Water is the theme at Gore Range Natural School EdVenture

EDWARDS — We're all ready to shout “enough already!” to the vast amounts of precipitation we've received this year. But if you've lived in Colorado awhile, you know that this precious resource is virtually almost welcomed.

Water. It's one of the few things we truly can't live without. It must be treasured, used carefully and protected.

Recently, members of Gore Range Natural Science School's EdVenture program were treated to a sunny day (thank goodness) at Budd and Betsy Knapp's ranch high on Lake Creek. Needless to say, the theme was water.

Guests had the opportunity to learn about many aspects of how our water is cared for and treated in Eagle County.

Dennis Davidson, from the Soil Conservation Districts of Bookcliff and Mount Sopris, hauled his “River Riparian Trailer” to the site, where he demonstrated the effects of heavy runoff on areas surrounding streams, rivers and creek beds.

Folks had fun moving plastic houses and horses around a bed of finely ground plastic to help keep them from gushing down the collapsing banks.

Davidson also taught the group a few new definitions, “thalweg” being the favorite. For those of you who don't know, a thalweg is the last remnants of water where a fish can survive when the water has receded.

From the Eagle River Watershed Council, Kathy Chandler-Henry spoke about the advances that the organization is taking to preserve our watershed. Threats include traction sand, which when it clogs the streams covers fish eggs, makes the river shallow and heats up the temperature.

Mining, of course affects the health of the fish, and cattle raising degrades the banks.

The council, along with other non-profits and the local government, is actively improving and restoring the Eagle River to a clean, healthy ecosystem.

And to help put water in a recreational perspective, Kristin Davis of Fly Fishing Outfitters spoke about the local habitat for trout and their feeding habits.

The EdVenture programs are available several times a year to donors to Gore Range Natural Science School who give at least $1,000 to the non-profit on an annual basis. The organization provides programming to more than 2,000 students every year, and to many locals and visitors throughout the year.

For more information on Gore Range Natural Science School, visit their Web site at www.gorerange.org or call them at 970-827-9725.

Carolyn Pope has covered community service events in the Vail Valley for the past nine years. She can be reached at 970-390-9913.