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.

April 10, 2025 - 

Summary: 

Snowpack in the Roaring Fork Watershed is 88% of normal for this time of year. With minimal precipitation, warm temperatures, and wind, it is likely that snowpack in the Roaring Fork Watershed peaked on March 23, at 14.9” of SWE; two weeks earlier and 2.2” less SWE than the median peak. Snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin (everything upstream of Lake Powell) is similarly below average at 86% of normal for this time of year. The impacts of below average precipitation, warm temperatures and drying soils will be felt locally and downstream, as inflows at Lake Powell are currently forecasted to be 67% of average according to the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center. Local stream flows increased over the last week and are flowing 67-128% of normal for this time of year. Before runoff officially begins, help keep our rivers clean by volunteering for the 27th annual Watershed Cleanup. Details at www.roaringfork.org/events.

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