Watershed Modeling Paves the Way for Wildfire Mitigation in Cortez

For Cortez and southwest Colorado, it’s not a matter of if wildfires will happen, but when. Drought, wildfire suppression, and climate change have all increased the risk of severe fires, making planning for them especially important. The Mancos Conservation District has been one of the local groups preparing for future wildfires, leading a project through the Colorado Water Conservation Board to assess the wildfire risk and post-fire erosion potential of the Upper Mancos Watershed. As part of the project, district staff hoped to create a watershed model for the Upper Mancos River. But with limited funds, hiring a hydrologist was a challenge. So, district staff reached out to LOR for support. LOR’s funding will help the Mancos Conservation District hire a hydrologist to develop a 2D watershed model for the river, laying the groundwork for future wildfire mitigation efforts that will ensure the safety and water security of residents in Cortez and the Mancos Valley.