Big Dry Creek Watershed Association

What Big Dry Creek Watershed Association does

Big Dry Creek Watershed Association (BDCWA) is a voluntary 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 and formalized as a nonprofit corporation in 2004, operating in the Big Dry Creek watershed across the north Denver metropolitan area of Colorado. Its core function is to develop a sound scientific understanding of water quality, flow, aquatic life, and habitat conditions in the basin and to act to improve those conditions through monitoring, reporting, education, and special studies. The Association serves a coalition of municipal and county stakeholders that share treated wastewater discharges and source water interests in the basin — specifically the City and County of Broomfield, City of Westminster, City of Northglenn, City of Thornton, Adams County, Weld County, and the Woman Creek Reservoir Authority — and historically the U.S. Department of Energy Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site and the U.S. EPA.

The Association's core technical outputs are an in-stream monitoring program initiated in 1997 that collects grab samples at eight instream locations (analyzing water chemistry, flow, habitat, fish, and benthic macroinvertebrate populations), a longitudinal water quality database, annual water quality reports (more than 20 produced since 1997), biennial biological monitoring reports, stream channel studies, and a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-approved Watershed Plan (completed 2001, currently being updated to incorporate the 2016 EPA-approved E. coli TMDL). The Association uses no proprietary technology platform; supporting tools are conventional and largely external, including an EPA-funded regional water quality assessment tool built through the South Platte Urban Waters Partnership, an ArcGIS StoryMap, USGS streamflow gauges, and the Mile High Flood District's ALERT flood monitoring system.

The business model is a voluntary membership and government funding model with no commercial revenue, no products sold, and no disclosed pricing. The Association operates under financial support from its member municipalities, counties, and the Woman Creek Reservoir Authority, with historical support from the U.S. EPA. Go-to-market is community-led: quarterly public meetings, annual newsletters, publicly downloadable technical reports and meeting minutes via the website (bigdrycreek.org), and watershed-wide educational outreach. Watershed coordination is delivered through Wright Water Engineers, with Jane Clary serving as Big Dry Creek Watershed Coordinator. Governance is via a Board of Directors composed of representatives from each member municipality and county.

Name

Big Dry Creek Watershed Association

Legal name

Big Dry Creek Watershed Association

Website

https://bigdrycreek.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Big Dry Creek Watershed Association is a voluntary 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded 1997 in Colorado, that conducts in-stream water quality monitoring, maintains a multi-decade water quality database, and publishes annual reports for a coalition of six municipalities, two counties, and a reservoir authority.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watershed Environmental Monitoring Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (924110)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Quality Monitoring, Compliance & Reporting (Sampling, Lab, Regulatory) (EUANAAAG), Water Quality Monitoring (Surface Water, Stormwater, Drinking Water) (EUAHACAC), Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE), Environmental Monitoring, Data & Reporting (Air/Water/Soil) (BPAIAMAC)

Keywords

• Watershed management
• Water quality monitoring
• Aquatic habitat assessment
• Nonprofit environmental services
• Biological monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Westminster

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Voluntary Contributions and Government Support: The Association operates under financial support from member municipalities and organizations including the City and County of Broomfield, City of Westminster, City of Northglenn, City of Thornton, Weld County, Adams County, and the Woman Creek Reservoir Authority. Additional historical support came from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Association conducts a voluntary in-stream water quality monitoring program at eight instream locations in the Big Dry Creek watershed, collecting water chemistry, flow, habitat, fish, and benthic macroinvertebrate data since 1997. It maintains a comprehensive water quality database, produces annual and 5-year water quality reports plus biennial biological monitoring reports, and implements a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-approved Watershed Plan. Public education is delivered through quarterly meetings, annual newsletters, an ArcGIS StoryMap, and stakeholder resources focused on E. coli, nutrients, stormwater, and watershed protection.

Product overview

Big Dry Creek Watershed Association is a voluntary 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing environmental monitoring and watershed management services. The organization operates a unified suite of services centered on an in-stream monitoring program that has collected water quality data since 1997, maintaining a comprehensive water quality database. Core offerings include water chemistry and biological monitoring (fish and macroinvertebrates), annual water quality reports, the watershed plan, and public education activities including quarterly meetings and newsletters. Supporting resources include real-time flood monitoring via the ALERT system, USGS streamflow gauge data, an interactive Story Map, and connection to regional water quality assessment tools. The Association does not offer a software product in the traditional sense, but provides scientific monitoring, reporting, and educational resources for watershed stakeholders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In-Stream Monitoring Program Voluntary ambient monitoring program that collects grab samples at eight instream locations and analyzes water chemistry, flow, habitat, fish, and benthic macroinvertebrate populations in the Big Dry Creek watershed for member municipalities, counties, and the public.
• Watershed Plan Comprehensive watershed plan focused on water quality improvement in the Big Dry Creek basin, approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, serving member municipalities, counties, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Annual Water Quality Reports Annual technical reports documenting water quality conditions in the Big Dry Creek watershed, produced for member municipalities, counties, regulatory agencies, and the public.
• Biological Monitoring Reports Biennial reports on aquatic life conditions including macroinvertebrate and fish sampling conducted in the fall of even years, documenting aquatic habitat conditions for member municipalities, counties, and the public.
• E. coli TMDL Study Total Maximum Daily Load study for E. coli approved by EPA, identifying sources and establishing load allocations for the watershed, supporting regulatory compliance for member municipalities.
• Stream Channel Study Technical study examining stream channel conditions and geomorphology in the Big Dry Creek watershed, informing watershed planning and habitat management for member stakeholders.
• Public Education Activities Educational outreach including quarterly public meetings, annual newsletters, and online resources connecting watershed residents and stakeholders with water quality, E. coli, nutrient, stormwater, and stream-related information.
• South Platte Urban Waters Partnership Water Quality Assessment Tool EPA-funded online water quality assessment tool combining 2009-2015 data for E. coli, nutrients, and other pollutants using maps, graphs, and narratives, made available through the Association's resources.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and historical.

• City and County of BroomfieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Association in 1997. Currently serves as Board member represented by Lesa Julian as Chairperson. Provides financial support and wastewater discharge oversight.
• City of WestminstercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Association in 1997. Currently serves as Board member represented by David Carter as Treasurer. Operates a municipal wastewater plant that discharges to Big Dry Creek. Provides financial support.
• City of NorthglenncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Association in 1997. Currently serves as Board member represented by John Winterton as Vice Chairperson. Operates a municipal wastewater plant that discharges to Big Dry Creek. Provides financial support.
• City of ThorntoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined the Association's Board of Directors after 2004. Currently represented by Al Quintana on the Board. Provides financial support and operates municipal wastewater facilities.
• Adams CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined the Association's Board of Directors after 2004. Currently represented by Juliana Archuletta as Secretary. Provides financial support.
• Weld CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined the Association's Board of Directors after 2004. Currently represented by Lindsay Holbrook on the Board. Provides financial support.
• Woman Creek Reservoir AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides financial support to the Association. The Authority is connected to the watershed through its role in water storage and distribution.
• U.S. Department of Energy Rocky Flats Environmental Technology SitehistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Association in 1997, originally focused on Big Dry Creek because Rocky Flats discharged treated wastewater to the stream. This historical partnership was significant in the organization's early formation.
• U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyhistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided support to the founding entities in 1997. In 2016, EPA approved a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for E. coli in Big Dry Creek. EPA also funded a special project with the South Platte Urban Waters Partnership.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Boxelder Creek Stormwater Authority: A Colorado watershed authority addressing stormwater and water quality in the Boxelder Creek basin north of Denver. Comparable multi-jurisdiction nonprofit governance and urban Front Range watershed focus.
• South Platte Urban Waters Partnership: A coalition coordinating water quality and education across the South Platte basin, including Big Dry Creek. Directly comparable coalition-based watershed work and co-developer of the regional assessment tool that incorporates BDCWA data.
• Bear Creek Watershed Association: A Colorado watershed association serving the Bear Creek basin in the Denver metro. Closely comparable volunteer nonprofit model with member municipalities, water quality monitoring, and public education activities.
• Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: A nonprofit watershed association coordinating stakeholder-driven water quality, habitat, and community work across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Highly comparable in mission and multi-stakeholder coalition structure, though at much larger scale.
• Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority: A Colorado intergovernmental authority established to address water quality in Cherry Creek Reservoir and its watershed. Highly comparable — multi-municipality governance, ambient monitoring program, TMDL work, and wastewater-discharge-driven focus mirror BDCWA's structure and mandate.

Others

• Mile High Flood District: A special district providing floodplain management across the Denver metro, including operating the ALERT flood monitoring system referenced in BDCWA resources. Adjacent infrastructure provider rather than a peer.
• Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association: A regional member association of the Water Environment Federation covering Colorado wastewater and water quality professionals. Indirect peer — overlaps in professional water quality community but operates as a member association, not a watershed nonprofit.
• Wright Water Engineers: A Denver-based water resources and environmental engineering consulting firm that contracts the BDCWA coordinator role and likely provides technical support. Not a peer but a key vendor partner whose involvement is central to BDCWA operations.

Emerging players

• Trout Unlimited: A national coldwater conservation nonprofit with significant overlap in aquatic habitat, fish, and benthic monitoring work BDCWA performs in Big Dry Creek. Operates at much larger scale and could be a partner or competitor for grant funding on aquatic assessments.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (Colorado): A large environmental nonprofit with active Colorado watershed and water resource programs. Not a direct peer in coalition-style monitoring but operates in overlapping grant, conservation, and policy spaces.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Big Dry Creek Watershed Association