An Open-Air Series of Conversations about the Upper Uncompahgre Watershed
Everyone, 8 years old to 108 years old, is invited to attend one or more of the series events.* You don’t have to come to every event but you are welcome to! The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership has scheduled three to five water-related professionals to discuss their organizations’ roles in the watershed, especially in the Ouray County area. Join us outdoors for fresh air and conversation to help you better understand the Upper Uncompahgre River Watershed.
Location: Dennis Weaver Park, Ridgway, Colorado (unless bad weather; more information about bad weather location – also in Ridgway – will be sent to all registrants)
Schedule: Wednesdays, 5-6pm, April 28, May 26, June 23, and July 28, plus one Saturday field trip (date/time TBD)
Registration: Free. Fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
Funded by a Non-Point Source Mini Grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
1st Session: Water quality monitoring & remediation, Wed., April 28
SWEAP** Critical Water Concept: The quality and quantity of water, and the timing of its availability, are all directly impacted by human actions and natural events.
Guest speakers: Arlen Huggins of the Colorado River Watch Program, Jeff Litteral of Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety, Tanner Banks of Trout Unlimited, and a representative from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
2nd Session: Water infrastructure & managed water use, Wed., May 26
SWEAP Critical Water Concept: Water cycles naturally through Colorado’s watersheds, often intercepted and manipulated through an extensive infrastructure system built by people.
The quality and quantity of water, and the timing of its availability, are all directly impacted by human actions and natural events.
Guest speakers: Benjamin Wilson of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, Bureau of Reclamation, and two representatives from recreation-focused nonprofits
3rd Session: Drinking water & wastewater, Wed., June 23
SWEAP Critical Water Concept: Water is essential for life, our economy, and a key component of healthy ecosystems.
Guest speakers: Mike Berry of Tri-County Water Conservancy District, Joe Coleman of Ouray City Public Works, Chris Bolane of Ridgway Town Public Works, and a representative from Dallas Creek Water Co. or Ouray County government
4th Session: Water scarcity & conservation, Wed., July 28
SWEAP Critical Water Concept: Water is a scarce resource, limited and variable. Water is a public resource governed by water law.
Guest speakers: Marti Whitmore of the Gunnison Basin Roundtable and Colorado River District, Katie Birch of Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and representatives from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, NRCS Snow Survey, and U.S. Geological Survey
Field Trip: Agricultural & Landscape Irrigation Efficiency, tentatively planned for Sat., June 19
More details and guest speakers coming soon.
* UWP will be following local public health guidelines during these events to ensure everyone’s safety. While Ouray County is currently at the blue level of public health restrictions, large gathering are allowed outdoors. Still, UWP will be asking participants to wear masks, and will be limiting the overall attendance as well as individual group sizes spread around the park for the different presentations. We may be dropping the mask requirement at some point in the summer during the series if the UWP Board and local officials support that change.
**SWEAP is Colorado’s Statewide Water Education Action Plan, a common agenda for water education’s role in achieving sustainable water for Colorado by 2050. Find out more at: https://www.watereducationcolorado.org/sweap/.
