Each year, our flow restoration projects improve flows in rivers all around the state. But for the vast majority of our projects, this doesn’t just happen on its own.
Every spring, Colorado Water Trust staff begin outreach to our project partners to analyze streamflow forecasts and determine which rivers will most likely be in need of water. And we’ve just begun this exciting process for 2022!
Although snowpack conditions are near average in most of the state, streamflow forecasts for this year are pointing to below average runoff for all of Colorado’s river basins. This means that there will likely be rivers in need of our help during the dry summer months and we are preparing to operate our projects to keep rivers and streams flowing.
Forecasts predict low runoff in the Yampa River Basin where Alyson Meyer Gould is fundraising and contracting to lease water from Stagecoach Reservoir to boost flows in the Yampa.
The Gunnison and Arkansas basins are predicted to be at 87% and 83% respectively of annual runoff and Tony LaGreca is communicating with partners about operating our temporary leases and developing new projects.
The 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado River in Grand Junction can need help in almost any year depending on circumstances, so Kate Ryan is working to be able to release water from Ruedi Reservoir when the need arises.
Finally the lowest forecasted flows are in the San Juan River Basin near Durango. Our newest team member, Blake Mamich, who is based in the Southwest, is working to expand our presence and impact on the rivers in the driest part of the state.
Stay tuned to learn which rivers will be boosted this year as well as the progress on our new projects that all aim to keep rivers flowing for Colorado’s communities, ecosystems, and economies!
Want to help us restore more flows to Colorado’s rivers in 2022? Make a donation to Colorado Water Trust today!