May 16, 2008--Southeastern water disctrict celebrated 50 years (Pueblo Chieftain)
Fifty years ago, the Arkansas River flowed where it wanted to, when it wanted and if it wanted. A group of men wanted to change that by bringing more water into the Arkansas Valley, and succeeded by selling golden frying pans up and down the valley to pay for trips to Washington to push the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. Their dream was to provide a better water supply for future generations. Those men formed the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District on April 29, 1958. You’ve come a long way baby. Because of the district, the project became a reality. Two new dams were built. Two were expanded. A power plant was constructed. One of two pipelines envisioned by the project was put in place. Supplemental water has helped stabilize the valley’s overall supply. And, oh yeah, there are four women on what was an all-male board for its first 46 years. Thursday, the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District paused to remember its formation with a 90-minute ceremony that featured several former board members, proclamations from members of Congress and some thoughts from current board members.
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