You're Invited: October 2 is Trout Release Day!

Join us on the banks of the Roaring Fork River behind the River Center for our first-ever Trout Release Day. What exactly is Trout Release Day?  

In 2023, RFC officially joined Trout Unlimited's Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program and installed a 75-gallon aquarium known as a ‘community tank’ at the River Center. Unlike most TIC tanks around the country, this tank does not live in a local classroom. The tank is here at RFC for the community and school groups in our watershed to enjoy and learn from. 

This past year was our first year and we received 15 small rainbow trout or ‘fry’ last October. Six of those trout survived and have grown to ‘fingerling’ size, or 3-4” long. Following the October 2 release day, RFC will receive two hundred new fertilized trout eggs to raise into fish and eventually release another batch of rainbow trout next year. 

Join us from 11:30am-12pm on Wednesday, October 2nd to celebrate the release and join in the fun! 

Happy New WATER Year! 

Sign up for weekly river and snowpack reports

Tuesday, October 1 is the beginning of a new water year. The water year, which begins on October 1 every year, is a term commonly used to describe a 12-month period for which precipitation totals are measured. Its beginning differs from the calendar year because in the late autumn, snow begins to accumulate creating the first and primary source of moisture that will become next summer’s runoff. The high-elevation Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir forests in the watershed act as frozen reservoirs, collecting and holding the winter snow, then slowly release the valuable stores of water throughout spring and early summer.

With the arrival of water year 2025, we happily usher in the cooler weather and beauty of fall colors and the optimism that a new year can bring. Although unforeseen challenges lie ahead, we all remain hopeful for a good or even average water year to replenish the ecosystem.

Do you know we write a weekly River and Snowpack Report? Every Thursday afternoon you can read the report at http://www.roaringfork.org/ and RFC's social media pages; read it every Friday on page 2 of The Aspen Times;  or sign up to receive the reports in your inbox.

Calling ALL photographers!  
The 19th Annual Roaring Fork Watershed Photo Contest is now underway.  We are looking for amateur and professional photographers to capture the beauty of the waterways in the Roaring Fork Watershed.

Details and submission guidelines at https://roaringfork.org/education-and-outreach/annual-photo-contest/.

Photo contest prizes sponsored by

 

 

Snowmass Water Supply Tour
Friday, October 11 from 9am-2pm

When we turn the tap on, water appears instantaneously, almost like magic... but we all know it takes a lot of work to make this possible!

Join staff from Snowmass Water and Sanitation District and Roaring Fork Conservancy for a half-day tour to see first-hand, how water is delivered to Snowmass Village, a high alpine town spanning 1,500 vertical feet! We will trace the path of water from mountain streams to the taps of 3,000 people - that expands five-fold in peak season! We'll also tour the beautiful Ziegler Reservoir.

Through this program, you'll gain an appreciation for the unique challenges of delivering water fresh to our taps and cleaning wastewater to industry-leading standards. 

 

Register soon - only 12 spots available!

Cost: $50 (RFC members receive a 10% discount)

Register at https://roaringfork.org/events/snowmass-water-supply-tour/.

 

RFC will present another edition of the Voters’ Guide to Water Issues in the Roaring Fork Valley and Beyond on October 2, 2024.

RFC asked candidates in local, state, and federal races for their responses to two water related questions. This online guide 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.

Roaring Fork Conservancy does not endorse any of the candidates. Their unedited responses are presented as submitted.

We encourage you to vote, whether by mail or at a polling location on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Your voice is an important part of helping us bring people together to protect our rivers.

 

Read the Voters' Guide to Water Issues in the Roaring Fork Valley and Beyond

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/

OCTOBER SPOTLIGHT BUSINESS MEMBER!

Thank you for helping protect our rivers and streams!

	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!