Hikers’ Blog

Contact: Paula Stepp, Executive Director
970-404-0162
pstepp@midcowatershed.org

Speaker series will address water issues in Middle Colorado River watershed

January 16, 2024 — The Middle Colorado Watershed Council (MCWC) will be presenting a three-part speaker series in 2024 about issues that impact water and our watershed.

David Graf, the Instream Flow Coordinator from the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Fish Recovery Program, will be the first speaker on February 22 at 5:30 pm at Drifters Coffee Shop in New Castle. David will discuss the use of river flows to protect rare fish species in the Colorado River. He will talk about the endangered fish program and how the Cameo Call affects the flow of the Colorado River in our area. This event is free, but you must register to attend due to limited space availability.

Zak Podmore, Utah-based journalist and author and Jackson Emmer, renowned singer songwriter, headline the second event at the Vaudeville Theater in Glenwood Springs on March 14 from 6 to 9 pm.

The Glen Canyon Rises Tour brings together film, photography, music, and conversation to explore the re-emerging landscape of Glen Canyon due to the on-going Colorado River drought. Sign up to get a first-hand look at surprising ecological recoveries emerging from the reservoir — and learn why some advocates support modifying the Glen Canyon Dam and draining Lake Powell.

Both Zak and Jackson, grew up in the Roaring Fork Valley and have spent time exploring western rivers and landscapes. Tickets will cost $15 and there will be a cash bar and food available.

Jackie Corday, a Colorado-based water and land attorney and natural resources consultant, and Abby Burk, Sr Manager of the Western Rivers Program Audubon Society, provide a deep-dive into key considerations evaluating and implementing low-tech stream restoration techniques. Topics discussed will include the benefits of stream system ecological lift, increased water availability and forage for agricultural producers, 2023 Colorado legislation (SB23-270) to support stream restoration, and reduce risk and increase project success. Jackie and Abby have been working with High Lonesome Ranch on a post-Pine Gulch Fire restoration project and have site visited and spoken with project managers at many other restoration projects around the state.

This third event will be on April 11, 5:30-7:30 pm at the River Stop in Rifle and will include a tour of MCWC’s River Stop located at the Rifle Rest Area. The event is free but requires registration due to limited space.

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About Middle Colorado Watershed Council

The Middle Colorado Watershed Council represents municipal, industrial, agricultural, recreational, environmental, land management, and educational interests that operate within the middle Colorado River Watershed. Originally organized as a collaborative in 2009, the Council incorporated as a nonprofit Colorado corporation in 2013. The Council’s mission is to evaluate, protect and enhance the health of the middle Colorado River watershed through the cooperative effort of its watershed stakeholders.