Morrison Creek Metropolitan WSD Wastewater Treatment Plant, Routt County, Colorado

Morrison Creek Metropolitan WSD is a wastewater treatment facility located in Routt County, Colorado, serving a population of approximately 3,500 residents. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater discharges to protect water quality. The facility provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 1,324.89 megaliters and an annual discharge volume of 946.35 megaliters, the plant operates at about 71% capacity, indicating room for future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Yampa River basin, a tributary of the Green River and part of the Colorado River system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and recreation in the region.

The plant discharges into the Yampa River watershed, which flows into the Green River and then the Colorado River. This basin is ecologically significant, supporting native fish species and riparian habitats. The area's semi-arid climate makes water quality management critical for downstream uses including irrigation and wildlife.