

Recreation groups ask for more inclusion in state Water Plan
Boating has struggled to find foothold in system of water rights
By Heather Sackett | October 14, 2022
In the Colorado water world, recreation usually is lumped together with the environment as a “non-consumptive” use since both seek to keep water in the stream. But signatories to the letter say that grouping overlooks the importance of recreation to the economy.
Data dashboard: Aspen’s September precipitation was below average
The Roaring Fork is running at 94% of average at Stillwater after transbasin diversion tunnel stops sending water to Front Range cities.
By Laurine Lassalle | October 18, 2022
• A total of 1.3 inches of rain fell at ASE in September, down from a historical average of 1.43 inches.
• ASE recorded above-normal air temperatures so far this month.
• The Fork ran at 108% of average below Maroon Creek and at 94% of average at Stillwater on Oct. 16.
Tracking the Curve
Garfield County has reported 25 new COVID-19 cases since Thursday and Pitkin County has added 10 cases. Eagle County has recorded eight cases since Thursday.
By Laurine Lassalle | October 18, 2022
Eagle County’s test-positivity rate jumped from 6% on Oct. 10 to 15% on Oct. 17.

On thin ice: Colorado’s glaciers are telling a ‘rather dismal’ story through data, satellite imagery
“Dan McGrath, an assistant professor in Colorado State University’s Department of Geosciences, explained that no single year should set off alarms. Glaciers must be analyzed in the context of much longer periods of time. Having said that, the past couple summers have not been encouraging.”
Source: denver7.com | Read more
The billionaire behind New York’s most luxe hotel
“As the [New York] hotel’s opening was pushed further and further into the future, Doronin — who made his fortune in Moscow real estate — began to face uncomfortable questions about the precise origins of his wealth. They burbled up partly in response to his aggressive expansion.”
Source: msn.com | Read more
Hydropower production down 20% as the Upper Colorado River system finished water year 2022
“‘We’re starting to look really hard at the assumptions that go into what do we base our numbers and historic statistical models on — and questioning the validity of those,’ Williams said. ‘I think the prudent thing to do is to plan for something that’s likely lower long term and then it’s easier to react to more water and power than it is to less.’”
Source: coloradosun.com | Read more
Mike Lee proposes more dams as a solution for the shriveling Great Salt Lake
“Reservoirs can play a role in funneling water to the Great Salt Lake — at the summit, Wilson announced Weber Basin and Jordan Valley water conservancy districts are releasing a collective 30,000 acre-feet from their dams to benefit the Great Salt Lake by the end of the year.”
Source: sltrib.com | Read more
The COVID data that are actually useful now
“For a better sense of how much the coronavirus is circulating, many experts are turning to wastewater surveillance. Samples from our sewage can provide an advanced warning of increased COVID-19 spread because everyone in a public-sewer system contributes data; the biases that hinder PCR test results don’t apply. As a result, Hugh and her colleagues at the People’s CDC consider wastewater trends to be more ‘consistent’ than constantly fluctuating case numbers.”
Source: theatlantic.com | Read more
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