Simple habit changes could save thousands of gallons of water RBC | It’s always a good idea to conserve water when you can, but with ongoing drought conditions in the county water conservation may become more of a requirement than an option. In June, Meeker’s Public Works Superintendent Russell Overton[Read More…]
Tag: Drought
Water concerns discussed by Rangely trustees, staff
RANGELY | Using observable trends from 20 years of statistical history, Town of Rangely Water and Sanitation Supervisor Don Reed shared his departmental report with the town trustees during last Tuesday’s regular board meeting. The most obvious trend Reed has observed is an increase in temperatures. Reed gave specifics about[Read More…]
Looking back to when water was plentiful
RBC | During his 50 years in rural western Colorado, Jamie Jacobson has seen a lot of flooding. While caretaking a farm in 1974, Jacobson watched three acres of its riverfront float away. More recently, it’s been drought, and then worse drought. Jacobson farms on Lamborn Mesa, perched above Paonia,[Read More…]
RBC enters Stage 2 restrictions Friday
RBC | High temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and wind have contributed to the growth of the lightning-caused Oil Springs Fire south of Rangely to more than 12,000 acres, prompting evacuations and multiple road closures, including the closure of Highway 139 — Douglas Pass. In response to fire activity and current[Read More…]
River flow near record low
RBC | “Every organization needs a Cassandra and an Eeyore, and I’m it,” is how Dr. Bob Dorsett pre-empted his presentation to the White River Alliance last week. He discussed conditions on the White River, covering subjects like snowpack, streamflow projections, long term precipitation trends and algae blooms. Dr. Dorsett[Read More…]
Heat wave, drought catalyze Stage 1 fire restrictions
RBC | Following meetings this week to gauge fire risk, the following Stage 1 Fire Restrictions went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday on BLM and county property. Forest Service will enter restrictions Thursday. STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS ORDER Pursuant to Rio Blanco County Resolution 2019-06 the following acts are[Read More…]
Exceptional drought conditions across W. Slope
RBC | April 2021 was “exceptionally dry” according to the latest statistics from the USDA’s National Resource Conservation Service. NRCS Hydrologist Joel Atwood noted “Many SNOTEL sites reported record low precipitation for April west of the Continental Divide. Snowpack has also declined in all basins except the South Platte, due[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Happy Spring
MEEKER | Listening to a recent weather report that said that we have reached ninety percent of our needed snowpack, I realized how much we all take our piles and piles of snow for granted. There is no need to tell any of us that early spring brings our heaviest[Read More…]
Rangely approves four-stage drought response plan
RANGELY | Town of Rangely trustees approved the Town’s Drought Emergency Response Plan during their regular meeting Tuesday. The plan outlines four stages of emergency response. Stage 1: Minor Shortage Potential – Voluntary Restrictions on Water Use Stage 2: Moderate Shortage Potential – Mandatory Limited Restrictions on Water Use Stage[Read More…]
NRCS projects drought conditions for summer
RBC | Precipitation exceeded the average across much of the state in February, but water users should still be planning for drought conditions this summer, according to the latest projections from the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Colorado Snow Survey Supervisor Brian Domonkos said February storms[Read More…]
SPEAKING OF SNOW …
Not much good to say about 2020, and that includes the amount of precipitation we’ve received. The Yampa and White basin is sitting at just 64% of normal snow water equivalent (SWE) for this time of year on the USDA NRCS SNOTEL map as of Dec. 22. In case you’ve[Read More…]
Water districts prep for extended drought period
RBC | On Nov. 30 Governor Jared Polis sent a “memorandum of drought emergency” to executive directors of state government departments. The memo marks the beginning of phase 3 “full plan activation” of the state’s Drought Mitigation and Response Plan. The memo said “deep and persistent drought conditions” had covered[Read More…]
