The Southwestern Water Conservation District actively supports water related projects and programs throughout the District’s nine counties. 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 75 years, 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 depletion water right (to apply for their use, please see our webpage), the SWCD Project water right, and the San Juan County depletion 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 CDPHE and CPW
Water Education
- SWCD’s Annual Children’s Water Festival
- SWCD Annual Water Seminar
- Watershed Education Program
- Water Education Colorado
- Water Information Program
Ongoing Organizational Support