September 29, 2022 - 

Summary: 

Streams throughout the Roaring Fork Watershed are flowing 64-99% of normal; the exception remains the managed lower Fryingpan River which is flowing 145% of normal for this time of the year. This is due to releases from Ruedi Reservoir continuing to fulfill a senior water call on the lower Colorado River. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the entire Roaring Fork Valley is still experiencing abnormally dry conditions (the lowest intensity of drought). Rain in the forecast over the next several days is coming at a good time in the water year. Why? The more wet soils are heading into winter (which equates to low or no drought conditions), the less snowmelt they will absorb next spring, thus a robust runoff.

Thank you to all the photographers who participated in Roaring Fork Conservancy's 16th Annual Roaring Fork Watershed Photo Contest. Results are in, so check out the winners and their beautiful work!

Check out this month's most current news from RFC!

In the American West, the overwhelming majority of water consumption occurs through outdoor irrigation and evaporation. This water often does not return to the system directly, if at all. More than 60% of municipal water use is outdoor watering; most of it going to green grass lawns. To demonstrate conservation-based solutions for a lawn, Roaring Fork Conservancy partnered with Basalt Public Library to plant drought resistant turf called tall fescue...