Roaring Fork Conservancy and local partners launch drought resiliency project
Farmers and ranchers in the Roaring Fork Valley are coping with the effects of prolonged drought. Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC) recognizes the value and complexities of local agriculture. To this end, RFC is partnering with several producers, Lotic Hydrological consulting, and Pitkin County Open Space to explore opportunities of enhancing the resilience of ranching operations in the Roaring Fork Valley in times of water shortage. The project team is interested in identifying means for mitigating against the impacts of drought on productivity in mid- to high-elevation grass pastures and hay fields—the dominant agricultural land use in the Roaring Fork Valley. The study will work to identify field-scale treatments that can be used to minimize (or eliminate) reductions in crop yields and forage quality that are expected in times of limited water supply.
19th Annual Roaring Fork Watershed Photo Contest
Calling ALL photographers! The 19th Annual Roaring Fork Watershed Photo Contest is now underway. We are looking for amateur and professional photographers to capture the beauty of the waterways within the Roaring Fork Watershed.
For details and submission guidelines, please visit the photo contest homepage.
Photos must be submitted by November 18, 2024.
Weekly Snowpack and River Report
September 12, 2024 -
Summary:
Rivers in the Roaring Fork Watershed are flowing 58-115% of normal for this time of year. The one exception remains the lower Fryingpan River whose flows (124% of normal) have been above average for most of the summer. Ruedi Reservoir stores augmentation water for Colorado’s Western Slope and provides multiple benefits downstream, especially in years when it fills to capacity like it did this year. For example, Ruedi provides a cooling effect on the lower Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers, and are used to grow delicious Palisade peaches and wine grapes in the Grand Valley. Additionally, releases from Ruedi are used to boost flows in the 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado River which is critical habitat for four native, endangered fish - razorback sucker, Colorado pikeminnow, bonytail, and humpback chub.
