulder that's testing for pharmaceutical substances," Hempel said.

The teams are currently "not looking on a large scale," Hempel said, "but are hoping to do so in the future."

The teams also hope to be on the lookout for "e coli bacteria and maybe heavy metals," Hempel said.

The BCWI will be hosting its next forum in September, and will continue its work with the stream teams while expanding the range of their water quality monitoring.

"Getting citizens involved really helps create a stewardship ethic," Hempel said.

Contact Steve Sinclair about this story at (303) 443-6272 ext. 113, or at editor@coloradodaily.com.