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MANITOU SPRINGS, COLO. -- Nice, sunny weather may make you want to get outside and enjoy all our region has to offer.

But the next time you visit Fountain Creek, you may want to think twice about going in it or how you affect its quality.

A group of sixth graders from Manitou Middle School have been studying its water ecology all year.

Fountain Creek may look pretty but what these students found inside the water is not.

"We found pollutants like lawn fertilizer, auto fluids and basically stuff you spray on your lawn to make the bugs go away, which kills the bugs but also kills life in the creek and possibly you if you drink it," said William Dillinder.

Most of us know it's not a good idea to drink untreated creek water, but you may not even want to step foot in it.

"There is different animal larvae in the creek and some have the ability to get in your system," said Hannah Arneson.

"One we found was ecoli and that can affect people by just if you jump into the water and you have a cut on your arm then it could get in there and you could get ecoli," said Oliver Bell.

This is water we eventually drink.

"So just because one person might do something to the water it could effect all these people down the road," said Rachael Bradshaw.

Bella Farrell studied pollutant levels in the water from Manitou Springs to Pueblo.

"My main thought was does it really change as Fountain Creek flows, and I learned it changes quite drastically. You head into Colorado Springs and it immediately increases," said Farrell.

While it would be nearly impossible today to get the water in Fountain Creek to a level we could drink it untreated, there are some things we can do to help keep the water clean.

this research is part of a region wide education program put on by the Catamount Institute.

These students are planning a clean up Wednesday, April 29, at 3:30 around Fountain Creek in Soda Springs Park.

These student's projects will be on display Wednesday, April 22, at Colorado College's Worner Center along with other student projects.

It's all part of the second annual Student Research Symposium from 10:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.

It's free to the public and will include live demonstrations and learning opportunities.