ALAMOSA, CO., (August 2, 2018): Better radar will soon be possible in our region for timely and more accurate weather information and stream forecasting. Following the West Fork Complex fire, temporary weather radar was installed in the Upper Rio Grande and Wolf Creek Pass for three years to monitor conditions. A NOAA mobile radar was rented for two winters to collect data for water supply modeling for the Rio Grande and Conejos Rivers.
The benefits of radar include improved public safety with severe weather forecasting for early notifications, more accurate water resource modeling for water rights and administration, and transportation needs such as aviation, storm tracking, and avalanche forecasting.
This multi-agency project brings together the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Alamosa County, Rio Grande Water Conservation District, San Luis Valley Water Conservancy, Conejos Water Conservancy District, Rio Grande and Conejos Water Users Association, San Luis Valley Irrigation District, Colorado Division of Water Resources, and other counties and agencies within the region.
Funding for the $1 million to $1.3 million project comes from the CWCB Projects Bill, CDOT, an Executive Order through RWEACT, and the Capital Development Committee. The radar will be located at the Alamosa County airport. Bids are due September 5th.
RWEACT -- together with the Rio Grande National Forest and funded through the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Department of Local Affairs, and the Office of Emergency Management – works to promote partnerships and actions that provide for public safety and resiliency of communities and watersheds of the Rio Grande Basin of Colorado.