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Friday, September 1, 2006
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North Side Croquet Club: Game 20
North Side Croquet Club: "Lots of [stuff] to discuss here people. First off, last night's game. Poops won for the third week in a row. Apparently he stopped drinking 3 weeks ago, so I'm not sure if his wins should count, as sobriety seems to be in violation of the spirit of the NSCC if not the actual letter of the law."
7:15:38 AM 
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Beauprez for governor?
Mike Littwin weighs in on Bob Beauprez's past couple of weeks. He writes, "First, though, we should reminisce about the good old days. I remember a time - gee, I think it was sometime after Mexican Time - when Beauprez's worst problem was being called Both Ways Bob. Now, people are starting to whisper - and I mean, even Republican people - that Beauprez is on the verge of becoming No Way Bob. It may be too soon to say his campaign is imploding. It's not to soon for volunteers to wear a hard hat when visiting headquarters. How could this happen? How could a political pro like Beauprez let his campaign get so far off track? And is it any wonder that people are starting to ask if Bill Ritter is the luckiest man since Ringo? (Do you think that some of the Democrats who didn't get in the race are having their own Beauprez regrets now?)"
"denver 2006"
7:07:59 AM
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Immigration
Bull Moose: "The Moose has underestimated the power of the immigration issue within the Republican Party. In the past, he was skeptical that this issue would have salience within the party."
"2008 pres"
7:01:15 AM
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Follow the money
Here's an article about small donor committees from the Denver Post. From the article, "More than $1.5 million in anonymous money has been funneled into eight Democrat-friendly Colorado political committees over the past 10 months, according to campaign-finance records filed with the secretary of state's office. And another 65 or more of these so-called small-donor committees have been raising at least tens of thousands of dollars more from undisclosed contributors. The anonymous money comes from union dues and individual contributions of $20 or less - the type Republican Secretary of State Gigi Dennis has been accused by Democrats of unfairly trying to eliminate with emergency campaign-finance rules passed last month."
"denver 2006"
6:54:39 AM
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Monsoon explained
The Mountain Mail: "Heavy monsoon moisture in July and August may have been triggered in part by the dryness preceding it, scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder believe. Storms this summer caused localized washouts, Arkansas River beach erosion, hay crop deterioration and muddy river episodes dampening fishing conditions. They also raised precipitation in Salida from 67 percent of average at the end of June to 125 percent of average by the end of August. Atmospheric research hydrometeorologist David Gochis said extremely dry conditions last winter and into the spring - especially in New Mexico and Arizona - likely contributed to the strong turnaround. 'It is thought the dry ground preceding the monsoon added heat to the system which is key to building the monsoon pattern,' Gochis said. Dry conditions 'helped enforce a ridge in the western United States and aided monsoon development.' A dry winter and spring does not directly cause a heavy summer rain season, but it sets the right conditions, Gochis said...
"Another factor in the strong monsoon, Gochis said, has been a shift to a weak El Niño scenario in the central Pacific Ocean this summer. The shift to El Niño means warmer water is available off the western coast of the U.S. and Mexico to fuel storms...
"The conservation service reported reservoir storage in the upper Arkansas River basin varied at the end of July. Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake near Leadville had storage at 116 percent and 107 percent of average respectively as of July 30, while Pueblo Reservoir was at 82 percent. Arkansas River basin water commissioner Bruce Smith of the Colorado Division of Water Resources said he has been able to keep Chaffee County reservoirs such as Cottonwood Lake, O'Haver Lake and Boss Lake full this summer. But, Smith said, more than reservoir storage, the rain has effected the water right call on the river. The call was up to 1896 Monday, which is unusually junior for this time of year. The call is similar this week to where it was during spring runoff, Smith said. That means more water rights are being fulfilled this summer than in years past."
"colorado water"
6:39:58 AM
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Grand Ditch lawsuit
One of the most interesting water stories around is that of the digging of the Grand Ditch (formerly the Grand River Ditch). There is a slight chance that the ditch may be condemned and sold as a result of a lawsuit by the National Park Service against the Water Supply and Storage Company, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
From the article, "Federal authorities sued a Fort Collins water supply company Thursday for damage caused when one of its ditches overflowed in Rocky Mountain National Park three years ago, carving a 167-foot- wide gully, washing away part of a mountainside and closing trails and campsites. Water Supply and Storage Co. is responsible for the damage under a 1907 agreement with the federal government that allowed the company to maintain rights to the Grand River Ditch, the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court states. While the lawsuit does not ask for a specific amount of money, some estimate the cost of the damage is in the millions of dollars...
"According to the lawsuit, the company is responsible for clearing excess snow, ice and debris from the ditch, which starts just outside the park and continues for 14 miles, cutting along the east side of the Never Summer Range. The ditch - which reaches 17 feet wide in some areas - collects snow melt and rain that eventually flow into the Cache LaPoudre River and is used by farmers along the Front Range and Eastern plains. In the spring of 2003, the company started clearing the ditch two weeks later than usual, prompting a park employee to issue a written warning that delays could lead to a breach, the lawsuit states. On May 30 of that year, the ditch breached about two miles south of LaPoudre Pass, causing water to rush over its banks and into the valley below. The water cut a gully 167 feet wide and 60 feet deep, according to the lawsuit. It also damaged forest areas, wetlands, the Lulu Creek and portions of the upper Colorado River. Park officials had to install culverts to drain the water, and repair bridges, trails and campsites...
"If Water Supply and Storage cannot pay for the damage, the lawsuit also asks the court to condemn the Grand River Ditch so it can be sold to recoup costs."
Here's the coverage from the Denver Post. They write, "The canal is of historic value in Colorado because it was one of the first to move mountain water. The canal, which is 17 feet wide and 5 feet deep, begins at 10,280 feet, moving snowmelt from the Never Summer Mountains to the Long Draw Reservoir and eventually into the Cache La Poudre River, where it's transported to users along the Front Range and Eastern Plains."
Here's the coverage from the Fort Collins Coloradoan. They write, "A large portion of the mountainside below the breach was washed to the valley floor by the erosive power of water, rock, mud and vegetation. The breach caused significant damage to an old growth lodgepole and spruce/fir forest, Lulu Creek, the upper Colorado River, and associated wetlands within the park. More than 60,000 cubic yards of sediment flowed into the upper Colorado River and associated wetlands, the Justice Department suit claims. Much of the upper Colorado River watershed within the Rocky Mountain National Park was closed to visitors until water levels receded and damage to trails, bridges, and campsites could be repaired. The complaint asks the court to hold the defendant responsible for all costs and damages, including interest and costs, associated with the breach. In the event that the defendant is unable to pay to restore the damage, the government has also asked the court to condemn the Grand River Ditch so it can be sold to pay such judgment...
"colorado water"
6:20:05 AM
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Fountain Creek management
Pueblo Chieftain: "U.S. Rep. John Salazar is calling for the Environmental Protection Agency to focus more attention on water quality in Fountain Creek. In a letter Thursday, the Colorado Democrat asked Robert E. Roberts, EPA Region 8 administrator, to provide a description of the agency's current activities and future plans to ensure Fountain Creek water quality. Sewage spills from upstream communities and the general poor quality of water in Fountain Creek pose a risk for Pueblo and Lower Arkansas Valley residents, Salazar said...
"The state health department has fined Colorado Springs and issued a new compliance order on top of an existing compliance order, requiring the city to develop a plan to inspect and fortify its sewer lines. Colorado Springs is spending $250 million over 20 years to complete this project. The Nature Conservancy has plans to create an open space corridor along Fountain Creek as part of a Peak to Plains project. Colorado State Parks also is looking at a Fountain Creek Project. Fort Carson is planning for expansion, while Colorado Springs continues to grow, meaning more wastewater treatment plants and higher volume in the future. Salazar said these approaches need strong federal coordination."
"colorado water"
5:57:06 AM
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© Copyright 2009 John Orr.
Last update: 3/14/09; 8:31:13 PM.
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