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Friday, 06 August 2010 |
 Come join DARCA on Amtrak's California Zephyr train this December for a tour of water history in Colorado. The tour begins at the Denver Amtrak Station on Friday, December 3rd at 8:50 AM. Once everyone is on board, the train will carry participants westward through Arvada, towards Rocky Flats and into Coal Creek Canyon. Next the train approaches Moffat Tunnel which leads participants out of Denver's water collection system. Once across the Continental Divide, transmountain diversions begin to have an effect on Colorado's water system. As the train approaches the final destination in Glenwood Springs, participants pass the Xcel Energy Shoshone Power Plant along the Colorado River. Along the train route from Denver to Glenwood Springs, participants will pass various water features, see the influence of water on the surrounding landscape and learn about water's influence on Colorado's history. The train travels along the Colorado River and away from developed areas and highways, offering riders exceptional views and a real insight into historic Colorado. While participants enjoy the ride to Glenwood Springs, speakers from various fields and businesses will address both Colorado's past and present relationship with water. Vibrant historians, critics and water workers will show participants the impact of water on Colorado. Once the train arrives in Glenwood Springs, all guests are encouraged to take a dip in the lovely hot springs or enjoy the many spas in the Hotel Colorado. On Saturday morning, if participants wish to learn more of Colorado's
history they can check out the Amtrak Train & Railroad Museum or
Frontier Historical Museum. If they are looking for a winter escape
Glenwood offers an outdoor skating rink and perfect shops for holiday
presents. If they want to continue relaxing, they can return to the hot
springs pool, spa or vapor caves. By 12:50 PM on Saturday, December 4th all participants must return to the Amtrak station to begin the return journey to Denver. This
workshop is intended to give participants an inside look at Colorado
water as well as an enjoyable weekend getaway. DARCA hopes for everyone
to gain knowledge while having some wintertime fun!
Order today online or contact DARCA for more information. This price does not include a room. The Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs has given participants a discount rate of only $89. The Hotel Colorado can be reached at 1-800-544-3998 or www.HotelColorado.com.
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Thursday, 22 July 2010 |
Open House Featuring Systems Designed to Keep Colorado Farms in Profitable Operation and Allow Alternative Uses for Water Rights
Regenesis Management Group, LLC, a company that focuses on the efficient use of finite natural resources through the development of innovative techniques, hosted an open house on July 16, 2010, at its Northern Colorado Research Facility located near the Greeley/Weld County Airport directly adjacent to the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service site.
Over 200 people from all over the state and beyond - including farmers, ditch company administrators, policymakers and business leaders interacted with researchers from the USDA-Agricultural Research Service and Colorado State University, in addition to staff from Regenesis Management Group. Lunch was served and a plane was flown over the site, acquiring remote sensing information during the course of the afternoon. The team shared the progress of the group’s research on crop optimization, provided instrumentation demonstrations, and explained how the SWIIM™ System will help facilitate agricultural to urban water transfers, while protecting farming for the future.
 Regenesis Management Group unveiled its heavily-instrumented research facility, and shared elements related to its patent-pending SWIIM™ System, designed to facilitate water optimization management. When utilized properly, the approach is designed to act as a conserving technology and the company is confident that it will allow a user to quantify and transfer a portion of their consumptive use water to applications outside farming – including municipal and industrial use. This is designed to be accomplished while leaving the farm from which the water originates, in profitable operation. The SWIIM™ System is comprised of software and instrumentation, and is designed to monitor the water budget of a farm, field and ditch system - including the return flow component, and verify actual water use.
For more information on the SWIIM™ System and the joint research being conducted by Regenesis Management Group, the USDA-Agricultural Research Service and Colorado State University, you can call 303-777-4000 or visit www.regenmg.com. SITE TOUR OPEN HOUSE
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Tuesday, 13 July 2010 |
 The Colorado Department of Agriculture has funded a research study to determine the potential of Colorado’s existing infrastructure to create low head hydropower. The study is being conducted by Applegate Group and Colorado State University. Canals and small reservoirs in Colorado hold significant potential for producing hydropower and this study will attempt to quantify this amount. Ditch Companies, Irrigation Districts, Water Conservancy Districts, along with other agricultural water providers are being asked to complete a survey regarding their system. Additional information on this study can be obtained by downloading the attached brochure.
If your system is used primarily for agricultural purposes, and is decreed for over 100 cfs, please complete the survey available online. If you would prefer to fill out the survey by hand, you can print the pdf available at the bottom of the webpage link below or contact Lindsay George at Applegate Group, 970-945-9686.
The survey can be found at the following link:
http://www.applegategroup.com/services/hydropower
Or the survey can be downloaded here
The survey will ask for information on elevation drops between 5 and 30 feet in your system. We will be producing a final report that will indicate the types of turbines that could be used in these drops, and summarize how much power could be produced across the State of Colorado. We will also be selecting two to three systems to look at in more detail, and act as examples for the rest of the State. Please indicate on the survey if you wish to remain anonymous in the final report, and include your email address if you would like to be notified when the final report is completed. We expect the final report will be available in May 2011. |
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Monday, 21 June 2010 |
 Here is an interesting report on waste in the food supply chain from the farm to the consumer. Nearly 50% of food produced becomes waste before it even reaches the dinner plate. By reducing the amount of waste, we can save resources including energy and most importantly water. With urban growth's quest for water they often look to farmers to fulfill their needs. However, instead of restricting water consumption at the ag level, perhaps we should take actions against waste in harvesting, transportation and consumption. To limit food waste, consumers and restaurants would need to change their habits by buying local food and only as much as they would eat. Consumers need to change their views that wasting food is harmless when, in fact, it uses resources. Food production uses more water than any other industry. According to the authors, "Most losses occur after food is produced in the field. As water has already been evaporated, successive losses down the food chain add up to considerable unproductive water use." Read the whole article here. |
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