National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center: The April 21 U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook is hot off the presses
April 22, 2011
Here’s the link to the web page:
The La Niña present during the 2010-11 winter led to expansive drought development across the lower Mississippi Valley, southern Plains, and Southwest. During the past month, drought conditions have worsened rapidly across Oklahoma, Texas, and southern New Mexico. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), parts of Texas are designated in the exceptional drought (D4) category. Since the CPC monthly or seasonal outlooks favor enhanced odds for below median precipitation and above normal temperatures, persistence can be expected in eastern Colorado, the southern high Plains, the Southwest, and much of Texas/Louisiana. Development in parts of Arizona is related to low snow water content values and a relatively dry climatology. Prospects for improvement increase in eastern Oklahoma and Arkansas. Across the Southeast, drought reduction has occurred since the beginning of March. Some improvement is forecast across the interior Southeast, while odds increase for improvement across Florida due to a wet climatology beginning in late May. It should be noted that short-term worsening of drought conditions may occur in Florida prior to the onset of the wet season. Some improvement is forecast across the Hawaiian Islands. Outside of the drought areas depicted on the USDM (April 21), monthly/seasonal tools offer no strong signal for dryness. This lack of a dry signal coupled with antecedent wetness favors little or no expected development through the end of July.
Here’s the executive summary from the report:
This report documents the work, findings, analysis, and recommendations of the Colorado Geological Survey (CGS) in executing the scope of work commissioned by El Paso County, through the Groundwater Study Committee, established in reference to Resolution No. 09‐202. The subject of this report is the groundwater quality of the alluvial aquifer within the Upper Black Squirrel Creek (UBSC) basin (Figure 1.1). The Phase 1 study objectives are to characterize the current groundwater quality in the alluvial aquifer and determine whether there is a correlation between existing and future land uses and groundwater quality. The scope of work for Phase 1 was finalized in January 2010, and the County contracted with CGS to perform the work.
The current study is limited to evaluation of existing water quality data for groundwater in the alluvial aquifer system of the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Designated Groundwater basin (UBSC basin) of east‐central El Paso County, Colorado. As part of the study a literature review identified 34 relevant publications and an annotated bibliography was prepared. Previous published studies indicated that the groundwater was of good quality, but identified nitrate as a contaminant of concern. Water quality data was acquired from a variety of public sources (county, state, and federal) and study cooperators. The data represent 150 samples collected from 72 different wells between 1954 and 2009. Samples collected for water quality analysis within the study area have a limited spatial and temporal distribution. Approximately 80% of the data were collected in the 1980s and 1990s, and the great majority of wells are within three miles of the Ellicott Highway. One of the most important characteristics of this data is the lack of multiple samples from individual locations. The northern and western portions of the UBSC basin where rapid development has occurred and is expected to continue are not represented in the data.
Groundwater chemical analysis data for inorganic compounds, total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate, metals, organic compounds, and radionuclides were evaluated to characterize the UBSC basin alluvial aquifer’s water quality. The groundwater sample data indicate that, where sampled, the water is generally acceptable with respect to drinking water standards; of moderate hardness; and free of pesticides, herbicides, and regulated organic contaminants. At certain times and locations, some water quality parameters were detected at concentrations in violation of primary and secondary drinking water standards including: arsenic, nitrate, pH, TDS, sulfate, and iron. Nitrate values greater than 5.0 mg/L are common in the basin, and suggest that the alluvial water quality has been influenced by sources of nutrient loading.
No clear relationship between land uses and groundwater quality was evident from the available data. Existing UBSC basin land uses evaluated include residential, agricultural, urban, commercial, industrial, military, and unregulated industrial waste disposal. Elevated nitrate concentrations are distributed over parcels associated with residential, dry land farming/grazing, and irrigated agriculture, suggesting localized sources rather than being impacted from categorical land use. Groundwater quality data are lacking in the northwest portion of the basin where the majority of the development is occurring. Consequently, information regarding nitrate concentrations in areas with higher density ISDSs is missing. Elevated TDS values are associated with both dryland farming/grazing land and rural residential land use. Potential contaminant sources associated with future land uses have been summarized in Table 5.1. Anticipated future land uses within the basin are a continuation and expansion of current land uses, primarily consisting of residential development in urban, rural residential and rural development densities with accompanying commercial development. Figure 5.2 summarizes activity nodes and transportation corridors where future development is expected to be concentrated.
Due to the spatial and temporal limitations of the compiled water quality data, this study was only partially successful in meeting the objectives established by the study committee. Unfortunately, there is no groundwater quality data available in the northwest portion of the basin, where urban land uses and ISDSs are concentrated and continued development is expected.
Decision makers in El Paso County attempting to assess the vulnerability of the groundwater resource currently lack a complete understanding of the hydrogeology of the aquifer system and the associated anthropogenic effects controlling the source, transport, and fate of potential contaminants. To address this gap, we recommend implementing a Phase 2 investigation focusing on refining our understanding of the groundwater flow system and acquiring the water quality data needed to support and scientifically defend land use planning decisions.
More coverage from The Colorado Springs Gazette (R. Scott Rappold):
The Colorado Geological Survey recently analyzed records of water quality samples from 1954 to 2009, a $53,000 project initiated by county commissioners to help guide land-use decisions in the basin. More than half of the water samples showed nitrate levels of 5 milligrams per liter or higher. That’s below the federal drinking water standard of 10, but the study’s author said it is still higher than it should be given the natural conditions, in the 2 to 3 milligrams per liter range.
“Five is just higher than one would expect in a native groundwater environment. It suggests there are some human influences on the increased concentrations,” said hydrogeologist Ralf Topper.
Nitrates are a by-product of fertilizer, which can get into the aquifer as runoff from farm fields and cattle pens. They can also come from the breakdown of human waste in septic systems…
Public meeting on groundwater study
El Paso County’s Groundwater Quality Study Committee will hold a public meeting 6-8 p.m. Monday in the Falcon High School cafeteria, 10255 Lambert Road in Falcon. Members will present information on the recently completed study of groundwater quality in the alluvial aquifer of the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Basin.
Conservation: Denver Water releases summer watering rules
April 22, 2011
Here’s the release from Denver Water (Stacy Chesney):
Denver Water’s summer water use rules begin May 1, but the utility encourages customers to pay attention to weather and lawn conditions before watering.
“Half of a household’s water use goes to outside watering,” said Melissa Essex Elliott, manager of conservation. “Most lawns don’t need as much water as you might think. Watering your lawn two days a week should be sufficient during May and into June.”
Denver Water’s watering rules, in effect until Oct. 1, are:
- No lawn watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Do not water more than three days per week (there are no assigned days for watering).
- Do not waste water by allowing it to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
- Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
- Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
- Do not water while it is raining or during high winds.The utility will continue to enforce its rules with a team of 12 Water Savers, including four on bikes.
“The Water Savers’ purpose is as much about educating customers as it is about enforcing Denver Water’s rules,” said Elliott. “We continue to have some monitors on bikes as a more approachable way to talk with our customers one-on-one about wise water use.”
If you see water waste in one of Denver’s parks, call 3-1-1. To report waste elsewhere, call Denver Water at 303-628-6343.
Colorado’s dry climate means everyone needs to take part to ensure adequate water supplies will be available well into the future. “A small step like adjusting your watering times based on the weather is a great way to become more efficient,” said Elliott. Denver Water’s long-term plan to secure water for the future includes encouraging water conservation as a permanent way of life for Denver residents.
Visit conservation for tips, rebates, irrigation calculators and many more tools for saving water outdoors, including suggested watering times.
Denver Water is going to draw down Antero Reservoir to evaluate damage to the dam from seepage
April 22, 2011
Here’s the release from the Colorado Division of Wildlife:
Denver Water, in coordination with the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Office of the State Engineer, will lower Antero Reservoir by two feet beginning the first week of May. The gradual drawdown will take four to five weeks. Denver Water will keep the popular reservoir open to recreation, and the Colorado Division of Wildlife will continue to manage the fishery.
The drawdown is a safety precaution to reduce water pressure and seepage within the dam to ensure it doesn’t pose a safety risk to area visitors and residents. Antero Dam, built in 1909, has experienced excessive seepage since it was built and has been operating under reservoir storage restrictions by the state since the early 1900s to ensure public safety.
“The dam has exhibited seepage for a prolonged period,” said Mike Miller, Denver Water dam safety engineer. “Our accrued measurement data from within the dam indicate we need to conduct further studies to determine the extent of damage. Lowering the reservoir elevation as a safety precaution will reduce seepage impacts.”
Further engineering evaluations of the dam will determine the long-term plan for the facility. The duration of the study will depend on what Denver Water learns from the initial information.
Denver Water and the Colorado Division of Wildlife are working cooperatively to examine all of the possibilities to lessen the potential impacts to the fishery from the drawdown,” said Jeff Spohn, northeast region aquatic biologist. “Once Denver Water finishes its study, we will have a better understanding of future fish management at Antero.”
“We recognize the importance of Antero Reservoir to Park County’s economy and as a prime fishery for anglers, but need to drawdown the reservoir for public safety,” said Miller. “We will keep the county, DOW and reservoir users informed as the study progresses.”
Antero Dam was completed in 1909 by Canfield and Shields of Greeley, and its purchase was finalized by Denver Water in 1924. The reservoir was named Antero, derived from the Spanish word “first,” because it was the first reservoir on the South Platte, nearest to the river’s headwaters.
Wildlife concerns and questions regarding fishing at Antero can be directed to DOW at 303-291-7227. Questions regarding Antero operations, contact Denver Water at 303-628-6320.
More Denver Water coverage here.
Happy Earth Day 2011
April 22, 2011
I’m not as optimistic about the future as I should be but instead of citing the sources for my pessimism I’ll just wish y’all a Happy Earth Day and hope that you will be part of the Billion Acts of Green today.
I rode my bike into work today which I do more often than not anyway. A quick calculation via the Web says that I am keeping 3.01 tons of carbon dioxide per year out of the atmosphere by riding.
Floyd Ciruli presented his polling information to a recent meeting of the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District. Here’s a report from Chris Woodka writing for The Pueblo Chieftain. From the article:
Ciruli has checked the pulse of opinion about water in both the South Platte and Arkansas River basins for years, and has consistently found the public does not want to dry up farms to meet urban water needs. “Water and farming have been a part of the valley for a really long time,” he told Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District board at its monthly meeting. He talked about his family’s roots in Pueblo and the Lower Ark Valley as well…
“The [2002] drought got everyone thinking differently,” he said. Since then, the state as a whole has begun moving in a new direction to reverse the trend of buy-and-dry to meet urban needs. That was illustrated by last month’s Roundtable Summit in Denver…
While Coloradans universally believe the state needs to protect its entitlement of water under the Colorado River Project, people are divided on whether it should be held in reserve to serve the Western Slope or developed in a project like the proposed Flaming Gorge pipeline, Ciruli said…
Ciruli said the Super Ditch has become a model in Colorado and other states — it was highlighted in a recent Western Governors report…
Super Ditch President John Schweizer asked whether more people will move to where the water is, which some have supported as an alternative to building expensive projects to pipe water into growing areas. “Pueblo is about the same size as when I was in high school,” Ciruli replied, adding that sizeable growth has mainly occurred in Pueblo West.
More Arkansas River basin coverage here. More South Platte River basin coverage here.
Tamarisk control: Federal, state and local officials complete clearing 3,000 acres in the Arkansas River valley near the Kansas border
April 22, 2011
From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):
“Some people ask why we’re starting at the bottom when it spreads downstream,” said Henry Schnabel, a Prowers County commissioner. “In our case, Holly would be inundated if there was a backup because the river channel is clogged.”[...]
Michael Daskam, of the Holly Natural Resources Conservation Service office, Wednesday gave the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District board an overview on the progress of the Prowers County tamarisk project. The Lower Ark board voted to support the project with $30,000 in the coming year. Schnabel said not all of the funding may be necessary, because the program requires private landowners to sign up. The project has been more cost-effective than anticipated, costing a total of $264,690 to spray 3,172 acres by helicopter over the past two years, or $83.50 an acre, Daskam said…
The benefits include better water quality and quantity. The U.S. Geological Survey last year reported tamarisk water savings have not been proven, but did not rule out the possibility in a report released last year, Daskam said…
This year, the program will focus on spot spraying, catching areas that were not sprayed by helicopter, such as clumps of tamarisk growing under cottonwoods. A revegetation workshop is also planned to discuss the best ways for restoring native plants, Daskam said. Other partners in the project include the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Southeastern Colorado Resource Conservation and Development, State Land Board, Northeast Prowers Conservation District, Division of Wildlife and Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association. Kansas also is working on the problem just across the state line.
The Las Animas County Commissioners ask Governor Hickenlooper for drought designation
April 22, 2011
Monster snowpack in the northern basins, southern basins not so much and D3 drought up and down the eastern plains. This water year is a study in contrasts. Here’s a report from Anthony A. Mestas writing for The Pueblo Chieftain. From the article:
In a letter sent to Hickenlooper this week, the commissioners said the lower than normal precipitation along with high velocity winds have made for drought conditions that are severely impacting ranchers and farmers in the county. “The significantly reduced precipitation will decrease the growth of natural grasses thereby reducing grazing pastures and less water for irrigation causing a further decline in production of feed for cattle,” the letter states…
County Administrator Bill Cordova said the eastern portion of the county, where most of the ranching is, has been hurt the most by lack of precipitation. Cordova said if the governor declares a drought disaster, the issue will then go to state Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar. If Salazar is persuaded, then he would initiate a request for assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture for a federal drought disaster declaration for the county. “The USDA has the final say,” Cordova said.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board releases their ‘Snowmelt Flood Preparation Status Update’
April 22, 2011
You can download the document here. Here’s the introduction:
The 2011 flood season in Colorado is fast approaching, and much attention has been focused on the quantity of snowpack within certain areas of the state. Although floods can occur any time of the year in Colorado, the height of flood season generally occurs from May 1st through September 30th. Preparations have already started to address the high snowpack existing in the Colorado’s high country.
Since January, the CWCB’s Watershed and Flood Protection Section has been monitoring snowpack throughout the state. GIS-based maps have been prepared showing the areal extent of the snowpack as well as percent of historical averages within the river basins. These maps are posted to the CWCB’s Flood Decision Support System (DSS) website and are updated regularly. Please visit http://flooddss.state.co.us/ to access those maps and a significant amount of other helpful information related to flooding in Colorado.
Tables have been prepared that summarize the areas of highest snowmelt flood potential. As of April 21st the watersheds of greatest concern are in the North Platte River Basin, the Yampa and White River Basins, the Colorado River Mainstem Basin, and the South Platte River Basin. As of that date, each of these entire river basins show snowpack greater than 129% of average, with individual readings as high as 223% at localized levels. Certain watersheds in the Gunnison River Basin and the Arkansas River Basin also exceed 130%, although these watersheds as a whole are displaying values closer to historical averages.
The Colorado Flood Task Force met in March of this year, with another meeting scheduled for May 11th. This meeting, chaired by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, assembles engineers, meteorologists, climate experts, federal agencies, state and local officials, emergency managers, and other interested parties to exchange data and discuss plans for the upcoming flood season. It is anticipated that much attention at this meeting will focus on what, if any, actions are needed to address the upcoming snowmelt season. Snowmelt flooding has been known to occur in Colorado any time from late April to early July, depending on weather conditions.
Outreach regarding the availability of flood insurance within communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program has been ongoing. Special note should be made to prospective policy holders of the 30-day waiting period before the insurance becomes effective.
A number of meetings and workshops have already been scheduled throughout the state, and more are being considered at the request of local communities. These workshops will focus on emergency preparedness and flood insurance. As this calendar is continually being updated, interested parties should contact the CWCB at 303-866-3441 for a current list of scheduled meetings.
Four attachments provide background information, current geographic areas of concern, actions being taken at all levels, and Colorado flood history.
More CWCB coverage here.
The negotiations have been under a nondisclosure agreement. Here’s the link to Allan Best’s analysis running in TheMountainNews.net. He writes:
No single part of this agreement stands out. This is not like a new dam or tunnel. Yet collectively, these elements of compromise may well represent the most important single water news since the veto of the Two Forks Dam in 1990.
Now, the various water agencies will have to sell the deal to their constituencies. Heartburn may be evident on both sides of the Continental Divide. Denver residents may very well question why, if Denver owns the water, it must “pay” Summit and Grand counties to use it.
And for the Western Slope, this does represent further export of water.
Some potential details:
- Key Western Slope organizations remove their opposition to Denver’s plan to draw more water from the close-in headwaters areas near Winter Park and in Summit County.
- The Western Slope also withdraws potential legal opposition to Denver’s plans to sell recycled water from its diversions to thirsty suburbs that now depend upon wells.
- The deal also requires Denver to step up conservation and reuse efforts.
- [The deal] specifies several tens of millions of dollars in grants to Western Slope water organizations
- [It will create] more flexible water-management regimes intended to achieve environmental goals and benefit recreational interests…This settlement arguably represents a new template for Front Range-Western Slope relations, one that reflects a new balance of power in Colorado and also new sensibilities. This is in sharp contrast with attitudes and laws prior to the late 1960s and early 1970s.
More coverage from Mr. Best running in the Summit Daily News. From the article:
-The deal will also place limits on future diversions by both Denver and key suburbs.
- The agreement also obligates Denver to provide some of its existing water in Summit County for use by local jurisdictions
- The deal obligates Denver to keep Dillon Reservoir nearly full except in specified drought conditions.
- The agreement also requires Denver to provide cash for water projects in Summit and Grand counties.
I wonder where the Shoshone right sits in all of this?
More Colorado River Basin coverage here.
From the Summit County Citizens Voice (Bob Berwyn):
According to the Western Water Assessment, snowfall was significantly above the long-term norms in the northern Colorado mountains, the Wasatch Front in Utah and northern and western Wyoming, while little precipitation fell across central Wyoming, eastern and southern Utah and the plains of Colorado. Snowpack values in the three-state Intermountain West region (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming) stayed on the same trajectory as all winter, with most basins reporting above-average water content. Southern Colorado was the exception, where snowpack has been lagging near or below average for most of the fall and winter…
In Colorado, runoff in northern river basins like the Yampa and North Platte could be as high as 140 percent of average. Higher than average runoff is also expected in the Gunnison Basin, while the South Platte and Arkansas basins are expected to run near average.
NIDIS Weekly Climate, Water and Drought Assessment Summary of the Upper Colorado River Basin
April 21, 2011
Here are the notes from Tuesday’s webinar from the Colorado Climate Center.
Rio Grande Water Conservation District quarterly meeting recap: Closed Basin Project operation questioned
April 21, 2011
From the Valley Courier (Ruth Heide):
Saying continued pumping of the project “is creating an enormous hardship on north Valley ranches,” [Moffat area rancher Peggy Godfrey] asked the water board to request of the Closed Basin operating committee and/or Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to modify the project. She referred to a section governing the project that allows it to be modified, curtailed or suspended to eliminate adverse effects.
The Rio Grande Water Conservation District (RGWCD) board indicated it would not grant her request. “We will continue to operate this project within its boundaries and within the constraints put on it,” said RGWCD Board President George Whitten who also sits on the Closed Basin Project operating committee. Whitten, who ranches in the northern part of the Valley, told Godfrey although he appreciated her comments, “I respectfully disagree with your findings.”
RGWCD District Engineer Allen Davey, who also sits on the Closed Basin Project operating committee, said, “There is no clear evidence that the Closed Basin Project is causing depletion of the aquifer in the Moffat area.” He said the project was developed to capture salvage water that was being lost. He said pumping has been reduced from project wells when evidence showed they were violating statutory criteria.
More Rio Grande River basin coverage here.
From the Colorado Springs Independent (Pam Zubeck):
Colorado Springs Utilities officials gave an update of SDS, along with several other utilities matters, to a Council that contains six new faces after the April 5 election: Angela Dougan, Lisa Czelatdko, Tim Leigh, Merv Bennett, Brandy Williams and Val Snider. During the presentation, the Council was told the city is getting good prices on SDS construction because of the gloomy state of the economy and intense contractor competition. That led Leigh to suggest that if it’s cheaper to build now, the city might think about pushing forward now, even if it means higher water rates for customers in the short run. In response, SDS program manager John Fredell told the Council that Utilities officials will “be ready to talk more detail in July about the project,” including, he said, “about accelerating” it.
From The Durango Telegraph (Missy Votel):
“The spring wind and weather has been eating it up,” said Vern Harrell, Bureau of Reclamation liaison for the Dolores River Project, of the region’s snowpack. “This year we don’t even know if we’ll fill the reservoir.” The reservoir, which was a capacity of 229,000 acre-feet is expected to receive 225,000 acre-feet of runoff this spring. With the latest prediction, this would make for a 10-day spill of about 800 cfs in order to stretch the flows out as long as possible. However, when and if this happens is anybody’s educated guess. While the BuRec ideally shoots for Memorial Day Weekend, sudden temperature or precipitation spikes could influence it either way. “We’ll know more the week after the reservoir starts to fill, depending on weather and storm forecasts,” said Harrell. He said flows will most likely not be significant enough for commercial rafting companies to plan trips, but savvy local boaters at the ready could luck out with some careful monitoring of the BuRec’s web site at www.doloreswater.com. “That’s the best information out there,” said Harrell of the site, which is updated twice a week. In targeting Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-30, the spill will be held back until May 20, if possible. However, in 2009 McPhee filled early pushing up the release start date to May 11. Last year, cold weather caused the reservoir to fill slowly, holding back the spill until May 24…
A steering committee for the Dolores River Dialogue, a varied group of user interests which has been meeting since 2004, will be revealing two proposals to benefit the Dolores’ downstream fisheries next week. The flow from McPhee was originally conceived with the nonnative, cold-water trout sport fishery in mind, but the objective has since grown to include the warm-water fishery of native species such as suckers, chubs and pike minnows. There is also concern over the health of the river’s riparian zone as well as the geomorphology of the riverbed, including sediment build up and flow.
The steering committee’s first proposal looks at the use of “selective level outlet works,” which would basically allow water to be pulled from various elevations within the reservoir for release. “In the past, we have only pulled water from the bottom, because that’s the coldest water for the trout, but we can get better water quality for the native fish with warmer water higher up,” Harrell said.
The second proposal from the group calls for the Montezuma Irrigation Co. to lease 6,000 acre feet of water from the Colorado Water Conservation Board for downstream flows. The water would actually come from Groundhog Reservoir, north of Dolores, and flow through McPhee, which is overallocated as is. The lease would be for any three years out of a 10-year span, although the sequence of those three years remains to be seen. “We will have to develop that concept, but details still aren’t here yet,” Harrell said.
From the Sky-Hi Daily News:
Loveland Ski Area marked a total snowfall on the season of 500 inches Tuesday following the recent storm. It’s the third time in Loveland’s history to hit the 500” snow mark, according to a press release. The all-time record was 572 inches in 1995-1996 is the all-time record at Loveland Ski Area.
2011 Colorado legislation: HB 11-1286 (Clarify State Engineer Nontributary Rule Authority) passes state Senate
April 20, 2011
From The Durango Herald (Joe Hanel):
House Bill 1286 tells the courts to give deference to state water regulators, who adopted maps last year to show when gas and oil wells need to be given greater scrutiny to make sure they don’t injure the water rights of nearby landowners. Farmers and ranchers have sued the state over the rules, saying they are a giveaway to the gas industry. HB 1286 passed 35-0, and the bill is now on its way to Gov. John Hickenlooper.
More 2011 Colorado legislation coverage here.
Greeley: Annual Children’s Water Festival April 27
April 20, 2011
From The Greeley Tribune:
The city of Greeley will host the 2011 Children’s Water Festival from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 27 at Island Grove Park…
The event, which was first established in 1991 by the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, is co-hosted by Greeley and the West Greeley Conservation District. This year’s theme is “World Water,” with presentations and exhibits that focus on local, regional and global water issues using language arts, math, science, social studies, visual arts and health to teach children that water is an essential, limited resource.
More education coverage here.
Crystal River: The Colorado River District approves abandonment of most of their undeveloped storage rights on the river
April 20, 2011
From the Glenwood Springs Post Independent:
The package of rights known as the West Divide Project were tied to a plan devised in the 1960s to build two large reservoirs in the Crystal River valley at Redstone and divert the stored water to the Divide Creek basin south of Silt. There, the water could have been used in Divide Creek and the Colorado River valley for irrigation or oil shale industry. The Osgood Reservoir would have flooded the village of Redstone, while the smaller Placita Reservoir upstream would have flooded the canyon just below the Marble turn and McClure’s Pass.
Although the River District will abandon the rights associated with building large reservoirs, it will retain other rights and shift their use to help the Crystal River basin with late season flows and create the potential for hydropower development.
The West Divide Project also included rights in the West Divide Creek basin. These water rights will be maintained to benefit the original West Divide service area, but use water supplies only from within the basin. The River District’s actions were made in concurrence with the West Divide Water Conservancy District board…
The original West Divide Project was approved by Congress in 1966 as part of the historic Colorado River Storage Project Act, which led to the construction of the Animas-LaPlata Project and Ridgway Reservoir. But the Bureau of Reclamation subsequently judged the West Divide project unfeasible on a cost-benefit basis, and it was never granted federal funds.
From The Pueblo Chieftain (Matt Hildner):
The Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C., gave its National Wetlands Award for Conservation and Restoration to Rio de la Vista on Monday for her work in helping conserve more than 27,000 acres of wetlands. De la Vista has done a big portion of that work as a coordinator for the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust, which since 1986 has protected more than 19,000 acres along the Rio Grande that include ranch land, wildlife habitat and senior surface water rights.
More restoration coverage here.
San Miguel River: Proposed minimum instream flows for certain reaches dividing residents
April 19, 2011
From the Associated Press via the Sky-Hi Daily News:
The proposal by the Bureau of Land Management and Colorado wildlife officials would affect a stretch of the river about three miles west of Nucla. The proposal includes a minimum stream flow of 325 cubic feet per second during the spring runoff period from April 15 to June 14. Some conservation groups and outfitters say the plan would improve habitat for three fish, including the roundtail chub. Montrose County commissioners and Farmers’ Water Development Co. have questioned whether there is enough water to fulfill the plan.
2011 Colorado legislation: HB 11-1300 — Conservation Easement Tax Credit Dispute Resolution
April 19, 2011
From The Pueblo Chieftain (Patrick Malone):
Under HB1300, easement donors whose claims are being disputed by the Colorado Department of Revenue could forego hearings before the Department of Revenue and take their cases straight to court in a jurisdiction close to home. The bill includes a provision that would remove the surety bond requirement that is presently necessary to take a conservation easement case to court. The prohibitive sum of those bonds has been a barrier to challenging easements in dispute for some landowners in the past…
One aim of HB1300 would be resolution of easement challenges that are pending. To that end, it calls for suspending interest and penalties against donors who willingly participate in resolution of their cases through district court. The bill’s primary sponsors are Rep. Marsha Looper, R-Calhan, and Sens. Kevin Grantham, R-Canon City, and Jeanne Nicholson, D-Black Hawk. Its first hearing will be in the House Committee on Finance.
More 2011 Colorado legislation coverage here.
CWCB Water Availability Task Force: Monster snowpack across the northern basins, southern basins not so much
April 19, 2011
Here’s the summary of the meeting from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Here’s the executive summary:
La Niña conditions are forecasted to weaken into June, which is expected to bring dry conditions for the eastern plains and southern Colorado, while recent average to above average moisture in north western Colorado may linger despite this overall set-up. The Yampa, Gunnison and Colorado basins snowpack remains well above average. Conversely, the southern portion of the state has seen a reduction in precipitation over the last few months, with the Southwest and Rio Grande Basins reporting below average snowpack. Streamflow in the northern half of the state is forecasted to be above average. The streamflow forecasts in the southern half of the state are average or below average, and recent dust on snow events in the Rio Grande may accelerate runoff. Statewide reservoir storage is above average statewide but some water providers have reported strong demand already. Recent April precipitation will not make up for a dry March but should curb the wildfire danger in the short term.
To download the presentations click here.
More CWCB coverage here.
CSU Colorado Water Center: The April/May issue of ‘Colorado Water’ is hot off the presses
April 19, 2011
Here’s the link.
The Cheyenne Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s fourth annual Conservation Auction April 26
April 19, 2011
From the Tri-Lakes Tribune (Norma Engleberg):
“We do love to fly fish but for the last 25 years we have worked on numerous watershed conservation and restoration projects,” [Erik Heikkenen, president of the Cheyenne Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited] said. “We’ve concentrated most of our work on the South Platte in Eleven Mile Canyon on the Trees for Trout project. We use trees taken from the Hayman Fire burn area and use them to stabilize the banks. Some of the timbers are placed in the stream bed to provide more trout habitat.”[...]
Coming up is the fourth annual Conservation Auction at 5:30 p.m. April 26 at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post. There will also be a series of monthly “Happy Hours” as local micro-breweries throughout the summer. A members-and-their-families-only fishing day is planned on June 4 at Rainbow Mountain Falls. “Anyone who becomes a member before that date can come out for the fishing and barbecue and the $150 rod fee will be waived,” Heikkenen said.
For more information about Cheyenne Mountain Chapter projects, visit www.cmctu.org.
More restoration coverage here.
