** Climate change increasing risks for Colorado dams
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Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Dam on Colorado's South Platte River, Library of Congress ([link removed])
In Colorado, climate change is increasing the stress ([link removed]) on hundreds of dams across the state, 27 of which are already classified as “high-hazard.” These structures are near people, and hold both water and mining waste. Beginning on January 1, 2020, Colorado is instating new rules to plan for and mitigate the effects of increasing temperature and atmospheric moisture, as well as intensity in weather.
Through innovative modeling, experts are changing the way ([link removed]) they assess the safety of Colorado's dams based on new threats posed by climate change. “In the past, we assumed a stationary climate. The methods that we used to determine rainfall were all backward-looking, at historic storms. Now it doesn’t seem that is the smartest way to do it anymore. Since we have this changing climate, we have the potential of getting behind. We have to change, find ways to look forward,” said ([link removed]) Bill McCormick, Colorado dam safety director.
The new planning rules will be necessary to avoid a catastrophic dam failure in the future. This is an example of government agencies incorporating climate change into management planning to protect the health and safety of communities and being aware of the increasing risks caused by climate change.
Quick hits
** Trump administration cabinet increasingly stocked with business lobbyists
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Bloomberg Environment ([link removed])
** Colorado rethinks dam safety as climate change heightens risk
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Denver Post ([link removed])
** As climate warnings grow dire, energy companies face "a new frontier of threats"
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NPR ([link removed])
** This goofy bird vs. the fossil fuel industry
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Vox ([link removed])
** In New Mexico, research team takes a fresh look at delicate artifacts
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Associated Press ([link removed])
** Massive quarry expansion plan feared as an "existential threat" to Colorado town
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Colorado Public Radio ([link removed])
** Opinion: Our national parks are in crisis, and Trump's solution is absurd
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
** Opinion: The ongoing and troubling BLM relocation saga
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Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])
Quote of the day
As indigenous people, our identity is interconnected to the land, to the water and to the animals. And our identity is not up for negotiation — it's not for sale. We're simply trying to survive. So we're doing everything we can — from corporate, to Congress to the United Nations.”
—Bernadette Demientieff, member of the Gwich'in Nation, NPR ([link removed])
Picture this
** @YosemiteNPS ([link removed])
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“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” ― Ansel Adams
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