South Platte River Conference Examines Water Quality, Quantity and Related Issues Oct. 24-25 in Longmont

The South Platte River not only defines the landscape of parts of Northeastern Colorado, it defines the livelihood of many of its residents. The river plays a critical role in food production, industry and recreation in the area.

Water quality, quantity and use are becoming more important to food producers and the public as Colorado’s growth puts more demands on the limited resources available to support the state. The 12th annual South Platte Forum will examine those issues impacting the river this month.

The forum, held Oct. 24-25 at the Raintree Plaza Conference Center in Longmont, is open to the public. In addition to examining water quality and quantity, the forum will cover conservation and reuse efforts, current legislation, water banking, studies and popular opinion affecting the basin and well augmentation.

Keynote speakers include Russell George, Colorado Division of Wildlife director; Ralph Morgenweck, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regional director; and Colorado Sen. John Evans.

Sessions slated for the two-day event include the following.

  • Use Less, Reuse More: Saving Water for Tomorrow.
  • What’s In the Water – A Water Quality Update.
  • Water Banking: Making a Deposit for the Future.
  • Well Augmentation: Balancing the Account.
  • Chutes, Ramps and Ladders: A Recreation Quantity Discussion.
  • Fishable, Swimable and Irrigatable: A Recreation Quality Discussion.

The conference also includes opportunities to network and educational displays.

The forum is sponsored by Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Water Resources Research Institute, Denver Water, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey. The forum was initiated in 1989 to exchange information and ideas important to managing the South Platte Basin resources.

To register or for more information, contact Jennifer Brown, forum coordinator, at 970-213-1618 or southplatte@qwest.net. Registration is $85.