So, as you think about the value of water for the length of the Arkansas Valley, there's
a recreational use that takes place, especially in the upper part of the Arkansas River Basin.
There's an environmental and ecological use for all of the species that get their life
blood from that water.
There's an industrial use that takes place, especially in the middle part of the Arkansas
River, and then an agricultural use too.
We believe something out though, if we didn't consider what the cultural value of water
is too, how it becomes part of our everyday life and our everyday culture, really reflects
our values and interests.
We're in a very unique position as a state.
We only have so much to work with every year.
It comes in the form of snowpack and rain.
And I would encourage everyone to just be aware.
Water's got to come from somewhere.
We're not piping it in from another state.
There's no new water.
You know, we've got the water we've got right now.
The Arkansas River is loved by many people for many different reasons.
Here in July on the Arkansas, it's probably the most diverse recreation going on.
You have people wade fishing and float fishing.
So the Voluntary Flow Management Program sort of outlines what the target flows are
for recreation in the upper basin.
So the 10,000 acre feet of water that the Bureau allows us to move in the summer months
for boating or not move during the spring and fall, you can't put a price tag on it.
I think it's really important to remind people that you have to have water to be able to
do those things.
And when water leaves a community, it definitely has an impact.
So it's important to remind people that we're all tied together.
People don't think a lot when they turn their tap on in the morning.
Take that shower, that first drink.
That that water supply started 160 miles west of here.
We really wanted to emphasize that you've got to have storage so that when you save
water through conservation, you have some place to put it.
So the various user groups all interact with each other.
We're Southern Colorado, we're all in this together.
That's been the lesson learned, I think, from the round table process.
So as that water comes down the stream, it's available for people to recreate on.
As it comes through Pueblo, we're able to divert it and put it to use.
It's really a fascinating basin.
One that I know has invoked and generated a lot of passion among the people that have
lived there for generations and newcomers to the area into that basin.
I think quickly pick up on how important the river is.
Without a doubt, the Arkansas River from Leadville to Lamar is the heart and soul of
Southeastern Colorado.
