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Water news and events for southwestern Colorado
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WATER INFORMATION PROGRAM 
November 2018 Newsletter
www.waterinfo.org

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LOCAL NEWS
The Water Information Program (WIP) provides balanced educational programming and resources to the people of the San Juan and Dolores watersheds. More than 20 partner organizations in southwestern Colorado--from water districts, utilities, private stakeholders and environmental advocates--make WIP possible. 

Mancos Conservation District Undertakes Watershed Monitoring

 

The Mancos Conservation District is leading the effort to effectively measure the health and functional conditions of the Mancos River watershed as a guide for ecological restoration, conservation and monitoring efforts in the area. They are keeping Mancos landowners and other locals up to date, which is critical in times of exceptional drought. To read more, delve into the Durango Herald's coverage.
 

Southwest Colorado Reviews the Drought Contingency Plan

 

On November 6, nearly 30 people representing diverse water interests across southwestern Colorado met to review the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) released by the seven Colorado River basin states in mid-October. The meeting was the first of the Southwest Basin Roundtable’s DCP subcommittee. (For more on the DCP, read WIP’s October story.)
 
The group reviewed Colorado’s compact obligations, the 2007 interim guidelines, recent hydrologic conditions on the Colorado River, the Division of Water Resources’ authorities, the Colorado River Risk Assessment Phases I, II & III, and the draft DCP agreements. Click here to view the presentation, and visit the Roundtable website for relevant documents.
 
In the context of declining hydrologic conditions in the Colorado River Basin, the group discussed questions specific to southwestern Colorado: How will western slope communities be impacted? Will Colorado manage water rights to ensure power generation at the cost of senior water rights? What is the financial impact of lost power revenues to southwestern Colorado? Which is worse for southwestern Colorado, lack of Section 7 compliance or a compact violation? What role will tribal water rights play, as southwestern Colorado is home to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe? How can Colorado maximize weather modification, improve small dams, and invest in forest health to improve water supplies? What data is available regarding phreatophyte removal and its impact on water supplies?
 
The Southwestern Water Conservation District again emphasized the need for a voluntary, temporary, compensated program to reduce consumptive use (aka demand management, see SWCD’s letter to the CWCB for more on their position). If a program were instead non-voluntary, SWCD raised questions about the purpose of reductions (for compact compliance or to maintain reservoir elevations), the level amount and pace of curtailment, who gets curtailed (i.e. how deep is the cut), impacts to western slope communities & projects, impacts to new water rights and uses, and the development of Southwest Basin IPPs.
 
Discussion around SWCD’s perspective focused on cost: if the West Slope is seeking a compensated program for temporary, voluntary reductions in water use, who is coordinating the effort to identify the portfolio of funding that could support it? Conversely, if the program ultimately becomes mandatory, what are the identifiable costs for communities, and are these costs less than it would take to compensate water users for reductions?
 
Celene Hawkins, CWCB Board Member, described the agency’s perspective on the demand management program. The CWCB board will be adopting a related policy at their meeting on November 15. Click here to listen live. After the September meeting, the CWCB staff was directed to conduct outreach and develop a policy that works statewide while addressing western slope agriculture’s concerns. Looking forward, as hydrologic conditions continue to decline, Celene encouraged southwestern Colorado to actively engage the conversation in how demand management could work, and come up with solutions rather than pick it apart. How do we guide our own future, and design a program that works for our basins? Celene responded to questions regarding the extent of the state’s authority to implement any anticipatory curtailment or even a voluntary demand management program.
 
The Subcommittee will meet again in late November or early December to discuss outstanding questions and consider what, if any, recommendations to make to the full Roundtable in January.

  

Impact Comparisons of the 416 Fire and Gold King Mine Spill and Lessons Learned


     
       416 Wildfire Burn Area                                 Gold King Mine Spill

The Animas River Community Forum held a meeting on November 8th bringing together members of the emergency response agencies and other partners who provided presentations on impacts and observations from the 416 Wildfire, and comparisons with the Gold King Mine spill from an emergency response, economic and environmental perspective.

Scott Roberts from Mountain Studies Institute  talked about the health of the Animas River and Hermosa Creek water quality and fish perspective. The studies found that the 416 Fire caused significantly more damage to the river and aquatic life than the Gold King Mine spill. After the precipitation we experienced following the fire, the run off and debris flows showed levels of aluminum, iron, and mercury in samples from the Animas River at Rotary Park and Hermosa Creek surpassed Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment water quality standards protective of aquatic life. Ash and sediment delivered from the burn area have been evident in changes in color, discharge, turbidity, and reports of fish kills in Hermosa Creek and the Animas River. Scott stated, it is important to note that research from other wildfires suggest that water quality and aquatic life can recover quickly following wildfire.

From an Emergency Response perspective, Butch Knowlton (La Plata County Director of Emergency Preparedness) and Julie Wentendorff (La Plata County Commissioner) talked about how different it is to respond to a fire than to a situation like the Gold King Mine spill. Julie explained that systems are in place to respond to a fire. As a community we have been through fires before, everyone on the emergency response team knows what to do, there is structure in place. The Gold King Mine spill created frustration. One example, the Emergency Response Team wanted to know the danger of the spill flow and could not get a response from the EPA. The EPA could not report specific detail and did not have the science as to the safety of the water, as it takes time to evaluate, and they are not apparently trained for emergencies. Butch Knowlton added that there was multi agency support for both the spill and the fire. Regarding the spill, there was good communication lined up with the agencies and monitoring at Bakers Bridge, so they could track how long it would take for the water to flow and allow time to communicate with all water organizations.

When it comes to environmental health, Brian Devine, from San Juan Basin Public Health, stated three areas of concern with disasters. Toxicity, exposure (drinking, skin, breathing), and duration. Fire can have real time data and has an immediate effect. Air quality is direct and can be very localized, and the air quality was affected by the fires in varying degrees. Air quality can be different in the valley than higher elevation. There is a need to provide information quicker, clearer and in more detail when it comes to surface water emergencies. They were not prepared to respond quick enough for the Gold King Mine spill. 

Lindsey Hansen from the San Juan National Forest provided a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) update on the proposed land treatments around the burn area. The objective of the land treatments are to: 
  1. Promote and protect native and naturalized vegetative recovery by reducing the spread of noxious weeds.
  2. Promote and protect native and naturalized riparian vegetative recovery and provide for streambank stabilization and reduction in erosion.
  3. Site stabilization of unique old growth forest habitat, foster recovery, and reduce values at risk to the habitat.
The proposed snapshot of land treatments include:
  • Invasive Weed Detection and Treatment
  • Tree Planting Soil Stabilization
  • Riparian Willow Planting
  • Old Growth Beetle Deterrent
  • San Jan Lineage Cutthroat Trout
Other proposed treatments include: Road and Trail; Protection/Safety; and Property treatments. Click here to read the Durango Herald story for more in-depth information on the BAER assessment treatment options.

Another topic covered was the economic impact. Laura Marchino from the Region 9 Economic Development District said they did not see any economic impact from the Gold King Mine spill. They did see a large impact due to the fire, tracked through sales tax. Drought and fire impacted our economy greatly!

These lessons learned from all agencies involved are valuable and applicable on a regional level.

Overall, the fire created much more damage to our communities than the Gold King Mine spill.
Around the State

Water Resources Development Act Improves Colorado’s Defense Against Invasive Species

 
Watch out invasive species! In late October, President Trump signed the 2018 Water Resources Development Act into law, which includes a provision directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to establish, operate, and maintain new or existing watercraft inspection stations to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in the Upper Colorado River Basin, South Platte River Basin, and Arkansas River Basin. The provision also authorizes the Army Corps to assist states with rapid response efforts in the case of an infestation of quagga or zebra mussels.

 “Army Corps of Engineers Reservoirs on the Front Range, such as Chatfield, have the highest boat traffic in the State,” said Mike Preston, General Manager of the Dolores Water Conservancy District, in a press release from Senator Bennet.  “Authorizing the Corps to participate in funding invasive mussel inspections is a great step forward, given the loss of severance tax revenues as a funding source. Colorado remains uninfected by mussels at a time when Kansas lakes are becoming badly infected.”

“McPhee Reservoir, operated by the Dolores Water Conservancy District, faces the threat of a badly infected Lake Powell. It only takes one infected boat to infect a lake,” Preston added. “This provision is an important step forward in bringing federal resources to bear on this urgent problem.”

 

Drought and Low Water Impacts Regional Recreation

Water levels at Ridgway Reservoir were at historic lows this year, forcing the park to issue refunds to boaters because they were unable to use their slips for the full boating season. Photo: Christopher Tomlinson


This years drought brought challenges to many recreational outfitters and facilities throughout the region. Many were forced to shut down operations early because river levels and reservoir water levels were so low.  

From Ridgeway State Park reservoir to Glenwood Springs, beaches, boating fishing and river trip companies all suffered the effects of the drought.

For full story click here. 

WIP Corner

Want to Test Your Knowledge on Water in Colorado?


 

The Colorado Water Trust put out this fun quiz. Find out if you are a River Novice, a River Lover, or a Hardcore River Rat by taking our quiz! Good luck and may the flows be with you!

Click here to test your knowledge.

 
The WIP lending library has more than 200 water-related books and videos available for checkout. Stop by the office to find a book or DVD of interest to you.
 
Upcoming Events


November 15, 2018
CWCB Board Meeting
Listen live to DCP discussion at 2:30pm

November 16, 2018
Wild and Scenic Rivers Film Festival 
Little Theater, San Juan College - 5:30 pm
Farmington, NM

November 20, 2019 
West Slope Water Summit
Montrose, CO

December 4, 2018
SWCD Board Meeting
SWCD District Office
Durango, CO

December 12 - 18, 2018
Colorado River Water Users Association Annual Meeting 
Las Vegas, NV. 

January 9, 2019
Southwest Basin Roundtable Meeting
Dolores Water Conservancy District
Cortez, CO

January 30 - February 1, 2019
Water Congress Annual Conference
The Westin Westminster
Denver, CO

March 13 - 14, 2019
Water in the West Symposium
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
Aurora, CO

 
Any events you would like to add? Send them to elaine@waterinfo.org.

Local News Links

Area reservoirs, at historic lows, rebounding with October rains

In western La Plata County, tap water may soon flow

Bayfield woman fly fishes 52 rivers in 52 weeks

More Information

Colorado River District October Board News Summary on Drought Contingency Planning (DCP) and demand management policy issues.

SW Colorado snow, flow and reservoir data all in one spot

CWCB newsletter

Fresh Water News - Water Education Colorado

Headwaters PULSE newsletter

Connecting the Drops Radio

Grants

Funding for projects provided through WaterSMART's Cooperative Watershed Management Program

Fact Sheet: Drought Assistance Resources fact sheet

DOLA Resources: Water/Wastewater Treatment 

USDA Funding Opportunity - Rural Water Projects

Water Plan Grant Program!

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Bureau of Reclamation Small Scale Water Efficiency Projects

Colorado Watershed Assembly Grants Bank 

NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program

SW Water Conservation District

List of Riparian Restoration funding Opportunities maintained by the Tamarisk Coalition

Jobs

Water Education Colorado
Education and Outreach Coordinator


Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Water Quality Control Division
Nonpoint Source Management Work Group Leader
Environmental Protection Specialist III


Colorado Rural Water Association

Colorado Waterwise Job Bank

Josh's Water Jobs
Rich listing of water jobs all over the world can be searched here.

Thank you to all of WIP's partner entities for their support for water education!

Water Information Program
841 E Second Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
www.waterinfo.org

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