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.

January 30, 2025 - 

Summary: 

It’s not just your imagination, this winter’s lack of consistent snowfall is delivering underwhelming snowpack. The Roaring Fork Watershed, where snowpack is currently 95% of normal for this time of year, received only two-thirds of its median SWE (snow water equivalent) for both December and January. Per the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought conditions have expanded across the Western Slope recently, including into a small section of the Roaring Fork Watershed near Glenwood Springs. Following several weeks of significant ice build-up and three ice jam releases on the Roaring Fork River, warming temperatures are starting to melt ice in our local rivers. As a result, stream flows are increasing and are 69-102% of normal for this time of year. Check out the 9th Annual Iron Fly Competition on Saturday, February 8 at the Tipsy Trout in Basalt. More at www.roaringfork.org/events.

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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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