The Colorado Avalanche Information Center released a snowpack report on February 26th. How are we fairing, and what could it mean for the Colorado River and the various industries it supports? Read more about it in the Middle Colorado Watershed Council's monthly op-ed piece and delve right to the source on the CAIC website. For an abundant of additional information regarding the snowpack and data in this region, check out the Roaring Fork Conservancy's page for background details and data for the Roaring Fork Valley and visit here for maps and SWE median percentages of each Colorado Basin.
Another successful year of films
Following another year of amazing films through the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, we raised over $3,000 in ticket sales alone with a showing at the Vaudeville Theatre in Glenwood Springs and another at the Ute Theatre in Rifle. Thank you for attending and showing your support of the Middle Colorado Watershed Council! Once again, we sold out our evening at the Vaudeville, with a strong first showing at our new location in Rifle. And of course, we couldn't have done it without our sponsors! We can't wait for next year and another array of incredible films.
Mitchell Helps Us Know Our Snow
Liza Mitchell, the Outreach and Education Coordinator for the Roaring Fork Conservancy presented with Jeff Derry, Director of the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies, in Silverton, CO, at the Sustaining Watershed Conference. She spoke with us about some take-home messages and what we need to know about snow science.
Patagonia Grants MCWC $5000
Thanks to Patagonia for granting the MCWC $5000 to help restore native trout habitat in Western Colorado. We also completed projects with the help of the Western Native Trout Initiative and Grand Valley Anglers.
River Clean Up - In Pictures
Thanks to our volunteers for coming out to help pick up at the River Clean Up! Here is the link to the coverage by the Post Independent's Alex Zorn.
We look forward to seeing you all next year!
Your Watershed: A Colorado River Report Card
Colorado River has been all over the news this past month from the Colorado River Report Card, to the local river clean-up in Glenwood Springs. We are living in an exciting time for water.
I'll start local. ... READ MORE
Look for us once a month in the Post Independent!
Link to the Colorado Report Card by Conservation Colorado
Your Watershed: How do you enjoy the river?
Once a month, the Post Independent publishes a piece by Annie, our Community Outreach Coordinator. Look for our next article!
I moved to Garfield County two years ago, and this is the first summer I floated on one of our rivers. After participating in river clean-ups, revegetation efforts, monitoring quality and appreciating the water from afar, I finally experienced what "go with the flow" means. Since my maiden voyage I have been out at least once a week. I am hooked. ... READ MORE at the Post Indpenedent
Your Watershed: Spending A Day in the Creek
Your Watershed: Middle CO River: Small part of a bigger Picture
If the State of the River reminded me of one thing, it is that we, as Eric Kuhn, general manager of the Colorado River District mentioned during his talk on the Colorado River, "are all in this together."
While I like to think the Middle Colorado River is its own river system, and at times it feels like it is, the river we protect is actually just one piece of a much larger river system that spans most of the American southwest. <READ MORE>
From the Your Watershed Column in the Post Independent. Check it out once a month in the Sunday paper!
MCWC in the Post Independent
The State of the River generated a lot of good conversations, and press around the Middle Colorado River, here is an expert from Alex Zorn at the Post Independent in Glenwood Springs, from his article "Meeting Focuses on Future of Colorado River":
Participants raised many issues during the Rifle State of the River meeting Thursday. But one generated more conversation than any other: What would happen to local water users if the Colorado River experienced drought conditions?
While reports showed that the snowpack peaked a little early this year and Colorado saw warmer temperatures statewide, there was no indication that a drought was near. Even so, presentations on a Grand Valley water banking experiment and Silt irrigation project show having these conversations now is the best way to prepare for the future.