The Water Information Program

With plans to present further data on the fact that groundwater wells have little, if any, impact on the river flows in the South Platte, more than 150 farmers gathered in Valley High School to once again formulate a plan of attack. Listening to Robert Longenbaugh, a longtime state engineer and CSU professor, explain his theories of the well-pumping impact on the river and attorney John Meininger’s opinion of the Water Courts’ overstepping its authority, irrigators and water users gathered in their ongoing battle to regain their right to pump. The meeting Feb. 26 heard testimony, particularly from these two experts, on the catastrophic effect the shutting down of wells has had on the farming community in Northern Colorado. “We need a regional authority to oversee all water use, to protect the surface rights and senior rights and allow you to get back to farming,” Longenbaugh said. “We need to get all the water users to the table, knowing we will never agree but to assure we are all protected and heard.” Longenbaugh said the water wars will, “with absolute certainty” involve a complex list of issues, beginning with the fact that there will be more and more competition for the limited water in Colorado. Water management will become even more complex with water quality issues coming into play in how water is used.

To view the full article, visit the Brighton Standard Blade. For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.