July 6, 2007--What we can learn from watching rivers (Ouray Plaindealer)
Ouray County is home to the Uncompahgre, though it's not a quiet river or an entirely navigable one. A tributary of the Gunnison, the Uncompahgre River is 75 miles long, and its headwaters are in Lake Como up in the San Juan National Forest at over 12,000 feet. The Uncompahgre flows northwest after it leaves Ouray and Ridgway and joins the Gunnison River at Confluence Park in Delta. We know it closer to home as forming Poughkeepsie Gulch and the spectacular Uncompahgre Gorge. The river is dammed in two places, most notably below Ridgway where it forms the Ridgway Reservoir, a beautiful blue lake used by boaters and swimmers in the summertime. Most importantly the river's water is used for irrigation in our valley. Named by the Utes, Uncompahgre loosely translates as "dirty water" or "red water spring," referring to the many hot springs in the area.
To view the full article, visit the Ouray Plaindealer. For a copy of the original articles contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.