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Silt Preserve partners research best options to bring water to Silt Preserve

Using Wright Water Engineers' expertise, MCWC is working with Aspen Valley Land Trust and the Town of Silt to figure out the best ways to bring in water to fill the ponds of the Silt Preserve and provide back up irrigation for additional agricultural opportunities. The 132-acre conserved space will provide an oasis for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor education, recreation and innovative agricultural opportunities while protecting riparian habitat.

The strong association of stakeholders involved with the Silt Preserve are providing a variety of resources to protect and enhance the property. Wright Water Engineering will evaluate the existing water rights to provide guidance on the ability to use those rights, including a plan for augmentation, as well as provide initial, conceptual-level planning for the improvements to the existing ponds and irrigation systems.


Silt Preserve is open to the public. Fishers can already access the Colorado River for fishing, and there are a variety of opportunities for wildlife viewing. Additional plans are in the works to expand the trail network and develop ponds for passive recreational opportunities.




Highwater Farms  working with local youth to harvest and share summer produce

Highwater Farm, a community farm space on the Silt Preserve, has gotten into a rhythm with their summer youth program. Their seven crew workers work closely with  their crew leader and youth program coordinator  throughout the day. They typically work 3-6 hours in the field and the rest of their day is spent in workshops or team-building activities.

The crew might be trellising tomatoes, “flipping” a bed of spinach, turning the compost pile, hoeing a half acre of summer crops, or seeding in the greenhouse. They harvest and pack for CSA share, the Carbondale Farmers’ Market, and for wholesale buyers (the Lift Up pantry system & Skip’s Farm to Market.)

It's not all farm work. The youth in this program also spent time in the last month diving into a money management, learning interview skills, learning about compost and building soil, and had an on-farm cooking class.

The farm is in week 6 of its summer youth program.


MCWC gets new logo 
Thank you to Roland Leppeck for designing our new logo.

In his past life, Roland was an art director and owner of a Denver agency. Now that he has retired, he defines himself as a bicycle tourist.  As you read this, Roland and his partner Julianna are now riding across Washington State - the first leg of their journey to bike across the entire continental United States.
If you are interested in following his many touring adventures, you can subscribe to his YouTube channel, Roland Leppek. His recent videos include Cycling the Heart of Europe (including Switzerland, Germany, and Austria), and Postcards from Colorado.

I’m Roland. I’m a bicycle tourist. I believe in the kind of travel that lets you get in touch with the world around you. I believe in bicycle tourism because my life is happiest and most meaningful when I immerse myself in the beauty – the sights, the smells, the sounds, the feels – of the world around us. In a way that only bicycle tourism provides. I’m a bicycle tourist because I believe in being good to my body, and being good to the planet. I’m here on YouTube to share my adventures with you, and to hopefully get you excited to get out of the house, get out of the car, get off the cruise ship, and really experience this incredible world. There’s a limitless amount of great experiences waiting. Let’s ride!



Adopt-A-Mile of the Middle Colorado River and Support MCWC

The Middle Colorado Watershed Council has faced many opportunities and challenges in the last year. From the completion of our Integrated Water Management Plan to construction of native fish species passages to coordinating post-fire restoration efforts, the increased role and responsibility of the MCWC in our watershed has fueled a need to grow.

To sustain this growth, the Middle Colorado Watershed Council has launched a three-year Adopt-a-Mile of the Middle Colorado River campaign to raise a minimum of $100,000 the first year, $125,000 the second and $150,000 the third. With community financial support and commitment, we can ensure that every mile of the Middle Colorado River is cared for.
 
We have a proven track record of creating, implementing, and completing projects that align with our mission. Our Integrated Water Management Plan was noted as one of the most comprehensive in the state. Our current and future projects address water shortages and other issues for agricultural, municipal, and environmental water users.

Every donation is important in helping us reach our three-year goal. Annual donations of $1,000 or more each year for three years include additional benefits recognizing each donors’ contributions. There are five levels in the Adopt-a-Mile of the Middle Colorado River campaign to choose from. Donors may choose to pool resources with other individuals, groups and/or businesses to meet a desired level. 


For more information, contact info@midcowatershed.org with the subject line Adopt a Mile of the Middle Colorado River or donate directly through Colorado Gives.
 



USGS places rain gauges in Glenwood Canyon to enhance weather monitoring
   
Rain gauges were place in nine spots throughout Glenwood Canyon including these two at Windy Point and Deadman's Creek. Funding was received by the Middle Colorado Watershed Council from the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to coordinate with CDOT and the USFS to determine the best locations for the USGS to place rain gauges in Glenwood Canyon.

CDOT has closed and opened I-70 through Glenwood Canyon numerous times in the past 6 weeks to protect the public and infrastructure.
With this expanded network, the National Weather Service will be more aware of weather changes coming into the canyon from the northwest, southwest and eastern sides of Glenwood Canyon. The placement includes in-drainage locations for areas of high concern. CDOT had also place gauges near their operations center in Cinnamon Creek and at the top of Grizzly Creek. All placements are noted on the map below.

Citizens can access USGS's site to get real time information on weather events at https://co.water.usgs.gov/infodata/COPrecip/index.html
 
With additional future funding, the rain gauges will be kept in place to monitor weather for the next three to five years.



CPW requests voluntary limits on fishing in parts of the Colorado River

Critical temperature conditions have returned to the Colorado River, so Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff have implemented a voluntary ALL DAY FISHING CLOSURE on the Colorado River from Red Dirt Creek confluence to Rifle. Temperatures have exceeded 70F, reaching almost 75F in some reaches.  Along with high temperatures and exceptionally low flows, heavy sediment loads from isolated rain events on naturally erosive hillslopes above Dotsero and on the Grizzly Creek burn scar have produced extremely turbid conditions in the Colorado River.

Some recently improved conditions and forecasted weather, have warranted slight relaxation in the region of State Bridge to the confluence of Red Dirt Creek this week so that closure is only from noon to midnight.

CPW is closely monitoring the Eagle and Roaring Fork Rivers, because temperatures in the lower sections of both have been near 70 degrees.


Once implemented the closures (voluntary or regulatory) will be in place until conditions improve for the long term to ensure the Colorado fishery can recover from extended environmental stress and to allow consistency and predictability for anglers.

Thermometer courtesy of @colorado_trout_unlimited
More information from @coparkswildlife




RiverStop at the Rifle rest area needs volunteers

The RiverStop has opened its doors to visitors and locals but only for intermittent hours for now.

In 2017, the City of Rifle donated the unused I-70 Rifle rest stop building for MCWC use. 
 MCWC developed the unused space into a modern, timeless river interpretive center to bring the community further into the world of water education about our local watershed. Working in coordination with CPW and a few volunteers, visitors can explore the displays and learn about other local resources available to travelers.

We need more volunteers. If you or someone you know has time for a weekly four or six-hour stint, please email info@midcowatershed.org and use the subject line "RiverStop volunteer." 

 


HELP THE MCWC
A small donation goes a long way. Sponsor a student to test water quality, spearhead the removal of an invasive tamarisk, or support the replanting of willows and cottonwoods in our waterways. We need your support.
DONATE NOW

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Thank you for your support! The Middle Colorado Watershed Council is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Copyright © 2021 Middle Colorado Watershed Council, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
200 Lions Park Circle, Rifle, CO 81650

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Middle Colorado Watershed Council · 200 Lion's Park Circle · Rifle, CO 81650 · USA

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