A Brief History of ARWC

 

Board

Staff

Careers

The Beginning

The Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative (ARWC) emerged in response to the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in the Arkansas River Basin and across Colorado. Recognizing the urgent need for organized community and agency partnerships to address these impacts, ARWC was founded to preserve the health of our watersheds through community-driven initiatives. Our mission is to serve basin communities by addressing locally identified watershed issues for economic, ecological, and societal benefits.

Roots & Evolution

ARWC was formed from the collaborative spirit of the Arkansas Basin Roundtable, a group of water managers and stakeholders working together to find solutions to water-related issues in the basin. Established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2017, ARWC hired its first Executive Director and staff in early 2019. Our service area spans all 28,000 square miles of the Arkansas River Basin, reaching from Leadville to the Colorado-Kansas border. Feedback from throughout the basin has shaped ARWC into a vital organization driven by the voices and needs of the local communities.

Community-Driven Approach

ARWC believes in the strength of community-driven solutions. Our diverse coalition of water managers, stakeholders, and local communities allows us to approach water-related issues with a variety of perspectives, ensuring our strategies are inclusive and effective. Supported by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, ARWC emphasizes the importance of local voices in shaping sustainable watershed management practices.

Looking Forward

ARWC envisions a future where the Arkansas River Basin is characterized by healthy and resilient landscapes, a reliable water supply for agricultural and recreational use, and vibrant communities supported by sustainable watershed management practices.

Did you know . . .

Colorado’s Largest River Basin: The Arkansas Basin reigns as Colorado’s largest river basin, covering nearly one-third of the state’s land area and stretching across more than 28,000 square miles of diverse landscapes.

Agriculture at the Heart: Agriculture is the lifeblood of the Arkansas Basin, making it the dominant water user in the region.

Vast Irrigated Lands: Over 737,000 acres of land are irrigated within the basin, with nearly half of these fertile lands stretching along the river between Pueblo Reservoir and the state line.

High in the Rockies: The Arkansas Basin’s headwaters originate high in the Rocky Mountains, at elevations soaring above 14,000 feet.

From Peaks to Plains: The Arkansas River flows from the towering Rockies down to the plains, exiting Colorado into Kansas at an elevation of 3,340 feet.

Vast Grasslands: Grasslands dominate the basin’s landscape, covering 67% of its expansive territory.

Supplying Water to Millions: The Arkansas Basin is home to about 19% of Colorado’s population, providing vital water resources to over 1 million people.

Rapid Growth Ahead: By 2050, the Arkansas Basin’s population is expected to grow by 45% to 61%, reflecting the region’s ongoing expansion.

Gold Medal Waters: The Upper Arkansas River boasts a 102-mile stretch of Gold Medal waters, making it the longest in the state and accounting for nearly half of Colorado’s total Gold Medal stream miles.

World’s Most-Rafted River: The Arkansas River holds the title of the most-rafted river in the world, with Browns Canyon standing as the most popular whitewater rafting destination in the United States.