The Dolores River Boating Advocates (DRBA) would like to respond to Dustin Goodall’s letter (Journal, July 5), “Dolores River is life, not recreation.”
DRBA members and other local residents believe it is time to change how Dolores River water is viewed and used. Contrary to how some irrigators portray us, we are not anti-agriculture. We agree that water is life and believe there are additional “beneficial uses” for water.
We want to correct the inaccuracies presented in that letter. First, to suggest that McPhee Reservoir is the reason the Dolores no longer dries up is incorrect. Historically, the river dried up in late summer because water was removed for irrigation.
The letter also omits the fact that there was a recreational economy on the Dolores that included 22 commercial outfitters. The reservoir has eliminated this part of the economy and altered the natural environment for over 120 miles.
This letter also ignores that the 12-mile cold water fishery promised by the dam is no longer thriving and that native fish species are threatened. Colorado recently labeled the Dolores below McPhee as “impaired.”
By definition in Colorado water law, conservation and recreation are defined as “beneficial uses.” Using more Dolores River water for recreation, rafting and fishing is a legitimate and legal possibility. It takes 1,000 acre feet of water to create one day of rafting on the lower Dolores. When McPhee is full, 220,000 acre feet are allocated for irrigation. Taking 10,000 to 20,000 acre feet out of irrigation to create an annual 10 to 20-day rafting season and support fish will not destroy agriculture and will provide economic and environmental benefits throughout the region.
DRBA encourages the use of Dolores River water to ensure that people and the natural environment have enough water for their health and livelihood. The way the Dolores is being used is not working. This needs to change.
The DRBA and the Dolores Water Conservancy District will host a meeting to discuss the spill of 2016 on July 26 at 6 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center. Please join us.
Sam Carter
Josh Munson
Dolores