Saturday, July 22, 2006

Arkansas Valley report Here's an update on the current state of Arkansas River storage from the Pueblo Chieftain. From the article, "Perhaps the cruelest effect of recent rains was to remind the Arkansas Valley of what wet weather looks like. River flows are down, valley reservoirs are one-third full and water levels will continue to drop as the area enters its peak use period, water officials told the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District Thursday. One of the most dramatic changes can be seen at John Martin Reservoir, where Colorado last week released nearly 17,000 acre-feet to satisfy Kansas water demands, said Steve Witte, Water Division 2 engineer. Colorado is required to deliver the water to Kansas under the Arkansas River Compact, a contentious document that has been the subject of litigation and negotiations for more than 20 years. John Martin now is nearly empty, with 3,400 acre-feet, and most of that is water that the Lower Arkansas Water Management Association will use to augment river flows depleted from well pumping, he said... "Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes in Lake County remain relatively full thanks to ample transmountain diversions, [Tom Musgrove, Pueblo manager for the Bureau of Reclamation] explained. The Fryingpan-Arkansas Project has brought over 60,000 acre-feet this year, a hair more than Musgrove predicted in May, and is still producing about 80 acre-feet per day." Category: Colorado Water 7:30:57 AM     Lower Arkansas Watershed Tour Lamar Daily News: "The Baca County Conservation District is hosting this year's Lower Arkansas Watershed Tour. The focus for this informational tour is to get legislators and producers face to face, and confirm the vital role conservation districts play in helping producers conserve natural resources. The bus tour will begin in Springfield at the Baca County Resource Center, 8:30 a.m. August 10th. Presentations will be given by BCCD Board Members Max Smith and Pat Esch on the 'Past, Present and Future of CRP' (Conservation Reserve Program)." Category: Colorado Water 7:20:06 AM     Fountain Creek management Here's an update on the Sierra Club's Water Sentinel program from the Pueblo Chieftain. From the article, "...as the national director of the Sierra Club's Water Sentinels program, [Scott Dye] is traveling the country to expand a grass-roots movement to clean up the nation's rivers. 'State agencies are underfunded and undermanned,' Dye said Friday. 'They need citizens out there to help them fill the void created by politics, lack of money and manpower. More than half the spills and fish kills are turned in by fishermen because they're the people who are out there. 'Dye is hoping there will be more fishermen on Fountain Creek in the near future, which is one of the reasons he is visiting Pueblo this weekend. Dye also will lead a workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at 21 Montebello Drive to train volunteers to collect and analyze water samples on Fountain Creek. About 25 people, including some from Colorado Springs, have signed up, but others are welcome... "Water Sentinels will begin by monitoring Fountain Creek, but hopes to reach out in different ways. The group has started 55 projects in 15 states since forming in 2001. In addition to monitoring streams, the group has sponsored more than 100 cleanups, hauled more than 100 tons of trash and provided education programs in schools... "Anyone interested in joining the Water Sentinels program may call Jenny Kedward, 671-9235." Category: Colorado Water 7:07:57 AM

© Copyright 2006 John Orr. Last update: 12/29/06; 11:58:37 AM.