Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference
2020 Virtual Library

Finding Hope in Progress for the Environment

by the Walton Family Foundation

We believe tomorrow’s solutions start with progress today. We find hope in progress to preserve rivers and oceans and the communities they support – sustaining nature because nature sustain us. Learn more: waltonfamilyfoundation.org

An Introduction to Roaring Fork Conservancy

This video highlights the variety of programs Roaring Fork Conservancy offers. All programs are correlated to the Colorado Academic 2020 Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. RFC strives to help teachers meet curriculum needs through hands-on experiences as well as through online programming and virtual content. This video is often shared with students prior to our programming so that they can get visual images of our watershed and understand our focus on science, policy, and education. The images and narrative help illustrate how we are all connected by water.

by Megan Dean, Roaring Fork Conservancy

As one of the largest watershed organizations in Colorado, Roaring Fork Conservancy serves residents, visitors, and schools throughout the Roaring Fork Watershed and beyond. Our education programs create hands-on experiences where students learn about their rivers, creating value, and awareness through exploration.

Forest Health & Watershed Management Planning for Colorado Ag

by Christi Bode, Moxiecran Media

Created on behalf of the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE).

The Colorado River Connectivity Channel – Collaboration in Action

The Learning By Doing stakeholders are closely involved with seeing the Connectivity Channel through to completion. The project will reconnect sections of the Colorado River currently blocked by the Windy Gap Reservoir Dam, and significantly benefit the river and its aquatic habitat.

by Kiki Sayre, Project Coordinator of Grand County Learning By Doing

LEARNING BY DOING is a cooperative effort among Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the Colorado River District, Denver Water, Grand County, Middle Park Water Conservancy District, Northern Water and Trout Unlimited.
- Our group formed as part of the Colorado River Cooperative Agreement.
- Our mission is to protect, restore and, where possible, enhance the aquatic environment of the Upper Colorado, Fraser and Williams Fork river basins.

Growing Water Smart: Solving Water Concerns Through Silo-Busting and Innovative Land Use

Colorado’s natural systems are being degraded, and there is a growing gap between available water supply and the demand being placed on it by agricultural, industrial, and municipal uses. Business as (un)usual means breaking down the silos that keep local government officials, land use planners, water providers, and watershed organizations “working in their own lanes.” Join us to learn about the challenge at hand, the tools for addressing these challenges, and the success stories describing how communities are “Growing Water Smart.” Let’s come together to implement innovative and collaborative solutions for water conservation, efficiency, and stormwater management that will result in more resilient communities and watersheds across Colorado.

BY Waverly Klaw, Sonoran Institute

Sonoran Institute connects people and communities with the natural resources that nourish and sustain them. Since 2017, the Sonoran Institute and it's partner the Lincoln Institute's Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy have brought community planners, water providers, watershed coalitions and elected officials together to develop and implement approaches to addressing the water challenges of the 21st Century.

Roaring Fork Interactive Watershed Tool

Click the Roaring Fork logo!
With an update to the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan in 2019, RFC decided to take the plan online with an Interactive Watershed Tool. This tool contains watershed facts, data, projects and modeling allowing the user to get a glimpse of the watershed, or dig deep into river science and data depending on their interests. The tool is a one stop shop for all things Roaring Fork Watershed- and has become more relevant and useful in the time of social distancing. RFC’s education staff created lessons to be used virtually during homeschooling and to help the community understand the river from a new perspective. Challenge yourself with online scavenger hunts prepared for distance learning: roaringfork.org/activities. Click on any of the "Educational Materials 7-12" to explore the map!

by Heather Lewin, Roaring Fork Conservancy

Heather began with RFC in 2010, focusing on land conservation and policy work. Since being promoted to Watershed Action Director in 2014, Heather has coordinated the Comprehensive Lower Fryingpan Assessment, RFC’s role in the Crystal River Management Plan, and 2015 Cattle Creek Stream Health Evaluation. . Heather graduated from Providence College with a B.S. in Biology, completed a graduate residency in Environmental Education at the Teton Science Schools in Jackson, WY, and obtained a M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University. In addition, Heather is a certified whitewater guide, ski instructor and currently attempting to conquer first grade distance learning.

A Sustainable Stewardship Approach to Riparian Restoration

RiversEdge West coordinates riparian restoration activities throughout the arid southwest. While the initial removal of invasive plants such as tamarisk and Russian olive is imperative to restoring riparian ecosystems, the ongoing monitoring and maintenance work is really the crux of getting to a more ecologically sound and resilient landscape, both of which are more difficult to garner resources, support and funding. An approach that provides tangible and effective results to protecting riparian restoration investments uses formalized monitoring protocols and site prioritization and employs strike teams through youth conservation corps groups. This approach is driven by community stewardship through collective ownership and sound decision making.

BY Shannon Wadas, RiversEdge West

RiversEdge West advances the restoration of riparian lands through education, collaboration and technical assistance.

The Future of Colorado’s ATM Program

Since its induction, Colorado’s Alternative Transfer Method (ATM) grant program has made many novel water-sharing partnerships possible. The complexity of ATM projects has required diverse teams to come together with common goals of preserving working lands and developing new water supplies without necessitating buy-and-dry. Our project interviewed municipal water leaders around the state and gained valuable insight into what makes these unusual partnerships appealing or financially feasible. This project questions the status quo by challenging the current ATM program to assign new metrics for success to Colorado’s ATM grant program.

by Nora Flynn, Colorado Water Center—Colorado State University

Nora is an Ag Water Specialist at the Colorado Water Center. Her focus areas are alternative transfer methods and soil health.

The Future Flows in the Arkansas River Basin: An Investigation of the Voluntary Flow Management Program Amidst Hydrologic Change

The Upper Basin of Colorado’s Arkansas River is managed utilizing the Voluntary Flow Management Program (VFMP). Multiple stakeholders attempt to work together cooperatively while the confronting modern challenges of climate/hydrologic variability and increasing water demands. The goal of the study will be to critically evaluate the VFMP’s capacity and ability to undertake the Basin’s hydrologic and political challenges of the future, highlighting specific characteristics of the program that could prove most vulnerable. Drawing upon mixed methods approaches utilized in the socio-hydrology discipline, I will couple a hydrological analysis with a qualitative analysis of the relevant political actors through formal interviews.

by Apostolos Paul Landahl, Colorado School of Mines

Currently, Paul is a Hydrology Master’s Student at the Colorado School of Mines, advised by Dr. Adrianne Kroepsch. As a raft guide on the Arkansas River, he is excited to be working on a project that focuses on the Upper Arkansas River Basin, and he carries great personal passion for this research. Professionally, Paul has worked reclaiming physical and environmental hazards on Colorado’s abandoned mine lands.

Sand-Bed Rivers

The eastern half of Colorado’s Front Range is mostly comprised of sand-bed rivers and we intend to discuss the unique characteristics of these dynamic systems with a focus on river restoration approaches. Traditional gravel-bed river restoration techniques are not set up for success in sand-bed systems as the channel form is highly transient and requires room to remain in equilibrium. Without impediment, sand-bed rivers get wider with discharge and unexpected results may occur when introducing hard points. We will present alternative approaches to sand-bed river restoration and lessons learned from current projects on the Big Thompson and central Platte Rivers.

by Scott Griebling, Headwaters Corporation

Evaluating variation in hydrologic transport in
steep-forested and low gradient-agricultural streams

In many systems, land cover and management have impacted channel morphology, hydrology, and nutrient loading to streams. Deciphering interactions between land cover change, hydrologic exchange, and stream processes is important to managing impacts of land use on lotic ecosystems. We analyzed tracer breakthrough curves and compared metrics quantifying shorter hydrologic flowpaths including the transient storage index, and temporal moments, spreading and tailing behaviors to those quantifying longer flowpaths measured through tracer mass loss. These variations are likely to impact stream water quality and the potential for in-stream reductions of terrestrial nutrient load.

by Karin Emanuelson, Colorado State University

Karin is a Watershed Science master’s student at Colorado State University graduating this Spring. With a background in Environmental Engineering, she is passionate about taking a systems-thinking approach to solving applied problems. Karin is seeking job opportunities in river restoration, stakeholder engagement, and/or science communication beginning in May!

Bittersweet Park Turf Conversion Blueprints

These are the official blueprints used by the city of Greeley to co-ordinate the turf conversion project at Bittersweet Park. The maps included show what mixes were planted where, and what native seeds were used in each mix.

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Bittersweet Native Seed Conversion Project

This document chronicles the project at bittersweet park through its completion; additionally, it serves as a guide to native seed planting and turf conversion.

by Bryan Guercioni, Pawnee Buttes Seed Inc.

An Open Innovation Business Model that Emphasizes the Virtuous Cycle

Open data. Open software. Open decisions. Watch this video to learn about how to provide context-relevant information products in a complex and data-overloaded world.

by Steve Malers, Open Water Foundation

Steve is the founder, CEO, and CTO of the Open Water Foundation. He wears many hats including writing software, collaborating with others, and leading the organization. OWF improves access to data and information and increases transparency on complex water issues.

Oversight of Ecological Restoration for the Samarco Dam Failure in Minas Gerais, Brazil

The Samarco Dam Failure in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil (also known as the Fundão Dam Disaster) is considered to be the worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history, directly affecting approximately 45 municipalities and costing 19 lives. As result of dam rupture on November 5, 2015, the released sediment was transported over 670 km (circa 416 miles) of river flowing from dam breach into the Atlantic Ocean. In total, approximately 44 million cubic meters of iron ore waste was released into the Rio Doce Basin. The damaged watershed is largely dominated by Mata Atlantica Forest, which is one of the most imperiled ecosystems in the world, having lost over 93% of its functional biome, despite being home to an incredible array of biodiversity. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the ongoing efforts to provide technical quality control and oversight of ecological revegetation by Ramboll on behalf of the Brazilian Federal Public Prosecutors Office (MPF) and its Rio Doce Taskforce including successes and challenges. In addition, the presentation will summarize field survival to date for planted and naturally regenerated species for riverine and compensatory wetland projects, as well as monitoring criteria considered for such purpose.

by Randy Mandel, Rômulo Arantes, & Ricardo Camargo, Ramboll

INFLUENCE // CONFLUENCE

A non-traditionally composed network of lines and shapes influenced by interpreted data of the Colorado River, [I]nfluence // c[O]nfluence is a graphic score made for any instrument(s) that interprets the physical form of the river along with surrounding cultural phenomenon, topography, time, and spatial relationships. The composition can be played by one player or orchestrated by a larger group. Any instrument is welcome to experiment with the composition.
My hope is that a new awareness around our collective human relationship with the Colorado River can be explored through this piece of work. In order to preserve our rural agricultural communities in the American West, a dialogue must be created about the delicate balance between people, place, and the natural resources we all depend on. To this end, I hope the composition can be useful. Like all rivers, ever-fluctuating entities that never stop moving or changing, this score is to be interpreted freely by each musician/artist.

by Brittney Hofer

Brittney Hofer is a contemporary artist, musician, and deep listener based out of Boulder, Colorado. Her artistic practice engages the disparate fields of agriculture, music, and art in order to interpret the many ways that humans physically, socially, and culturally navigate the land. These often manifest as nontraditional maps, graphic compositions, and/or sculptural/sound installations.

Power of Collaboratives for Water Resilience
Case Study: Aurora, CO

This study investigates Aurora’s collaborative engagements and policies to secure water for a growing population and future water resilience. The effectiveness of collaborative partnerships is examined as a component of adaptive water resource management. The investigation evaluates water related intergovernmental agreements, partnerships and alliances for evidence of improving or contributing to water resource security and resilience. Evaluating the outcomes of collaborative partnerships is difficult due to the nature of separating the causal element of a collaborative outcome, from an observed change in environmental, social or tangible conditions (water supply, water rights, water infrastructure). In this study, evaluating the collaborative governance (partnerships, intergovernmental agreements, policies) will rely on document coding of those arrangements and partnerships, coupled with qualitative data from stakeholder interviews. This mix-method approach creates a relevant analysis to determine if those tools best inform practical solutions for the complexities of urban water resilience and planning and contribute insights for improving resilience of similar cities in arid Western States. The results provide a qualitative assessment of the link between collaborative partnerships and increased preparedness for water scarcity and drought in the face of climate change.

by Gretel Follingstad, University of Colorado-Denver

Ms. Follingstad is currently a PhD candidate in Geography, Planning and Design at the University of Colorado, Denver. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in International Management and Latin American Studies, a Master’s in Community and Regional Planning from the University of New Mexico, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude, and a Certificate in Science and Technology Policy from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Gretel has specialized experience in climate change resilience planning, water resource planning, watershed restoration and management, as well as land use and open space planning.

River Music: Hydrographs Play a Symphony
(a.k.a., "The Music Played the Band")

Natural systems exhibit rhythms in time and space. Seasonal changes, continental-scale migrations of birds and insects, growth, flowering and senescence of vegetation, and seasonal pulses and recession of flow in streams. These rhythms are evident to the scientist in examination and analysis of data. Such data can stimulate scientific inquiry, but can these rhythms be converted into a more visceral form of expression? River music presents stream flow in the form of musical notes, chords and entire symphonies. Through direct conversion of hydrologic data into musical notes, rivers orchestrators of their own symphonies.

by David Merritt

David Merritt is a riparian ecologist with the Forest Service's National Stream and Aquatic Ecology Center in Fort Collins, CO. The center is the technical branch of the Watershed, Fish, Wildlife and Air program of the FS and provides technical assistance on freshwater-related issues to management of wetlands, rivers and freshwater resources on National Forests and Grasslands. David coordinates science related to Wild and Scenic Rivers and Wilderness water rights, river management, and river restoration. 'River music' combines professional and personal interests in hydrology, riparian and aquatic biodiversity, and music.

On Patients and Patience: Restoration as a Healing Process

Stream restoration has been traditionally approached as an engineering design-build process aimed at optimizing some function (e.g. stability, conveyance) or presumed habitat needs for target species. It may be better approached as a practice of restoring ecological health. Healing natural stream ecosystems, rather than redesigning and building them, is in line with modern concepts of process-based restoration (Beechie 2010), biomic restoration (Johnson 2019), and a guiding image of ecological success, sustainability, and resilience (Palmer 2005). An operational definition of stream health applies the diagnosis, treatment, and care of impaired stream ecosystems to meet diverse natural and societal goals.

by Mark Beardsley & Jessica Doran, Ecometrics

Mark and Jessica are ecologists on a mission to bring nature, ecosystem thinking, and practical approaches back to stream restoration. After a period of disillusionment, we now find ourselves optimistic about the future of stream and watershed health in Colorado's headwaters. We also think beavers are awesome.

ACID MINE NATION Episode 2 - Immediate Reaction Colorado (to the Gold King Mine Spill)

In the summer of 2015, the US EPA was checking the water in a blocked portal mine up the hill, before they closed a bulkhead in a draining mine toward the bottom of the hill. The #1 On Scene Coordinator was on a planned vacation for a family wedding. The #2 On Scene Coordinator and a contractor crew - and this is where opinions differ - were only prepping the upper bedrock for future investigations, OR they tore ass into the portal and didn't think much to look at a mine map to see how much water could be behind the earthen blockage. The resulting mine release affected three water bodies, three states, three Native American Tribes and THREE EPA REGIONS.

by Tom Schillaci, producer

In 2001, Tom was pointed to Telluride Mountainfilm Festival, and the Animas River Stakeholders Group. He was blown away not just by the stories on-screen, but also by meeting the scientists, educators and explorers. Tom returned to Denver on a Tuesday, bought a video camera on Wednesday, and he was shooting his first environmental video that Friday, in Silverton, Colorado.

“10,000 Emerald Pools” Dance

This dance took place in a conference room at the Westin Resort in Avon, CO, during the 2019 Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference. The song featured is "10,000 Emerald Pools" by Børns.

choreographed by Mallory Hiss, Colorado Watershed Assembly

Mallory loves overlapping her passions for dance, event planning, and natural resources at each annual SCW Conference.