Colorado and much of the semi-arid west have
been experiencing a prolonged drought. Droughts are not new
occurrences in this region, and global climate change models
predict that the region may experience more of them in the
future. The EPA Office of Environmental Programs sponsored
a Conference on "Effects of Prolonged Drought on Aquatic
Ecosystems and Water Quality of the South Platte River Basin,
Colorado" at Colorado State University on April 3 &
4, 2003. One presentation at that conference addressed the
effects of the current drought conditions on Rocky Mountain
National Park resources.
Because many people have asked detailed questions
about the effects of the drought on our park, we have posted
the slide
show with the speaker's notes on our website. The slide
show was prepared as a Continental
Divide Research and Learning Center publication. Please
pay special attention to the detailed information in the speaker's
notes, located in the frame at the bottom of the page, as
they provide much more information than the slides themselves.
Use the pictures at the right, and their links, to better
understand how to navigate the slide show.
We hope this slide show will answer questions
and provide interesting insights for our readers. It would
not have been possible without the insights and observations
of our staff, visitors, volunteers, and especially our researchers.
Please click on the photo captions for larger
pictures
