Special to the HT
RANGELY | The Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District held its first meeting of the year Jan. 28 with all board members present.
The board elected officers, voting to keep all positions unchanged. Committee assignments also remained the same as in 2025. Meeting notices are posted at the district office and Rangely Town Hall. Regular meetings will be held at the district office at 6:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month.
Among announcements, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will begin aquatic nuisance species protection efforts targeting zebra mussels at Kenney Reservoir this year. The program is scheduled to run from May through October, when reservoir use is highest. CPW representatives are scheduled to attend the district’s February meeting to present details of the plan.
Alden Vanden Brink, David Carlson, dam operator, and district counsel met with Erin Light, district water engineer, and Betty Kracht, White River water commissioner, to discuss how the call would account for evaporative losses at Kenney Reservoir. The parties agreed to work jointly to develop an operating protocol for the reservoir during the call. Once finalized, the protocol will guide administration of Taylor Draw Dam and Kenney Reservoir on the White River.
The hydropower conduit is now functioning properly following major repairs completed last summer. Discussion also noted that the Wolf Creek Reservoir project is still seeking an acceptable purpose and need.
The board entered executive session, without an attorney present, for strategic planning.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the district office.
UPDATED: This story has been corrected to reflect that the board did not vote to place a new call on the river at the meeting. There is a standing call on the river in effect, but no new action was taken by the board.
