Patterson framed the issue not as a fight among water users, but as an unevenly built safety net in times of shortage.
Author Archives: Heather Sackett
Heather Sackett is the managing editor at Aspen Journalism and the editor and reporter on the Water Desk. She has also reported for The Denver Post and the Telluride Daily Planet. Heather has a master’s degree from CU’s Center for Environmental Journalism and her reporting has been recognized by the Colorado Press Association.
Posted inWater
River District concerned legal tools for conservation program could favor some regions over others
The irrigation districts of the Grand and Uncompahgre valleys are close to the state line and the Upper Gunnison Valley is just above Blue Mesa, so the majority of water conserved in these locations will get to where it needs to go without the state Division of Water Resources having to actively shepherd it.
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How low can the Colorado River go? A slow float on the 15-mile reach
Graf said the program was responsible for about 70% of the water in the river during Tuesday’s float; without it, flows could have dipped to around just 25 cfs.
Posted inWater
Fryingpan River to see high flows as Ruedi releases increase
Water managers say flooding on the Fryingpan begins to be a concern around 800 cfs; River District officials say water managers will aim to keep the river below 700 cfs.
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With fields already fallow, Uncompahgre Valley growers adapt to a drier future
Pope brings up an inherent contradiction about Upper Basin conservation: How can agricultural water users cut back when they already don’t have enough in drought years like this?
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Colorado water officials announce creation of state-run conservation program
But details were scant on exactly how much water Colorado will contribute to the program and how the saved water would be used.
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PitCo commissioners voice initial approval for another water buy
Members of the county’s Healthy Rivers board, which advises the BOCC, are concerned that the water will have a small impact on river health but a big impact on the program’s budget.
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Western Slope lawmakers take Colorado River managers to task
Roberts’ line of questioning seemed prompted by recent projections that show river flows dipping below a threshold that could trigger litigation.
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Colorado River experts say agriculture must make permanent cuts to water use
Some in the academic community are advocating for the federal government to either set up a voluntary program to buy and retire lands that use a lot of water or pay landowners who agree to permanent restrictions on water use.
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Feds say new Colorado River plan will be short-term
In the absence of a seven-state deal for sharing shortages and managing reservoirs, river management now falls to the federal government — an outcome nearly everyone had hoped to avoid.
