County

Snowpack nears normal for year

RBC I A cool and wet three weeks has brought a large change to the White River Basin snowpack and precipitation situation, with the three major reporting stations relevant to Rio Blanco County much closer to average for the year than they were four weeks ago.
Ken Coffin, the district ranger in Meeker for the Rio Blanco Ranger District of the White River National Forest, said the drainages listed in the state Water Resources Data System report that are the best indicators for Rio Blanco County are: Burro Mountain, located about 15 miles southeast of Meeker along the Buford-Newcastle road; Ripple Creek, due east of Meeker about 50 miles and off County Road 8; and Trappers Lake, about 50 miles southeast of Meeker, south of County Road 8.
Up-to-the-minute snow/water equivalents and total precipitation reports available through a cooperative effort of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Natural Conservation Service and the Water and Climate Center in Portland, Ore. The report, as of Friday morning, indicated that snow/water equivalents at the White River Basin monitors are between 78 and 12 percent of normal and that the percent of average precipitation is between 78 and 92 percent at the monitors, with the Trappers Lake area seeing the biggest increase.
Ripple Creek was in the best condition of the area drainages with the snow/water equivalent listed at 112 percent of normal The average is 24.5 inches and on Thursday there were 27.4 inches at the monitor, located at 10,340 feet. The total precipitation level to date is 92 percent of average, with 26.3 inches compared to the average of 28.5 inches.
The Burro Mountain drainage was listed at 91 percent of average in the snow/water equivalent, compared to 68 percent just four weeks ago. The total precipitation level was 78 percent of normal compared to 69 percent four weeks ago. There has been a total of 18.1 inches up through Friday compared to the average of 23.1 inches at the monitor, located at 9,400 feet.
The largest concern has been at the Trappers Lake monitor, located at 9,700 feet. Four weeks ago, the average was only 61 percent of the average snow/water equivalent, but that has been raised to 78 percent of average. The total precipitation of 18.7 inches compares to 22.4 inches on the average, but that is 83 percent of normal compared to 75 percent four weeks ago.

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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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6 days ago
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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