Crystal River named one of America's Most Endangered Rivers In a press conference Tuesday morning, national river organization American Rivers, announced that the Crystal River has been named one of America's Most Endangered Rivers. Roaring Fork Conservancy welcomes the national attention to the Crystal River which has flow, sediment and human impact issues throughout its 363 square mile watershed.
America’s Most Endangered Rivers is an annual call to action, spotlighting rivers facing significant threats, and emphasizing solutions for the rivers and their communities. The Crystal River provides essential habitat for fish and wildlife, beautiful vistas and recreation for visitors, and is one of the few remaining free-flowing streams in Colorado. However, new hydropower dams, reservoirs, and water diversions threaten to destroy the river’s unique values.
Supporters of the designation, including the Crystal River Environmental Protection Association, Pitkin County, and Roaring Fork Conservancy, propose eliminating plans for dams and increased diversions on the Crystal and pursual of a federal Wild & Scenic designation to future protect the Crystal River. Even before the designation, Roaring Fork Conservancy was working on plans to restore Coal Basin, a major tributary, and to address low flow issues on the lower Crystal. Crystal River Facts. More information on America's Most Endangered Rivers.
River Float 2012: Experience the Valley from the River's Perspective Saturday, June 2, 2012
8am - 1pm
Veltus Park, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Non-members: $30; Members: $20 Register Online
For the eighth year, Roaring Fork Conservancy is very excited to offer an opportunity for Roaring Fork Valley residents and visitors to experience the Roaring Fork River first-hand. Join us for this half-day float along the lower Roaring Fork River from Carbondale to Glenwood Springs. Jump on a boat provided by Blazing Adventures or Blue Sky Adventures for this day of sightseeing, education, and fun, and a cookout at the end of the float at Veltus Park in Glenwood Springs. This event is open to the public for a non-refundable $20 per person for members and $30 per person for non-members. Space is limited. Children over 60 pounds welcome. Registration opens May 1, 2012. Register onlineby May 28th. For more information contact Sarah Johnson at (970) 927-1290. More info. Sponsorship Opportunities
Roaring Fork Conservancy working with local water users to respond to drought conditions Roaring Fork Conservancy has partnered with the Colorado Water Trust (CWT) to bring a new, pilot water leasing program to the Roaring Fork Valley in response to the drought conditions expected this year. The program will be undertaken in conjunction with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) under the State’s short-term water right loan statute, which allows a water right owner to loan water to the CWCB for instream flows for up to 120 days. Instream flow water rights provide legal, nonconsumptive, in-channel water for the benefit of the environment. CWT will facilitate and pay for the leases under the State statute. More information on the Requests for Water 2012 program.
Roaring Fork Watershed Plan Complete! The Roaring Fork Watershed Plan has been finalized! The Watershed Plan consists of a number of sections including an introduction and overview, recommendations for urgent actions, recommendations applicable to water quality, water quantity and regional water management, and a discussion of implementation. The matrices, which arrange the recommendations in a sortable format, divide the recommendations into several categories which allow for examining the recommendations from a number of perspectives such as location, key entities and recommendation type (study, project or regulation). Although the Watershed Plan is intended to be an ever-evolving and flexible document we do hope to update it periodically as information, prioritizes and planning changes. For more on the watershed plan visit www.roaringfork.org/watershedplan.
Roaring Fork Watershed Plan Brand Naming Contest Roaring Fork Conservancy, Ruedi Water and Power Authority, and Kootenay Resources released the completed Roaring Fork Watershed Plan and branding (by Schwener Design Group) for the Plan April 12, 2012. You now have the opportunity to participate in the brand naming contest to name this character (right). Enter your name suggestions here to win two tickets for the 2012 Annual River Float. Deadline for submissions is Friday, May 18th.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Roaring Fork Conservancy has partnered with the Colorado Water Trust (CWT) to bring a new, pilot water leasing program to the Roaring Fork Valley in response to the drought conditions expected this year. The program will be undertaken in conjunction with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) under the State’s short-term water right loan statute, which allows a water right owner to loan water to the CWCB for instream flows for up to 120 days. Instream flow water rights provide legal, nonconsumptive, in-channel water for the benefit of the environment. CWT will facilitate and pay for the leases under the State statute. More information on the 
The Roaring Fork Watershed Plan has been finalized! The Watershed Plan consists of a number of sections including an introduction and overview, recommendations for urgent actions, recommendations applicable to water quality, water quantity and regional water management, and a discussion of implementation. The matrices, which arrange the recommendations in a sortable format, divide the recommendations into several categories which allow for examining the recommendations from a number of perspectives such as location, key entities and recommendation type (study, project or regulation). Although the Watershed Plan is intended to be an ever-evolving and flexible document we do hope to update it periodically as information, prioritizes and planning changes. For more on the watershed plan visit 
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