2008 CCWCD Bus Tour

Kathy Parker
External Affairs Specialist

The voices were stilled, low hanging clouds threw an eerie light. “How deep underwater are we right now?” someone asked.

No, this wasn’t the latest summer action movie. This was the CCWCD annual bus tour and the passengers were driving through a valley that will become Glade Reservoir if the project is approved. The estimated 70 guests shared a fascinating hour with Northern Colorado Water’s Public Information Manager, Brian Werner, as he described the Northern Integrated Supply Project, which Glade Reservoir would be part of, and its benefits to the Poudre River system.

The day began for this free tour with a hearty breakfast served at TriPointe Event Center in Greeley. Laughter and conversation filled the room as people who meet infrequently had the chance to gather. The guest list included Central contract holders, people in the water industry, and local elected officials along with state legislators and agricultural producers.
After the trip to Glade Reservoir the group continued its return to agricultural roots with a tour of the Agricultural Research Development & Economic Center (ARDEC), a Colorado State University research center.  A hay ride around the test plots provided fun transportation, while the staff at ARDEC discussed and demonstrated their no-till corn production and limited irrigation cropping systems research.

Lunch was served at the beautiful and educational Poudre Learning Center on the banks of Central’s Siebring Reservoir and the Cache La Poudre River, in Greeley. Ray Tschillard, the Director of the Center, kept the crowd entertained with the history of the Learning Center and the many partnerships that contributed to its development.

The tour ended east of Greeley at Central’s own Nissen Storage Project. Operations Manager Randy Ray and Field Assistant Jon Peggram explained the innovative water storage/recharge project that can utilize water from the Plumb Ditch and the South Platte River.  The newly installed Rubicon gate was a big hit with those who like new designs and equipment.

Central will host its next bus tour in August, 2009. If you would like to be on the invitation list, please contact Kathy Parker at Central’s office by calling 970-330-4540, or emailing her at kparker@ccwcd.org.