Sue Anschutz-Rodgers, the owner of Crystal River Ranch above Carbondale, has told the state she is making progress toward building two 55-foot-tall dams that would form two 500-acre-foot reservoirs on land she owns in the Four Mile Creek basin and along Dry Park Road.
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
Streamflow forecast down for Roaring Fork despite above-normal snowpack
The reason for the discrepancy is dry soils, which soak up spring snowmelt before it gets to streams.
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Shoshone agreement keeps water flowing down Colorado River while hydro plant is inoperable
In the past, if the hydropower plant was not operating, the water right tied to it is not being put to beneficial use and cannot be used.
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Marble quarry operators violated Clean Water Act, Army Corps of Engineers finds
The violation occurred when the mining company moved a tributary of the Crystal River to make room for a new road.
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State demand-management investigation moves ahead
According to a real-time text poll, 57% of the workshop participants said the demand-management feasibility investigation was moving too slowly.
Posted inWater
Pitkin County moves ahead with $1 million river project
The spot, just upstream of the small boat ramp on Willits Lane near the FedEx outlet, has long presented a tricky obstacle to boaters, especially at low water.
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Colorado bill to expand loan of water to the environment has wide support
The bill has garnered the support of the Glenwood Springs-based Colorado River Water Conservation District, which helped shape the revamped 2020 bill with its input.
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Quarry in Marble facing scrutiny from federal, state regulators in wake of diesel spill
Because of ongoing cleanup and water-quality monitoring as a result of the spill, the temporary road and creek diversion will be in place longer than intended — until at least the fall of 2022, according to a report from the company.
Posted inWater
Garfield County to lease its Ruedi Reservoir water to help endangered fish in Colorado River
Late summer, flows in the 15-mile reach are often lower than what is recommended by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for healthy fish habitat mainly because of two large upstream irrigation diversions: DeBeque Canyon’s Grand Valley Project, known as the Roller Dam, and Palisade’s Grand Valley Irrigation Canal.
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Colorado River District revisiting mill levy increase
Others agreed about the need to increase the River District’s revenue but expressed doubt a tax measure could pass in western Colorado’s more conservative counties, such as Mesa, Montrose and Delta, especially in a presidential election year with high turnout.