Colorado Water
Back in 1977 the 'Ol Coyote, Mrs. Gulch, and several other friends took a little hike down the Escalante River in Utah (exiting the canyon by way of Coyote Gulch  ). The canyon, back then, was an easy hike mostly along the sandy shores of the river. Nowadays Tamarisk chokes the shores of the river making hiking difficult, elimnating the sandy beaches that we enjoyed, choking out Cottonwoods and other native flora. The noxious weed is now showing up in Northeast Colorado, according to the Denver Post [June 5, 2004, "Thirsty trees spread into N.E. Colorado"]. From the article, "A mature tamarisk can produce 600,000 seeds a year, which can be spread by air or by water. Unlike native cottonwoods or willows, tamarisk can sink its roots to groundwater level and a single plant can consume 200 gallons of water per day."
The town of Fowler is facing a serious water shortage this year, according to the Denver Post [June 5, 2004, "Town weighs options amid water shortage"]. From the article, "Fowler, 30 miles east of Pueblo, has 1,200 residents. Some of its 13 wells are producing at half of capacity because of low groundwater levels...and there is less than 120 acre- feet in storage...He (Town Foreman Ron Rein) blames the high prices on Aurora's purchases and leases of area water. Over several years, Aurora has bought and leased water in the Arkansas River valley, primarily from farmers."
6:54:09 AM 
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