As those in the southwest know, the region remains in one of the most severe droughts in human memory. The prolonged dry spell has affected stream flows, water quality, and the recreation economies tied to flowing rivers. As just one example, angling was curtailed this summer on many of Colorado’s major rivers. Water leaders for the Yampa, San Juan, Animas, and Rio Grande employed a "Hoot Owl" rule, closing fishing in the afternoon hours when flows were low and water temperatures were at record highs. These restrictions support the state’s fish and wildlife, but put a dent in river-related recreational activities that contribute close to $9 billion to the Colorado economy every year. The business community is increasingly stepping up with solutions to support innovative projects and partnerships that keep these rivers flowing. In Colorado and New Mexico, for example, BWS’ work with corporate partners including Danone North America, Swire-Coca-Cola, Intel, and others helped advance innovative projects led by Trout Unlimited, Colorado Water Trust, and Audubon. Read more here. From the places we play to the water we drink, rivers are the foundation for the country’s outdoor industry. This was the theme we brought to the Summer Outdoor Retailer (OR) show this July. American rivers drive a $97 billion economy and the outdoor retailers providing the gear and opportunities to enjoy rivers understand that. By elevating the conversation about rivers at OR, BWS and a coalition of river groups encouraged the outdoor industry to make their voice heard to policy makers about the importance of keeping water in rivers, supporting conservation funding and protecting our public lands and public waters. Threats to our rivers are only growing with the 19th year of drought in the Colorado River Basin, an historic 1st time ever call on the Yampa River in Colorado, and drought contingency planning happening across the basin to plan for a future with less water. Check out the Rally for Rivers website for ways to protect rivers across the U.S. and if you are with an outdoor industry company, look for BWS at the Fall Outdoor Retailer show. When Colorado River delegates met in Santa Fe, NM in 1922 to negotiate the Colorado River Compact things were a little different. Women had just received the right to vote in 1920, Lenin had just created the USSR and Warren Harding was the U.S. President. The rivers in the Southwest were also flowing at higher rates than they are today - posing a mathematical challenge for water managers today. The 1922 compact, which allocates how much water can be taken from the river by various states and users, was written assuming about 17 million acre feet of flows each year, while today we see only about 14 million acre feet, posing the challenge of over-allocation. These acre feet are divided between 7 states and Mexico, but with less water, the math isn’t adding up. The system does have its savings accounts in reservoirs, but all are dramatically low. Lake Mead is only 38% full and Blue Mesa is 39% full. And a new study finds over the last 100 years, the river’s flow has decreased by more than 15 percent. Recent reports from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation confirm that the Colorado River Basin has avoided shortage for 2019, but has at least a 50/50 chance of moving into a shortage declaration in 2020. So, what does this mean for the business community and how can we plan for these shortages? Read more here. The Georgia Aquarium joined Change the Course and committed to restoring 10 million gallons of freshwater to Georgia ecosystems in 2018. The Aquarium’s funding supports the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s work to build a new park along Proctor Creek that will reduce polluted runoff and flooding, and the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District’s project assisting farmers in saving water and increasing production. And, 10 million gallons also happens to be the amount of water it would take to fill the Georgia Aquarium’s atrium. They’re using that fun fact and their water restoration commitment as an opportunity to engage their visitors with water conservation messaging. They are asking visitors to make a commitment with them and work to conserve water in their day-to-days lives be doing things like shortening shower times, reducing food waste, and landscaping with native plants. Since launching the campaign in July, over 2,260 people have taken the pledge and are helping to do their part to Change the Course in Georgia. WORTH THE READMore Conservation, Cooperation Vital to Our New Era of Water Shortages, News Deeply, September 13 Agency Says Lake Mead Could Drop Below Critical Threshold, Wall Street Journal, August 15 Those at Denver’s Outdoor Retailer must protect the rivers they rely on, Denver Post, July 20 |