2021 Lower Arkansas River Basin Virtual Tour

June 3, 2021 8:45am-12:00pm

Tour Description

Our annual river basin tour was June 3, 2021 from 8:45am-12pm. This year’s tour focused on the Lower Arkansas River in an exciting, new virtual format.

In addition, all tour participants were invited to join us on June 2, 2021 from 12 – 1pm, for a fun networking event where they met fellow tour participants and played some local basin trivia! This networking event was free for all who register for the tour.

The re-envisioned tour was held via Zoom, expanding the accessibility and reach of our typical audience that includes water professionals, ag producers, educators, elected officials, and interested community members. The tour included sites between Pueblo Reservoir, John Martin Reservoir and beyond, giving participants an up-close look at regional water-related activities and attributes. The itinerary showcased water quality projects, agricultural operations, alternative transfer methods (ATMs), interstate compact considerations, the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, municipal, environmental and recreational priorities, and more. There was also an interactive Q&A opportunity with tour speakers, and a pre-tour networking event. Those who attended the June 2 (virtual) networking event met other tour participants, played some local river basin trivia, and heard from our top sponsors. This event was free for all tour participants and the event sign up info was sent to all those registered for the tour prior to June 2.

Sites included:

Lake Pueblo State Park Visitor Center
New Pueblo Dam Hydroelectric Plant
Southern Delivery System Juniper Pump Station
Pueblo Riverwalk
Alternatives to “Buy and Dry”: Alternative Transfer Methods, Conservation Easements, etc.
Huerfano and Purgatoire River Watersheds
Colorado State University’s Arkansas Valley Research Center
Agricultural operations
Water quality projects
Water sharing project(s)
John Martin Reservoir

Topics included the Arkansas Basin Roundtable Basin Implementation Plan, water quality, water storage and water-sharing to meet an anticipated supply gap, alternative water transfers, the agricultural economy of southeastern Colorado, Kansas-Colorado Arkansas River Compact compliance, and much more.

Event Details

Virtual tour registration is now closed.

For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, please contact Scott Williamson by email scott@wateredco.org or call 720-398-6438. We kindly request two weeks notice of need for accommodations.