Invasive Zebra Mussels Are in the Colorado River!
The Colorado River District is hosting a special Water With Your Lunch webinar from 12-1:15pm on Wednesday, August 13 as we dive into the growing threat of zebra mussels in the Colorado River system. These invasive species pose serious risks to infrastructure, agriculture, recreation, and native ecosystems. Experts from the Grand Valley Water Users Association and Colorado Parks and Wildlife will share what’s at stake, what’s being done, and how you can help protect our waters from this fast-moving threat.
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Only YOU Can Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
After you fish, boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY all your gear. Every time. Yes, really, every time. Many ANS are so small they cannot be seen with our eyes and can even survive in damp and moist environments: that’s how they are transported to a new waterway!
Boat & Gear Cleaning Stations in the Roaring Fork Valley:
- Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs: Watercraft Cleaning Station
- Roaring Fork Conservancy, Frying Pan Anglers, and Taylor Creek Fly Shop in Basalt: Wader Washing Stations
- Carbondale Boat Ramp: Gear Washing Station
ATTENTION SCHOOL TEACHERS:
Schedule 2025-2026 School Programs
RFC educators are actively scheduling programs for the upcoming school year. Teachers, learn more about our K-college program offerings by visiting https://roaringfork.org/education-and-outreach/watershed-education/.
To set up a planning meeting, email Jayla Brown, education program coordinator, at jennifer@roaringfork.org.
To schedule a school program, please fill out this Education Program Application Form.
ANGLERS: Please carry and use a thermometer
Rivers and streams throughout the Roaring Fork Watershed are flowing less then half of what is normal for this time of year.
Low flows => warmer water => less dissolved oxygen for aquatic life
As drought conditions continue to intensify and we are in the hottest days of summer, we encourage you to visit http://www.roaringfork.org/drought/ to find out local, up-to-date water and fire restrictions, drought conditions, stream flows, tips for indoor and outdoor water conservation, and information on how to hire a qualified water efficient landscaper (QWEL).
As a reminder, when the water temperature reaches 68F, it's time to reel it in.
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From all of us at Roaring Fork Conservancy, thank you to everyone that supported and joined us for A Night for the Rivers!It was an incredible evening of bringing people together to protect our rivers! We are so grateful to our generous sponsors, auction donors, supporters, volunteers and the teams behind the scenes that made it happen, especially Elizabeth Slossberg and Amy Siudak with EKS Events, our hosts, Lisa & Dave Alpern, Nerissa Reed and Danny Ellis of Star River Ranch, and our Summer Event Support – Nikole Yeiser! Thank you all for making A Night for the Rivers a truly memorable and successful evening for the protection and preservation of our Roaring Fork Watershed! |
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Snowmass Plein Air Art Fest
The 2025 Snowmass Plein Air Festival brings together 20 talented Colorado artists to paint the stunning landscapes of the Roaring Fork Valley in real time. Meet the artists, hear their stories, and experience the beauty of Snowmass through their eyes. Their artwork will be for sale on the Snowmass Base Village events lawn-offering all a chance to take home an original piece.Art Sale:
Saturday, August 9 | 10am-5pm
Sunday, August 10 | 10am-4pm
Location:
Base Village Events Lawn
A portion of the proceeds will benefit Roaring Fork Conservancy!
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Dear River Stewards, How do forest fires affect water quality? Signed, Dear Muddy Waters, When a forest fire (whether natural or human-caused) burns through a watershed, it strips away vegetation that normally stabilizes soil and leaves behind a water-repellent layer of ash. Without this natural cover, even moderate rainfall can trigger intense runoff, rapidly eroding hillsides and flushing sediment, ash, and debris into nearby rivers, streams, and reservoirs. This huge influx of sediment clouds the water column and gives rivers and streams the appearance and consistency of chocolate milk. |
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We want to hear from YOU!
RFC recently completed a restoration project at Riverfront Park in Carbondale. If you are familiar with the park and use it, we’d love your feedback. Please take 5 minutes to complete our short, anonymous survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/RiverfrontParkSurvey2025.
Photo: Matthew Brockman
Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Training
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Make Your Voice Heard on Shoshone!Submit public comments via email to the Colorado Water Conservation Board by August 31. Email viola.bralish@state.co.us to express your thoughts on permanent protection of Shoshone Water Rights through the State’s instream flow program. For more information visit https://cwcb.colorado.gov/2025-shoshone-isf-acquisition or https://keepshoshoneflowing.org/faqs/. |
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Double your Impact with a Company MatchBy taking advantage of a company's matching gift benefit, you may be able to double or even triple the amount of your contribution. Ask your HR department today and notify RFC by emailing sheryl@roaringfork.org. |
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Consider a Charitable RolloverIndividuals over 70½ may donate to charities directly from their IRA, known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). QCDs count towards any required minimum distribution (RMD) an account holder must take from their IRA. With a QCD you can benefit your Roaring Fork Watershed, fulfill your RMD requirement, and exclude that amount from your income. Ask your financial advisor if this is a good strategy for you to support your rivers! |
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Would you like to be featured as a Spotlight Business Member?Join us as a Premier Business Member! Show your clients and customers that you support essential river research, education, and conservation work and be featured as a Spotlight Business Member!
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Supporting Your Watershed is as Easy as 1-2-3!
If you have a City Market loyalty card, supporting your watershed is as easy as 1-2-3!
1) Click enroll and log in to your account at www.citymarketcommunityrewards.com
2) Search for Roaring Fork Conservancy or CV113
3) Click Enroll and you're ready to support your rivers while you run errands!
Learn more at: https://www.citymarket.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow/
AUGUST SPOTLIGHT BUSINESS MEMBER!
PASSION FOR LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Land Design 39 is a landscape architecture and design firm founded in Aspen, Colorado. Based on over twenty years of experience, we have a history of projects from small scale residential design to large scale land planning.
We have a passion for landscape design that works in concert with the natural environment, and creates unique spaces based on each project’s program elements and goals. Collaboration with team members from ownership to architects, and contractors to engineers is an essential element of our design process.
Projects | About | Inspiration | Let’s Talk
Thank you for helping protect our rivers and streams!