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The Colorado River as it leaves the state

Water

February 7, 2023

Colorado Water Plan 2023

“Water is the lifeblood of our state, and we are taking strong actions to protect Colorado’s water for generations to come. As climate change places increased strain on Colorado’s precious water resources, we are taking a forward-thinking and innovative approach to ensure that all Colorado’s communities, farmers, and ranchers can…

Flooding and erosive flows following a 2004 rainstorm caused this bridge collapse in El Paso County. East Sand Creek had been

Hazards, Water

November 11, 2022

Case study: Fluvial Hazard Zone

“The Fluvial Hazard Zone (FHZ) is defined as the area a stream has occupied in recent history, may occupy, or may physically influence as it stores and transports water, sediment, and debris.” The CGS often collaborates with local, state, and federal agencies on projects concerning emergency preparedness and community…

Pyrite

Geology, Hazards, Publications, Water

July 21, 2022

Case Study: NARD

Are pristine mountain waters always clean and pure? Can streams unaffected by human activities and livestock influences be unfit for human consumption, or for aquatic life? The existence of natural acid rock drainage (NARD) suggests a “no” to the former, and a “yes” to the latter question. But…

Check dams along drainage ditch

Hazards, Water

January 14, 2022

Case Study: stormwater

Stormwater runoff is excess water associated with a rain or snow storm event that flows over the land surface and is measurable in a downstream river, stream, ditch, gutter, or pipe. From a regulatory perspective, stormwater is managed through some sort of engineered conveyance and is focused…