Releases unlikely on Dolores River

One of the Southwest’s great rivers looks likely to remain dormant this spring. Unless Mother Nature graces the region with excessive moisture in coming weeks, neither spring run-off nor boaters will return to the Lower Dolores this year. However, a collaborative process is still forging ahead with the hopes of restoring regular spring runs on the classic stretch.

Flows on the Lower Dolores have been stunted for more than 20 years, since the final stone was placed on the McPhee Reservoir dam in 1985. While agriculture has been greatly enhanced by the reservoir, the character of the Dolores River has been greatly altered. The impact has been especially noticeable since 2000, when regular releases from the dam slowed to near standstill. The one exception was the spring of 2005 when substantial snowpack allowed for more than six weeks of boatable flows. Otherwise, springtime on the Dolores has been relatively predictable – run-off as high as 3,000 cubic feet per second above the reservoir and flows trickling at a mere 40 cfs below the dam. Boaters are not the only ones who have suffered from this situation. Absence of water has negatively impacted wildlife and damaged what was once a world-class fishery.

This week, flows on the upper Dolores exceeded 800 cfs. At the same time, McPhee Reservoir was boasting only 77 percent of capacity. The combination did not paint a hopeful portrait for boaters.“Things don’t look good,” said Vern Harrell, of the Bureau of Reclamation. “It doesn’t look like we’ll fill the reservoir, and that means there probably won’t be a spill. The only thing we can do is hope for some more moisture.”

However, no final determinations have been made, according to Harrell. On the upside, large volumes of water entered McPhee all week and no water left the reservoir for agriculture. If the region’s bean and hay farmers continue to hold off on irrigation, and substantial rain and snow hit the region, there is a chance that releases could be scheduled, he said.

“It could change,” Harrell said. “We’ve never had a big inflow like this one this early in the year, and we don’t know what effect that will have reservoir. But, the irrigators could come on early and start going on April 1, but we don’t know. There’s still a slight chance we could see a spill.”

A diverse group is continuing to work on increasing the odds for the Lower Dolores beyond “slight.” The Dolores River Coalition launched in 2003 with a mission of protecting and enhancing the Dolores River Basin. The coalition spans 23 different groups ranging from conservation groups such as the San Juan Citizens’ Alliance to the Environmental Defense Fund. Agencies like the Forest Service and Montezuma County are also represented, along with entities associated with water development like the Montezuma Valley Irrigators Association, the Dolores Water Conservancy District and the Bureau of Reclamation.

One of the first items on a long list for the group is getting more water to flow below McPhee and not just on big snow years.

Prescribed burn planned for Hermosa

Fire could be returning to the Durango area in coming weeks. Prescribed burning on San Juan public lands generally occurs from mid-April to mid-May, but this year is an exception. Durangoans may see smoke north of town over the next several weeks as the Columbine Ranger District begins a prescribed burn to reduce hazardous fuels in the Hermosa area.

“We usually don’t have the right conditions for prescribed burning until closer to mid-April,” said Ron Klatt, Fire Management Officer for the Columbine District. “But above-average temperatures over the past two weeks coupled with light drying winds are resulting in some rapid snowmelt.” Fire crews hope to burn approximately 3,800 acres within a 12,000-acre area in the Hermosa drainage. The burn, which would be ignited from the air, would occur on south-facing slopes within the drainage. Crews hope to burn 500 to 600 acres per day. Depending on conditions, the burning could occur on consecutive days or over several weeks. Burning is expected to start on the north end of the project area. Natural features like moist, north-facing slopes will help contain the fire.

The burn will target ponderosa pine and gambel oak and reduce the buildup of fuels; improve deer and elk habitat; and release natural minerals and nutrients into the soil.

Daytime smoke is expected to rise and disperse with minimal impacts to nearby areas. Overnight smoke may settle along the Highway 550 corridor and the Animas River drainage.

The burn will entail trail closures. The main Hermosa Creek Trail, as well as the Jones Creek, Dutch Creek, Little Elk, and Clear Creek trails, would be closed during burning periods and for a short time after burn completion.

NPS holds local listening session

The National Park Service opened its ears to local residents this week. With the new National Park Centennial Initiative coming down the pipe and millions of dollars earmarked for the region’s parks, representatives from Mesa Verde National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Aztec Ruins National Monument held a local listening session Wednesday.

The purpose of the March 21 meeting was to seek suggestions and ideas from people across the country about President Bush’s National Park Centennial Initiative. The initiative proposes to reinvigorate and strengthen national parks over the next decade with up to $3 billion for improvements and expansion. On March 13, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced dozens of such listening sessions throughout the nation.

“We will travel the country listening to our fellow citizens who care deeply about our national parks,” Kempthorne said.  “This is a time for a thoughtful review of what needs to be done over the next decade – a great opportunity to think big and act boldly to develop a plan to prepare national parks for the future.”

Based on discussions, the Department of the Interior will identify signature projects and programs, such as ranger-led tours, site restoration, and volunteer/philanthropy opportunities. They will present their recommendations by May 31.

DHS culinary team takes honors

Durango’s future chefs garnered high recognition recently. The Durango High School ProStart Culinary team placed third in the Colorado State ProStart Culinary Competition in Denver. The team included Ace Else, Kayleigh Probst, Trevor LaBonte and Will McLaughlin.

The winning menu included hand tossed greens with balsamic vinaigrette accompanied by mushroom-goat cheese fritters garnished with red bell pepper confetti and aged balsamic. The entrée was a seared duck breast with orange-merlot gastrique topped with wine-soaked dried cherries, It was accompanied by orzo sautéed with bell peppers and red onion, and  sautéed asparagus and carrots. And for dessert, a bosc pear was poached in ruby port, accompanied by a dark chocolate bowl filled with rum sabayon and resting on a port wine reduction.

Teams have only one hour to prepare a gourmet entrée, and only two portable butane burners are allowed to cook meals. Competitors are judged on presentation of the plates, taste, menu, proper sanitation, knife cuts, use of correct cooking techniques, finishing each dish to perfection, overall creativity and teamwork.

– compiled by Will Sands