Irrigation technology has continued to advance over the decades, however, in many watersheds – including the White River – some of the irrigation infrastructure is not in fully functional condition. In fact, some of the infrastructure is a century old or more and needs repair or replacement. The Colorado Water[Read More…]
Tag: White River Conservation District
State of the River: Part 3
Algae bloom effects cause frustration, uncertainty RBC I This week, the HT conducted interviews with Alden VandenBrink, manager of the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District; Bob Tobin, a former USGS hydrologist and water quality expert; Dr. Bob Dorsett, White River Alliance member; and Callie Hendrickson, White River Conservancy District Executive[Read More…]
All about the White River Integrated Water Initiative
RBC I What is the natural “work” of the White River vs. what “work” we ask of the White River? Without the need to satisfy human requests of the river, the work of the river is to move water from the headwaters to its confluence with the Green River. We[Read More…]
CONSERVATION CORNER: White River Flood Irrigation and Return Flows
One of the oldest irrigation methods is surface or flood irrigation where water flows down small furrows or over fields to water the crops. While water is running over a field it percolates through the soils. Plants use a portion of the water while much of it permeates deeper and[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: White River Integrated Water Initiative Update
The White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts (Districts) are excited to share information about the progress that is being made on the White River Integrated Water Initiative (Initiative). This effort began in late 2019 with a group of local stakeholders serving on the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC). The PAC[Read More…]
County: OHV Signage, Culvert Access & Conservation District Update
RBC | Commissioners met Tuesday, April 27, to discuss the following public business. OHV SIGNAGE RBC Emergency and Natural Resources Manager Eddie Smercina and Public Information/Program manager Carly Thompson presented to the board some OHV signage around Meeker that is in “rough shape.” Based on a recent replacement project for[Read More…]
News Briefs: March 25, 2021
WRCD planning advisory meeting Mar. 25 MEEKER | The White River Conservation District’s Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) will be meeting on Thursday, March 25 at 6 p.m. in Meeker at the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District Building (240 7th St.). A virtual link will be provided upon request. Please email[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…]
Sisters Hendrickson, VanWinkle receive Denver Business Journal Trailblazer Awards
RBC | Callie Hendrickson, executive director of the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts, and her sister, Janie VanWinkle, co-owner of the VanWinkle Ranch and head of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, are the recipients of the Denver Business Journal’s (DBJ) Trailblazer Award this year. The award is part of[Read More…]
CONSERVATION CORNER: The White River Algae Study Update
A White River Algae Study Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting met again in January where they heard more information from USGS and additional researchers. All TAG meeting notes and presentations are available on the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts’ website. USGS presented information on the algal taxonomy, synoptic[Read More…]
White River Algae TAG group reviews data
RBC | The White River Algae Technical Advisory Group (TAG) held a well-attended virtual meeting last week to review data from three studies conducted over the last year. STREAM TEMPS The first data set, presented by Brian Hodges of Trout Unlimited in partnership with Tory Eyre of Colorado Parks and[Read More…]
Initiative focuses on integrated water plan
RBC | Farmers and ranchers in Rio Blanco County are starting off the new year optimistic about their involvement in the White River Integrated Water Initiative, which is aimed at assessing community needs from all water users in order to identify actions that promote a healthy river and ensure a[Read More…]



