Aspen Journalism (https://www.aspenjournalism.org/)
The city of Aspen declared a Stage 1 water shortage May 18 after flows peaked about three weeks early on Castle and Maroon creeks.
An initial two-year experimental program in the upper Colorado River basin is to end after four years of effort, with a list of lessons learned.
Besides leaving more water in the river, another goal of the project is to serve as an example for other irrigators on the Crystal River.
Aurora, which diverts water from both the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork headwaters, will keep its diversions from the Fryingpan River, but bypass some of its water down the Roaring Fork to bolster flows near Aspen.
Water in Ruedi Reservoir owned by the Colorado River District would be released to bolster winter flows to at least 70 cfs.
The district is talking with Xcel Energy about the big water right at the Shoshone hydro plant.
With construction slated to begin early next year, a federal lawsuit from six environmental groups could stop the project from moving forward.
May 2018 may have been a pivotal month for Aspen’s storage rights.
The city has signed agreements with five of the 10 opposing parties in the two cases, including Pitkin County and Wilderness Workshop.
Opposition to the potential trail is strong in the Crystal River Valley, yet surveys of Pitkin County residents show support for it.