Protecting the Upper Colorado River's Outstandingly Remarkable Values
Since its formation in 2007, Northern Water has been an active member of the Upper Colorado River Wild & Scenic Alternative Management Plan Stakeholder Group. This diverse coalition—made up of representatives from state agencies, local governments, environmental organizations, recreational groups, landowners and water providers—developed a stakeholder-led alternative to a potential federal Wild and Scenic River designation for the Upper Colorado River.
Stakeholder Plan and River Management
The stakeholder plan focuses on protecting the Upper Colorado River's Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs), including fishing and recreational float boating, along the stretch from the top of Gore Canyon near Kremmling to one mile east of No Name Creek in Glenwood Springs. Accepted by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, the plan balances preservation of the river's unique values with operational flexibility for water users.
Adaptive Management and Ongoing Monitoring
Following completion of a provisional plan in 2012, the stakeholder group began a five-year provisional period in 2015. An amended and restated plan was finalized in June 2020. As part of implementation, the group is committed to ongoing data collection, monitoring and evaluation to assess the health and sustainability of the ORVs. Monitoring protocols and evaluation criteria are detailed in the stakeholder plan, allowing the group to respond adaptively to changing river conditions while maintaining operational flexibility.
Northern Water's Role
Northern Water supports the stakeholder group by providing technical expertise and seeking opportunities to coordinate operations on the Upper Colorado River in ways that help uphold and enhance the river's ORVs.
