Climate change could threaten Carbondale’s water supply part, to warmer temperatures. By 2050, a typical year in the Roaring Fork Valley is projected to be warmer than the hottest years of the 20th century, which means mild drought conditions even during years with average precipitation. “Just the warming temperatures alone are enough to tell us drought will be a concern in the future and drought conditions are likely to persist for longer,” said WWA managing director Benét Duncan. “What does that mean for the water supply?”
Drought illustrates vulnerability The summer of 2018’s historic drought illustrated a vulnerability in Carbondale’s water supply that surprised local officials. Senior water-rights holder Ella Ditch, which serves agriculture lands south of Carbondale, placed a call for the first time Aug. 8. This meant that because there wasn’t enough water in the Crystal for Ella Ditch to divert the The Ella Ditch placed a call for the first time ever during the drought-stricken summer of 2018, which meant amount to which it was legally entitled, junior the Town of Carbondale had to borrow water from the East Mesa Ditch under an emergency water supply water-rights holders, including Carbondale, plan. Photo by Brent Gardner-Smith / Aspen Journalism had to reduce their water use — threatening the domestic water supply to roughly 40 homes on a conceptual discussion — it’s a pragmatic the Nettle Creek pipeline. By Heather Sackett discussion,” Carbondale Mayor Dan Richardson “We had a situation last summer where we Aspen Journalism said. “It was sobering from that perspective.” were inches away from having to shut down our According to the report, the average water-treatment plant at Nettle Creek because A new climate study and a first-ever call on a temperature since 2000 has been 2.2 degrees there was a more senior call on the river,” tributary of the Crystal River offer a glimpse of warmer than the 20th-century average. Water Richardson said. “When you look at the water the future for Carbondale’s water supply. year 2018 was more than 4 degrees higher than rights we have on paper, most municipalities A Vulnerability, Consequences and the 20th-century average and was the warmest feel confident their water portfolio is resilient Adaptation Planning Scenario (VCAPS) report recorded in the past 120 years. and can stand the test of time, but that was Warmer temperatures are bad news for the paper water. And when it comes to wet water, by the Western Water Assessment found a strong upward trend in local temperatures over watershed because they have an overall drying we were pretty vulnerable.” the past 40 years, which could threaten local effect, even if precipitation remains constant. Carbondale applied for and received an According to the report, Roaring Fork River emergency substitute water-supply plan from water supplies. “This report sort of drove the message home streamflows since 2000 have been about 13% the state engineer. The emergency plan allowed that (climate change) is here and it’s no longer lower than the 20th-century average, due, in for a temporary change in water right — from
agricultural use to municipal use — so that another irrigation ditch could provide water to the town. The East Mesa Ditch Co., whose water right is senior to Ella Ditch’s, agreed to loan the town 1 cubic foot per second of water from Sept. 7 to Dec. 7 under the agreement. However, Carbondale had to borrow the water only until Sept. 28, when the call was lifted on Ella Ditch. East Mesa Ditch is located upstream from Ella Ditch. Both are used to irrigate lands farther downstream on the east side of the Crystal River. The town didn’t pay East Mesa Ditch for the water but paid the company about $5,000 in legal and engineering fees to draw up the water loan agreement, according to Town Manager Jay Harrington.
A wake-up call Although Carbondale has other sources it can turn to for municipal use, including wells on the Roaring Fork, the summer of 2018 and the VCAPS report were a wake-up call. “Nettle Creek is a pretty senior right, and we didn’t anticipate it to be called like it was,” Harrington said. Potential solutions to another Ella Creek call outlined in the report include moving away from Crystal water sources to Roaring Fork sources and providing upstream pumps to the homes on the Nettle Creek pipeline. “I think (the report) gives one of the clearest pictures of where we are heading and what we need to look at as a municipality as the climate changes,” Harrington said. This story originally ran in the Aspen Times and Glenwood Springs Post-Independent as part of Aspen Journalism’s ongoing coverage of water and rivers.
A banner year for local rivers By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff Despite dire predictions, the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan, and Crystal rivers continue to be in great shape for rafting, kayaking, paddling and fishing this season. Rick Lofaro, executive director of the Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC), explained, "The robust 2019 runoff due to the historic snowpack, 155 percent of normal, benefits our river recreation." Commercial white water rafting companies agree. Fishing outfitters report a slower start, but expect a long season. Chris Tatsuno of Elk Mountain Expeditions notes "Although we had age restrictions earlier, rafting today is great." He added the massive snowpack and runoff means "we will have a longer rafting season." James Ingram, owner of Aspen Whitewater Rafting, credits their good season to high and fast water. Onthesnow.com reported that the total snowfall for the Aspen/Snowmass region 2018-2019 reached 396 inches, up from the average 300 inches. The 2017-2018 season saw only 233 inches which made 2018 the fourth worst drought on record. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management shows the Colorado basin snowpack was at 511 percent of average as of June 3. Fishing outfitters like Alpine Anglers are optimistic about the rest of the season. Co-Owner Jeff Dysart said that early in the season, the water was so high and fast that river debris increased and water clarity decreased. The Roaring Fork River was running too high and fast for their waders and floaters. Dysart "We're now in our peak season, July through September, and we're doing well." He noted that visitors make up 75 percent of clients. Crystal Fly Shop Owner David Johnson noted in their current report about the Lower Roaring Fork River that "Fish are quite happy and hearty after a big runoff and feeding on large bugs." However, other parts of the state may not be so lucky. The Colorado River District, the state chartered public water policy agency, is coordinating water releases to reduce temperatures to benefit trout populations in the Colorado River. The district
reports that low stream flows and warm days are threatening the health of trout in the Colorado River in Grand County. According to the RFC, the Roaring Fork River peaked at 9000 cfs (cubic feet per second) July 1, which made for great river running. Now, the Lower Roaring Fork is at 1430 cfs, returning to a comfortable Class II experience. The RFC covers 1451 square miles, the same size as Rhode Island, Lofaro noted. The Roaring Fork Conservancy was created in 1996 in response to the Two families from Toronto and one from Philadelphia join Elk Mountain Expeditions rafting guides Luke growing disconnect between Lubchenco and Stuart Lacroix. Photo by Roberta McGowan people and their environment. The newly built River Center in Basalt serves as a base for necessary equipment and that their guides meet state standards educational community programming. It also provides needed for experience. In May, Colorado State Senator Don Coram and lab space water quality testing and river research. State Representative Julie McCluskie co-sponsored a bi-partisan While whitewater rafting does carry some risks, Lofaro bill that continued state regulation of the program until 2028. added, "Fortunately, no one died this year on any of the rivers “Whitewater rafting is an important outdoor recreation, we cover." opportunity for many tourists as well as local,” McCluskie said. However, a few incidents did take place this year. Several “It was important to me that we continue to have a licensing rafts flipped in June, but no life- threatening injuries occurred. program in place that would make sure our commercial river Throughout Colorado, the American Whitewater outfitters were properly licensed and that they were providing Association reported 12 fatalities so far in 2019. The association the safest experience that they could for any of our visitors.” statistics show this is above the average annual toll of eight She also hopes visitors choose to go on a trip with a licensed deaths on Colorado waterways each year since 2009. commercial outfitter rather than boating privately. McCluskie In a Colorado Public Radio interview, Dave Costlow of the noted of this year’s deaths, “Less than half of them occurred with Colorado River Outfitters Association said rafting customers commercial outfitters.” should be upfront about their experience level, use caution and As the U.S. Forest Service cautions "Whether a tiny trickle even delay their trip when there are high waters. "They should of a creek, enough to cool your toes, or the vast expanses always be picking a trip that’s appropriate for their skill level,” of beaches, water provides an exciting element to outdoor he said. recreation. Even the most seasoned of water enthusiasts can be River rafting companies must register with the state, pay surprised by changing water conditions. Enjoy your day, but a $400 fee and agree to inspections to insure they carry the remember to stay safe." THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • AUGUST 15 - AUGUST 21, 2019 • 3