“I wanted to let you know that we believe the Aspen’s investment in the Watershed Report over the last several years will pay us an unexpected dividend. We are in the process of putting together the technical documentation for a FERC license (Castle Creek Hydro) and will be able to use the watershed report as supporting documentation for the application. Thanks to RWAPA and Roaring Fork Conservancy for having the foresight to get this information together in a single place.” Phil Overeynder, Public Works Director, City of Aspen

“The State of the Watershed Report is a remarkable step forward for informing land use decisions in Garfield County. Over the course of 2009 and 2010, Garfield County Staff will utilize the findings from the State of the Watershed Report to inform the rewrite of the Land Use Comprehensive Plan of 2000 and subsequently recommend action and policy decisions to appointed and elected officials based on this analysis.” David Pesnichak, Senior Planner - Long-Range, Garfield County

“The information that has been compiled in the State of the Watershed Report will be very valuable not only in respect to protecting our water quantity and quality but also being aware of things that need to be protected or repaired to insure the success of the entire watershed.” Leroy Duroux, Mayor, Basalt

“Since the State of the Roaring Fork Watershed Report is organized by sub-basins, it can help us direct limited resources toward priority issues. It will be a very useful tool in the creation of the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan that can guide development to be protective of our natural resources.” Ray Merry, Director Environmental Health Department, Eagle County

“The Watershed Plan is a tremendous accomplishment. It serves as an accurate baseline for where we are today and also serves as a roadmap for protecting our water quality and quantity into the future.” Rachel Richards, Pitkin County Commissioner

“The City of Aspen is using the results of the Watershed Report as guidance in developing stormwater management policies and projects to prevent, reduce, and mitigate the impacts we have on the Roaring Fork River. For example, by the summer of 2009 we will have new design standards for development that will encourage greener designs and less impervious area and will require on-site removal of sediment from stormwater.” April Barker, Stormwater Manager, City of Aspen

"The State of the Watershed report is a useful reference for Pitkin County staff reviewing land use applications with riparian area and wetland issues – helping to guide the decision-making process with respect to both habitat preservation and restoration." Rose Ann Sullivan, Environmental Resources Manager, Pitkin County

The Roaring Fork Watershed Collaborative is pleased to announce the release of the State of the Roaring Fork Watershed Report. The report was officially released December 4th at the Roaring Fork Watershed Collaborative Water Committee meeting in El Jebel. Various elected officials and report authors were on hand for the announcement.

This “State of the Watershed Report,” which comprises Phase I of the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan, is the product of dedicated effort by a host of people including technical experts, government planners and administrators, conservation professionals, and water managers. Also included are residents of the Roaring Fork Watershed who care about issues of water quality and quantity and expressed that caring by participating in the public meetings, forums, and interviews that have been part of this project.

The State of the Roaring Fork Watershed Report illustrates the current status of the Roaring Fork Watershed in terms of its water quality and quantity and its water-dependent ecosystems. It also points out areas where insufficient data prevent an accurate assessment of that status. Finally, the report identifies acute and immediate threats to local water resources from pollution, diversions, channel instability, and other sources.

The next step in the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan will be the development of a series of goals and objectives based on the findings of the State of the Watershed Report and aimed at preserving and improving local waters. Those goals and objectives then will be translated into action steps that can be taken by water managers, governments, and individual water users. This Phase II of the Plan will move forward through 2009 and eventually will be turned over to local governments and water management agencies to adopt and codify within their individual policy frameworks. As with Phase I, Phase II will feature many opportunities for public input, education, and discussion. 

A printed version of the Executive Summary is available at the Roaring Fork Conservancy office at 200 Basalt Center Circle in Basalt. A printed copy of the entire 500+ page report is available for a fee that covers printing costs. Contact info@roaringfork.org to obtain a printed copy of the entire report. 

Read the Executive Summary and Entire Report: State of the Roaring Fork Watershed Report

Phase II Guidance Document

PHASE II GUIDANCE DOCUMENT - Why the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan Matters (4MB)

Benefits of a Watershed Plan

• A structure for continued input from and dialogue between all stakeholders
• Improved community understanding, interest, and leadership in watershed issues.
• Encouragement of partnerships to identify and fund mutually beneficial projects.
• Efficient use of financial resources and effective use of agency and organizational personnel.
• Protection of riparian and aquatic resources
• Provides available watershed information and data to all stakeholders
• Collaboration on applications for major grants
• Collaboration on public outreach and education efforts
• Provides a mechanism to transfer information

Eagle River Watershed Plan
The Water Group is using the Eagle River Watershed Plan as one of the templates for the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan. View the Eagle River Watershed Plan in its entirety at the link below.

Eagle River Watershed Plan

Building Local Partnerships
Know Your Watershed
A Guide for Watershed Partnerships: Building Local Partnerships

Water Committee Contact List

Water Committee Contact List - As of November 28, 2008

To add your name to the contact list, email: sharon@roaringfork.org.