Colorado and the West is running out of water . . . (Denver: lawyer, gated)

[Mike from back east]

Here's one in today's paper....good background on some of the stuff being discussed here.

The Denver Post - Water disputes never end

[jazzlover]

Ed Quillen is probably one of the most knowledgeable newspaper columnists around when it comes to Colorado water issues, as well as Colorado history. I believe, from reading his columns along with several one-on-one discussions with him, that he thinks that Colorado is currently heading in a fundamentally wrong direction and will pay the price for it in the future.

As to how well Colorado has "adapted" to its water situation in the last half-century or so, let's look at the record:

1. Several of the state's most spectacular canyons and valley areas have been flooded by reservoirs, and several more plans to flood more are on the drawing boards--just waiting for the political pressure to reach the point to allow their construction.

2. Several of what now would be labelled "blue ribbon trout fisheries" were eliminated by reservoir construction and others irreversibly altered by modified streamflows and water diversions. Miles upon miles of sensitive riparian (streamside) areas that make up home to 80% of the species of Colorado wildlife (including some that are threatened or endangered) have been irreversibly altered or outright destroyed by reservoir-building and water diversions.

3. Thousands of acres of high mountain wetlands and irrigated pastures in South Park were dried up and thge water diverted to municipal use in Front Range cities. Many of those same cities currently own water rights in Middle Park and plan to divert that water in the future.

4. Tens of thousands of acres of the state's prime irrigated farmland have been dried up in the Arkansas Valley east of Pueblo and the water diverted to municipal use. Additional tens of thousands of acres in the South Platte drainage have either been dried up with the water diverted to municipal use, or the land taken out of agriculture altogether and subdivided for sprawling residential use.

5. Close to a half-dozen grandiose schemes to divert water to the Front Range from the state's two largest remaining watersheds, the Gunnison Basin and the San Luis Valley have been proposed, along with the scheme to divert water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Wyoming and pump it 400+ miles to the Front Range. Though court decisions have temporarily shelved some of those plans, no one thinks that they are "dead" for good.

In short, Colorado has "adapted" to its water situation by destroying some of its most spectacular and unique natural assets, raping its agricultural industry, and spending billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars (many federal dollars) on grandiose--and often dubious--projects. And, for what? So that Colorado real estate developers could devour thousands of square miles of the state's productive farm and ranch land to build clap-trap suburban housing with no thought towards sustainability, livability, traffic impacts, or long-term value.

And, so far, no one talks about much of anything except how to make more the same. Colorado can't afford that kind of "adaptation" any more.

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result."

[lowelltoco]

JL

i recently found out that rain harvesting was not legal in durango and i think most of colorado.
i know our neighbors in NM & AZ allow and encourage rain harvesting and storage.

it seems like a good idea..what's up with colorado

[formercalifornian]

Water rights are serious business here. Cisterns are considered a form of hoarding. I vehemently disagree, but it's the law.

[jazzlover]

It's simple. Under Colorado law, you don't "own" the surface water that rises or passes through your property. If you have not "perfected" a right to surface water, you don't have a right to use it. Colorado, is a "first in use, first in right" state, when it comes to water. So, say rain falls on a piece of land and runs off unused. It goes into a stream and someone downstream puts it to "beneficial use" to irrigate his land. He "files" on that water and perfects a water right. He now has the right to use that water, even though it originates on your land. You could also try to perfect a right to put that water to beneficial use, but it would be "junior" to his senior water right. So, if he didn't need the water, you could use it. But, if he needs the water, he gets it, you don't. If you catch water that falls on your property and it can't run downstream to the user who has a right to it, he is considered "injured" under Colorado water law--you don't have a right to that water.

This is an oversimplified example (believe me, that why Colorado has more water lawyers than any other state), but I think it conveys the idea.

[lowelltoco]

Thanks JL

Next time I see Jim Isgar I'll complain

[canyontiger2]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

Ed Quillen is probably one of the most knowledgeable newspaper columnists around when it comes to Colorado water issues, as well as Colorado history. I believe, from reading his columns along with several one-on-one discussions with him, that he thinks that Colorado is currently heading in a fundamentally wrong direction and will pay the price for it in the future.

As to how well Colorado has "adapted" to its water situation in the last half-century or so, let's look at the record:

1. Several of the state's most spectacular canyons and valley areas have been flooded by reservoirs, and several more plans to flood more are on the drawing boards--just waiting for the political pressure to reach the point to allow their construction.

2. Several of what now would be labelled "blue ribbon trout fisheries" were eliminated by reservoir construction and others irreversibly altered by modified streamflows and water diversions. Miles upon miles of sensitive riparian (streamside) areas that make up home to 80% of the species of Colorado wildlife (including some that are threatened or endangered) have been irreversibly altered or outright destroyed by reservoir-building and water diversions.

3. Thousands of acres of high mountain wetlands and irrigated pastures in South Park were dried up and thge water diverted to municipal use in Front Range cities. Many of those same cities currently own water rights in Middle Park and plan to divert that water in the future.

4. Tens of thousands of acres of the state's prime irrigated farmland have been dried up in the Arkansas Valley east of Pueblo and the water diverted to municipal use. Additional tens of thousands of acres in the South Platte drainage have either been dried up with the water diverted to municipal use, or the land taken out of agriculture altogether and subdivided for sprawling residential use.

5. Close to a half-dozen grandiose schemes to divert water to the Front Range from the state's two largest remaining watersheds, the Gunnison Basin and the San Luis Valley have been proposed, along with the scheme to divert water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Wyoming and pump it 400+ miles to the Front Range. Though court decisions have temporarily shelved some of those plans, no one thinks that they are "dead" for good.

In short, Colorado has "adapted" to its water situation by destroying some of its most spectacular and unique natural assets, raping its agricultural industry, and spending billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars (many federal dollars) on grandiose--and often dubious--projects. And, for what? So that Colorado real estate developers could devour thousands of square miles of the state's productive farm and ranch land to build clap-trap suburban housing with no thought towards sustainability, livability, traffic impacts, or long-term value.

And, so far, no one talks about much of anything except how to make more the same. Colorado can't afford that kind of "adaptation" any more.

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result."

Now isn't that what I was saying back in April? I was told how dumb it was. But then who am I? I am only a 4th generation Coloradan, served my country 35 yrs., seen a great deal of the world and even more of the USA. But was raised in Colorado, was lucky enough to spend some time of my military here and now have returned home. How could I possible see the damage or how to solve. Those that only see dollar signs are ruining it.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by canyontiger2

Now isn't that what I was saying back in April? I was told how dumb it was.

canyontiger2,

I'm not sure what post you are referring to from April, but I never called what you have posted (that I have seen) "dumb." That is not a word that I toss about, and I have seen no post of yours that would merit that kind of characterization.

I know some people think that I sound like a "broken record" (if they know what a "record" is), but I think Colorado (and the rest of this great country) is in big trouble, thanks to our over-consuming waste-ridden lifestyle. So, like the saying goes, I will continue to bang the drum, slowly.

I think that you and I, canyontiger2, are in agreement on many things. Here a couple of quotes about development that I particularly like. What do you think?

"If people destroy something replaceable made by mankind, they are called vandals; if they destroy something irreplaceable made by God, they are called developers." -Joseph Wood Krutch

"Having to squeeze the last drop of utility out of the land has the same desperate finality as having to chop up the furniture to keep warm." -Aldo Leopold

[majormom]

what are some thoughts on the water situation in the san luis valley having such a large aquifer underground? do the wells people are drilling on land in the saguache area go directly into the aquifer? what is the difference between senior & junior water rights in that area? & what are the differences between putting in a domestic or a household well??

[Momzilla]

Bet they thought it was silly too though when they talked about water shortages there in GA - look how that is turning out. While we recently moved here from out of state, I have to say I do understand. When my family moved to California from Illinois in 1990 So. Cal was (and I guess technically still is - though they don't seem to be as concerned about it) in a drought.

It seems to me it doesn't matter if you are from California, Colorado, New York or Georgia - America as a country is facing some pretty serious environmental problems over the next century - and it's good that SOMEONE is talking about it and starting to wake up now!