Today, we’re a dedicated staff of five, collaborating with our community and partners to continue safeguarding our waterways. With innovative programming to reduce water use and an endowment fund launch on the horizon, the Watershed Council is wading into our 20th year with undaunted hope for a healthy water future.

We’re biased, but rivers mean everything – thriving wildlife, strong community and a whole lot of joy. We’re excited to share with you what we’ve done in 2022, and we can’t wait to accomplish more for our rivers and our future together with you.

Read on to hear more about our efforts to benefit our waterways.

Recent years have introduced immense change throughout the globe. This theme holds true on a smaller scale for Eagle River Watershed Council in 2022, with leadership and staffing changes, new board members and a number of program developments that will benefit local rivers and streams.

Early in 2022, Holly Loff, who had served as executive director for 8 years, departed the Watershed Council to pursue grant writing and consulting. With James Dilzell now in the role of executive director, the Watershed Council is avidly continuing its commitment to local waterways with a slate of innovative and impactful programs, projects and initiatives.

Read on to hear more about our efforts to benefit our waterways.

In 2020, our staff maneuvered through a number of unforeseen challenges, such as coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, adjusting to virtual programmings and events, educating the increased recreational users about the impacts of hot river temperatures and low flows, supporting regional watershed groups with the Grizzly Creek Fire response, planning a modified Eagle River Cleanup, and so much more. Amidst those changes, we continued to monitor water quality, offer educational programs, and inform our community and visitors about the importance of protecting our critical riparian habitats.

In 2021, we have shifted to an Annual Impact Report format. Read on to hear more about our efforts to benefit our waterways!

In 2019 our staff of three (now four) offered the community opportunities to engage with the river and learn more, received proposed development along the river, restored impacted areas, monitored water quality and worked with our partners in government, agriculture and recreation to develop a plan that protects our watershed well into the future.

The Watershed Council advocates for the health and conservation of the Upper Colorado and Eagle River basins through research, education and projects.

2015 was an exciting year for the Watershed Council! Check out our annual report to see what we were up to and where we are heading. As always, thanks for your support in advocating for the health and conservation of our rivers and streams!