Coyote Gulch

Monday, August 18, 2008

Snake River update

From The Summit Daily News: "Last summer's spike in zinc and other metals in the Snake River has persisted, spelling more trouble for trout in the polluted stream. Colorado Division of Wildlife biologists were disappointed by the absence of brook trout when they surveyed a section of the Snake near Keystone last week."

Thanks to Colorado Trout Unlimited for the link. More Coyote Gulch coverage here and here.
"colorado water"
5:53:56 PM

Water policy

We missed the start of World Water Week, again.
"colorado water"
5:40:33 PM

New irrigation rules for the Arkansas Valley?

The Upper Arkansas River Water Conservancy District plans to ask for a review of the State Engineer's proposed new irrigation rules aimed at ensuring Colorado does not fall behind in its commitment under the Arkansas River Compact, by employing sprinklers and drip irrigation for efficiency, and thus reducing return flows to the river, from The Mountain Mail. From the article:

Draft rules from the State Engineer's Office will be protested by the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District board after its regular meeting in Salida Thursday. The rules are part of a review by the Division of Water Resources regarding surface water use in the Arkansas River Valley. The review is part of an effort by Colorado Engineer Dick Wolf to put regulations in place ahead of possible objections by neighboring Kansas. The states share Arkansas River water and therefore have a history of water-related conflicts. "Kansas is concerned use of sprinklers and drip systems will reduce the amount of water they will receive," Ken Baker, UAWCD consultant, said. He is a representative on a review committee for the rules.

Baker questions if the hydrological model upon which the rules are based is relevant to the Upper Arkansas River. "They are based on the irrigation return flows from the Fort Lyon ditch," he said. The ditch runs 114 miles from La Junta to the Kansas border. Baker contends the climate, topology and hydrology of the Upper Arkansas differ markedly from the accepted model. "For us," Baker said, "a long ditch is 10 miles." Baker seeks wording in the rules excluding the Upper Arkansas River Valley from rules regarding increased efficiency. He called for adding rules allowing irrigators to appeal decisions based upon the rules.

The next meeting of the task force is tentatively set for 1 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Occhiatto University Center on the Colorado State University campus.

More Coyote Gulch coverage here.
"colorado water"
5:26:11 PM

Yampa River

Here's another part of The Denver Post's series on the Yampa River. From the article:

In the early 1950s, Aspinall was among those supporting the bureau's powerful push for a pair of hydro-electric dams on the Green River within Dinosaur National Monument. The larger of the two -- proposed just downstream of the Green-Yampa confluence at Echo Park -- was considered the wheelhorse of the Upper Colorado River Storage Project that would have buried the site where Warm Springs Rapids formed in 1965 under several hundred feet of water. Likewise, the Green River rapids would have disappeared, along with countless natural and cultural treasures that earned the surrounding 210,000 acres designation as a national monument via presidential proclamation in 1938. Fortunately for fans of flowing water, the battle to preserve Echo Park marked the dawn of the modern environmental movement, as public outcry steered by David Brower of the Sierra Club sparked nationwide controversy over wilderness protection in an area theoretically dedicated to preserve nature. Like Brower, many believed the Echo Park dam decision would set the precedent for all federally protected lands. If a dam was allowed within this national monument, no park or monument would ever be safe again.

Although approval of the [Colorado River Storage Project] meant the Green River was eventually dammed upstream of Dinosaur at Flaming Gorge and downstream at the Colorado River's Glen Canyon, Brower considered the Echo Park decision the finest hour of the American conservation movement, giving it the confidence and clout to push forward. That same year, Congress began consideration of the National Wilderness Preservation Act, ultimately approved eight years later.

Here's a look at the warm springs rapid from The Denver Post.

More Coyote Gulch coverage here.
"colorado water"
6:11:29 AM

e-mail John: