Local and state-wide groups join forces to boost winter flow in the Fryingpan River
Colorado Water Trust and Roaring Fork Conservancy have teamed up with the Colorado River Water Conservation District (Colorado River District) and the Colorado Water Conservation Board to purchase and release water from Ruedi Reservoir to mitigate the impacts of anchor ice on the Fryingpan River. On Friday, December 16, the first release of water from Ruedi Reservoir will begin. The project aims to release 1.26 billion gallons of water (or 3,866 acre-feet) between December 16, 2022, and March 1, 2023, to the Fryingpan River, maintaining flows around 65 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs) in order to diminish ice buildup.
Weekly River Report
September 28, 2023 -
Summary:
Happy New Water Year! This Sunday, October 1 is the beginning of a new water year in the Roaring Fork Watershed. The 12-month period from October to September marks the water year because the majority of precipitation we receive after October 1 accumulates as snow in the high country and does not run off until the following spring. Locally, streams have decreased from a week ago, flowing 60-88% of normal for this time of year. Releases out of Ruedi Reservoir decreased 30 cfs on Tuesday morning, bringing flows on the Lower Fryingpan River to 150 cfs. This decrease, which is typical for this time of year, was requested by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the continued management of the Endangered Fish Recovery Program in the 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado River.
Roaring Fork Conservancy promotes replacing thirsty bluegrass with tall fescue
In the American West, the overwhelming majority of water consumption occurs through outdoor irrigation and evaporation. This water often does not return to the system directly, if at all. More than 60% of municipal water use is outdoor watering; most of it going to green grass lawns. To demonstrate conservation-based solutions for a lawn, Roaring Fork Conservancy partnered with Basalt Public Library to plant drought resistant turf called tall fescue...
Yoga in the Basalt River Park - benefiting RFC
Join Jayne Gottlieb + Aspen Shakti’s fantastic team of teachers for a gentle BODY flow yoga class for all levels and appropriate for all ages, Saturday mornings in September. This donation-based class includes a guided meditation connected to nature and time for the community to gather, stretch, connect, and enjoy the River Park. Learn more and register here