A DIFFERENT KIND OF "HYDRO HAPPENING!"

I began to write about the city's Castle Creek Energy Center (CCEC) and hydro plant in 2010. My vehement opposition was initially focused on the abysmal financials of what I saw as a "trophy project," designed to stroke the egos of then-mayor Mick Ireland and our pal at the helm of the city, Steve Barwick, not to mention the myriad bureaucrats in the city's well-funded water department. By conducting the research for my first issue on the subject (see Issue #45), I began learning and caring deeply about the vast environmental implications of such an ill-conceived folly. Riparian habitats, in-stream flows, river diversions, minimum water levels - these phrases became rallying cries to motivate Aspen voters to learn about the previously-ignored environmental risks of building the CCEC/hydro plant and to reconsider and re-evaluate the beleaguered "green at any cost" project that had been initially approved in 2007.

Responsible stewardship of these fragile rivers and streams in the arid Rocky Mountain west is not something that we can rely on the government to provide on our behalf. Obviously. However, as the recent decision to (finally!) shutter the CCEC demonstrates, we, the citizenry, can and must do our part to protect these valuable and irreplaceable natural assets.

WILD RIVERS NIGHT AT THE WHEELER - PLAN TO ATTEND!

Please join American Rivers (www.AmericanRivers.org ) for a unique event at the Wheeler Opera House on Thursday, June 5.

Wild Rivers Night will feature Pete McBride and a private screening of DamNation. Highlighting McBride's stunning photography and insightful storytelling, American Rivers will present his short films I AM RED and Chasing Water, as well as a photo tour of his recent expedition down the Gulf of California following the pulse flow on the Colorado River.

Following a brief panel discussion, the most recent film from Patagonia, DamNation, that has been winning acclaim at film festivals across the country, will be featured.

Please RSVP to this special event at www.AmericanRivers.org/Wheeler . A $15 donation is suggested and would be greatly appreciated. All proceeds from this event will be dedicated to Saving Our Streams, a Colorado nonprofit based in Aspen, whose mission is to support local streams and riparian zones, and to ensure that any diversions of water and related development do not in any way compromise their health or increase the possibility of risk to their fragile ecosystems.

SAVING OUR STREAMS: CASTLE CREEK FLOW MONITOR

Installed in 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and funded by Saving Our Streams, a stream flow gage now monitors the water levels and discharge (in cubic feet per second) of Castle Creek.

Considered the "gold standard," a USGS stream flow gage is highly reliable and provides continual monitoring in real time. The accumulated information will serve to educate the Aspen community so that we make informed decisions regarding our precious mountain streams.

Visit www.SavingOurStreams.org and click on "Castle Creek Monitor" to see the stream flow data for yourself!  And if you cannot attend the event, please consider making a donation to this worthy organization.  They truly ARE "saving our streams."

SEE YOU AT THE WHEELER!

Wild Rivers Night

Thursday, June 5

7pm