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Upper Colorado River Watershed Update

June 2020

The Upper Colorado River watershed experienced peak flows for the year on June 4th, earlier than usual and hinting that the impacts of climate change are already being felt in the Fraser Valley.

Predicted local climate change impacts include:

  • Higher than average runoff earlier in the spring.
  • Peak run off occurring in May rather than June.
  • Lower than average runoff and reduced groundwater levels into the late summer and fall months. 

Drawing from data recorded on USGS gauges located around the Fraser Valley, the above map compares measurements from June 4th with median flows from previous years.

In general, flows were well above average, with the most pronounced flows in the upper reaches of the watershed marked by blue dots. Further downstream, green dots mark flows only slightly above average.

Flows running at higher than historical average so early doesn’t indicate a heavy snow year so much as warmer temperatures earlier on in the season. The historic flow record is being squished toward the earlier part of the year and squeezed up higher – showing that things are warming up faster and sooner in the spring.

This has serious implications for long-term watershed health and resiliency.   


Earlier and faster peak runoff in the spring means a number of things for the Upper Colorado River basin:

  • Conditions will be hotter and drier for longer throughout the late summer and early fall. Peak runoff occurring so early in the season means there will be less water in the watershed later on. 
  • Increased stress on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as the water that plants and animals are used to having is no longer there.
  • Decreased levels in our lakes and reservoirs, as hotter temperatures for longer increase evaporation rates.
To learn more about what this means and a deeper understanding of your local water resources, check out our June Watershed Snapshot. 
 
July, August, and September are critical months when it comes to high temperatures. We will be tracking this throughout the summer and fall with our Monthly Watershed Snapshots.


High water temperatures mean stress for our alpine and aquatic ecosystems, so be sure to check out our tips on fly fishing in warmer waters and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on your local watershed.
 
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Above: Aerial photo of islands in Shadow Mountain Reservoir (June 12, 2020) 
UCRWG is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting awareness, conservation, and appreciation of the lands and streams composing the Colorado River headwaters in Grand County, Colorado through science, education, and outreach. Our programs include stream corridor and forest health restoration; guided educational hikes and citizen science initiatives; and community outreach and education. 

We are 100% donation based. 
 
Please help us expand our outreach and increase the ways in which we can support you, our stakeholders, in restoring and conserving the watershed we all love by giving today.

Every drop counts. 
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