The Water Quality Control Division is requesting data collected from the Upper Colorado, North Platte, and Lower Colorado river basins to develop the 2024 303(d) List of Impaired Waters and Monitoring and Evaluation List. To support this data request, the division is hosting two data submission training sessions. These sessions will be recorded and posted to the division’s website for anyone who cannot attend the live sessions. The two sessions will cover submission instructions, steps, and formats. The second half of the second session will serve as a help session where participants can ask questions and get individualized help. Click here to sign up. The schedule of topics is below:
July 20, 2022, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
Overview of data request
Streams chemistry
Lakes chemistry
Division submission website (Jotform)
August 2, 2022, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
Physical and biological
Continuous temperature
Data submission help session
August 4th-5th, 2022 | Watershed Management. This course is important for developing a broad understanding of the environmental, legal, and regulatory frameworks that govern watershed management, and gives leaders an understanding of how to best overcome watershed challenges such as macroinvertebrate impairment, water quality exceedances, and general urban and stormwater runoff impacts. The instructor will review reports and case studies from national perspective, highlighting various climates and environments.
August 15th- September 22, 2022 | Grant Writing Practicum. This five-week practicum will show you how to find the best grant opportunities for your not-for-profit and teach you how to prepare a winning grant application! Sessions are one-hour each. Lecture on Tuesdays and Lab on Thursdays.
August 17th or August 27th, 2022 | Birder’s Eye View: Bird Identification | Mountain Area Land Trust. Join Evergreen Audubon and the Mountain Area Land Trust for an opportunity to discover the birds that call South Park home. All are welcome whether you’re brand-new to the world of birding, or you already bird on the regular! These workshops will provide opportunities to engage with other birders of all levels and to become familiar with the interactive ‘eBird’ app. Together, we’ll collect meaningful data for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and make Park County a birding hotspot!
August 23rd-24th, 2022 | Drought Mitigation for Water Utilities. This summit will bring together water utility leaders, government agencies, scientists, and thought leaders to discuss best practices for drought response and mitigation. Register now to gain insights and practical strategies for drought mitigation & contingency planning.
The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership presents 14 videos to help community members learn about how water is managed, restored and monitored in the upper Uncompahgre River watershed. Take advantage of this new education resource to learn about your watershed including mine reclamation, water monitoring, recreational use, water conservation, drinking water and waste water treatment and distribution, aquatic life, water scarcity, agricultural use, management, infrastructure, and more. Watch the video series here.
Master Irrigator Program- San Luis Valley. Over four sessions, this 32-hour program reviews water law and administration, history of water development, and gives participants the tools and strategies to improve water and energy use efficiency and conservation, soil health, and profitability on their operations. Those who complete the course will also receive a $2,000 stipend. To be eligible for this course you must farm in either Rio Grande, Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Saguache or Mineral County. Details will be available soon here.
The American Stormwater Institute, LLC now offers courses in a live setting and online that deal with developing the knowledge and skills required to conduct stormwater inspections. Our courses are based on a “Real World” attitude of finding implementable solutions to the challenges that stormwater inspectors face every day. The state and federal regulations require that “QUALIFIED PERSONS” conduct inspections related to stormwater permits. The overarching goal of the ASI classes is to ensure that our students are well qualified to conduct these inspections. For a list of all classes offered click HERE.
Non-standard MS4 Permit PDD Template and Program Strategy Templates. SPLASH members and SEMSWA worked with CP Compliance to create resources to educate permittees. It may also assist permittees with implementation of the new Non-standard MS4 Permit. Please click HERE to access the material.
San Juan Expedition Avy Course based at Thelma Hut. The AIARE Avy 1 Hut Course is designed to give you a full introduction to backcountry travel. Based out of the Thelma hut on Red Mountain Pass, you will spend day and night with your peers and instructors learning the foundation of avalanche education. In a hut format, you spend more time skiing, more time learning from and observing your instructors, and more time in the mountains—all with lodging and food included. When you take your level one with San Juan Expeditions you will get hands-on experience analyzing the avalanche hazard and using your observations to make decisions in the field. Click HERE for more information.
MSU Denver developed the noncredit Water Studies courses for people interested in safeguarding this precious resource. Students will learn history, law, management, and water trends in Colorado and the American West. The courses have recently been improved, offering the same high quality, but shortened to meet your busy schedules. The course structure has been redesigned for each class to be one month long to improve the learning experience and accommodate the schedules of busy professional students. Click HERE for more information.
Colorado Master Irrigator offers farmers and farm managers advanced training on conservation- and efficiency-oriented irrigation management practices and tools. This program is the product of efforts led by several local producers, district management representatives, and others. Colorado Master Irrigator is modeled on the award-winning Master Irrigator program created and run since 2016 by the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District in the Texas panhandle. Topic experts from Colorado and adjacent Ogallala states, serve as instructors over the 32 hours of the program. Colorado Master Irrigator's interactive class format is designed to encourage peer-to-peer exchange among participants and instructors, helping forge useful contacts that graduates can reach out to after their participation in the program. Click HERE for more information.
Silt Removal - Positive Impact on Crop Yields, Water Use Efficiency, & Irrigation Systems. Presentation from the 2021 World Ag Expo on sources of silt, its impacts, and current and new methods of removal. Watch the presentation here!