RBC | Low water flow, high temperatures, and dry conditions continue to affect fisheries across Northwest Colorado this summer. CPW says while anglers will not receive citations if they choose to fish in areas under voluntary closure, the agency is asking for the public’s cooperation to help protect fish. When[Read More…]
Tag: Drought
Record water usage in Meeker
MEEKER | Meeker residents were asked to avoid watering their lawns last weekend after six weeks of the heaviest water usage in community history depleted storage facilities at the same time work on the wells was underway. According to Town Manager Scott Meszaros, the town has a substantial water storage[Read More…]
Smoke visible in Rangely is coming from Utah fire
Smoke visible from Rangely and Dinosaur Wednesday afternoon is coming from a fire across the state line in Utah. The fire is south of Highway 40 and west of Raven Ridge along the “Old Bonanza Road.” It is not threatening any structures, according to the Uintah Basin Interagency Fire Center.[Read More…]
Town of Meeker institutes outdoor watering restrictions through Sunday
The Town of Meeker has instituted outdoor watering restrictions effective immediately through 5 p.m. Sunday. According to Town Clerk Lisa Cook, the Town is seeing extremely high usage numbers this summer. Last month, Meeker residents used a record 62,000,000 gallons, six million more than ever before. “The Town of Meeker[Read More…]
Q&A about possible Lake Avery water release
MEEKER | Due to low flows, dry conditions and extreme heat, water temperatures in the White River are nearing dangerous levels for cold-water fish. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are encouraging anglers to fish in the early morning, when water temperatures are cooler and less stressful to fish. To help[Read More…]
Countywide fire ban takes effect tomorrow
RBC | Sheriff Anthony Mazzola announced a fire ban effective 8 a.m. Friday due to excessively dry conditions, high heat and wind. “This year compared to last year, we are much drier,” he said. “We tried to hold off as long as we could.” The decision was made during a[Read More…]
Ready for Rain
As early season wildfires engulf huge swaths of the San Juans, ranchers in Rio Blanco County battle other side effects of drought conditions RBC | While Rio Blanco County may not yet register high enough on the drought scale to initiate federal assistance, the effects of the incredibly dry conditions continue[Read More…]
A Look at the West: Does optimism have a place in the West’s water politics?
RBC I When John Fleck began covering water (among other things) in 1995 for New Mexico’s Albuquerque Journal, he assumed he’d be writing stories about dried out wells and cracked mud. After all, as a Los Angeles native who grew up in a suburb that had replaced an irrigated citrus[Read More…]
Emergency farm loans
RBC I Garfield, Mesa, Moffat, Montrose and Rio Blanco counties have been designated as contiguous counties for the disaster designation due to losses caused by drought.
Sheriff lifts fire ban for county
RBC I Rio Blanco County sheriff Si Woodruff lifted the Stage II fire ban in the county Friday, Sept. 14 but high fire danger still exists.
Free water education webinar series starts July 27
RBC I Colorado’s unique situation as a headwaters state provides the backdrop for diverse issues and concerns related to a most precious resources: water. Rural landowners in Colorado can benefit from understanding how water resources are utilized. A four-part online series will highlight water conservation practices that won’t compromise crop[Read More…]
Fires burn more than 1,600 acres in Rio Blanco County
RBC I Lightning started the Powell and Little Duck fires in Rio Blanco County last week, burning more than 1,600 acres before monsoon rains helped more than 200 firefighters and a Type II fire management team contain the blazes.