Stories From The Water

With all the snow we’ve had this winter, it can be hard to imagine that our water supply is dwindling and a drought is waiting right around the corner. But as summer approaches, it’s time to share a few water conservation tips from Colorado University’s Environmental Center. Dvorak is behind a number of conservation efforts, and as we raft down the many rivers of the Southwestern States, we are reminded at how precious our water is, and that we must protect it at all costs.

Colorado’s snow pack is in decline and could affect rafting

You may have been frustrated by a long cold, snowy winter. But Colorado depends on this snow for about 50-80% of our yearly water supply. And even though it seems like we’ve gotten a massive amount of snow this winter, the Colorado Climate Change Vulnerability Study shows that the snowpack that Colorado rivers rely on to replenish in the springtime, is in decline. And it won’t just affect the recreational Colorado river sports, it also affect our drinking water supplies.

“Recreation: Climate projections show that Colorado’s springtime mountain snowpack will likely decline by 2050, with potential impacts on late-season skiing. Spring runoff season may also be earlier and shorter, which could affect rafting – Colorado Climate Change Vulnerability Study 2015”

Practice water conservation

Think about a typical day in your life. How much water do you think you’ve used? You took a shower, you brushed your teeth, you made coffee, and maybe you walked around your house to water the plants. All of that is perfectly acceptable. But now think about each activity again. How long did you stand in the shower? Did you leave the water running the whole time you brushed your teeth? Did you leave the watering can in the sink while it was filling up and then you forgot about it and by the time you returned to the kitchen it was overflowing? We’ve all been guilty of these scenarios, but they all add up, and with a dwindling water supply, we can no longer afford to be reckless with our water usage.

• Look into water efficient toilets. Older toilets can use up to 6 gallons of water per flush!! This may be a good time to go back to “if it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, wash it down”. We all learned it in grade school, and it’s never been more relevant than today.
• Take shorter showers. It’s as simple as that.
• Turn off the faucet while you are shaving or brushing your teeth.
• Fix leaks and drips around your house. Studies show that 10% of homes have leaks resulting in up to 90gallons of wasted water a day!!

Book your Colorado river rafting adventures with Dvorak

Clean water is a privilege and so is rafting down the many gorgeous rivers of the great Southwestern United States. Come and see why we need to do all we can to conserve water and ensure that our rivers are pumping for generations to come. Book your river rafting adventure with Dvorak Expeditions and see what all the fuss is about.