Feb 12

Winter 2021: Forming New Alliances and Wildfire Recovery

By LisaC | UCRWG Updates, Waterkeeper Alliance | No Comments

Aerial view of snow and ice forming on Shadow Mountain Reservoir early in November 2020, captured with our drone. UCRWG has been using drone technology to document changing conditions in the Upper Colorado River.

Happy February!

Before we dive into our winter newsletter, we'd like to take a moment to ask you all to join us in a snow dance. The Upper Colorado River basin was falling well below average for snowpack at the end of January, measuring only 68 percent of normal. Even with last week's storm, we're still well below average.

UCRWG: A Colorado Riverkeeper Affiliate

By LisaC | CO Riverkeepers, Press, UCRWG Updates, Waterkeeper Alliance | No Comments

The Colorado River Waterkeeper Network:

UCRWG is excited to announce our new membership in a global movement working to protect and restore waterways worldwide! You can read more about the Waterkeeper Alliance and what this means for us as an organization by clicking here.

Nov 01

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Fall Newsletter: Reflecting on the East Troublesome Fire

By LisaC | Community, UCRWG Updates | No Comments

Sunset over Shadow Mountain Reservoir, taken as part of UCRWG's summer aerial watershed surveillance campaign via drone, a partnership with the Three Lakes Watershed Association.

The UCRWG Board of Directors extends its heartfelt condolences to all those in our Grand County community affected by the East Troublesome Fire.

We were all impacted by the suddenness and severity of the East Troublesome Fire and mourn with our neighbors the loss of property and places we all love to the fire. However, we take comfort how our community stepped up to help those in need at a moment's notice. Here at UCRWG, we know that we are a part of a community that is truly Grand.

October Watershed Snapshot: Low flows, low temperatures

By LisaC | Watershed Snapshot | No Comments

October Watershed Snapshot

Flows were low across the Upper Colorado River watershed throughout October, as the summer drought stretched into fall. Luckily, cooler weather from the season change kept water temperatures nice and cold for the alpine aquatic life.

From mid September to mid October, we are starting to see normal low flow conditions in most of the rivers in the Upper Colorado River Watershed. Elevated flows are seen below Lake Granby and Ranch Creek to send extra water downstream for endangered fish. Cooler air temperatures have brought the water temperatures down into safe levels for fish. As a result, temperature is not being reported on the map. Most sites in upper elevations are low as a result of our dry summer and fall. Fishing active lures and streamers will continue to be good until ice starts to form on lakes and streams. Is your ice fishing gear ready? Read More

Sep 21

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September Watershed Snapshot: Fall Fishin’

By LisaC | Watershed Snapshot | No Comments

Colored dots at monitoring locations reflect stream flow levels, with Blue and Green dots indicating water levels well above average and Red and Yellow dots marking water levels well below historic flows. Crosses within the dots show water temperature, while the red numbers next to selected locations show the number of days with water temperatures above 68°F/20°C from Aug 15th – Sept 15th.

From mid August to September, we saw temperatures begin to cool as fall begins. The Fraser River near Tabernash only had one day where water temperature was in excess of 68°F/20°C.

Flows were elevated in Ranch Creek and on the Colorado River below Lake Granby to send more water downstream. Muddy Creek above Wolford Reservoir was still problematic with water temperature going over the critical 68°F/20°C on 10 days out of the previous month-long period.