Examples are discharges from factories into a river through a pipe, ditch, or tunnel. Point sources have strict regulations on them. In Colorado, stream segments are classified according to use. These classifications identify the those uses that are to be protected on a stream segment. Numerical standards for specific pollutants are then adopted which are designed to protect the designated uses.
Outstanding waters are high quality waters that constitute an outstanding natural resource.
This designation is applied to waters whose existing quality is not better than necessary to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water. Download standards and classifications for Colorado streams from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Regulation Index List. The U.S. Geological Survey provides information regarding the Summitville Mine and its downstream effects.