Coyote Gulch

Friday, August 22, 2008

Kirk Klancke: 50 percent of the water that they use in those municipalities is growing Kentucky bluegrass

Here's an article about the pressure on the water supply from transbasin diversions in Grand County, from The Sky-Hi Daily News. From the article:

Continued loss of ranching is an unraveling seam in terms of conservation of land and water in Grand County. In facing pressures from development, today's ranchers and environmental conservationists stand shoulder-to-shoulder, where before they were locked in conflict over grazing issues and water use...

Roughly 80 to 90 percent of water used on Grand County ranch land is returned to the area's river drainage, benefiting downstream users. It's believed municipal development returns about 97 percent of water back to the river as long as development is in the same valley as the river. Sprinkle irrigation has a higher evaporative loss, so golf course development returns much less, about 40 to 50 percent. Development on the Front Range causes 100 percent loss to the rivers in Grand County. It's a known fact that much of the water taken is used to keep residential landscapes alive. "Truthfully, 50 percent of the water that they use in those municipalities is growing Kentucky bluegrass. That's not necessary," said Kirk Klancke, Grand County's foremost river-water advocate. "So they take it from us and kill this natural environment to create an artificial one, to grow an imported grass from a humid environment in a high plains desert. It's completely illogical."[...]

In the Fraser Valley, a much-anticipated sculpture is unveiled. The curved line of a cast captures the lesser-known leisure expeditions of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, his likeness overlooking the banks of the Fraser River. Three years ago, that same river was rated the third most endangered in the country. "Fifty years ago, we had such a healthy fishery that a guy who could fish anywhere in the world wanted to fish here in Colorado. We want to remind people that this used to be presidential waters, and now it's endangered waters," Klancke said. The culprit: trans-basin water diversions. Tunnels cut through the Rocky Mountains to carry water from the headwaters to the cities. Roughly 60 percent of Grand County's rivers are depleted to meet the needs of water users elsewhere. Another 20 percent could be taken out of the Fraser and Colorado rivers upon the approval of water-rights firming projects poised to meet the water needs of the Front Range. Public comment periods on Environmental Impact Statements for each of the projects are scheduled for this fall...

The president of the local chapter of Trout Unlimited and general manager of the Winter Park Ranch Water and Sanitation District already sees rivers turned into solar collectors during July and August. Trout thrive at 55 degrees, but at 65 degrees, they're merely surviving. "Most of the fly fishermen I know quit fishing at 65," Klancke said, "and they all catch and release, but if you catch a trout at 65 and release him, he's going to die anyway because he's used the last of his life force just fighting to get off the line. At 65, savvy catch-and-release trout fishermen just quit fishing. "Right now, we're seeing temperatures over 70. The cold water fishery dies at 70 degrees on the Fraser, on Ranch Creek, and on the Colorado -- pretty much in all of Grand County."

More Coyote Gulch coverage here.
"colorado water"
6:42:15 AM

Wastewater news

From The Glenwood Springs Independent: "An $8.3 million loan from the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority will provide financing for a new wastewater treatment facility in New Castle. According to New Castle Public Works Director John Wenzel, the wastewater expansion project will increase the treatment capacity to handle '100 percent build-out,' or all growth on land currently annexed into the town boundaries. The project will modernize the treatment process, including a substantial improvement in the pretreatment stage, reducing significantly the amount of sludge produced. It currently costs up to $46,000 per month for sludge disposal, according to Wenzel. No date indicating when construction of the new facility could begin has been announced, however. According to Wenzel, construction needs to begin shortly due to the fact that the current wastewater facility has reached the maximum processing capacity currently permitted under state restrictions. The current plan for the new facility is expected to take 18 months until it is operational and is likely to more than double the plant's current processing capacity, produce a cleaner discharge into the Colorado River and eliminate more odors...

"Funding for the project will be repaid through monthly sewer fees, sewer tap fees on new construction and possible state grants. The new facility will be located just east of the current wastewater plant on land that is currently being used as the town's maintenance yard. The maintenance department will be moved to town-owned property west of downtown."
"colorado water"
6:27:46 AM

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