Drought in the West, How the Eagle River Watershed Council is helping their community adapt

04/04/22 • 35 min

Last year brought unprecedented drought conditions to the western US. Its impacts on the Colorado River Basin have been massive. As climate change intensifies, these conditions may be here to stay.

In this episode of the Our Rivers Podcast, we talk to Eagle County Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry and the former executive director of the Eagle River Watershed Council, Holly Loff, about how they're addressing the drought in Eagle County, Colorado.

Last winter, high temperatures and dry soils meant that a snowpack measuring 85% of a historically normal year, translated to only 30% of water running into the Eagle River and communities downstream.

Tune in to learn how they're learning to live with the new reality. We hope this conversation will help other communities plan for the realities of an increasingly arid West.

SaraBella Fishing
We create smart, beautiful fly fishing rods that perform with excellence + make positive impact.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Last year brought unprecedented drought conditions to the western US. Its impacts on the Colorado River Basin have been massive. As climate change intensifies, these conditions may be here to stay.

Tune in to learn how they're learning to live with the new reality. We hope this conversation will help other communities plan for the realities of an increasingly arid West.

Support the show

Previous Episode

Rivers Through Canyons, Recreating responsibly in western Colorado

In this episode, we sit down with Collin Ewing, manager of the McInnis Canyons, and Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Areas for the Bureau of Land Management. These public lands are stunning, with towering red rock canyons and two beautiful stretches of river, the Ruby Horsethief section of the Colorado and the lower Gunnison River.

As COVID-19 encourages people to get outside, the Bureau is working to manage the increased pressure on the landscape. We talk to Collin about how he's helping to preserve the wilderness experience for visitors and protect habitat as the crowds swell.

In 2016, the Bureau launched a permit system on Ruby-Horsethief. It helped preserve the area’s wilderness feel, protect the landscape from overuse, and raise funds to keep restrooms clean, build infrastructure like boat ramps, and restore habitat. The Bureau is currently working on a similar system for the Lower Gunnison River. Collin would love to hear your comments and suggestions.

We also hit the highlights of a few Leave No Trace practices, like reading about the rules and regulations for your destination before you go. The Colorado Canyons Association has some handy resources for McInnis Canyon specifically. Check out their “Know Before You Go” video for the Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River. And don’t forget to,

Stay on designated roads and trails
Camp in designated campsites
Use designated fire rings
And have a plan for your poo

Collin is also heading down the Grand Canyon this summer and walks us through his plan to mitigate Covid risks. These conversations will help you recreate responsibly on any public lands trip you’re planning this summer.

Additional Resources -

Learn more about our National Conservation Lands and National Conservation Areas (NCAs) and the stunning Dominguez-Escalante and McInnis Canyon NCAs.
Research the current water level in the river you want to explore.
Check out the Mesa County Health Department’s Covid guidelines if you’re planning to visit McInnis Canyons or Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Areas.
Here are some National Park Service tips to recreate responsibly in Covid-times
And here are more resources to help you recreate responsibly.

Email topics, comments, and suggestions to [email protected]. Or leave us a river question at ‪(724) 343-1769 to have your question air in an episode.

SOL Paddle Boards
High-performing, durable paddle boards designed in Telluride, Colorado for your next adventure.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Next Episode

A River-Running Legend, Award-winning author Tim Palmer talks passion, adventure, and hope for rivers

In Episode 4, we talk to award-winning author, photographer, landscape architect, and river conservationist, Tim Palmer. We discuss his very long career in writing, river running, and working on behalf of rivers, as well as one of his newer books, a Field Guide to Rivers of the Rocky Mountains.
We don't go into too much detail about the book itself because you're gonna buy it and read it right? That's actually how you can support today's episode, by going to our online bookshop at www.bookshop.org/shop/foreverourrivers.
There you will find most of the books we talk about in today's episode, including many written by Tim. Ten percent of proceeds go back to rivers, another portion goes to supporting Tim's incredible work.
So settle in as we talk about Tim's lifelong love for flowing waters, the formative experiences that allowed rivers to creep into his soul, and those early mistakes that could have cost him his life.
Tim reminds us how much rivers have to give. At Forever Our Rivers, we're giving back. We want to make it easier for you to spend time in or near clean and healthy rivers. We partner with organizations across the West to keep your rivers healthy.
To join us, head to ForeverOurRivers.org to subscribe to our newsletter, rate and share this podcast, and visit the Forever Our Rivers Bookshop to find new inspiration.

Forever Our Rivers Bookshop
A Bookshop that gives back.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show