2017 SUSTAINING COLORADO WATERSHEDS CONFERENCE

 “Coming Together – the Confluence of Science and Society”

2017 SCW Conference Presentations

Conference Opening: Rachel Williams, Colorado Riparian Association

Plenary Introduction: Julie Ash, Colorado Riparian Association

Plenary Session 1:
Principles and Strategies for Effective Stream Restoration
Dr. Peter Wilcock, Utah State University

Plenary Session 2:

River Community Conversation, "The Spirit of Restoration in Colorado"
Dr. Peter Skidmore, Dr. Peter Wilcock, Dr. Sue Niezgoda

Moderator: Julie Ash

The Farmer and the River: Innovative Ag Moderator: Casey Davenhill

"Grand Valley TMDL Development and Integrated Water Planning Initiative." Angie Fowler, SGM; Tim Ryan, Grand Valley Drainage District

"The Impact of Soil Health on a Farmer and the River." Michael Weber, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservation District; Cindy Lair, Colorado Department of Ag; Kenan Diker, CDPHE; Ryan Hemphill, Arkansas Valley Farmer; Phillip Chavez, Arkansas Valley Farmer; Nick Rusler, Arkansas Valley Farmer

Let's Try That Again: Adaptive Mgt. 
Moderator: Rachel Williams

"Sharing resources to restore endangered species habitat in the Platte River Basin." Kevin Werbylo, Platte River Recovery Implementation Program

"Using long-term monitoring to inform adaptive management for the Upper Arkansas River Habitat Restoration Project." Eric Richer, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

"A Unique Cooperative Partnership: Coordinated Operations for Multi-Use Benefits." Arista Shippy, DiNatale Water Consultants; Travis Smith, San Luis Valley Irrigation District

The Confluence of Policy, Regulations and Innovation Moderator: Stephanie DiBettito

"Scalable Streamflow Restoration on the Poudre River."
Zach Smith, Colorado Water Trust

"Colorado Hazard Mapping Program (CHAMP): Improving Risk Data to Better Inform Communities." Rigel Rucker, AECOM; Thuy Patton, Colorado Water Conservation Board"

"Using Policy and Partnerships to Support Innovative Restoration in Transportation: Fish Creek Public Infrastructure and Disaster Recovery Project."
 Brandon Parsons, THK Associates, Inc.; Chau Nguyen, HDR Engineering, Inc.

Working Land: Energy & Natural Resources
Moderator: Curtis Hartenstine

"GIS Mapping of Fish Populations to Guide Legacy Mine Restoration Efforts." Lauren Duncan, Trout Unlimited

"Protecting Source Waters in Colorado During Oil and Gas Development." Paul Hempel, Colorado Rural Water Association; Matt Sura, Attorney; Matt Samelson, Western Environmental Law Partners

 "Implementing the Crystal River Management Plan: Bringing together Science and Stakeholders for Stream Health." Heather Lewin, Roaring Fork Conservancy

Reachout for Buy-in Moderator: Stephanie Scott

"The Adopt an Oxbow Program: How capping the lower Willow Creek floodplain energized new community stewards." Guinevere Nelson, Headwaters Alliance (formerly the Willow Creek Reclamation Committee)

"Building Unity from Disaster: Lessons Learned from a Community Forum." Chara Ragland, Querencia Environmental

"Public Outreach: the Do's and Dont's in Pursuit of Water Storage Projects." Brian Werner, Northern Water

What's in your Watershed?   Moderator: Gil Barth

"Colorado Stream Health Assessment Framework (COSHAF):  Science to Support Stream and Watershed Management Planning."
 Brad Johnson, Johnson Environmental Consulting, LLC

"State of the Poudre: An ecological assessment, communication and collaboration tool." Jen Shanahan, City of Fort Collins"

"Stream Power Framework for Predicting Geomorphic Change: The 2013 Colorado Front Range Flood."
 Steven Yochum, U.S. Forest Service, National Stream and Aquatic Ecology Center

Data is Beautiful: Telling Stories with Data
Moderator: Jayla Poppleton

"Using Data Visualization to Help Tell Project Stories."
 Mickey O'Hara, Colorado Water Trust

"SNOW: Getting to know the unsung source of water quantity issues." Liza Mitchell, Roaring Fork Conservancy; Jeff Derry, Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies

"Envisioning Water & Inspiring Action." Claudia Browne, Biohabitatss

Conservation Economics: Protect Your Assets
Moderator: Zach Smith

"View from Philanthropy: Philanthropic Goals & Priorites in Water Plan Implementation." Jill Ozarski, Walton Family Foundation

 "Using the ‘Dismal Science’ to do good: Environmental Economics as a tool for conservation funding." Jason Doedderlein, Summit Economics   

"South Platte Natural Capital Project: Building lasting relationships through a common vision for the watershed." Dana Coelho, US Forest Service; Stacey Eriksen, US EPA

Working with the River: Innovative Design Moderator: Julie Ash

"Using Beaver Dam Analogs to Reduce Downstream Sediment Loads: A Pilot Project in California Creek, Spokane, Washington."
Sue Niezgoda, Gonzaga University

"Using process-based design of large wood placements and constructed riffles for effective stream restoration:  Design considerations and lessons learned." Emily Alcott, Inter-Fluve; Dan Miller, Inter-Fluve - Part 1 | Part 2

"Resilient Crossings:  Empowering landowners and promoting process-informed design techniques." Maya MacHamer, Fourmile Watershed Coalition; Emily Alcott, Inter-Fluve

Working Smarter not HarderModerator: Brian Epstein

"Avoidance v. Survival: Water Banking as a Tool for Demand Management in the Colorado River Basin." Aaron Derwingson, The Nature Conservancy; Jackie Brown, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association

"Small Hydro and the Colorado Water Infrastructure."
 Samantha Reifer, Colorado Energy Office

"Coming Together for St. Vrain." Kyle Hardie, CDM Smith; Brian Murphy, CDM Smith

Disaster: Facing Unexpected ChallengesModerator: Mike Blazewicz

"Tackling resiliency resistance: Lessons learned from three years of flood recovery on Colorado’s Front Range." Luke Swan, Otak, Inc.

"Mesa Verde Watersheds and Reservoirs." Kenneth Wright, Wright Water Engineers, Inc.; Anna Campbell, Wright Water Engineers, Inc.

"The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Creating and Implementing a Short Time-Frame Plant Materials Program for Colorado Flood Recovery." Randy Mandel, Great Ecology; Sara Copp Franz, Great Ecology

Communicating for Community Buy-In
Moderator: Nicole Jackson

"Communities taking Responsibility for their Watershed: Changing Culture and Fostering Responsibility." Peter Wadden, Town of Vail

"Social Science and Society: The role of risk communication in mitigation efforts during flood recovery." Jessica Foulis, Upper Colorado Private Boaters Association

"Sharing Interests." Kent Hughes, Colorado Trout Unlimited; Kirk Klancke, Colorado Trout Unlimited

The 2017 Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference partners gratefully acknowledge the support of the following sponsors

TO SEE PRESENTATIONS FROM OUR PREVIOUS CONFERENCES, CLICK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• 2016 - A River Runs Out of It!

• 2015 - In It For the Long Haul

• 2014 - Come Hell or High Water!

• 2013 - Water: What is the New Normal?

• 2012 - Water 2012

• 2011 - The First Drop Lands Here