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Posted inThe Roundup

The Roundup | Going to extremes to get the story

Curtis Wackerle by Curtis Wackerle February 3, 2023February 15, 2023
The Roundup: A weekly roundup of Aspen Journalism's original stories
A weekly letter from the newsroom and roundup of Aspen Journalism’s original stories.
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Recently at Aspen Journalism, our Water Desk broke news on two fronts — a state of Colorado proposal to tighten regulations guiding stream restoration projects, as well as the criteria officials have put forward to screen proposals for water-conservation funding. We also covered a recent scientific study of the disastrous 2021 runoff, where a near-normal snowpack translated to well-below-average water levels flowing into rivers. Blame an April heat wave and dry soils. Meanwhile, our ongoing data trackers covering local COVID-19 trends and streamflow and snowpack metrics kept you up to date.

We also posted our write up from the Jan. 5 event we hosted with author Ted Conover, whose works of immersive journalism are renowned for their empathetic and nuanced portrayals of seemingly impenetrable subcultures. Full audio and video of the talk is included on the post.

Thank you for reading, and supporting, Aspen Journalism.

With gratitude,
– Curtis Wackerle
Editor and executive director

Recent reporting from Aspen Journalism

Going to extremes to get the story

By Curtis Wackerle | February 2, 2023

“I’m attracted to people living in ways my friends don’t know about or understand,” Conover said. “Aspen is a bit of an exception to that rule, but it is an extremity, so I was attracted to Aspen for the same reason.”

Continue reading…

Credit: Jackie Corday

State officials draft bill on stream restoration

By Heather Sackett | February 3, 2023

Although these projects benefit the environment, improve water quality and create resiliency against wildfires and climate change, keeping water on the landscape for longer could potentially have impacts to downstream water users.

Continue reading…

Credit: Heather Sackett/Aspen Journalism

River District considers criteria for water conservation program

Contracts approved only if no new projects take water to Front Range

By Heather Sackett | January 20, 2023

The policy says that Front Range water providers — which in total take about 500,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water each year across the Continental Divide to growing cities and for agriculture — must also contribute their fair share of water.

Continue reading…

Credit: Heather Sackett/Aspen Journalism

Scientists studying water supply focus on weeks following peak snowpack

April forecasts may no longer be reliable benchmark

By Heather Sackett | January 19, 2023

But according to the paper, in 2021, “rates of snowmelt throughout April were alarming and quickly worsened summer runoff outlooks which underscores that 1 April may no longer be a reliable benchmark for western water supply.”

Continue reading…

Tracking the Curve

Eagle County has reported 33 new COVID-19 cases since last week. Garfield County has added 30 cases, while Pitkin County has recorded six cases since Jan. 25.

By Laurine Lassalle | February 2, 2023

The state vaccination bus will be in Carbondale on Feb. 2, El Jebel on Feb. 3 and Glenwood Springs on Feb. 4.

Continue reading…

Data dashboard: Roaring Fork basin snowpack at 128% of average

Lake Powell’s water levels keep going down, reaching an elevation of 3,523.6 feet on Jan. 29

By Laurine Lassalle | February 1, 2023

• Lake Powell’s elevation down to 3,523.6 feet on Jan. 29. That’s 1.4 feet below the target elevation of 3,525 feet.
• Snowpack at Indy Pass reached 102% of average on Jan. 29 with a SWE of 10 inches.
• McClure Pass recorded a SWE of 15.8 inches, or 156.4% of average on Jan. 29.

Continue reading…

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Curtis Wackerle

Curtis Wackerle

Curtis Wackerle is the editor and executive director of Aspen Journalism and the editor and reporter on the Connie Harvey Environment Desk. Curtis has also served as editor, managing editor, and reporter... More by Curtis Wackerle

Latest News

  • Little information released on conservation-program proposals March 31, 2023
  • Data dashboard: Roaring Fork basin snowpack keeps rising after recent storms March 28, 2023
  • Garfield County commissioners defend Uinta Basin Railway against local opposition March 27, 2023
  • Tracking the Curve March 22, 2023
  • Data dashboard: Lake Powell on the rise for the first time in months March 22, 2023
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