The Southwestern Water Conservation District actively supports water-related projects and programs throughout the District’s nine-county region. Specifically, funding goes to projects that significantly impact water management and development, support data collection, and enhance water education in the region, as described below.

Over its more than 80-year history, SWCD has held conditional water rights across the nine river basins in southwestern Colorado to assist in the protection, use and development of water within the state. For the public benefit, SWCD currently holds conditional water rights on the Animas River: the SWCD/La Plata County Animas Service Area water right (to apply for their use, please see our webpage), the SWCD “Project” water right, the La Plata Exchange Plan and the San Juan County water right.

Water Management and Development

• Colorado River Planning – policy efforts and engagement regarding southwestern Colorado’s compact obligations and drought planning
• SWCD Grant Program – annual consideration of applications to fund water-related projects in southwestern Colorado
• Weather Modification Program – cloud seeding operations in southwestern Colorado that increase precipitation during winter months
• San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program – represent water development interests in the management of the recovery of the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker

Data Collection

• Center for Snow & Avalanche Studies
• Federal Stream Gaging (USGS)
• State Stream Gaging (DWR)
• Water Quality Studies,  including efforts by the San Miguel Watershed Coalition, Pine River Watershed Coalition, and mercury testing by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Water Education

• SWCD’s Children’s Water Festival
• SWCD’s Southwest Water Seminar
• SWCD and Four Corners Water Center at Fort Lewis College’s “Water Connections”
• SWCD’s Water Leaders Program Scholarship
• Water Information Program
• Watershed Education Program
• Water Education Colorado

Ongoing Organizational Support and Memberships

• Bonita Peak Community Advisory Group
• Club 20
• Colorado River Water Users Association
• Colorado Water Congress
• Ditch & Reservoir Company Alliance
• Family Farm Alliance
• Four Corners Farmers & Ranchers Coalition