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Water Quality Control DivisionEnvironmental Data Unit Colorado Fish Tissue StudyThe WQCD conducts an on-going study aimed at investigating the presence of certain contaminants (such as mercury, arsenic and selenium) in fish that can potentially be consumed by the population. The results of this study are the basis for issuing fish consumption advisories (FCA) in the State of Colorado. FCAs are issued to protect public health and to address human health risk questions associated with consuming fish potentially contaminated with certain chemicals of concern. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) works closely with Colorado Department of Natural Resources (CDNR) Division of Wildlife (DOW), and CDPHE Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology Division (DCEED) in the collection of data, the analysis of the data and the determination of human health risks from consumption of locally caught fish. The fish tissue testing is part of an ongoing sampling plan of approximately 120 water bodies in the state. Fish tissue samples are tested for mercury, selenium and arsenic. More than 112 water bodies now have had laboratory testing completed as part of the study. Twenty-four waterbodies (approximately one in five) have required fish consumption advisories for mercury. Also listed are two other water bodies that are not part of the mercury study, but were posted for other parameters: Sweitzer for selenium, and Willow Springs Ponds for perchloroethylene.The data on this site will be updated on a regular basis. These pages contain all analytical data, all reports, and Fish Consumption Advisories generated from the study. You can find more information concerning Fish Consumption Advisories (FCA) and fish tissue containing mercury at the U.S. EPAJump to text links if you do not wish to use the map.
The sites marked in red already have consumption advisories posted on them. Advisories are triggered by having a fish tissue mercury level of 0.5 parts per million or more. The sites in orange have a similar mercury concentration to the red and are in the process of having consumption advisories posted on them as well. The sites marked in yellow have mercury levels between 0.5ppm and 0.3ppm. These are water bodies that we are keeping a close watch on, although we are not recommending restricting consumption. And, the sites marked in green have mercury concentrations below 0.3ppm. The green sites are also not recommended for restricted consumption. Water bodies currently in the Colorado Fish Tissue Study Program |
