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…]
Tag: Water
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…]
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…]
Water storage topic of river Alliance meeting
RBC | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Water Resource Specialist David Graf shared a virtual presentation last Wednesday with White River Alliance members about the potential to expand Lake Avery by approximately 2500-5000 acre feet. He outlined several stages required for implementing such an expansion including a feasibility study, navigating various[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…]
Separating the good from the bad in Rio Blanco bugs
PRESS RELEASE | Special to the Herald Times RBC | Rio Blanco residents had their “antennae up” as bug expert Nina Louden from the Colorado Department of Agriculture — Insectary shared her observations and knowledge about how to put bugs to work and save money for Rio Blanco County and[Read More…]
Rangely residents discuss rural water
RANGELY | The Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District Manager Alden Vanden Brink along with board President Wade Cox and Vice President Tim Winkler laid out details and answered questions for interested Western Rio Blanco County residents during a rural water informational meeting Monday, April 26. More than a year ago[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Water Rights
MEEKER | “You don’t understand. My grandfather lost his life over who owns the water from the river.” Listening to a friend’s story about her grandfather’s struggles to get enough water to his crops and cattle to survive struck a chord with me. While we no longer hear of someone[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: Soil☺ Moisture
Soil health plays an important role in the success of any agricultural operation. This is especially true of soil moisture. Soil acts as a major storage reservoir for moisture. According to NRCS, soil with just 1% of organic matter in the top 6 inches of soil can hold approximately 27,000[Read More…]
New Instream Flow Water Rights Proposed
Notice of 49 new instream flow (ISF) recommendations across the State of Colorado has been provided by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). Twelve of these recommended ISF water rights are located in the White River drainage. The notice identifies the streams to be considered for ISF appropriations in 2022.[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…]