All Entries in the "Water" Category
Colorado had a shockingly normal year of precipitation — but drought is creeping back on the Front Range
An early season snow dusts the high mountain country near Gothic, Colorado on September 22, 2024. (Dean Krakel, Special to The Colorado Sun) Just for a moment, forget about drought and water shortages, because this year, it’s been wet in Colorado, with precipitation hitting 102% of normal. The wet weather hasn’t pulled the state […]
Greenhouse gas emissions from irrigation being studied
Pivot irrigation, like this operation near La Junta, Colo., helps farmers put a precise amount of water on a given crop. Area farmers draw water from the Arkansas River via a system of canal and ditches to irrigate their crops. (Mike Sweeney, Special to The Colorado Sun) Colorado State University researchers are counting greenhouse gases […]
Colorado’s first Firehawk helicopter is finally ready to fight fires
Three years after the state purchased its first Firehawk, four pilots have been trained how to operate the one-of-a-kind aircraft that can quickly slurp up and drop 1,000 gallons of water on flames Three years after lawmakers allocated $30 million to purchase its first “Firehawk,” the modified military helicopter that is capable of quickly crisscrossing […]
Drought Outlook Forecasts New Drought Development This Summer
Drought coverage in the U.S. is around 5-year low, but the latest summer outlook shows a big change in trend is coming. The latest Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts expansion of drought through September in several regions of the U.S., according to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. Drought is favored to develop and persist […]
Much of Colorado could be pushed into drought by late summer thanks to hot, dry conditions
Engineer Pass Road weaves through the alpine tundra in the San Juan Mountains near Ouray. Photo by Hugh Carey, The Colorado Sun Colorado has seen an average water year so far, but looking ahead, climate experts say much of the state could fall into drought conditions and struggle to find relief. Colorado’s very average […]
The past, present and future of windmills converge in Lamar, Colorado
Kenneth Emick stands on his family’s ranch in Lamar, Colorado, which hosts one of the largest private collections of antique windmills in the country. Photo: Kyle Cooke, Rocky Mountain PBS LAMAR, Colo. — A legion of towering wind turbines punctuate the horizon outside of the Emick family’s barn. Inside the barn is a […]
Lake Pueblo opens ‘Kestrel Pond’ as a place to enjoy quiet water sports
PUEBLO, Colo. – Visitors to Lake Pueblo State Park this summer will find a new area they might want to explore: Kestrel Pond located along the Arkansas River off of Rock Canyon Road just below the dam. Kestrel Pond is envisioned as a quiet place for water recreation in contrast to the 5,400 surface acres […]
Boating, state park, and wildlife safety tips for Memorial Day weekend
Life jackets save lives. The majority of water-related fatalities happen when people are swimming in cold water and paddle boarding or kayaking without a life jacket. DENVER—Coloradans and out-of-state visitors play an integral role in keeping Colorado state parks clean, respecting local wildlife, and making the outdoors safer to explore. Ahead of the holiday […]
National Weather Service offers interactive map info online at drought.gov
National Weather Service Drought Information Statements Provide Improved Drought Messaging For nearly two decades, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Drought Information Statements to provide up-to-date reports on the current drought situation for regional Weather Forecast Offices’ warning and forecast area. These timely statements summarize recent weather and hydrologic conditions, discuss local drought impacts, […]
Palisade High School releases its thousandth endangered razorback into the Colorado River
The school-based hatchery, operated by students, is part of a wider effort to boost razorback sucker populations around the Colorado River Basin Palisade High School student Serena Flannigan kisses a razorback sucker as students Charlotte Allen and Kiera Stephen help others release the endangered fish species into the Colorado River during the school […]
CPW seizes boat infested with invasive Quagga mussels for decontamination
Quagga mussels on infested boat confiscated by CPW GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife has seen positive results now that it is one month into roadside aquatic nuisance species (ANS) watercraft inspection and decontamination stations at the Colorado State Patrol Loma and Trinidad Ports Of Entry. On Sat., April 6 Colorado Parks […]
Lamar city water restrictions in effect
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CITY WATER RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT The City of Lamar is reminding Lamar water users that Modified Stage 1 water restrictions to conserve water began on May 1. Limiting water use ensures that the City and its residents steward its available water for today and the future. Stage 1 Watering Restrictions […]
Arkansas River Report for April 2024
Arkansas River Report for April 2024 5/2/2024 While snowpack in Colorado’s northern river basins remains near normal, the southern basins have dropped well below normal, with the Rio Grande Basin at 61%. Likewise, the April 2 U.S. Drought Monitor report shows no drought conditions primarily in northern Colorado with “abnormally dry and “moderate drought” conditions in […]
Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Media Release -A rancher’s response to the Colorado River Debate
The Heartbeat of Our Communities: A Rancher’s Response to the Colorado River Debate As a proud fourth-generation rancher in Mesa County, I find it crucial to recognize the invaluable contributions our industry makes to support the heartbeat of our rural communities. While the debate around agriculture’s use of the Colorado River […]
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District votes to oppose purchase of farm water by Aurora
A major southern Colorado water district voted unanimously last week to oppose an $80.4 million agricultural water purchase by Aurora in the Arkansas Valley, saying the deal violates a 2003 agreement that prohibits the fast-growing city from taking more water out of the valley. Aurora would lease the water back to Arkansas Valley farmers in […]
