Farmers and ranchers in the Roaring Fork Valley are coping with the effects of prolonged drought. Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC) recognizes the value and complexities of local agriculture. To this end, RFC is partnering with several producers, Lotic Hydrological consulting, and Pitkin County Open Space to explore opportunities of enhancing the resilience of ranching operations in the Roaring Fork Valley in times of water shortage. The project team is interested in identifying means for mitigating against the impacts of drought on productivity in mid- to high-elevation grass pastures and hay fields—the dominant agricultural land use in the Roaring Fork Valley. The study will work to identify field-scale treatments that can be used to minimize (or eliminate) reductions in crop yields and forage quality that are expected in times of limited water supply.

February 6, 2025 - 

Summary: 

Punxsutawney Phil may have seen his shadow but we are still waiting on seeing winter. Instead, the lack of snowfall and unseasonably warm temperatures started snowmelt much earlier than normal this year. Snowpack in the Roaring Fork Watershed is 86% of normal for this time of year, down 9% from last week. At a time of year when snowpack usually increases, three of the nine SNOTEL sites in the watershed measured decreases from a week ago. For the first time since February of 2024, the majority of the Roaring Fork Watershed is measuring abnormally dry conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.  Winter conditions should return this weekend, as colder temperatures and precipitation are forecasted through next week.

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Roaring Fork Conservancy is pleased to present yet another edition of the Voters’ Guide to Water Issues in the Roaring Fork Valley and Beyond. 

RFC asked candidates in local, state, and federal races for their responses to two water related questions. This online edition presents a non-biased forum for candidates to express their qualifications and platforms on water issues affecting the Roaring Fork Watershed and the state of Colorado...

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