Eagle River Coalition unveils new river flow and water temperature report dashboard
As the Eagle River Valley enters a season of high temperatures, traditionally low precipitation and declining flows in local waterways, the Eagle River Coalition has launched a dashboard displaying current temperature and flow conditions throughout the local watershed.
The dashboard is accessible for the public at EagleRiverCO.org/riverreport.
Most of Eagle County is currently experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions. Declining flows result in increased strain on local rivers for all uses, including outdoor irrigation, municipal uses, agricultural uses, and ecosystem health.
The Eagle River Coalition provides free resources to advance river protection year-round. Using real-time USGS gage data, this new platform provides users with current river conditions compared against historical averages. Toggling between temperature and flow data allows users to make informed decisions.
The Eagle River Coalition urges residents, second-home owners and visitors to take additional steps to reduce detrimental impacts on local streams during periods of low flows and high temperatures. This can include reducing outdoor water use and shifting irrigation timing to early mornings or evenings when evapotranspiration rates are low. Anglers and river users should be aware that during conditions of low flows and hot weather, water temperatures can rise to harmful levels for fish. Fishing during these conditions will negatively impact the health of the fishery.
The Eagle River Coalition suggests that anglers carry thermometers and check river temperatures frequently when fishing. If the water temperature is 65 degrees at noon, please know that it will likely continue to increase into a range that will be detrimental to fish. Please adapt the day’s fishing plans accordingly. Consider fishing at higher elevation lakes and streams, where environmental factors are much less severe and the flows remain higher.
For more information about fishery health and the heat, please contact the Glenwood Springs Parks & Wildlife office at (970) 947-2920.
