Working with trusted partners in watersheds across the West is invaluable to fulfilling TFT’s mission to preserve and restore freshwater ecosystems. In Colorado, we’re helping to build resilience in agricultural and ecological systems under water-constrained conditions. We recently chatted with Steve Pope, general manager of the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association in Montrose, Colorado. His organization has a long history of delivering water to users on the west side of the Rocky Mountains.
Can you share in a few words what your organization does?
The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (UVWUA) was founded in 1903. We’re the largest irrigation system in the Upper Colorado Basin states. We serve 3,500 shareholders with more than 720 miles of canals, laterals, and drains. We operate the Gunnison Tunnel project, which brings irrigation water from the Gunnison River to Montrose and Delta counties on the Western Slope. We also operate small hydroelectric plants in our historic canals.
What is the most unique aspect of your organization?
Interestingly, the Gunnison Tunnel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is considered a Civil Engineering Landmark. We can modify and enhance the system, but we can't change the historical or cultural significance of the infrastructure. Essentially, it’s like operating a 120-year-old museum.
Notably, we have been able to lay new pipelines to replace open, unlined laterals and ditches. The significance of this infrastructure upgrade is that we’re able to reduce large amounts of salts and selenium that naturally leach from these ditches into the surface water. I’m proud to say we’re a “poster child” for salt and selenium reductions, which have helped protect critical fish habitats.
How did you get into this profession?
I’ve always liked working outdoors. I grew up skiing, whitewater kayaking and flyfishing. When I went to school in Arizona, I studied environmental science and completed a resource management degree. Some of my first jobs were the Glen Canyon Dam survey and stream channel surveys for the U.S. Forest Service. In 1996 I began a long career in the Colorado Division of Water Resources, administering water rights on the Western Slope. In 2021 I left the state office and became the general manager at UVWUA. These days I deal with “wet water” instead of “paper water” and math. This means I get to physically move water around a system for the benefit of our producers.
What changes have you seen to water resources in the Uncompahgre Valley over the last decade?
While this region has always been semiarid, recently we’ve not been receiving the snowpack we used to. On top of that, the precipitation comes in different forms, such as monsoons. These short, intense storms drop 10–15% of our yearly precipitation in one day. That creates flash floods over the adobe, sandy soils and fills the canals with sediment. We need a plan to manage and adapt to these variable conditions.
On the other side of the coin, sometimes we don’t have enough water. Even with our senior water rights, I have to allocate less to our shareholders. For example, everyone might get 70% of their usual amount to irrigate their crops that season. That’s been happening for multiple years in a row.
I see the need to educate all our citizens about the importance of our water and how we can use it as efficiently as we can.
Are there new solutions to these water challenges?
Definitely. We can adapt our management style to the timing and changes we’re seeing. For example, small system storage could help regulate these irregular flows and periods of less water. Pumping water, instead of relying on gravity flows, could help move water at the times of year when it is needed most. For example, we’ve had many hot and dry July and August months—peak season for onions and corn—only to see these months followed by rain and too much flow.
We can also improve decision-making capabilities and forecasting our supply. We’re working on a drought management plan that will allow our farmers to make the most informed decisions they can as far in advance as possible. It can help them answer questions such as, “Should I plant that extra field of corn this year?”
How did your organization first start working with The Freshwater Trust?
We had partnered with the Colorado River District on drought response approaches and managing demand for water. This led to a pilot project with TFT using their tool for conservation. This decision support tool lets us look at what water savings are possible within the system and what the economic impacts are.
We want to be prepared for the future and how voluntary or involuntary reductions in water will impact us coming up.
The tool shows us the value of agriculture in this area. Agriculture in the Uncompahgre Valley generates $140 million in economic impact and supports 2,800 jobs. Additionally, TFT’s tool helps us measure environmental outcomes, such as water quality improvements related to our irrigation actions. This helps us qualify for state and federal funds where we demonstrate a win-win approach for the environment and the economy.
Tell us about a few goals of your organization for the next years.
UVWUA will continue to improve our water efficiency and water management and address aging infrastructure. In the middle of big growth in the Uncompahgre Valley, we want to maintain the agricultural fabric of our region and keep our farmers in business and successful.
Why do you like working with The Freshwater Trust?
It’s great to work with such a collaborative group of people who have high levels of technical expertise. When I jump on calls with TFT staff to discuss a topic, everyone has something to contribute and they provide quick turnaround and follow-through.
We have several big ideas for irrigation efficiency projects, coupled with available federal funds, and together we’re moving quickly to take advantage of these opportunities.
