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Conference on Managing Drought and Climate Risk
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Photo: Coyote Gulch archives
Governor Ritter's "Conference on Managing Drought and Climate Risk" kicked off yesterday in Denver. 200 or so engineers, water professionals, scientists, politicians and other interested participants were on hand to hear the governor tell them, according to The Rocky Mountain News, "We must be careful stewards of Colorado's water supply. If we fail, we fail at the peril of our children and our grandchildren."
Well then, that's the point of the conference. Planning for the future to avoid dumping a mess on our children and grandchildren. Jennifer Gimbel, Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board mentioned that while many water suppliers have long-term drought and supply plans -- some even tipping towards sustainability -- many do not. Some suppliers in Colorado still do not meter customers.
A new report from Western Water Assessment, Climate Change in Colorado: A Synthesis to Support Water Resources Management and Adaptation was making the rounds at the shindig along with a report from the Colorado Foundation for Water Education [no link available as of 8:00 a.m.].
Colorado's water future is difficult to predict. Climate change is going to effect the supply. We're already seeing more moisture as rain. Less snowfall causes planners problems. Do they draw down reservoirs over the winter in anticipation of runoff? How quickly will weather patterns change? How will they change? What about the effect of lower stream flows on water quality and riparian environment?
While the conference cannot answer all the questions the hope is to start a dialogue around the issues. Water rich utilities can't sit back and expect the historical patterns to repeat into the future.
One thing is for sure. Agriculture will feel the effects of climate change to a great degree. If Colorado's population does double by 2050 -- as the Colorado Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Harris Sherman expects -- the only source of water for the people will be agriculture. Colorado has little water left to develop and much of that may be needed in future low water times to satisfy the state's responsibilities under the Colorado River Compact.
Americans have been very shortsighted for years now. We haven't had a serious energy policy despite every president since Carter calling for one. Hopefully Ritter's call for planning will make a difference. Up until now planning for the future in Colorado has been left to wealthy communities grabbing what they can so that they can continue their unbridled growth. Setting growth limits may be in our future.
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