Articles – Local Water Concerns
2026 Rio Grande Water Leaders Course
After a break year in 2025, The Rio Grande Water Leaders Course will once again provide local professionals and landowners in water related roles with an excellent educational and networking opportunity. The course will take place from 6-9pm, March 23-27th at the Rio...
April 1-5, 2024: Rio Grande Water Leaders Course
April 1-5, 2024 6:00 PM-9:00 PM Offering networking opportunities and lessons on San Luis Valley hydrology, history of Colorado water development, key court cases, water rights administration, water management, conservation, restoration, and more! Apply Here
Augmentation 101 Whiteboard Video
The Roundtable Education Committee with help from American Rivers has created a new educational video that seeks to demystify Augmentation and explain it's Importance as a water administration tool in Colorado.
Upper Culebra Watershed Assessment
The Upper Culebra Watershed Assessment is being completed to evaluate watershed conditions within the Culebra River basin and develop projects and strategies to address watershed health concerns. The assessment approach is based on community-identified areas of...
Addressing public safety at low head dams in Colorado
American Whitewater’s database of whitewater accidents and fatalities, maintained since 1972, documents that 10 percent of river fatalities nationwide are a result of individuals getting caught in a low head dam hydraulic. These dams are generally defined as man-made...
San Luis Valley Confined Aquifer Part 2: Myths and Realities
One of the most cussed and discussed concepts is whether there is a billion acre-feet, or two billion, or some other huge volume of groundwater contained in the aquifers of the Valley. We still see these numbers being cited by some people as justification for new...
The San Luis Valley Confined Aquifer Part 1: How Does It Work?
Let’s take a close look at the San Luis Valley’s confined aquifer. What is the reality? Does confined aquifer water, deeply buried and out of sight under much of the Valley, have any connection to the unconfined aquifer or to surface streams? How is water recharged...
Access and safety improvements are a boon for boaters in the Rio Grande Basin
Summer is here and people are getting out on the water in Colorado’s Rio Grande Basin. The Basin’s lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and other water bodies offer excellent boating, fishing, and other recreation opportunities for the public to enjoy. The Rio Grande mainstem...
The Water Puzzle: Yampa River Edition
Puzzles are a team effort: someone studies the picture, someone finds the edge pieces, and others look for certain colors. Then, the assembly begins. Finishing the puzzle is gratifying, but even better are the moments when you finally find that one piece that you’ve...
The Water Puzzle: About the Winter Flow Program
In my family, the holiday season usually involves a healthy dose of puzzle time. Mom rummages through the garage and breaks out the ancient folding card table that still smells like Grandma’s basement and sets it up close to the fireplace and football games. From...
The Application of Augmentation Plans in the San Luis Valley
Water in the San Luis Valley has long been a challenging and at times divisive subject, as its management is difficult. Over appropriation is the key cause, meaning there are more water rights than there is actual water. Water users want to use all of the water they...
Colorado Issues Becoming Clearer in Compact Case
While Colorado remains largely an observer in the ongoing federal court case over the Rio Grande Compact, the issues that could increase its involvement have become clearer since Texas filed its initial complaint eight years ago.
Colorado Division of Water Resources Division 3 Well Rules & Regulations Now in Force
Non-exempt well rules and regulations approved by Water Division 3 Water Judge Pattie Swift are now in effect for Colorado Division of Water Resources’ Division 3. These well rules and regulations apply to all non-exempt well users in the San Luis Valley, a total of...
The Subdistrict Process Moves Forward
By Helen Smith Water history has been made in the San Luis Valley. Subdistrict number two has officially been approved by the Rio Grande County District Court. The hearing to determine the status of Subdistrict 2 took place on Feb. 23rd at the Rio Grande County...
Reservoirs in the San Luis Valley
By Travis Smith Colorado's history is written in water. Colorado's water history also involves the development of reservoirs. It was quickly recognized by irrigators and municipal users that having the ability to capture and control available water during times of...
River Restoration Provides Many Returns to the SLV
By Emma Reesor, Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project Rivers are the lifeblood of the San Luis Valley. The Rio Grande and its many tributaries transport snowmelt and rainfall from the mountains through the arid valley floor, supplying water for agriculture,...
Public Lands, Public Water
By Paul Tigan, Assistant Field Manager, San Luis Valley Field Office, BLM When thinking of the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, what comes to mind? Is it livestock ranching? Oil and gas development? Maybe its rock climbing at Penitente Canyon, or watching wildlife...
Working Together to Plan for Our Water Future
By Kevin Terry For our water resources to meet a variety of needs—from agriculture and municipal uses to wildlife habitat and recreation—collaboration is essential. That’s what the Basin Implementation Plan is all about. Here’s how to get involved. The collaborative...