Colorado River District Annual Water Seminar
“Past, Present and Future” is the theme of the Colorado River District’s Annual Water Seminar set for 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at the Two Rivers Convention Center in Grand Junction, Colo. The cost to attend is $25 and includes morning coffee, pastries and a lunch. Anne Castle, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Department of the Interior, is the keynote speaker. Seminar topics start with the 75-year history of the Colorado River District and a new book on the organization by author George Sibley, “Water Wranglers.” Other topics to be covered during the day are the drought, the Bureau of Reclamation/7 States Colorado River Basin Study results and a look at the November elections. A full agenda, press release and registration form is attached. After the seminar, starting at 4 p.m., the Colorado River District is holding an Ice Cream Social and Open House at the Two Rivers Convention Center to celebrate its 75th Anniversary.
Fish In White River Continue To Be Stressed By Low Flows
Due to low flows in the White River, Colorado Parks and Wildlife managers are requesting that anglers fish only during the cooler, early morning hours, or to look for alternative fishing locations that are not as significantly affected by the current climate conditions. “The current situation is very stressful for fish,” said Bill de Vergie, Area Wildlife Manager in Meeker. “We ask the public to help us protect this fishery by honoring our request and avoid it during the hottest part of the day, or perhaps find a cooler, higher-altitude fishery.” Wildlife officials have observed water temperatures approaching dangerous levels for cold-water fish in the White River during the early afternoon and evening. Although water temperatures dip into the 50s overnight, the high daytime temperatures are a source of concern. Under these stressful conditions, hooked fish may experience mortality even if released quickly back into the water. It could take several years for an affected fishery to fully recover if a significant number of fish die due to the drought-like conditions. Like many rivers and streams in western Colorado, the White River offers world-class fishing and attracts thousands of anglers each year, providing a source of income to hotels, outfitters and many other local businesses that depend on outdoor recreation. “Because of the importance of the river to our community, we believe that most anglers will cooperate,” said de Vergie. “As soon as we see a shift in the weather pattern, people will once again enjoy the great fishing in the White River.”
Buffalo Pass Road to be Temporarily Closed
Beginning August 20, the Parks Ranger District portion of the Buffalo Pass Road (Forest Road 60) will be temporarily closed to the public for removal of beetle-killed hazard trees. This is a popular route between North Park and the Yampa Valley that provides year-round recreation access. Initially, while logging operations occur along isolated sections east of the junction with the Hidden Lakes Road (Forest Road 20), the closure will be intermittent with one-hour delays for the first few days. Once logging operations reach the junction with Forest Road 20, the road will be closed by gates at this junction as well as near the summit at the junction with Forest Road 310. The road is anticipated to be closed Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contract work is expected to be completed by December 1. “I recognize the importance of not shutting down this popular route all week and have decided to keep it open on weekends and holidays,” said Parks District Ranger Mike Wright. “While I do understand that this will still impact some hunters in the coming months, this project is needed to ensure long-term public safety.” Around August 20, Forest Roads 625 and 627 are also expected to be closed at their junctions with the Teal Lake Road (Forest Road 615) for hazard tree removal. Forest Road 625 is located about 1 mile northwest from the junction of Forest Roads 60 and 615. Forest Road 627 is located about 1.5 miles north of the Teal Lake Campground. Depending on when work is completed on Forest Road 60, the contractor may begin clearing hazard trees on Forest Road 615 until snow shuts down their operations. More information will be provided to the public once the next stage of operations is known. For more information about the status of this project, contact the Parks Ranger District at 970-723-8204.
