From the Colorado News Connection (Eric Galatas) via The Durango Herald:
Saturday is Colorado River Day, marking the date in 1921 when the river was officially renamed from the Grand River to the Colorado. The future of the river is uncertain because of water shortages and increasing demand, and it features prominently in an emerging Colorado water plan.
Steve Ela, a fourth-generation organic fruit farmer on the Western Slope, said the river is a critical part of the state’s heritage and way of life.
“Whether it’s the mountains and the recreational opportunities there, whitewater rafting or the fruit that I grow and we all eat, Colorado as a state and especially with it being the headwaters to the Colorado River, we use that water in so many ways,” he said.
A celebration on Saturday in Denver will focus on urban conservation measures outlined in the plan and the need for state leaders to do more. Ela said that in the plan’s second draft, delivered earlier this month, the chapter on actions the state would take was heavy on goals but light on specifics.
More Colorado River Basin coverage here.
Upstream view of the Colorado River at the mouth of the Roaring fork River
Peter McBride at the oars and camera Grand Canyon June 2015
Colorado River Basin, USBR May 2015
The confluence of Havasu Creek with the Colorado River (river mile 157) is a popular place for boaters to stop and admire the striking blue-green water of Havasu Creek. The turquoise color is caused by water with a high mineral content. At the point where the blue creek meets the turbid colorado river there often appears a definite break. NPS photo by Erin Whittaker.
Herbert Hoover presides over the signing of the Colorado River Compact in November 1922. Members of the Colorado River Commission stood together at the signing of the Colorado River Compact on November 24, 1922. The signing took place at the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover presiding (seated). (Courtesy U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation)
Members of the Colorado River Commission
The Colorado River Delta in May, 2014. Photo courtesy NASA.
Colorado National Monument from the Colorado River Trail near Fruita September 2014
Colorado River pulse flow (Minute 319) reaches the Sea of Cortez for the first time since 1998 on May 15, 2014 via the Sonoran Institute
Colorado River via Google Street View
Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam — Photo / WyoFile.com
Hayfield message to President Obama 2011 via Protect the Flows
Glen Canyon Dam discharge via Tom Smart
Colorado River Delta via 2012 State of the Rockies Report
Upper Basin States vs. Lower Basin circa 1925 via CSU Water Resources Archives
Colorado River, Black Canyon back in the day, site of Hoover Dam
Historical Colorado River between Granby and Hot Sulphur Springs
Colorado River Basin
Fog-filled Grand Canyon
Via the USGS
Standup Paddling — Grand Canyon
Grand Valley Irrigation Ditch
The Grand River Diversion
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