Crystal River

  • Locations: Columns, Opinion Published

    CVEPA Views: Marble Airstrip river project challenged

    CVEPA Views: Marble Airstrip river project challenged thumbnail

    On Aug. 7, the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) responded to a citizen complaint about numerous large backhoes and loader(s) in the Crystal River adjacent to the Marble Airstrip along County Road 3 in the upper Crystal Valley. A contractor had essentially dredged several hundred yards of the river… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Carbondale ranch, water trust launch second effort to boost Crystal River flows

    Carbondale ranch, water trust launch second effort to boost Crystal River flows thumbnail Bill Fales stands in his pasture in early August, where he's growing his second cutting of hay. Photo by Olivia Emmer

    Courtesy of Fresh Water News

    In July, Cold Mountain Ranch and the Colorado Water Trust penned an agreement they hope will improve the Crystal River’s streamflow in dry years. The contract compensates the ranch owners, Bill Fales and Marj Perry, for adjusting the timing of their water diversions when… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Carbondale is water secure, but the West is not

    Carbondale is water secure, but the West is not thumbnail Around 8 a.m. on July 27, the Crystal River at the Carbondale Fish Hatchery gage was reading approximately 73 cubic feet per second — about 28% of the historical average flow for this date. Photo by Olivia Emmer

    On Tuesday, July 19, the town of Carbondale trustees held a work session on water. Mayor Ben Bohmfalk wanted to know whether the town has enough water to service growth, particularly in light of the desire to add housing. He also asked if the town should be doing more to… read more →

  • Locations: Columns, Opinion Published

    CVEPA Views: The Critically Thirsty West

    CVEPA Views: The Critically Thirsty West thumbnail

    At this time, 39 years ago, “federal officials scrambled to avoid one of the most dramatic dam failures in history.” Glen Canyon Dam was bursting at the seams with water and rock blasting out around its foundation while crews raced to install a rampart of plywood sheets across the top… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Relying on a wild river: Reflections from the Crystal watershed

    Relying on a wild river: Reflections from the Crystal watershed thumbnail

    Editor’s note:
    Water supply, climate change and the Colorado River seem to be in the news constantly. The West’s major reservoirs have reached record lows and scientists have released discouraging forecasts for future supplies. This article seeks to provide local context for these headlines by reviewing the state… read more →

  • Locations: News Published

    Scratching the surface of Crystal Valley politics

    Scratching the surface of Crystal Valley politics thumbnail A conglomerate of professionals from various local environmental groups recently took a tour of methane flaring and electric-generating facilities near Somerset. A similar operation has been proposed for the old Coal Basin mine near Redstone which continues to emit methane into the atmosphere. Photo by James Steindler

    The Crystal Valley may be a small part of the world, but its issues carry great significance, and passionate participants reverberate down through the Valley to Carbondale and beyond. The prized corner of the world counts on a community primed for solutions. 

    The serene river and mountainous… read more →

  • Locations: Letters Published

    Letters - April 1, 2021

    Re: Re: RFHS
    According to School Board policy in the Roaring Fork School District, the superintendent has the final word on who is hired as principal, and his vote is the only one that counts. Four years ago, despite the unanimous support by her staff, students and community members,… read more →

  • Locations: Columns Published

    CVEPA Views: Regarding Yula Quarry public access

    CVEPA Views: Regarding Yula Quarry public access thumbnail

    Opinion by John Armstrong

    Public access to the Yule Creek Marble Quarry has been restored … in a small way. Early January was an odd time of year to open several hundred yards of a snowed-in, uphill road to pedestrian access. Colorado Stone Quarry (CSQ) was overdue in providing the… read more →