Preserving Colorado's Waters

San Miguel River
© Harold E. Malde

Water Facts

Only 1% of Earth's water is suitable for human use and consumption.
If present consumption patterns continue, two out of every three persons on Earth will live in water-stressed conditions by the year 2025.
Riparian habitat comprises less than 3% of Colorado, but is used by over 90% of the state's wildlife.
In Colorado, 23 species of fish are listed as state threatened, state endangered or species of special concern.
87% of water leaving Colorado flows from the Colorado River basin toward the Pacific Ocean. The remaining 13% flows from the Missouri, Arkansas and Rio Grande river basins toward the Atlantic Ocean.

(source: Colorado state)

Historically, Colorado’s water resources have supported the production of crops and the development of cities. While we have succeeded in supporting these important needs, we have often neglected the natural values of our rivers and lakes. Recently, aquatic ecologists and policy experts from across the Conservancy developed a methodology that is helping us and our partners address complex water challenges.

Ecologically Sustainable Water Management (ESWM):
Guiding Our Water Practices
Ecologically Sustainable Water Management (ESWM) is based on the underlying philosophy that we can balance the freshwater needs of people with those of plant and animal communities. This science-based program guides our water protection projects. The ESWM framework helps us define how much and when a river or stream needs water, and provides a context for working collaboratively with agencies and engineers to implement solutions. The power of the ESWM approach is evident in our work in the Upper Colorado River.

Recovering Fish in the Upper Colorado River
The Colorado River is a key source of water for the West. In addition to supporting agriculture and communities in Western Colorado, this river is also a key source of water for Denver, the growing Front Range and the entire Southwest United States. The river supports four endangered native fish—the Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, bonytail chub and razorback sucker.

For over 10 years, the Conservancy has been working with federal agencies, upper-basin states, water users and other partners to recover these endangered fish while providing for current and future water needs of the community. Together, we are seeking ways to restore river flows, reconnect floodplains and provide fish passage without restricting the use of water for these communities.

Several projects exemplify the success of this collaborative recovery effort. First, the Conservancy is working with the Bureau of Reclamation and other partners to re-operate the massive Flaming Gorge Dam, providing critical water releases to support fish spawning and floodplain habitats, while maintaining hydropower generation and other project purposes. A second example occurred in the Grand Valley of Colorado (near Grand Junction), where the recovery program worked with farmers to improve efficiency of agricultural water diversions. The improved canal infrastructure allows 28,000 acre feet to remain in the Colorado River in a key reach of endangered fish habitat, while actually improving the ability of irrigators to deliver water to their farms.

Phantom Canyon: Community-based Conservation at Work
Downstream from Fort Collins’ Halligan Dam and upstream from Greeley’s Seaman Reservoir lies the Conservancy’s Phantom Canyon Preserve, a scenic canyon-bound reach of the North Fork of the Cache La Poudre. Recently, these two cities announced plans to expand both the Halligan and Seaman projects to protect against drought and provide for future growth. The Conservancy has been working with these cities to view these projects as opportunities to restore natural flows which will help us better understand ecological flow needs and devise appropriate conservation solutions.

Download two-page Colorado River fact sheet (.pdf, 182kb) >>

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