Carbondale Public Works held a meeting on March 26 with Crystal River water managers (ranchers and farmers) to begin discussions on the Crystal’s water usage this coming summer. The initiative comes in the wake of record-low snowpack this past winter and anticipated very low flows in the Crystal and Roaring Fork rivers. The gathering, organized […]
drought
Posted inEnvironment
Continued drought and high temperatures set regional records, prompting early ski closures and water restrictions
Colorado and Roaring Fork Valley snowpack plummeted in March, due to a combination of above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation. Early in the month, watershed nonprofit Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC) raised alarms in a community newsletter, highlighting that snowpack in the Valley was at 65% of normal on March 4, with average site depths of 8.7 […]
Posted inEnvironment
Douglas fir beetle management addressed at Naturalist Nights
The wood-accented room was full. Adults of all ages sat in rows from wall to wall, filling the space from the lit projector screen in front to the conference table in the back at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies’ Hallam Lake location. Dr. Dan West of Colorado State University (CSU) and the Colorado State […]
Posted inEnvironment
Roaring Fork Watershed faces ‘exceptional’ drought
January 2026 began with a drought that persisted through 2025. Signs were already apparent last winter, which saw the lowest average snowpack in a decade. Despite rains in September and October, for much of last year, all of Colorado was experiencing drought conditions. Both November and December saw less precipitation than average, and warmer temperatures […]
Posted inColumns
Historiography: Summer Christmases of years past
Trail and Timberline (Denver), Jan. 1, 1927: Due to an inconsiderate spirit as far as Father Winter has been concerned, we are all lamenting a lack of snow up to the present time. In the late 1800s, Norwegian immigrants introduced America to snowshoeing, or skiing as we call it today. Ever since, annual snowfall has […]
Posted inEnvironment
Drought conditions persist, scorching local flora
After a winter in the bottom decile of historically documented precipitation, Western Colorado did not need more dry weather. Only in the past few weeks did monsoon patterns return to more typical levels. Moving into September, it is unlikely that precipitation or low pressure weather systems will significantly mitigate drought levels ahead of winter. As […]
Posted inColumns
The not-so-great Crystal River dry-up
By Bill JochemsCVEPA Views The United States Drought Monitor classifies the Crystal Valley in a state of exceptional drought. Even though River Valley Ranch is within this exceptional drought zone, diners on the deck of the Homestead Restaurant can enjoy the magnificent, luscious green view to the south. They will not see the slightest hint […]
Posted inEnvironment
New studies indicate how Colorado ecosystems respond to wildfire
As of late, sunsets have been spectacularly colorful and horizon lines remain hazy. The air carries a distinct scent many associate with camping — some with fear — and air quality ratings oscillate between moderate to hazardous. Understandably, wildfire is at the top of many folks’ minds. And it’s no surprise that the Roaring Fork […]
Posted inNews
Scuttlebutt & Calendar
River flowsAccording to the Roaring Fork Conservancy’s weekly river report published July 3, “rivers in the Roaring Fork Watershed continue to decrease toward summer base flows earlier than usual, resulting in flows 23-42% of normal for this time of year.” Water releases from Ruedi Reservoir aim to boost flows and support endangered fish recovery efforts […]
Posted inLocal Government
Carbondale Report: Earth Day meeting posits drought resiliency planning
All trustees were present for the regular meeting on April 22, Earth Day, which began with a proclamation declaring May 3, 2025 as Carbondale’s Arbor Day. The proclamation included many beautiful statements about the role of trees. The consent agenda was approved including meeting minutes, seasonal deck licenses for Allegria and Bodegón, Dandelion Day permits, […]