Projects

Lower Delores River Dialogue

Contact Information:
OSM/VISTA: Brooke Childrey
Supervisor: Chester Anderson
Address: P.O. Box 1056; Cortez, CO 81321
Phone: 423.284.4266
Email: bechildrey21 AT gmail DOT com
Website: ocs.fortlewis.edu/drd/
US Congressional District: 3
County: Montezuma

Description of organization and mission:

The Dolores River Dialogue (DRD or Dialogue) was started in January of 2004 as a collaboration of conservation, water management, land management, recreational, and governmental representatives working to explore opportunities to manage McPhee Reservoir to improve the downstream ecological conditions while still honoring water rights, protecting agricultural and municipal water supplies, and the continued enjoyment of rafting and fishing.

The DRD has completed a Hydrology Report and a Core Science Report addressing the geomorphology, riparian ecology and warm and cold water fisheries on the Dolores River below McPhee Reservoir. The integration of information from the hydrology and core science reports into a Correlation Report is being used to evaluate strategies involving spill and base flow management and enhancement as well as in-channel restoration efforts. The DRD is committed to the systematic monitoring and evaluation of ecological benefits and water management parameters to support good decision making and the efficient allocation of resources.

Goal of OSM/VISTA in the Dolores River Dialogue:

The goal of the OSM/VISTA working with the DRD is to build the capacity of the organization through a variety of channels. These channels include doing work with organizing and gathering data that is relevant to the DRD processes. In addition, the OSM/VISTA will participate in maintaining a web site and writing a watershed plan for the Dolores River. Lastly, the OSM/VISTA is responsible for some outreach and education to the local community.