-How bad is the water in the Arkansas – Really?” A
conference on Colorado’s most popular rafting river will ask that
question at an Upper Arkansas Watershed Forum, April 7-8. It brings
together water quality and quantity experts to discuss heavy metals
pollution, water rights, possible wild and scenic designation for
the Arkansas, and a proposal by the city of Colorado Springs to
build a dam on the river. Conference coordinator Jeffrey Keidel
says water-related issues are usually addressed by people with
narrow fields of expertise and interests. He says this conference
will bring a more complete view of the watershed through informal
and non-confrontational discussions. Journalist Ed Quillen will
speak on the “historical irony” of the Arkansas and Dave Shur of
Asarco Inc. will talk about cleaning up the Yak tunnel. Sponsors of
the conference include the Colorado Division of Minerals and
Geology and the Sangre de Cristo Resource Conservation and
Development Council. For more information about the get-together in
Buena Vista, Colo., call Jeffrey Keidel, Upper Arkansas Watershed
Forum (719/395-6035).
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Troubled waters on the Arkansas.
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