Ag and Interior depts. to mitigate wildfire water quality damage

A new federal government partnership aims to reduce the damage done to water systems by wildfires, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture press release.

The USDA and U.S. Department of the Interior will collaborate on the Western Watershed Enhancement Partnership to lessen the deposition of sediment, debris and ash into rivers and streams from wildfires.

The pilot project will start in the Upper Colorado Headwaters and the Big Thompson Watershed.  Planned actions to improve water quality center on reducing erosion and preventing wildfires in the first place.

Agency officials also established a response plan to mitigate ash and carbon runoff and restore ecosystems after a forest fire burns through an area.

Image: Black carbon from the High Park Fire will be studied by Colorado State University (Credit: NASA)