Friday June 25, 2021

A local water official says a clogged diversion gate caused portions of Mill Creek to temporarily dry to a trickle last week. The gate was lowered to allocate more water to Ken’s Lake for firefighting resources. After an investigation this week, Utah biologists could not find evidence of wildlife damage due to low water flows. Plus, a community collaborative is making several recommendations to mitigate heavy visitor use in the Mill Creek area. They include moving the primary parking area for Mill Creek’s waterfalls to Potato Salad Hill. And, Colorado River water managers could be pulled back to the negotiating table to keep its biggest reservoirs from declining further.

Plus, our Weekly News Reel where we speak to reporters about their latest coverage. Times-Independent editor Doug McMurdo talks taxes (9:00), and Moab Sun News publisher/editor Maggie McGuire (17:00) discusses suicide prevention and public lands management.

Show Notes:

Photo: A helicopter accesses water resources from Ken’s Lake to fight the Pack Creek Fire. Courtesy Great Basin Team 4.

Mill Creek Below Sheley Tunnel, Near Moab, UT
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/09183600/#parameterCode=00060&period=P30D

Mill Creek Community Collaborative: Recommendations for Mill Creek Canyon 2021
https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/3785?fileID=4912

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: Property tax question comes into focus
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/property-tax-question-comes-into-focus/
The Times-Independent: San Juan property taxes rise 41%
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/san-juan-property-taxes-rise-41/
The Times-Independent: Two-day bash planned for the Fourth of July
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/two-day-bash-planned-for-the-fourth-of-july/

Moab Sun News: Learning how to help – Health department, hospital host suicide prevention workshop
https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_f982d7fc-d49c-11eb-abfb-df75453603c3.html
Moab Sun News: Rock climbers organize – Climbing advocates survey Indian Creek climbers ahead of management planning
https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_15a9ab90-d4a2-11eb-8d3d-273fbe95404c.html
Moab Sun News: Hundreds of firefighters continue work on Pack Creek Fire – Fire over 60% contained, officials say
https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_70027242-d49e-11eb-ab98-f3fd2f4ff5f1.html