Boulder Creek Safety

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City of Boulder University of Colorado Boulder
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Boulder Creek — Real-Time Stream Conditions

Boulder Creek Safety — Live Monitoring

Continuous in-stream water-quality, stream flow, water temperature, and rainfall data for Boulder Creek — so residents, recreational users, and city staff can make informed safety decisions in real time.

…Sensors live
…Current flow (cfs)
…Water temp (°F)
…7-day rainfall (in)

Sensor Network — Boulder Creek

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E. coli Risk (CFU / 100 mL)
Low Risk — below 126
Caution — 126 – 1,000
High Risk — above 1,000
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P Planned site
Boulder Creek

Stream Flow

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Hourly discharge (cfs) at Boulder Creek at Broadway — data from the Colorado Division of Water Resources. Flows above 700 cfs are considered hazardous for in-water recreation.

Water Temperature

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Hourly water temperature (°F) at Boulder Creek at Broadway — data from the Colorado Division of Water Resources. Temperatures above 65 °F stress cold-water fish — catch-and-release angling is not recommended.

Precipitation

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Daily precipitation totals (inches) for the past 7 days — Boulder, CO. Data from Open-Meteo. Avoid in-water recreation for 48 hours after measurable rainfall — storm runoff can carry bacteria.

About E. coli in Boulder Creek

Escherichia coli are bacteria that live in the digestive tracts of warm-blooded animals. Most strains are harmless, but the presence of E. coli is widely used as an indicator that other bacteria and viruses that can make people sick may also be present. Boulder Creek does periodically exceed levels deemed safe for recreational use by the U.S. EPA.

How conditions are monitored

In-stream optical sensors continuously measure tryptophan-like fluorescence (TLF) — a real-time proxy for organic pollution. Combined with water temperature, turbidity, stream flow, and rainfall, this gives a continuously updated picture of recreational water quality, validated against laboratory grab samples.

Recreate safely

  • Don't get creek water in your mouth, eyes, or open wounds.
  • Stay out of the water if you are sick or immune-compromised.
  • Wash your hands and shower after creek contact.
  • Don't swim within 48 hours of a rainstorm, or if water is cloudy or discolored.
  • Small children and older adults are at higher risk — take extra care.

How you can help reduce pollution

  • Pick up after pets — about 80,000 lb of dog waste is left on OSMP trails each year.
  • Keep trash bins closed and bear-resistant; don't leave waste accessible to wildlife.
  • Reduce over-irrigation; keep sprinklers off sidewalks and roads.
  • Report illicit discharges, spills, or improper waste disposal to Inquire Boulder.
  • Always use restrooms outdoors and properly dispose of soiled diapers.

What the city is doing

The City of Boulder operates an illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE) program, performs routine sanitary and stormwater pipe condition assessments, enforces a Bear Protection Ordinance and Universal Zero Waste Ordinance, and runs the Let's Doo It campaign and pet-waste enforcement to reduce bacterial loading in the creek.

Learn more

For full background on E. coli in Boulder Creek — sources, city actions, monitoring history, and recreational guidance — see the City of Boulder's official water-quality information.

bouldercolorado.gov/e-coli-boulder-creek →

Program Partners
City of Boulder Utilities
Program Lead

Boulder Urban Stream Health (BUSH) Program — sets monitoring objectives, manages TMDL compliance, and coordinates public communication of recreational water quality.

bouldercolorado.gov →
CU Boulder
Research Partner

University of Colorado Boulder faculty and students validated the in-stream TLF sensor approach and lead the Boulder Creek monitoring science.

colorado.edu →
Virridy
Technology Provider

Manufactures and operates the Lume in-stream sensors, the data pipeline, and this public dashboard infrastructure.

virridy.com →