The Cherry Creek Basin has multiple pollution reduction facilities (PRFs) in various locations through the watershed. The Cottonwood Creek Pollutant Reduction Facilities provide phosphorus and sediment reduction during storm events. Together, stream reclamation and wetland detention systems comprise a passive treatment train approach widely implemented by the Authority throughout the basin since the 1990s as an effective water quality strategy.

Based upon the data collected in WY 2018, the Cottonwood PRFs as a whole (Peroria Pond and Perimeter Pond) measured from CT-P1 (upstream) to CT-2 (downstream) functioned by reducing TP concentrations by approximately 5 percent under base flow conditions and 65 percent during storm events. Sediment concentrations, measured as total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations, were reduced by approximately 15 percent under base flow conditions and 88 percent during storm flows. Based on the differences in reduction during high and low flow events, these PRFs functioned as designed to reduce phosphorus and sediment loading during WY 2018.

Learn More in the 2018 Monitoring Report