Reliable monitoring and insightful interpretation of environmental data is foundational to water resource management. Water’s physical, chemical, and biological characteristics provide valuable information for understanding hydrologic systems. DE works with our clients to collect relevant water data, interpret their meaning, and provide specialized solutions for each water agency or watershed.
Over the course of three days (November 20 – 22, 2024), the DE team captured water samples from two different streams in Chico – Big Chico Creek and Little Chico Creek – to evaluate the impact that last summer’s Park Fire (summer 2024) had on their respective watersheds.
Tragically, a sizeable portion of the Big Chico Creek watershed was burned in the Park Fire this last summer and its effects are reflected in the water samples we collected. The sample collected on November 20 (left sample below), shows the water quality of clean base flow prior to substantial runoff from the recent storm events. The November 21 sample (middle sample below) collected at over 1,000 cubic feet per second includes significant amounts of ash and smelled like a fireplace. The November 22 sample (right sample below) contained less ash, but substantial amounts of sediment from the burn scar.
Thankfully, the Little Chico Creek watershed was not touched by the Park Fire and the differences in results are noticeable. Little Chico Creek is an ephemeral stream (i.e., it only flows during the winter/spring months and is dry most of the summer until the rain starts again), so the lower left glass shown below is empty representing no flow. However, with the recent storm events, Little Chico Creek began flowing later that day. As represented by the samples, the water quality on November 21 and November 22 (middle and right samples below) contained considerably less sediment than the Big Chico Creek.
Obtaining and analyzing robust water quantity and quality data during periods of flooding, drought, or in this case, after wildfires plays a vital role in understanding and managing our water resources across the state.
Here’s some behind the scenes footage of our recent monitoring in the Big Chico Creek and Little Chico Creek.
