One thing this project uncovered (no surprise to most water experts) is that ditches on the Crystal are very inefficient, posing the question: Does the small amount of water used by the crops justify the large amounts diverted from the river, to the detriment of its ecosystem?
Tag: Crystal River
Crystal River mapping project
Beginning high in the Elk Mountains, the Crystal River flows 40 miles through three counties, cutting a canyon under the flanks of Mount Sopris and winding past the towns of Marble, Redstone and Carbondale before joining with the Roaring Fork River. Along the way, its waters turn mesa hayfields, acres of alfalfa and Carbondale parks […]
In dry years, Colorado’s Crystal River runs at a trickle — but why?
The factors that lead to a dry river bed are many and include unique geology, ill-defined legal concepts, misunderstandings about the value of water, inefficient irrigation systems and vague state guidelines regarding waste that seem to be enforced only under specific circumstances.
The Roundup | East Mesa Ditch collapses into a sinkhole
In early September, 30-foot sinkholes caused the East Mesa Ditch – which pulls up to 41.8 cfs of water from the Crystal River – to collapse, cutting off about 34% of the 740 acres of hay and alfalfa it irrigates south of Carbondale from water. Laurine Lassalle created an interactive map showing parcels irrigated by […]
Studies say Janeway site promising for Crystal River backup water supply
Although Janeway is the most promising area for a nature-based solution and the one overlapping potential project site of the two studies, it still has drawbacks.
Community summit kicks off talks on how best to protect Crystal River
Although there may not be imminent, specific threats of dams or diversions on the Crystal, Wild & Scenic proponents say that doesn’t mean there won’t be threats at some point.
Studies tackle water-replacement options for shortages on Crystal River
A parallel study, undertaken by the River District and environmental-and-recreation advocacy group American Rivers, is looking at nature-based solutions. The idea is that by keeping water on the landscape higher in the basin, it could recharge aquifers and boost river flows in late summer.
Opinions differ on timeline as Crystal River Wild & Scenic efforts move ahead
Since the Crystal flows through Gunnison County and the town of Marble, advocates say getting those residents and elected representatives on board will be key to moving the effort forward.
River District looks for natural solutions to Crystal River water shortage
In order for these water users to keep taking water during a downstream call by an irrigator, they would have to replace about 113 acre-feet of water in the Crystal River per year.
Crystal River Wild & Scenic advocates hope to learn from the past
Experts say the main reason there is opposition from water managers to Wild & Scenic in Colorado is not fear of a federal land grab, but the shortage of water in an arid state that is only getting drier with climate change.