Save the date for the 2018 Forum: November 7-8, 2018!
Keynote Speakers:
John Fleck, Director of the University of New Mexico's Water Resources Program and author of Water is for Fighting Over and Other Myths about Water in the West
The Colorado River: what we knew, when we knew it, and how we used it - and lessons for today
Brian Richter, President, Sustainable Waters
Chasing Water in a Rapidly Changing World
Final Program Sponsors & Exhibitors Compilation of Presenter Abstracts & Bios
Program with abstracts, biographies and presentations linked
November 1
8:00 Welcome - Cynthia Pemberton, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Colorado Mesa University
8:15 Keynote – Brian Richter, President, Sustainable Waters
Presentation Abstract Biography
9:15 Building a Better Understanding of Snow and Water Supply
Moderator: Aldis Strautins, National Weather Service - Biography
- NASA’s SnowEx Campaign in the Upper Colorado
Edward Kim, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Presentation Abstract Biography
- Assessing the robustness of spring snowpack as a drought indicator in the Upper Colorado River Basin under future climate change
Ben Livneh, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder
Presentation Abstract Biography
10:00 Historical Perspective: How did first generation Colorado River negotiators understand hydrology?
Eric Kuhn, Colorado River District
Presentation Biography
10:30 Break
10:45 Bridging Science and Decision Making on Water Supply: Managing for Drought
Moderator: Steve Fletcher, Fire Mountain Canal and Reservoir Company - Biography
- How and why Upper Colorado River Basin water, land and fire managers choose to use drought tools (or not)
Amanda E. Cravens, US Geological Survey
Abstract Biography - What decision context tells us about advancing drought information use: insights from the Western Slope
Rebecca Page, Western Water Assessment, University of Colorado Boulder
Presentation Abstract Biography
Moderator: Kirsten Kurath, Williams, Turner & Holmes, PC -Biography
- Central Utah Water Conservancy District Climate Study
Cort Lambson, Central Utah Water Conservancy District
Presentation
- Climate change implications for Denver’s water supply
Laurna Kaatz, Denver Water
Presentation Abstract Biography
12:10 Lunch/ Poster Session
Posters
- Adapting a Natural-Flow Regime Paradigm on the Lower Dolores River: A call for a nonconsumptive needs quantification study and stakeholder cooperation to create a more dynamic flow regime
Rica Fulton, University of Wyoming - Poster Abstract & Biography - Assessing the Impacts of Drought and Wildfire on the Colorado Front Range
Aaron Heldmyer, Ben Livneh, and Balaji Rajagopalan, University of Colorado Boulder - Poster Abstract & Biography - Colorado Flood Magnitude and Timing: An exploration of possible climate change impacts
Christopher Pack and Gigi Richard, Colorado Mesa University - Poster Abstract & Biography - Watershed monitoring across the snow transition zone: An east slope-west slope comparison
Gigi Richard, Craig Moore and Ross Fischer, Colorado Mesa University;
Stephanie Kampf, John Hammond and Abby Eurich, Colorado State University - Poster Abstract & Biography - COlorado AGricultural Meteorological nETwork — COAGMET: Recent Updates and Future Plans
Zach Schwalbe, Colorado Climate Center - Poster Abstract & Biography - Applying remotely-sensed cottonwood cover data to evaluate groundwater fluctuations in riparian floodplain aquifers in Southwest Colorado
Zach Sforzo, Gary L. Gianniny, Cynthia E. Dott, and William Scott White, Fort Lewis College - Abstract & Biography - Earlier snowmelt may alter mountain water resources through the timing of plant growth
Chelsea Wilmer & Heidi Steltzer, Fort Lewis College - Abstract & Biography
1:40 Beyond Snow: Vegetation Interactions with Water Supply
Moderator: Bruce Smith, Western Water and Land - Biography
- River-connected mountain meadows: Assessing resilience and ecosystem services of headwater wetlands across a disturbance gradient
Tristan Weiss, Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University
Presentation Abstract Biography
- Assessing the potential impacts of invasive species water use on the Lower Colorado River
Tom Ryan, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Presentation Abstract Biography
- Riparian plant guilds along the Dolores and San Miguel Rivers
Erin Cubley, Department of Ecology, Colorado State University
Abstract Biography
2:45 Panel: Orchard Mesa Ditch Improvements to Benefit Endangered Fish and Water Users
Panel Presentation Panel Abstract
Moderator: Chris Treese, Colorado River District - Biography
- Tom Chart, Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program
Biography - Brett Uilenburg, US Bureau of Reclamation
Biography - Max Schmidt, Orchard Mesa Irrigation District
Biography
3:30 Break
3:45 Panel: Revitalizing and Reconnecting Riverside Communities through Art, Civic Engagement and Commerce
Panel Presentation Panel Abstract Biographies
- Stacy Beaugh, Tamarisk Coalition (moderator)
- Brian Mahoney, Colorado Riverfront Commission and Foundation
- Cindy Enos-Martinez, Rio Initiative and Riverside Community Center
- Traci Wieland, City of Grand Junction
- Thaddeus Shrader, Bonsai Design
- Jen Taylor, Mountain Khakis
4:45 Reception in the University Center Lounge, adjacent to the Forum venu
November 2
8:00 Keynote: John Fleck, Director of the University of New Mexico's Water Resources Program and author of Water is for Fighting Over and Other Myths about Water in the West
Presentation Abstract Biography
9:00 Panel: State of the Colorado River and Implications for Upper Basin States
Moderator: Eric Kuhn, Colorado River District - Biography
- John Stulp, Special Advisory to the Colorado Governor for Water
Presentation - Steve Wolff, Administrator, Interstate Streams Division, Wyoming State Engineer's Office
Presentation Biography - Eric Millis, Director, Utah Division of Water Resources
Presentation Biography - Rolf Schmidt Petersen, Acting Colorado Bureau Chief, New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission
Presentation Biography
10:20 Drought Contingency Planning: Connections between the Upper and Lower Basins and Mexico
Amy Haas, Deputy Executive Director and General Council, Upper Colorado River Commission
Presentation Abstract Biography
10:45 Break
11:00 Innovations in Agricultural Water Use
Moderator: Aaron Derwingson, The Nature Conservancy - Biography
- Efficient Irrigation and the Myth of Water Conservation: Misconceptions from the Field
Paul Kehmeier, Farmer and Field Trial Cooperator
Presentation Abstract Biography - Eagle County Conservation District’s Irrigation Asset Inventory Program: an innovative approach for engaging the agricultural community
Brendon Langenhuizen, SGM and Scott Jones, Eagle County Conservation District
Presentation Abstract Biographies - Grand Valley Pilot Project
Luke Gingerich, J-U-B Engineers
Presentation Abstract Biography - System Conservation Projects on the Price River
Jordan Nielson, Trout Unlimited
Presentation Abstract Biography
12:20 Lunch
1:30 How experiences on rivers can influence water policy
Moderator: Ken Neubecker, American Rivers - Biography
- Experiencing Echo Park
Sara Porterfield, History Department, University of Colorado
Presentation Abstract Biography - Recreation Advocates’ role in water policymaking today
Nathan Fey, American Whitewater
Presentation Abstract Biography
2:15 Having it all: trying to meet diverse needs on shared streams
Moderator: Corey Beaugh, Colorado Division of Water Resources - Biography
- A Rancher, a Scientist, and Angler and a Conservationist Walk into a Room…. How the Crystal River Management Plan is moving from paper to project
Heather Lewin, Roaring Fork Conservancy
Presentation Abstract Biography - Watershed Management Planning in the Upper Gunnison Basin
Frank Kugel, Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District
Presentation Abstract Biography - Assessing the results of a planned spill on the Dolores River
David Graf, Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Presentation Abstract Biography - "Learning by Doing" on the Upper Colorado
Jason Turner, Colorado River Water Conservation District and Kristina Wynne, Bishop-Brodgen Associates for the Middle Park Water Conservancy District
Presentation Abstract Kristina Wynee Biography Jason Turner Biography