Water quality monitoring was once a luxury—until the Grizzly Creek and Pine Gulch fires triggered bank instability and mudslides into the Colorado River. These events highlighted the urgent need for early warning systems to protect drinking water and other uses. The Middle Colorado Watershed Council helped to bring a Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) to meet that need. USGS and Colorado River District scientists shared the technology with guests of the Fire & Water Speaker Series.
Experts Mariah Foley - CSU Extension Specialist, R.A. Burrell - Principal of Planet Mechanics, and Dr. Scott Jensen - EcoPoint Senior Environmental Professional, shared insights and additional resources in this March, 2025 presentation on the beauty and benefits of native plants.
Watch the entire program, courtesy of Rifle Now Community Access Television, at this link.
MCWC and SGM recently completed a Wildfire-Ready Action Plan for the Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative to identify hazards and share infrastructure susceptibilities and risks in the Elk Creek, Rifle Creek and Battlement Mesa drainages.
https://www.postindependent.com/news/middle-colorado-watershed-council-offers-free-summer-classes-for-youth/
Middle Colorado Watershed Council worked with Colorado Natural Heritage Program to develop a new app that tracks five non-native fish species that harm the environment, three mollusks, a crayfish and one plant species.
In order to create a fire-resilient community without borders, the Roaring Fork Wildfire Collaborative agreement was signed by 18 agencies throughout the Roaring Fork.
Town Administrator Jeff Layman just recently warned residents that if Silt doesn’t replace its current system with about a $28 million new water treatment center, things could get dicey.
Take time to read the plan on how Colorado plans to manage this important natural resource. Public Comments Until Sept. 30.
What is a dead pool?
