NEWS
INSECTS OF CHEESMAN CANYON 2009
A report on the collection of trout forage and water quality information in the South Platte River, near Deckers Colorado. Includes lists of insects and other macroinvetebrates collected from Cheesman Canyon down to below Night Hawk hill. Also compares water quality and macroinvertebrates before and after the Hayman fire. Hit link to view SPRING 2009 MACROINVERTEBRATE REPORT
CTU comments on the Christo Project- "issues need to be addressed"
Colorado Trout Unlimited has released their comments to the BLM on the Christo "Over the River" project and have determined there are many areas of the plan that need further analysis and improvements before the project can proceed.The comments are broadly broken down into three areas: environmental impacts and risks of the project; inadequacies in the analysis within the EIS; and consistency with BLM management plans and special area designations.Environmental Impacts of the ProjectOf most concern to CTU is the (1) disturbance of land and vegetation along the river – and the associated increase in sedimentation in the river; (2) risk of fuel/chemical spills; (3) risks from catastrophic failure; and (4) the need for a “leave no trace” approach. Point number four, leave no trace, is the strongest request made by CTU. Essentially we are asking that "what goes in the ground must come out" I love that line. It's a great rally cry for the opposition to the project.Inadequacies in the EIS AnalysisThe main argument here is that the EIS fails to take into account the cumulative effect of the 9100 bore holes of the project. CTU argues that although the single impact of one bore hole may be insignificant the EIS fails to take into account the impacts of all holes combined.CTU also argues that there is little to no analysis on the impact to guides and fisherman in the area. The comments point to specific studies that show anglers prefer scenic beauty and poor fishing to excellent fishing in poor scenic areas. The later would be the case during construction of the project.Consistency with Management Plans and Special DesignationsThis section of the comments calls into question whether this project meets the directive established by the Arkansas Canyonlands ACEC. There are several major environmental impacts that will occur within the project that seem to fly in the face of the BLM regulations. These include:
"The DEIS states that Over the River would have “moderate to significant” impacts on bighorn sheep, including long-term impacts (DEIS 4-3). Raptors would face moderate to significant impacts as well (DEIS 4-19, 4-20). Peregrine falcon specifically would also face moderate to significant impacts (DEIS 4-55)."
Overall the comments from CTU ask BLM to address several improtant issues with the "Over the River" before the project is approved. Read the full version of the comments and let CTU know what you think.
South Platte River Watch
What is River Watch.
The “Colorado River Watch” program is an on-going volunteer water quality-monitoring program co-sponsored by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) and the Colorado Watershed Assembly. It is designed to provide the CDOW and the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission with high quality water ecosystem data for use in making or revising water quality standards. Several Colorado Trout Unlimited chapters have joined the program by collecting and analyzing water samples from designated sites by chapter. These samples are analyzed monthly for pH, temperature, hardness, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen and heavy metals (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Pb, Se, and Zn). Twice a year (spring and autumn) nutrients (phosphorous, nitrate + nitrite, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, and total suspended solids) are collected. Chapter members conduct the water sample analyses, except for the nutrient and heavy metal samples which are analyzed by an outside CDOW laboratory. Twice a year, during low water flow conditions - typically in the early spring and autumn - samples are collected for macroinvertebrates. Volunteers sample water from the South Platte River (Station #922) above Deckers. Bill Honeyfield is the Cutthroat Chapter River Watch Coordinator (303 771-1855) or email blhoneyfield@comcast.net.
Sampling Site(s).
Station 922 Deckers (NEW April 09). This site was newly established in April 2009 and is located upstream from the Deckers bridge and across from the Lone Rock Campground - the GPS coordinates are 35 15 N 105 14 W. The site is reached via the gravel road on the east side of the river.Bill Honeyfield, the Chapter's River Watch Coordinator, will establish the monthly collection date and time and disseminate the information to the River Watch team via email prior to the event. If you wish to become part of the collection and analysis team contact Bill at (303 771-1855) or email blhoneyfield@comcast.net . The River Watch event is composed of two segments: 1) on-site water sample collection plus temperature and stream flow measurements, and 2) follow up analysis at Bill's home in Parker, CO to determine pH, hardness, alkalinity and dissolved oxygen. The on-site collection usually takes 30 minutes and Bill likes to combine the collection with a fishing event when practical. The follow up analysis at Bill's home takes about an hour and Bill will teach you all you need to know how to perform the analyses. Bill sends a portion of the water samples to a commercial laboratory to measure the contents for heavy metals (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Pb, Se, and Zn) and nutrients (phosphorous, nitrate + nitrite, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, and total suspended solids). The results of the analyses are posted to the River Watch on-line data base under the site name and number (i.e. 922). NOTE: since this is a new site, the site has not yet been added to the data base.Here are two images from the first River Watch collection at the new site on April 13th, 2009
Bill Honeyfield is in the green shirt and Jocelyn Mertens is in gray. Bill is collecting the water samples and Jocelyn is taking the temperature measurement.Macroinvertebrate Collection (site 922). In addition the the water quality sampling and analysis, macroinvertebrates (i.e. "bugs") will be collected at the same site twice a year (spring and autumn) during low river flows. The collected bug samples will be sent to an out-side laboratory for analysis. Here are images from the April 13th, 2009 collection effort.
RW-bugs3 RW-Bugs4The "Bug Team" (left to right in the top left photo) Jim Rasmussen, Gary Weihrauch, Jim Ives, and Bill Honeyfield.Archived Data from the Previous River Watch SiteStation 216 Bowles Avenue Bridge (data collected by Cutthroat Chapter 2006-2008)
Data Graphs
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved Oxygen (percent saturation)
pH Levels
Phenol Alkalinity
Water Temperature
Total Alkalinity
Total Hardness
River Watch
Cutthroat Chapter River Watch News and InformationWhat is River Watch. The “Colorado River Watch” program is an on-going volunteer water quality-monitoring program co-sponsored by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) and the Colorado Watershed Assembly. It is designed to provide the CDOW and the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission with high quality water ecosystem data for use in making or revising water quality standards. Several Colorado Trout Unlimited chapters have joined the program in the collection and analysis of water samples from designated sites per chapter. These samples are analyzed monthly for pH, temperature, hardness, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen and heavy metals (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Pb, Se, and Zn). Twice a year (spring and autumn) nutrients (phosphorous, nitrate + nitrite, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, and total suspended solids) are collected. Chapter members conduct the water sample analyses except for the nutrient and heavy metal samples which are analyzed by an outside CDOW laboratory. Twice a year, during low water flow conditions - typically in the early spring and autumn - samples are collected for macroinvertebrates. Volunteers sample water from the South Platte River (Station #922) above Deckers. Bill Honeyfield is the Cutthroat Chapter River Watch Coordinator (303 771-1855) or email blhoneyfield42465@msn.com.Sampling Site(s).Station 922 Deckers (NEW April 09). This site was newly established in April 09 and is located upstream from the Deckers bridge and across from the Lone Rock Campground - the GPS coordinates are 35 15 N 105 14 W. The site is reached via the gravel road on the east side of the river. Here is a picture of the site.Bill Honeyfield, the Chapter's River Watch Coordinator, will establish the monthly collection date and time and disseminate the information to the River Watch team via email prior to the event. If you wish to become part of the collection and analysis team contact Bill at (303 771-1855) or email blhoneyfield42465@msn.com. The River Watch event is composed of two segments: 1) on-site water sample collection plus temperature and stream flow measurements, and 2) follow up analysis at Bill's home in Parker, CO to determine pH, hardness, alkalinity and dissolved oxygen. The on-site collection usually takes 30 minutes and Bill likes to combine the collection with a fishing event when practical. The follow up analysis at Bill's home takes about an hour and Bill will teach you all you need to know how to perform the analyses. Bill sends a portion of the water samples to a commercial laboratory to measure the contents for heavy metals (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Pb, Se, and Zn) and nutrients (phosphorous, nitrate + nitrite, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, and total suspended solids). The results of the analyses are posted to the River Watch on-line data base under the site name and number (i.e. 922). NOTE: since this is a new site, the site has not yet been added to the data base.Here are two images from the first River Watch collection at the new site on April 13th, 2009Bill Honeyfield is in the green shirt and Jocelyn Mertens is in gray. Bill is collecting the water samples and Jocelyn is taking the temperature measurement.Macroinvertebrate Collection (site 922). In addition the the water quality sampling and analysis, macroinvertebrates (i.e. "bugs") will be collected at the same site twice a year (spring and autumn) during low river flows. The collected bug samples will be sent to an out-side laboratory for analysis. Here are images from the April 13th, 2009 collection effort.The "Bug Team" (left to right in the top left photo) Jim Rasmussen, Gary Weihrauch, Jim Ives, and Bill Honeyfield.Archived Data from th Previous River Watch SiteStation 216 Bowles Avenue Bridge (data collected by Cutthroat Chapter 2006-2008)Data GraphsDissolved OxygenDissolved Oxygen (percent saturation)pHPhenol AlkalinityWater TemperatureTotal AlkalinityTotal Hardness
Christo's "Art Project " Across Arkansas River
Please review the EIS and submit comments to CTU and BLM. BACKGROUND for Christo's "Over the River" art event: Christo wants to suspend large fabric panels over eight spots on a 42-mile stretch of the Arkansas River for two weeks, using nearly six miles of fabric. Although the actual event will last two weeks, the construction/removal period could last 28 months. Colorado BLM has issued a draft Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for public review and comment to BLM by September 13th. The report lists a number of possible alternate versions that would shrink or block the project. Estimates of both environmental and economic impacts are detailed in the study.As a concerned Chapter, we urge you to review the Environmental Impact Study by the BLM as well as the pro's (Over The River Project) and con's (Rags Over the Arkansas River). If you'd like even more info, Google "christo over the river project" for a lot more links.After you develop your opinion, please submit comments to Colorado BLM and the comments section of the CTU NewsBLOG. Remember the deadline for comments is September 13th.
Big Horn trip Oct 3-8
Our annual trip to Big Horn River, which is generally around Memorial Day weekend, got blown out by extremely high flows. This trip has been rescheduled for October 3 -8, which according to Kent Higgins is prime Baetis time! Fishing should be excellent! We plan to arrive on Sunday, October 3, Fish Monday through Thursday, October 7, checking out Friday, October 8. We have reserved up to 4 drift boats to float either the upper 3 mile stretch or the lower stretch which is about 9 miles. The fishing is great, the scenery spectacular and the cost very reasonable. If we are close to capacity in the Condo, the cost per person is less than $20/night and the drift boats are about $45/day for 3 people/boat! Please contact Jim Ericson if you are interested in joining us! 303-941-8166 (c) 303-683-8609 (h). Space is still available in the Condo. Click on the Big Horn Trip Link link for more detailed information.
Chapter Resources
ByLaws
If you want to read the Cutthroat Chapter Bylaws Click Here.
Liability Form
The Cutthroat Chapter-Trout Unlimited - Board of Directors has decided that, in order to take part in any chapter-sponsored or chapter-organized event, all participants must sign in advance the liability release form provided below. A parent or guardian must sign on behalf of any minor participant. The chapter member leading the event is responsible for providing release forms to all participants to be signed prior to the event, and responsible for relaying the signed copies to the chapter secretary as custodian.Liability Release Form.doc
Our Valued Sponsors
The Chapter would like to thank the following businesses for their support and donations at the auction.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in helping our chapter make a difference in conserving protecting and restoring coldwater fish species we could use your help. We value your time and effort to help us address the problems affecting our rivers and waterways. Whether you are interested in donating money or volunteering your time we want to help you find a way to get active and help us save our rivers for future generations.
Projects That need Help Today
Trout in the classroom
We are looking for volunteers to help us with our very successful trout in the classroom project. If you are interested send an email to info@cutthroatctu.org/ and we will get back to you.
South Platte River Restoration
We have joined forces with the Denver Chapter of TU and South Suburban Parks and Recreation to enhance aquatic and riparian habitat on the urban S. Platte River. Imagine fishing fro trout right in Denver!!! There is a lot of work that needs to be done before that can happen. Check out the Denver Trout Unlimited site for more details.